Digital Commons Network^™

Enriching The Pcos Lifestyle, Callie Coleman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder affecting approximately 4 – 20% of women worldwide. It is associated with insulin resistance, fertility problems, and an increased susceptibility to chronic conditions through multiple inflammatory pathways. Women with PCOS are also at increased risk for disordered eating. The Mediterranean diet is associated with decreased inflammation and risk of chronic conditions, and intuitive eating principles are associated with decreased disordered eating patterns. The purpose of this study was to determine if a six-week nutrition education workshop incorporating information and skills related to both the Mediterranean lifestyle and intuitive eating principles can improve …

Elementary School Teachers’ Lived Experiences Of Teaching Nutrition: A Qualitative Study, Ashley P. Vito Ms

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Early nutrition education is crucial for lifelong health and learning (Cusick et al., 2016). Elementary schools and teachers play a significant role in shaping children's understanding of nutrition (Cotton et al., 2020). Yet, there's limited research on teachers' experiences teaching nutrition to elementary students and how it affects their well-being. This qualitative study examines 13 Ontario-based teachers' experiences in delivering nutrition education. Interviews revealed themes such as teachers' perceptions of their role and secondly challenges and facilitators in teaching nutrition, including time constraints, resource scarcity, body image, and cultural differences. These findings offer insights into the complexities teachers face in …

Promoting Healthy Habits Among Children In A Residential Facility., Tiffany Jones

Doctor of Nursing Practice Papers

Background: Childhood obesity has been a significant public health concern in the United States. The prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents has increased over the past few decades. There are serious implications for immediate and long-term health. It poses serious health risks and economic challenges.

Setting: This quality improvement project will take place at a residential psychiatric treatment facility and therapeutic foster care program for children and adolescents with mental health or behavioral issues. This facility is in the suburbs of Louisville, Kentucky.

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to boost physical activity and improve knowledge about nutrition …

A Quality Improvement Project To Reduce Facility-Acquired Pressure Injuries, Carolina Rosario

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Project

Problem: Facility-acquired pressure injuries (FAPIs) pose significant risks to patient outcomes and healthcare costs ($500 to $70,000 per PI) in subacute rehabilitation (SAR) facilities. An assessment in a SAR identified a concerning pressure injury (PI) rate of 15.3%, exceeding the national benchmark of 10% for such facilities. This prompted an evidence-based quality improvement (QI) initiative.

Aim of the Project: This project aimed to reduce FAPI rates by 30% or greater among patients 65 and older using a PI prevention bundle called SSKINS (Skin, Surface, Keep moving, Incontinence/moisture, Nutrition/hydration, Self-management).

Review of the Evidence: A comprehensive literature review indicated that PIs …

Examining The Nexus Of Food Insecurity And Oral Health, Abigayle Talbot

Honors Theses

This research paper delves into the relationship between oral health and nutrition status among individuals with food insecurity. As both oral health and nutritional well-being play pivotal roles in overall health, understanding their interplay in the context of food insecurity becomes important. This study investigated how inadequate access to food resources, a characteristic of food insecurity, can impact oral health, leading to a spectrum of dental issues. The study explores the impact of compromised oral health on dietary habits, potentially resulting in nutritional deficiencies or malnutrition. By examining the potential pathways through which these factors influence each other, the study …

Childhood Food Insecurity As It Relates To Adult Intuitive Eating Patterns, Lily Langley

Honors Theses

Many American families struggle with food insecurity and do not have the economic capabilities to obtain a sufficient quantity of nutritious food. Childhood food insecurity is associated with negative health effects and altered relationships with food as an adult. Intuitive eating, a non-diet framework that emphasizes mindful eating, may attenuate these effects. It includes unconditional permission to eat, eating for physical rather than emotional reasons, reliance on hunger and satiety cues, and body-food choice congruence. Previous research has not examined whether childhood food insecurity can affect one’s ability to eat intuitively as an adult. The goal of this study was …

Healthier Together: A Holistic Office Protocol Addressing The Chronic Nature Of Children And Adolescents With Adhd, Kimberly Olmos

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a highly prevalent, chronic condition with symptoms that include inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. ADHD affects six million children in the United States (Tran et al., 2021). The purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to implement a holistic office protocol that addressed the chronicity and future health outcomes of children and adolescents, ages 2-17 years with ADHD through stimulant or non-stimulant medication prescriptions, behavioral therapy referrals, and education surrounding diet, and exercise. A comprehensive, systematic literature search yielded 16 articles to determine best practice when treating children and adolescents with ADHD in primary or …

Evaluation Of Nutritional Guidance From Providers For Patients With Type 2 Diabetes In A Primary Care Setting, Whitney Rice

DNP Projects

Background: Adherence to diet is a challenging part of managing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Guidelines recommend including a registered dietician and/or a diabetes educator. While this is the gold standard, there are barriers to implementation in primary care. The Starting the Conversation (STC) diet recall tool can aid primary care providers (PCPs) in providing brief nutrition counseling for patients with T2DM. Purpose: To evaluate the perceptions and practices of PCPs regarding dietary education and documentation for patients with T2DM after provider education and initiation of the STC tool. Methods: This was a quality improvement project using a quasi-experimental pretest …

Improving Nutrition Screening Practice In The Hospitalized Heart Failure Patient Population, Amanda J. Bourgeois

DNP Projects

Background: Heart Failure is a disease known to affect nearly 6.5 million adults in the United States. Characterized by recurrent hospitalizations, heart failure significantly contributes to morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs in the United States and worldwide. Because malnutrition is prevalent in the heart failure population, healthcare providers must perform nutritional assessments on admission to intervene in the case of malnutrition, prevent deterioration, and improve patient prognosis. Without intervention and early identification of malnutrition, heart failure hospitalizations will remain a significant problem.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of an evidence-based educational program for cardiac …

Nutrition Counseling Practices Among Psychologists, Wibecke Stromsnes

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

There is a lack of treatment guidelines for how to address the impact of nutrition on clients’ mental health. Prior research is limited regarding psychologists’ practices of nutrition counseling and has mostly focused on practices of dieticians and medical doctors. The purpose of this study was to examine psychologists’ beliefs and attitudes about nutrition counseling, amount of training and use of nutrition counseling, self-rated knowledge in the use of nutrition counseling and perceived benefits and barriers to using nutrition counseling. Data was collected using an online survey of 76 licensed psychologists’ training in nutrition and use of nutrition counseling. Findings …

Understanding Guardian Perceptions Of Whole-Foods Plant-Based Diets As Interventions In Pediatric Medicine, Vijay R. Luthra

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The obesity epidemic is widespread in American society, often affecting children who bear its consequences innocently. Due to a lack of nutrition knowledge, children rely on caregivers to meet their nutritional needs and instill healthy habits. This study examines parents' attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors, as well as perceived barriers to adopting a whole-foods plant-based diet (WFPD) for their children. Using a modified survey instrument by Morton et al., this study focused on parents and children regarding dietary choices. Participants were recruited from the waiting area of a pediatric clinic at the Medical College of Georgia between April and May 2023. …

A Lifestyle Modification Intervention In Hispanic Adolescents With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Brianne Miller

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

U.S. population studies have confirmed that the Hispanic population has the highest prevalence and the worst prognosis for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (Katz et al., 2021). The purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to implement a multicomponent, lifestyle modification intervention in Hispanic pediatric primary care patients to combat the disease process and sequela of NAFLD. The PICOT question for this project was: In Hispanic adolescents aged 10-21 with obesity and NAFLD (P), what is the effect of a multicomponent, lifestyle modification intervention (I), on alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (O), over a 12-week time period (T)? A comprehensive literature search …

Inadequacies In Nutritional Counseling In The Perinatal Population, Tiffany Fry

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Abstract

Obesity continues to increase at unprecedented levels and warrants immediate provider attention at the perinatal level to improve the health of the present and future generations. Reduction of this condition can reduce risk factors leading to morbidity and mortality. Guidelines exist for the prevention and management of obesity, yet little focus is placed on prevention in the perinatal population. Lack of consistent and healthy lifestyle in the perinatal population has the potential to not only place the mother at risk for obesity but also her unborn child. The overall purpose of the scholarly project is to identify any potential …

Development Of A Multifactorial Virtual Fall Prevention Tool For Community Dwelling Older Women, Eduardo Gutierrez, Jacob James Nogra, Carol Sparks, Bradley Voels

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Falls are the leading causes of injury-related death in adults over the age of 65, with women sustaining more than twice the rate of fall-related fractures as men. Reduced access to in-person falls prevention programs during the COVID-19 pandemic created a need for a user-friendly guide to existing online fall prevention resources targeted at this vulnerable population. The first aim of this study was to create and make widely available a website with evidence-based resources that address a range of modifiable fall risk factors, and the second was to test its feasibility in a convenience sample of older women. The …

Self-Reported Tea Consumption And Age-Related Macular Degeneration In U.S. Adults, Lindsey Halasz Shaffer

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Background: Age-related Macular degeneration (AMD) is a multifaceted disease of aging that is currently one of the leading causes of blindness in the US. As aging populations continue to turn to alternatives to prevent age-related diseases, the use of tea antioxidants has been suggested as potential protectors against cellular degradation and oxidation within the retina. To date, no epidemiologic or cross-sectional studies have been conducted regarding the correlation between tea intake and AMD, as it has for other diseases of with antioxidant mitigation potential, such as cancer. Objective: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine the correlation between …

The Experiences Of Middle-Aged Women In An Online Weight-Loss Community, Holly Fields

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The obesity epidemic continues to be a public health crisis in the United States. The number of obese middle-aged women has risen dramatically over the past few decades. Despite multiple levels of support available, not all women are receiving the support they need to reduce overweight/obesity, as evidenced by the continuing rise in obesity. Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, this study examined middle-aged women's views on exercising, eating healthily, and social support in online weight-loss communities. For this study, the health belief model (HBM) and social learning theory (SLT) were used as conceptual frameworks to understand a person's behavioral intentions …

Effectiveness Of The Catch (Coordinated Approach To Child’S Health) Rainbow Program In Elementary Schools For Change In Fruit And Vegetable Intake, Ashley M. Valinskas

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Background: There is currently a lack of nutrition education programs that effectively increase fruit and vegetable (FV) intake among children. Not meeting the recommendations for fruits and vegetables increases the risk for poor academic achievement, obesity, and chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, asthma, and more. Nutrition, cooking, and gardening lessons individually and together have shown to increase fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption in school-aged children.Methods: Two-Hundred Twenty-five 4th and 5th graders participated in six cooking and six gardening lessons between September 2021 and May 2022 at Genoa Elementary school. Each nutrition education session was 25-minutes long, …

Fork It, Kylee Pipgrass

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Obesity prevalence is at an alarmingly high rate within the United States, but especially in rural areas of Kentucky. Obesity can lead to a variety of negative physical health outcomes including heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and some cancers. There are also mental disorders associated with obesity through mechanisms such as weight stigma and self-perception. Similar to obesity rates, prevalence and mortality associated of these health outcomes are also seen at disproportionately higher rates in rural, Appalachian Kentucky. Causes for increased obesity and obesity related consequences include some genetic factors as well as behavioral factors like physical inactivity, poor diet, stress, …

The Influence Of Early Childhood Parental Feeding Behaviors On Self-Regulation & Food Decision-Making In Young Adults, Natasha Singareddy

CMC Senior Theses

This study used data from a diverse set of undergraduates from the Claremont Colleges to examine the relationship between cognitive control (impulsivity and response inhibition) and self-regulatory ability as an indicator of sustained early childhood parental feeding behaviors in adulthood. In addition, the current study explored if early childhood parental feeding behaviors predicted food decision-making in adulthood as a result of perceived taste and nutritional value of food items. It was hypothesized that heightened impulsivity and impaired response inhibition as measures of cognitive control would correlate to poorer self-regulation, in turn reflecting a particular mode of early childhood parental feeding …

Cultivating Carrots, Community, And Health-Conscious Children: Investigating The Effects Of Community Garden Implementation On Nutrition Attitudes Of Elementary Students In The Los Angeles Unified School District, Hannah Michele Tiedemann

Scripps Senior Theses

Growing up in an urban food desert can significantly affect children's development, health, and well-being (Jencks et al., 1990; Leventhal et al., 2000). Compared to their more affluent peers, youth living in low-socioeconomic urban neighborhoods are at greater risk of experiencing poor-quality diets, food insecurity, unhealthy body weights, and mental health problems (Duncan et al., 1997; Sampson et al., 1997). Moreover, children living in food-insecure households are more likely to consume calorically dense diets high in trans fat and added sugar, putting them at risk for poor health, childhood obesity, and chronic, diet-related diseases as adults (Nielsen et al., 2002). …

A Qualitative Study Of Rural Plant-Based Eaters’ Knowledge And Planning For Nutritional Adequacy, Michelle Leonetti

Graduate College Dissertations and Theses

Objective: To determine to what degree rural plant-based eaters engage in nutritional planning regarding nutrients commonly lacking in diets that exclude or limit animal-source foods (Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, iron, iodine, zinc, and protein).

Design: Semi-structured interviews were completed via phone or video conference. Interview questions explored dietary choices and degree of knowledge and planning for nutrients on concern. A brief diet questionnaire was conducted online.

Setting: Vermont, USA

Participants: 28 rural Vermont residents aged 19-77 years who identified as flexitarian, pescatarian, vegan or vegetarian.

Results: Participants had a positive outlook about the healthfulness of a …

Impact Of The Washington State Covid-19 Lockdown On 5-10-Year-Ol School-Aged Children Residing In Kitties County, Peyton Rondeau

All Master's Theses

Background: The Washington State COVID-19 lockdown and subsequent school closures brought increased dependency on parents to provide nutritious meals and opportunities for physical activity for their children.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe the impacts of the Washington State COVID-19 lockdown on the dietary, physical activity, and screen time habits of children ages 5-10-years-old residing in Kittitas County.

Methods: A researcher-developed Qualtrics survey was created and validated via the Index of Item Objective Congruence. The survey was administered to parents via Facebook, using local Kittitas County Facebook groups.

Results: Most parents identified that the Washington lockdown negatively …

Wellness That Doesn’T Work. When Lifestyle Apps Lead To Disordered Eating., Aurelie G. Muntzel

Capstones

Fitness and dieting are nothing new, but what makes the latest generation of dieting apps that pair with smart watch devices which track your nutrition and biometric data so different is how much easier they can lead you towards disordered eating. This capstone explores how corporate incentives drive diet apps to co-opt the language of wellness discourse in order to attract the Gen Z market, while selling a product that equates healthiness to a number on a scale.

Pick Your Plate: A Nutrition Education Study, Emmalyn Tucker

Honors College Theses

Childhood obesity has become a cause for concern among many nutrition experts. Childhood obesity can contribute to several health problems such as type 2 diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure. The large percentage of children affected with childhood obesity suggests a lack of essential nutrition education in our country. Junk food consumption and inadequate intake of the USDA’s MyPlate food groups have become essential areas for intervention. Multiple school-based nutrition education interventions have been explored to improve both children’s nutrition knowledge and improve healthy eating behaviors. “Pick Your Plate” is a nutrition education study designed to improve nutrition knowledge regarding junk …

Investigation Of Exercise, Nutrition, And High Tibial Osteotomy Interventions For Patients With Medial Dominant Knee Osteoarthritis, Codie Primeau

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of two distinct interventions in improving outcomes for patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and varus alignment: 1) a 12-week minimally supervised therapeutic exercise program with nutrition recommendations, 2) and high tibial osteotomy (HTO).

Methods: This dissertation involved four studies. Participants were recruited as part of two separate ongoing prospective cohort studies evaluating clinical, biomechanical, and physiological outcomes following a) a 12-week exercise and nutrition program (studies 1-2) or b) HTO (studies 3-4) for knee OA. For studies 1 & 2, we evaluated change in physiological measures (body composition, muscle strength, gait biomechanics), patient-reported …

Nutrition Facts Label Use Among U.S. Adolescents, Jennifer Beth Mandelbaum

Theses and Dissertations

Despite the promise of Nutrition Facts label (NFL) use as a population-level intervention with broad reach, few studies have examined determinants of adolescents’ NFL use, and how this label use may be associated with nutrition behaviors. This study used data from the International Food Policy Study, an online cross-sectional survey of trends in dietary patterns and policy-relevant behaviors in the U.S. and five other countries. First, this study examined 1) whether NFL use was associated with healthy eating efforts and 2) whether there were sociodemographic differences in NFL use among U.S. adolescents. Results demonstrated that NFL use was positively associated …

Examining Perceived Stress And Diet Quality Among Low-Income Families Engaged With A Nutrition-Based Food Assistance Program, Kelsey R. Wolfe, Kathryn L. Dambrino, David Phillippi, Laura Gray

DNP Scholarly Projects

Abstract

Introduction: Evidence suggests poor-quality diets and high levels of stress have negative impacts on health, especially in low-income families in the southern United States. Nutrition-based food assistance programs were developed to meet nutritional needs of food insecure clients. The purpose of this scholarly project was to explore the relationship between perceived stress and diet quality among low-income families engaged with a nutrition-based food assistance program.

Methods: A retrospective and observational design was used to analyze previously collected survey responses from clients participating in a nutrition-based food assistance program in Nashville, TN (N = 425). Descriptive statistics and Spearman’s …

Impact Of Incorporating Intuitive Eating Principles Into A College Nutrition Course On Eating Behaviors, Kira L. Minot

Master's Theses

Objective: This study aimed to assess the impact of an online introductory college nutrition course that implements evidence-based intuitive eating (IE) concepts and principles on students’ application of IE behaviors. A secondary outcome explored the relationship between student grades and changes in IE behavior implementation. Researchers hypothesized an increase in the average use of IE practices post-intervention.

Methods: This study was a non-randomized pilot intervention using pre- and post-test surveys. Enrolled students completed the intuitive eating scale-2 (IES-2) survey on the first and last days of the 16-week course. Students participated in typical nutrition coursework throughout the semester with the …

College Students Fail To Identify Nutrition Misinformation On Social Media, Helen Mary Katool

Honors Theses

Social media has become a part of everyday life in our society and has the capability to reach billions, across age groups. Research has shown that there is a direct link between the widespread access to social media and the amount of misinformation that is circulating. In fact, unqualified and uneducated individuals share believable but inaccurate nutrition posts. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine if college students can distinguish the difference between nutrition misinformation or factual nutrition information when presented on social media. Male and female college students (>18 years old) from two classes (nutrition and …

Nutrition On The Prevention And Treatment Of Depression, Gracie Polen

Nursing | Senior Theses

Today, the general population consumes a diet high in sugars, saturated fats, incomplete protein sources, and the tendency to exceed the bodies caloric requirements. The trend of obesity due to poor dietary habits is alarming. Mental illness has increasingly risen over the past decade. Specifically, the incidence of depression has reached a startling rate. The relationship between poor dietary intake and depression have grown together and it is imperative that methods are introduced to aid in resolving this issue. The prevention and treatment of depression needs to be explored through alternative methods. Healthier dietary choices have been shown to have …