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Nutrition-Related Conditions Among Children Of Migrant And Seasonal Farmworkers In The United States: Causes And Solutions, Rebecca Halvorson

Food Science and Nutrition

The purpose of this literature review is to determine the prevalence of nutrition-related conditions among children of migrant and seasonal farmworkers (MSFW) compared to national averages, as well as effectiveness of strategies for minimizing any health discrepancies. MSFW live under harsh conditions, engage in long hours of physically demanding labor, and receive insufficient income. Compounding demographic characteristics create insurmountable barriers to quality health care and nutrition education resulting in disproportionately unhealthy children within the MSFW population as compared to the greater US population. The prevalence of overweight, obesity, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and numerous infections is higher among MSFW children. …

The Nutrient Intake Of Homeless Women Of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Emily D. Popma-Metsaars

Masters Theses

Background Homeless individuals comprise about 1% of the American population with 1/3 of this particular population being women. And despite the potential for hunger, the homeless population has a similar prevalence of overweight/obese as other Americans. The Heartside neighborhood of Grand Rapids is a very low-income area of the city, inhabited by the poor and homeless. The Food Access in Michigan Project is studying the relationship between food insecurity and food environments in Michigan.

Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of the diet of homeless women in Heartside. This study examined the level of food …

E-Coaching For Weight Loss, Jennifer Warren

Jennifer Warren

The Government Of Kenya Cash Transfer For Orphaned And Vulnerable Children: Cross-Sectional Comparison Of Household And Individual Characteristics Of Those With And Without, Lukoye Atwoli, Lonnie Embleton, Julius Koech, Paula Braitstein, Allan Kamanda

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Background: The ‘Cash Transfer to Orphans and Vulnerable Children’ (CT-OVC) in Kenya is a government-supported program intended to provide regular and predictable cash transfers (CT) to poor households taking care of OVC. CT programs can be an effective means of alleviating poverty and facilitating the attainment of an adequate standard of living for people’s health and well-being and other international human rights. The objective of this analysis was to compare the household socioeconomic status, school enrolment, nutritional status, and future outlook of orphaned and separated children receiving the CT compared to those not receiving a CT.

Methods: This project analyzes …

Nutrition, Appetite And Weight Loss In Elders Living In Long-Term Care Facilities, Karene Marie Goodman

Dissertations

Abstract Elders living in long-term care facilities often experience weight loss. Weight loss in elders has been shown to increase their risk of death. Existing research has identified numerous factors associated with appetite and weight loss in elders. Dementia, depression, acute and chronic illness, and medications have all been identified as potential causes of decreased appetite and weight loss in elders. Only a few nutritional and appetite assessment tools exist, and these tools are not widely used in long-term care facilities. The purpose of this descriptive study was to validate the Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire (SNAQ), an appetite assessment tool …

Diet And Exercise Interventions Following Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: A Review And Call To Action, Garrett N. Coyan, Katherine M. Reeder

College of Nursing Faculty Publications

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery has been used for the treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD) for approximately 50 years, and has been performed on millions of people globally. However, little is known about the impact of diet and exercise on long-term outcomes of patients who have undergone CABG surgery. Although clinical practice guidelines on the management of this patient population have been available for approximately 2 decades, evidence regarding secondary prevention behavioral interventions, lifestyle modifications and self-management to slow the progressive decline of CAD, reduce cardiac hospitalizations, and prevent reoperation remains virtually absent from the literature. Diet and …

Evaluation Of The Long Term Effectiveness Of The Nutrition Component Of The Fit Kids Of Arizona Program, Megann Dastrup

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

The Fit Kids of Arizona program was created in 2009 to combat the childhood obesity epidemic in Northern Arizona. Fit Kids has been providing health education to overweight children and their families for the past five years. Research to validate the programs efforts has been lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of the nutrition component of the Fit Kids of Arizona program. The study also aimed to analyze the changes in BMI percentile after program participation and to obtain program satisfaction comments from past participants. Through the research process it was realized that the data collection and …

Evaluation Of A Theory-Based Farm To School Program, Rebecca Kent Bishop

Master's Theses

Fruit and vegetable (FV) intakes in MS children remain lower than recommended. Theory-based, multi-component nutrition education interventions like Farm to School (F2S) target FV consumption and utilize such interventions to improve children’s dietary behaviors by incorporating nutrition and agriculture education. The current study was designed with Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as its framework. An intervention was implemented to enhance beliefs, norms, and self-efficacy regarding FV, thus potentially increasing the intention to consume more FV. The research objectives of this study are to describe changes over the course of the intervention in (1) nutrition knowledge; (2) norms, beliefs, and self-efficacy …

Factors Associated With Abnormal Weights In Infants In The First Year Of Life: Results From The 2010 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, Nikaela R. Larossa

Honors Scholar Theses

Purpose: To examine the predictors associated with abnormal infant weights for lengths in the first year of life as seen in ambulatory care settings.

Data Sources: A secondary data analysis was conducted using the 2010 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS), in which practitioners documented single patient visits. World Health Organization (WHO) growth charts and recommendations were used to evaluate infant weight for length. Of the total visits, 603 infants were less than one year old, and 595 infants were within the length range of the WHO growth charts. Of the 595 cases, 13.6% were underweight, 5.5% were overweight, 41.2% …

The Impact Of The Ohana Mana Challenge On Native Hawaiian And Pacific Islander Children, Kristin Kay Van Tassell

Theses and Dissertations

In this four-week, family-focused pilot intervention study, researchers studied the impact of culturally relevant nutrition and activity sessions on eleven children from eight Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) families. Mixed methods were used in analysis. In their favorite meal drawings, children included more fruits and vegetables at week four than week one, which was consistent with their self-reported intake of healthy foods that were new to them. From week one to four, mean total scores increased on the nutrition and exercise knowledge exercise questionnaire and the physical activity self-efficacy tool; however, the mean total score decreased on healthy diet …

Impact Of Healthy Lifestyle Choices On Smoking Behavior Among College Students Who Smoke Cigarettes, Mitchell Jenkins

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the impact certain healthy lifestyle choices had on smoking behavior among college students who smoke cigarettes. Even with continued reduction in prevalence, cigarette smoking is still the leading cause of preventable death in America. With that in mind, it is important to continue to identify factors that relate to decreased tobacco usage. Secondary data from the American College Health Association's bi-yearly National College Health Assessment was used for this study. This assessment/survey encompasses college students' habits, behaviors, and perceptions regarding prevalent health topics. The sample for this study consisted of 14,515 college students who identified themselves as …

Family-Farm Therapy: An Urban Therapy Clinic To Address The Multifaceted Needs Of Multi-Stressed Families And Their Surrounding Communities, Felisa M. Huene

Graduate Research Symposium (GCUA) (2010 - 2017)

Family-Farm Therapy incorporates a therapeutic clinic within an urban farming community site, and focuses on multi-stressed family systems and the larger community system. The goal is for systemic change within the family and the community by creating positive relationships and personal acceptance. Farming has traditionally been a family endeavor which makes it a unique environment to be utilized as metaphors for family systems, their interactions, behaviors, and structure. Multi-stressed families have socioeconomic hurdles that complicate their ability to adjust to change and crisis in their family. Farming addresses such hurdles by offering economic sustenance, increased physical health, and community acceptance. …

Evaluation Of The Interest In Development And Availability Of The Resting Metabolic Rate Test As A Routine Healthcare Standard, Seth Wayne Parrish

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: A growing worldwide pandemic exists today that has large implications for the future of healthcare among the nations. Obesity is a growing disease that has multiple

implications for morbidity and mortality including cardiovascular disease, stroke and diabetes. The obese and overweight population plagues nearly 46% of the world's population, and likely is

preventable. We wanted to examine what role metabolic testing could play in prevention.

Methods: A cross-sectional study composed of a 52-question Likert-based scale survey was constructed and distributed to healthcare providers. We hypothesized that there would be a

generally accepted interest in establishing routine metabolic rate testing …

Perspectives Of Social Work Students On Nutrition And The Nutrition Effects On Mental Health, Diana Tran

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Nutrition is related to the mental well-being of clients. However, the nutritional views and practices of social workers in the mental health field have not been thoroughly explored. By using the post-positivist paradigm, 15 mental health social work students were interviewed for their perspectives regarding nutrition and nutrition’s effect on stress. Their main ideas were identified, connected, and organized to develop a theoretical statement. The resulting theory focused on the development of social work students' perspectives in applying nutrition into their mental health practice. The students were influenced by a variety of background factors, including their education, barriers to applying …

Fruit And Vegetable Consumption Patterns Among Children During School Lunch, Haley R. Riegel

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Background: As the United States suffers from a childhood obesity epidemic, more attention has been given to school lunch nutrition. Federal requirements on school lunch are evolving to include a variety of fruits and vegetables, whereas other programs study ways to increase healthy food consumption during school lunch. This project categorizes fruits and vegetables by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Cornell University’s Smarter Lunchrooms school lunch categories in order to gain a better understanding of fruit and vegetable waste during school lunch.

Methods: Visual estimations of tray waste were collected across four school districts. Averages of fruit …

Nutrition And Health Related Outcomes In Patients On Hemodialysis, Shawona Cannon Daniel

All ETDs from UAB

Millions of Americans are affected by kidney disease and a large proportion of these individuals require hemodialysis to sustain life. This is a life changing event. The nutritional lifestyle changes associated with hemodialysis may be a key factor to health related outcomes such as depression and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This study examined the relationship between selected demographic characteristics, nutritional status, measured by serum albumin, normalized protein catabolic rate (nPCR), body mass index (BMI), percent body fat, and self-report dietary protein intake, and HRQOL and depression in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis. This study also examines the magnitude of correlation …

Testing The Health And Exercise Knowledge Of Bowling Green State University Students, Veronica Rasicci

Honors Projects

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions and the problem is only continuing to grow (Flegal, 2006). Young adult college students are at a time in their lives where behaviors can more easily change than during other ages. They also are at a point in their lives where their current behaviors will influence the habits that they continue into later adulthood (Racette, Deusinger, Strube, & Highstein, 2012). Education is one way to promote healthy changes by college students. It is important to find out what knowledge of health and exercise college students already have. I developed a questionnaire with content-related validity and …

Induction Of Nafld With Increased Risk Of Obesity And Chronic Diseases In Developed Countries, Ian J. Martins

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The susceptibility of individuals to obesity has been reported in many developed countries with predisposition of humans to obesity associated with high calorie diets and unhealthy lifestyles. Obesity may closely be involved in cell suicide in various organ diseases with the importance of accelerated aging that requires early intervention with drug therapy to prevent diseases such as non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) that has increased in children and reached to approx. 40% of the global population. Obesity is induced by various diets and lifestyle factors such as stress, anxiety and depression which are important to consider with the global …

Obesity, Food Insecurity And The Impact On Perceptions And Behaviors Toward Dietary Nutrition In Low Income Women In Georgia, Amanda Lowe

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the paradoxical relationship between obesity and food insecurity and the subsequent impact of this relationship on perceptions and behaviors towards diet and nutrition among low-income women in Georgia. Specifically, this study sought to investigate whether factors such as poverty, education, socio-economic status, and participation in food assistance programs influence obesity outcomes among low-income women in Georgia. A sequential exploratory mixed-method research design was conducted for this study. Using qualitative and quantitative measures, the study employed key informant interviews with 16 administrators and staff members from the Women, Infant and Children (WIC) program …

The Benefits Of Breastfeeding, Avery Kordus

Senior Honors Theses

Breastfeeding research is plentiful, and the majority of the literature shows that breast milk is the superior form of infant nutrition except in the rare circumstances of infant metabolic disorders, maternal drug use, or positive HIV status. In comparison to formula, breast milk provides improved cognition, development, behavior, bonding, nutrition, digestion, immunity, and long-term health with fewer diseases and conditions in infants. Mothers are benefited by breastfeeding through bonding, faster weight loss, and reduction in certain cancers and conditions. Breast milk contains the proper amount of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals, and is also specialized for each infant and …

Impact Of Nutrition On Cognition And Its Association With Blood And Brain Alzheimer Disease Related Biomarkers, Samantha Gardener

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common form of senile dementia, currently affects over 35 million people worldwide. While there is no cure or effective treatment, early intervention programs hold considerable promise. Following particular dietary patterns represents one potential intervention strategy accessible to all.

Results from previous studies investigating the association of diet, cognition and biomarkers of AD are inconsistent: Positive results have been reported (1-7), whilst others have shown no associations. Prior to this thesis, no study has assessed the relationship of four dietary patterns to cognition, blood-based and neuroimaging biomarkers of AD in a large highly-characterised ageing cohort. Participants …

Dietary Pattern Adherence Of Adults With Diabetes In The Reasons For Geographic And Racial Differences In Stroke (Regards) Study 2003-2007, Keith Pearson

All ETDs from UAB

The objective of this study was to determine if adults with diabetes engage in different dietary practices compared to adults without diabetes in a national cohort of adults 45 years of age or older. Dietary practices were evaluated using five dietary patterns derived previously using factor analysis in a sample of 21,636 African American and European American participants who completed the Block 98 Food Frequency Questionnaire in the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) measuring dietary pattern adherence of adults with diabetes …