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:
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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.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common, contagious infection of the lungs and the respiratory tract. Syncytia are multinuclear cells that have fused together. It is so common that it effects all ages, but most people have experienced RSV by age two. Symptoms typically present similar to the common cold, with minimal effects and are easily treatable. RSV can, however, have detrimental effects on young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems. As an individual infected cell can produce virus, so can syncytia cells. But, because of experimental limitations, it is difficult to measure characteristics such as viral production and lifespan of the syncytia cells. We will use mathematical models to study how different assumptions about the viral production and lifespan of syncytia change the resulting infection to determine whether less direct measurements can be used to determine syncytia viral production rates and lifespans.