For years, dietary factors have been debated as either boosting or reducing the risk of breast cancer, with research yielding conflicting results. But in the new research, scientists could not conclude that meat, eggs or dairy product intake as an adult raised breast cancer risk. Connie Diekman, a registered dietitian and director of university nutrition at WUSTL comments.

References:

1. Aug. 28, 2009 — Meat, Dairy Won't Up Odds for Breast Cancer in the U.S. News & World Report online

and 8 others.

In December 2006, New York City required that artificial trans fats be phased out of restaurant food, and the mandate was in full effect by November 2008. Connie Diekman, director of university nutrition at WUSTL and a past president of the American Dietetic Association, said that banning fats is not enough.

References:

1. July 20, 2009 — In New York City, Trans Fat Ban Is Working in the U.S. News & World Report online

and 7 others.

Parents' eating habits don't seem to influence their children's food choices as much as experts have thought, new research suggests. The findings suggest that other factors, such as peer influence and television viewing, may be more powerful influences. The results are something of a surprise, said Connie Diekman, director of university nutrition at WUSTL and past president of the American Dietetic Association.

References:

1. June 5, 2009 — Parental Eating Habits Don't Rub Off on Kids in the U.S. News & World Report online

and 10 others.

For those who swear by antioxidant-rich food and drink, two new studies show those health benefits can wane if the products are stored for too long a time. Connie Diekman, a registered dietitian and director of nutrition at WUSTL comments.

References:

1. April 2, 2009 — Antioxidant-Rich Foods Lose Nutritional Luster Over Time in the U.S. News & World Report online

and 10 others.

In the "maintenance" phase that occurs after initial weight loss, the popular Ornish and South Beach diets seem to be easier on the heart than the high-fat, low-carbohydrate Atkins regimen, a new study finds. Connie Diekman, a registered dietitian and WUSTL's director of university nutrition, comments on the study.

References:

1. April 1, 2009 — Atkins Diet Tougher on Heart After Weight Loss in the U.S. News & World Report online

and 13 others.

Babies who gain weight quickly during the first six months of life may be more prone to obesity as toddlers, Harvard researchers report. The study suggests earliest intervention may reduce risk. WUSTL nutrition director Connie Diekman comments.

References:

1. March 30, 2009 — Rapid Infant Weight Gain Linked to Childhood Obesity in the MSN.com Health & Fitness

and 8 others.

WUSTL nutrition expert Connie Diekman comments on a New York proposal for an 18 percent tax on sugary sodas and juice drinks — an effort that state officials said would reduce obesity while raising more than $400 million a year for health programs.

References:

1. Dec. 17, 2008 — A Tax on Many Soft Drinks Sets Off a Spirited Debate in the The New York Times

If you've just lost weight and are trying to keep it off, don't rely on diet alone to keep those unwanted pounds at bay. It may not be enough, no matter what kind of "maintenance" diet you follow, researchers say. One of the experts commenting on the study is Connie Diekman, director of WUSTL's University Nutrition, who says dieters should figure out how much they can eat and how much they must exercise to maintain a weight.

References:

1. Nov. 7, 2008 — Don't Rely on Diet to Prevent Weight Regain in the U.S. News & World Report online

and 4 others.

Older adults with type 2 diabetes are apt to have memory problems after eating a meal loaded with fat, but a new study has found the damage can be undone if they take antioxidant vitamins along with the unhealthy food. More study is definitely needed, said Connie Diekman, director of university nutrition at WUSTL.

References:

1. June 26, 2008 — Unhealthy Meals Dull Older Diabetics' Memory in the U.S. News & World Report

and 5 others.

Adhering to the so-called Mediterranean diet, which is rich in fruits and vegetables and low in animal products, may protect you against developing type 2 diabetes, a Spanish study suggests. Connie Diekman, WUSTL university nutrition director, comments on the study.

References:

1. May 30, 2008 — Mediterranean Diet May Ward Off Type 2 Diabetes in the U.S. News & World Report

and 5 others.

Connie Diekman, president of the American Dietetic Association and director of nutrition at WU comments on the latest recommendations on diet exercise and hearth health.

References:

1. Feb. 24, 2008 — Latest thinking on avoiding heart disease in the Chicago Tribune

If you want your baby to love fruits and veggies later in life, offer plenty of opportunities to try both as you introduce your infant to solid foods, new research in the December issue of Pediatrics suggests.
And mom, eat plenty of fruits and veggies while you're pregnant and breast-feeding so you'll help to pass on the preference for these healthy foods.
WUSTL nutrition director Connie Diekman said the study results provide practical information for new parents.

References:

1. Dec. 3, 2007 — Want to Raise a Fruit-and-Veggie Lover? Be Persistent in the CBC News (Canada)

and 8 others.

Leptin, a hormone that helps to control feelings of hunger, also appears to govern the desire to eat, British researchers report.
The finding could lead to new insights into obesity and how to treat the condition, the researchers said.
One nutrition expert doesn't think enough is known about how leptin works to change the way obese patients are currently treated to control their appetite. Connie Diekman, director of university nutrition at WUSTL, comments.

References:

1. Aug. 9, 2007 — Hormone found to govern desire for food in the U.S. News & World Report online

and 9 others.

If you crave salty foods, you may have been born prematurely and lacking in sodium. And this might leave you vulnerable to weight gain, a new Israeli study suggests.
One researcher said, "There are about eight studies now that show that some form of sodium loss or deficiency [before or after birth] is associated with increased salt appetite in later childhood or adulthood."
WUSTL nutrition expert Connie Diekman called the study interesting but said it has limitations.
Your child's pediatrician can advise you on how much salt your child should be consuming daily.

References:

1. Jan. 25, 2007 — Love Salty Foods? You May Have Been Born With Low Blood Sodium in the The Washington Post

and 5 others.

There was a time that the word "organic" was a rare sight in the grocery store aisles.
No longer. Consumers today have a host of organic choices for a wide range of foods.
The question remains, however -- are organic choices really any better for you?
WUSTL nutrition specialist Connie Diekman comments.

References:

1. Nov. 29, 2006 — Are organic foods better for you? in the ABCnews.com

Keep the food pyramid but make it more understandable, food industry and consumer group officials told a panel of Agriculture Department officials on Thursday.
The department is revising its nutrition graphic to reflect new eating guidelines that are due out early next year by a dietary guidance advisory committee.
"Changing the shape now would mean abandoning the great level of awareness it has established," Connie Diekman, director of university nutrition at Washington University in St. Louis, told the panel, which also included Health and Human Services Department officials.

References:

1. Aug. 20, 2004 — Food pyramid's shape isn't problem, experts say in the WNBC.com (New York)

and 6 others.