Background: Intermittent fasting has become a dietary trend, as it is reportedly attributed to weight loss, maintenance of body composition, appetite control, improved sleep patterns, and disease prevention. However, current evidence-based research may not fully support these claims. There are discrepancies regarding the definition of intermittent fasting. Additionally, it is commonly confused with traditional fasting.
Objective: The objective of the study was to determine perceptions of intermittent fasting on health in college-aged students and compare to evidence-based findings. It was hypothesized that college students would have an overall positive perception of intermittent fasting based on current popularity of the diet.
Design: Cross-sectional
Methods: An online survey was developed which assessed participants’ knowledge and practice of intermittent fasting.  Participants were recruited via email and social media. Data was analyzed using SPSS. 
Results: Among study participants (N=99), 24.2% (n=22) reported currently or previously following an intermittent fasting diet. There was a positive correlation between reported intermittent fasting and weight loss (p<0.01), as well as increased energy levels (p<0.01).  The majority of participants (63.6%, n=63) defined intermittent fasting as “controlling the times throughout the day in which food/drink can be consumed.” Participants reported obtaining knowledge of intermittent fasting from internet research (50.5%, n=50), social media (46.5%, n= 46), and friends and family (42.4%, n=42).
Conclusions: Overall, participants commonly defined intermittent fasting, with knowledge coming from friends and family, social media, and the internet.  If participants had practiced intermittent fasting, the most significantly reported benefits were weight loss and increased energy levels, which may be attributed to the current study populations’ motives for diet adherence. Further research should be conducted with a more diverse subject population and include data regarding participants’ reported desired outcomes prior to starting the diet in order to determine if additional benefits can be attributed to intermittent fasting.

HOW SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCES DIETING AND EATING BEHAVIOR

D. Farmer,1 J. Goodrich, Rylee Lin, A. Vanbeber, PhD, RDN, LD, FAND, L. Dart,
1Department of Nutritional Sciences, Texas Christian University

Learning Outcome: To determine the influence of social media on dieting and eating behaviors among adults living in the United States.

Learning Needs Codes:
Primary:
Secondary:

Background: Social media plays a major role in influencing use of popular fad diets, and searching for diet-related information on social media is becoming more common. Research indicates that 45 million Americans go on a diet each year, and approximately half of all dieters report that their primary information source regarding special diets is the internet.

Design: Un-blinded, randomized trial approved by TCU IRB.

Methods: Participants completed an online SurveyMonkey® research questionnaire after providing informed consent. Population included 333 male (22%) and female (78%) individuals 18->45 years of age. Analyses assessed participants' history of fad dieting and outcomes, likelihood of being influenced by social media recommendations for food product brands, and/or following social media influencers promoting different diets. Data was analyzed using SPSS (P<0.05). Frequency distributions and correlations were analyzed for trends in dieting and eating behaviors and how these are influenced by social media.

Results: Age was the overriding factor in determining influence by social media among participants, with 18-22 year/olds more likely to follow a diet and/or try food product brands recommended by social media influencers (P=.01). Married and older participants vs. single younger participants were more likely to have attempted a weight loss diet but less likely to try a diet promoted by a social media influencer (P=.01). Additionally, regardless of age or marital status, there was a positive correlation between participants who dieted more frequently throughout the year and the likelihood of trying a diet promoted by social media influencers (P=.01).

Discussion/Conclusion: Social media provides registered dietitians/nutritionists with the unique opportunity to market their skills and to educate the public about evidence-based nutrition science.

The metabolic effects of capsaicin on college-aged men: a randomized, double-blind, placebo- controlled, crossover pilot study
J.E. Mertes,1 A.A. Graves,1 I. Marzan, 1 N. Andonie, 1 A.J. Graybeal, MS2, J.L. Willis, PhD, RDN, LD1
1Department of Nutritional Sciences, Texas Christian University
2Department of Kinesiology, Texas Christian University
Background
Capsaicin is the biologically active, spicy flavor profile component of chili peppers that has been recently touted as an anti-obesity agent. However, studies examining the effects of capsaicin on these markers have mixed results.
Objective
The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the effects of consuming a 14-d supply of 500mg/day or either capsaicin supplement versus placebo on: 1) basal metabolic rate (BMR); 2) blood glucose (BG); and 3) anthropometrics in college-aged men with BMI >25kg/m2.
Design
This study utilized a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design.
Methods
Six overweight/obese, sedentary men completed four visits (~45min/visit) over a 45-day intervention period. On visit 1, participants completed anthropometric and BMR measurements and were randomly assigned to either capsaicin or placebo. Participants were provided with a 14d supply of pills, a pill log, and dietary logs to take and complete daily for 14d. On day 15 (V#2), the same testing and measurements occurred. Participants then completed a 14-day washout period. Following the washout period, participants crossed-over and underwent the V#3 (days 30) and V#4 (days 45) where the same procedures as before were followed.
Results
From pre- to post-capsaicin supplementation, there were no significant changes in BMR (1.61±0.49 to 1.80±0.54 kcals/min, ns), BG (102.5±5.9 to 104.0±8.4mg/dL, ns), body weight (96.1±20.1 to 96.4±20.94kgs, ns), or BF% (22.2±9.2 to 22.7±8.6%, ns). Placebos showed no change in these markers (ns).
Conclusions
In overweight/obese college-aged men, supplementation with 500mg of capsaicin or placebo did not differentially affect BMR, BG or body composition. Overall, more research should ensue with a larger sample.
Funding Source: TCU SERC Grant # UG 190315

Background: Dairy-free diets have gained popularity within the United States based off of minimal scientific evidence to support the overall healthfulness of eliminating dairy. There is limited existing research as to factors that influence dairy consumption or how many people adhere to a dairy-restricted diet.
Objective: The objective of this study was to determine public perception of the healthfulness of dairy and consumption patterns. It was hypothesized that due to recent media coverage and dietary trends, dairy products have gained a negative connotation and consumption has decreased.
Methods: An online survey was created to assess participants’ perception of the healthfulness of dairy and consumption trends of dairy and dairy substitutes. Participants age 18-65 were recruited via email and social media. Data was analyzed using SPSS.
Results: Among survey participants (N=213), the majority consume dairy (91%, n=194), with 77% (n=164) stating they consume 1-2 cups daily. There was a significant correlation (p≤0.01) between whether participants consume dairy and how healthy they view dairy products. The majority of respondents believe that dairy is healthy in moderation (70.4%, n=150), though 34.3% (n=73) believe that cow’s milk is nutritionally inferior to milk alternatives. There was a significant correlation (p≤0.01) between current dairy consumption and consumption of dairy during childhood. However, 42.7% (n=91) of participants stated that their preference for dairy has decreased over the past 5 years. Of the participants who had a decreased preference for dairy, their primary reasons were due to personal research (26.3%, n=56) and media influence (15%, n=32).
Conclusions: The majority of respondents reported consumption of dairy products and perceived dairy to be healthy in moderation. However, a large number of participants’ preference for dairy has decreased in recent years due to personal research and media influence. Future research should also include comparison of consumption trends to evidence-based dietary recommendations.

Previous reports show that it is not uncommon for patients to have two viruses at the same time. At the current time, we do not know how to treat co-infections. In order to test the effects of having these concurrent infections, we simulate the two infections using a mathematical model. We use our model to simulate influenza A virus co-infected with respiratory syncytial virus and parainfluenza virus co-infected with human rhinovirus. Using the model, we can estimate the co-duration of the viruses, the individual duration, and the peak virus amount for both viruses, both with and without drug treatment of the infections to figure out the best treatment strategies for co-infections. We find that sometimes treating one infection can lead to the lengthening of the other infection.