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Home Page > Academics > Ethel Austin Martin Program > Ongoing Research Studies
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Research Studies
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The E.A. Martin Program supports nutritional research involving a wide variety of disciplines. The current projects are highlighted here, followed by a list of previous projects. Research takes place in a variety of locations, as shown by the photos of the Bone Bus.
Ongoing research projects initiated from within the EAM Program include the South Dakota Children's Health Study and the South Dakota Rural Bone Health Study, as well as collaboration on projects from outside the program. In November 2005, the EAM Program began collaboration with NIH, NICHD and other instututions to conduct The National Children's Study. Active research projects provide SDSU faculty and students the opportunity to expand their knowledge base and participate in research.
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| The E.A. Martin Program has a mobile research unit that moves the laboratory to the field. On board this unit is state-of-the-art imaging equipment that can be used for bone measurements and body composition analyses. This equipment includes a dual energy x-ray absorptiometer (DXA, Hologic 4500A Discovery) and a peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT XCT 2000, Norland/Stratec). The unit provides an important resource for investigators at SDSU.
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Photo: E.A. Martin Program Mobile Unit
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E.A. Martin Program Mobile Unit |
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| Ongoing Research Projects
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| The National Children's Study (NCS)
The National Children’s Study will examine the effects of environmental influences on the health and development of more than 100,000 children across the United States, following them from before birth until age 21. The goal of the NCS is to identify environmental factors that are important in the growth and development of children and long-term health outcomes. Brookings County, South Dakota, and Yellow Medicine, Pipestone & Lincoln (BYPL) counties in Minnesota were randomly chosen from all counties across the US to serve as one of the seven Vanguard sites for the study. South Dakota State University (SDSU) was recently awarded the contract to serve as the BYPL Vanguard Center. This study is important to the health of not only SD & MN children, but all US children. In 2008, we will begin screening for eligible women to participate in the study.
For further information about the national study, please visit the website at http://www.nationalchildrensstudy.gov [External Hyperlink].
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Photo: Bonny at Ag Senate Reception
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Bonny poses near our display at the Ag Senate Reception held in Washington, D.C. |
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| South Dakota Rural Bone Health Study (SDRBHS)
The aim of this study is to determine whether a rural lifestyle leads to high bone density in young adulthood and lowers the rate of bone loss later in life. Approximately 1,200 men and women aged 20 to 65 years with equal numbers of Hutterites, rural non-Hutterites, and non-rural non-Hutterites are being followed longitudinally. Yearly blood samples, bone measurements and regular assessments of activity levels and dietary intake are obtained. The project will determine whether bone density during young adulthood and the rate of later bone loss among the Hutterite population is similar to other populations, and whether greater activity levels and calcium intake can account for the high bone density observed among the Hutterites. We also will investigate genetic factors affecting bone strength. Further understanding of the role of genetics and lifestyle factors as determinants of bone density among Hutterites is necessary because they appear to be less likely to develop osteoporosis than the normal U.S. population. Investigators are from the E.A. Martin Program, the College of Nursing, and the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.
To read some results from the study, click on the following link: BoneStudyResults
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Photo: Leah Wolkow- DXA Whole Body Scan
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A total body scan on the DXA machine is performed aboard the mobile unit. |
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| Muscle-Bone Relationships in the Human Arm and Leg
Muscle contractions place forces on tendons, which in turn cause forces to pull on bones. Bones must adapt to the forces that are supplied by the muscles by changes in shape, structure and material properties. In this study, we are recruiting healthy participants (aged 6 years and older) from the eastern South Dakota area to study muscle-bone relationships in the arm and leg. We expect that 1) muscle-bone relationships will exist in both genders at all ages; 2) gender differences in muscle-bone relationships will not exist until after puberty at which time females will have greater bone per muscle mass than males; 3) physically active participants will have a greater muscle area at all ages, but older individuals will have lower peak muscle force per muscle area compared with younger individuals and 4) bone density and size willl be more strongly associated with muscle force than muscle area.
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Photo: Teresa Binkley
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Teresa Binkley teachs a course entitled "Reading and Interpreting Scientific Literature" to
SDSU and USD/LEND students in July 2005. |
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| Collaborative and Previous Research Studies
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| The purpose of the South Dakota Children's Health Study was to determine in a randomized controlled study whether calcium intake modifies the bone response to physical activity in preschool children. Over 200 young children were recruited from participating child care centers in eastern South Dakota. Calcium and activity interventions were done in the centers and changes in bone mass accretion over a 1-year intervention period were determined. A finding of beneficial effects of either calcium supplementation or physical activity either independent of each other, or in combination, will provide the groundwork to devise prevention strategies within the educational system for optimizing bone health beginning early in life. The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH/NIAMS).
The purpose of the study on Determinants of Bone Health in Former Preterm Children was to determine whether there are differences in bone mass and size among infants born preterm, near-term, or at term and to identify environmental factors associated with bone mass and size in children 3-8 years old. Our long-term goal is to optimize peak bone mass and minimize fracture risk in children who may be at increased risk for low bone density. Participants of the study were children who were born at Sioux Valley hospital between January 1997 and January 2003. We expected preterm children to have smaller bone size and lower activity levelsthan term children. Study participants completed a one time visit that included food frequency, health history, activity, parental anxiety and vulnerability questionnaires, diet analysis, health history, DXA and pQCT tests, and forceplate measurements. Haifa used these data for her PhD dissertation in Biological Sciences.
In a study of Factors Associated with Iron Status in a Hutterite Population, we recruited healthy Hutterite participants (aged 6 months and older) from 13 Hutterite colonies that participate in the Rural Bone Study. The purpose of this study was to determine whether reproductive history, gender, age, dietary iron intake, breast-feeding and weaning history or genetics influence iron status among a Hutterite population. We were particularly interested in infants and toddlers where iron deficiency is a particular concern because it can adversely affect child development and behavior. Around 4-6 months of age, infant iron stores begin to deplete, therefore complementary foods should be introduced to the infant to help supply key nutrients such as iron at this time. Other population groups of concern are adolescent females and women of childbearing age, especially those that are pregnant. For the study, participants completed a one time visit that included a health history questionnaire, hemoglobin testing and a food frequency questionnaire. Jane Osowski organized these visits and used the information collected towards a PhD in Biological Sciences.
The purpose of the study Vitamin D Fortified Cheese and Vitamin D Status in the Elderly was to determine the effect of vitamin D-fortified cheese on bone health in an older population. Due to a steadily declining rate of milk consumption among all age groups, cheese has been chosen as an additional food source to deliver supplemental vitamin D. Participants in this two-month study were randomly placed into one of three groups. One group received vitamin D-fortified cheese, one group received cheese with no added vitamin D, and one group received no cheese. Indicators of bone health and muscle strength were obtained at the beginning and end of the study. Investigators are from the Dairy Science Dept, the E.A. Martin Program, and the Applied Physiology Laboratory.
The Bone Mass Inheritance Study in collaboration with Creighton University Osteoporosis Research Center: The purpose of this study was to identify adults with a bone mineral density (BMD) that is either significantly higher or lower than those compared to the normal population. It was hypothesized that high or low BMD is predetermined by genetic factors.
The Collection of Pediatric Reference Database for Bone Ultrasound-North America in collaboration with Sunlight Medical Ltd.: The purpose of the study is to establish reference values using quantitative ultrasound for bone measurements (speed of sound) by age in North American pediatric population for the Sunlight Omnisense" 7000P for two skeletal sites; i.e. 1/3 distal radius and mid-shaft tibia. The EAM Program also has been instrumental in establishing pediatric reference data for the Hologic DXA pediatric software.
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| WE CAN GO ANYWHERE FROM HERE!
| SDSU's motto, "You Can Go Anywhere From Here", rings true when relating to our research activities within the E.A. Martin Program. Below are some great pictures of our mobile unit, "The Bone Bus", making trips to different sights in South Dakota to conduct research for various research projects.
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Photo: Mobile unit at Al's Oasis in Chamberlin, SD
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THE MOBILE UNIT MAKES A STOP AT AL'S OASIS IN CHAMBERLIN, A POPULAR SOUTH DAKOTA REST STOP, ON THE WAY OUT TO RAPID CITY FOR A RESEARCH STUDY. |
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Photo: Mobile Unit traveling to the Black Hills
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THE MOBILE UNIT IS SEEN HERE MAKING A STOP TO TAKE IN THE SCENERY ON THE WAY TO THE BLACK HILLS. |
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Photo: Mobile Unit in Wall Drug, SD
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WALL DRUG, SD, A COMMON TOURIST TOWN ON THE WAY TO RAPID CITY, IS WHERE THE BUS IS SEEN HERE. |
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