BYU Pathway

BYU–Pathway Worldwide began working with students in Ghana in 2010. Advanced reporting students in the BYU School of Communications (Sydni Merrill, Ethan Porter, Joel Leighton and Derek VanBuskirk) traveled to Ghana to see how BYU–Pathway Worldwide is changing lives and ensuring more prosperous futures.

Four Brigham Young University journalism seniors — Sydni Merrill, Derek VanBuskirk, Ethan Porter and Joel Leighton — embarked on a 10-day trip to Africa for their media innovations capstone project: a documentary on BYU-Pathway Worldwide students.

Uchtdorf acknowledged the global breadth of the BYU–Pathway Worldwide student body — more than 65,000 students representing over 180 countries around the world, with 63% living outside the United States — and the students’ varied situations.

“Most of you are feeling your way through the obstacles of daily life and are trying to find your place in the world,” he said, adding that some face physical, emotional or spiritual challenges pressing upon them.

In underscoring an empathy for their challenges and hardships, Elder Uchtdorf related those of his youth — a refugee twice, with his family forced to abandon their home and seek refuge in different lands during World War II.

As economic outcomes for young adults with and without degrees have improved, Americans hold mixed views on the value of college

Graduate of Brigham Young University-Idaho went viral for a LinkedIn post about overcoming challenges

Emma needed a flexible way to finish her bachelor's degree when she added flight school to her plans

Jori Peña didn’t know how to support her family until BYU-Pathway renewed her love for learning

Grace Ninsiima, a single mother from Uganda, overcame significant challenges, including an abusive marriage and a diagnosis of kidney disease, by enrolling in BYU-Pathway Worldwide. With faith and resilience, she pursued her education, secured a remote job that provided for her family, and became an inspiration to others in her community.

Karen Della Corte, BYU nutrition and dietetics professor, recently authored a new study, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, that developed a national glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) database to offer insights into the evolving quality of carbohydrates consumed in the United States, something that hadn't been done previously.

The GI is a scale used by public health researchers to categorize the quality of the carbohydrates. High-GI foods like white flour and sugar cereals cause a "sugar rush" that can negatively impact metabolic health. Additionally, GL factors in the quantity of carbohydrates consumed.

"Large-scale studies have shown that both high GI and GL diets are associated with an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers," said Della Corte. "In addition, high-GI foods lead to quicker hunger and increased caloric intake and contribute to weight gain."

To conduct the study Della Corte and her husband, Dennis Della Corte, a BYU professor of physics and astronomy, developed an AI-enabled model that analyzes foods based on their GI and GL. They used the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) which provided sample list of foods Americans eat daily. The AI matched the foods from the NHANES, based on the food descriptions, with their correlated GI/GL values. This created the first national GI database.

"Using open AI for the [creation] of the GI database was a novel application of ours and marks an advancement in nutritional research methodology," said Della Corte. "Looking forward, many new and important questions can now be investigated using this database relating to the role GI and GL play for chronic disease risk in the U.S."

This dietary database allowed Della Corte to analyze the carbohydrate intake from the data they collected from nearly 10,000 foods. A process which could have taken months was sped up and made possible using AI.

In addition to developing the methodology needed for the creation of the first national GI database in the U.S., their work includes the analysis of carbohydrate quality intake trends spanning over two decades. It reports on the top GL-contributing foods to the American diet such as soft drinks, white bread, rice and fruit juice.

"One key takeaway from this study is the importance of prioritizing low-glycemic carbohydrates in the diet. This means focusing on whole, minimally processed foods that release glucose slowly into the bloodstream and prevent spikes in blood sugar levels," said Della Corte. "Making swaps from refined grains to whole grains can help improve the healthfulness of the diet and lower the overall dietary GI."

Della Corte notes that having a simple understanding of what foods are low on the glycemic index can help people make more informed food choices. Think of it as turning your pantry into a "GI-friendly zone." She suggests adding the following items to your grocery list or including some of them in weekly meal prep:

Whole grains Beans Lentils Chickpeas Brown or wild rice Quinoa Barley Steel-cut or rolled oats Non-starchy vegetables Fruits Nuts Additionally, the study found dietary patterns within GI and GL based on sex, race, ethnicity, education, and income levels. Not surprising, as individuals aged, they tended to make healthier carbohydrate choices. Those with a higher education and income were more likely to eat foods with lower GI. Black adults have the highest GI/GL and women have higher GI/GL than men.

The Della Cortes say they've enjoyed collaborating in this research and hope their database leads to increased public awareness of the importance of carbohydrate quality, which along with other important lifestyle factors could help prevent disease and extend an individual's health span.

"We hope that future studies derived from this database will add to the body of evidence needed to advocate for the incorporation of GI into public health guidelines and dietary recommendations."

In addition to the Della Cortes, BYU undergraduate student Sean Titensor and Dr. Simin Liu from Brown University also contributed to this research.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/18737928

REXBURG, Idaho — A 101-year-old woman received her diploma and a standing ovation as she became one of the oldest people to ever graduate from Brigham Young University-Idaho.

Helen Holland was the first student to walk across the stage at convocation last month as she graduated with her associate's degree in the College of Academic Success and Interdisciplinary Studies.

"So many of my children and grandchildren came, and so many friends at home turned on the video to watch," Holland said in a BYU-Idaho news release. "How can you describe the thrill of knowing that everyone who loves you is there? Just to see that love made a difference. It stays with you. You have friends everywhere."

Holland's educational journey began over 83 years ago at BYU in Provo. She studied for two years but never graduated and always felt a desire to finish her degree.

With the help of administrators at BYU and BYU-Idaho, she was able to transfer her credits and enrolled at BYU-Idaho in January.

"I did not realize that seven months can make such a difference when I've lived so many years," Holland said. "The lessons I've learned, the help I've received, and the memories I've made will be eternal."

Holland took five classes in the winter semester and two classes in the spring. She credits administrators, faculty, her adviser and others who helped her succeed. In her final semester, Holland took a German class.

"My background is German, so I thought it would be easy, but it was not easy," Holland joked. "Sister Nathalie Fairbanks, my professor, gave an uplifting message each week that gave me strength. The last week, she shared the song, 'If the Way Be Full of Trial, Weary Not,' sung by the Tabernacle Choir. How can you not give everything you've got after hearing that?"

Holland says she has seen doors open "when we thought they were closed" and wants to continue to learn and grow.

She has a message for those thinking about finishing their degree but are unsure or worried about what it entails.

"If it's in your heart, it's a wonderful experience you don't want to pass by," Holland says. "Sometimes it takes a while. It may take one class at a time, but there's got to be a reason you're having those feelings."

A Brigham Young University professor has figured out a way to shave critical years off the complicated design and licensing processes for modern nuclear reactors: artificial intelligence.

With only one year of college and no job experience, Peña gathered her courage and enrolled in BYU–Pathway Worldwide.