Digital Commons Network^™

Community Based Nutritition Education: A Model For Raising Awareness Of Childhood Obesity, Selina M. Ahmed

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Background: Since 2003, Texas Southern University has coordinated conferences to educate Houston’s Third Ward community about strategies to combat childhood obesity. Presenters included faculty and students as speakers and activity coordinators. Participants indicated that these conferences are helpful in increasing awareness of health problems and the availability of community health resources. Purpose: To address the high rate of childhood obesity in Houston’s Third Ward and its costs in terms of health and long-term productivity on that community, faculty at Texas Southern University (TSU) coordinated annual conferences to educate community members about strategies to combat childhood obesity. Methods: Seven conferences intended …

Know Your Audience: Designing A Nutrition Education Game For Middle School Kids, Vinod Srinivasan, Lars Doucet, Christine Shimek, Cynthia A. Warren, Carol J. Spaulding, Kimberly Paulhill, Catherine J. Mcneal, John David Coppin

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Purpose: In recent years video games have emerged as potential tools to tackle obesity. Games that use motion-sensing controllers and interfaces are often used to promote physical activity. Games are also used to impart education about diet, nutrition and health. Our goal in this project is to address childhood obesity through the design, development and implementation of a video game to teach nutrition concepts to middle-school-aged children.

Method: Our target audience is middle-school students in a low-income neighborhood in Dallas. To guide us in the game design, we collected data about students’ gaming preferences through surveys, focus groups and student …

A Community-Academic Partnership To Improve Access To Healthy Foods In Low-Income Communities, Heather Kitzman-Ulrich, Mark Dehaven, Cindy Romero, Nicole Beltran

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Purpose: Access to healthy foods is often limited in low-income communities and prevents the adoption of a healthy diet needed to meet national dietary recommendations, reduce chronic disease, and prevent obesity. The Healthy Harvest Community Gardening Partnership is a community-based participatory research program between faith-based organizations, academic institutions, local philanthropy, and other non-profit institutions, created in 2009 for improving access to healthy foods and quality of life through a community garden network. Methods: Healthy Harvest uses a social ecological framework combining individual, interpersonal, and community level influences into a single program, and employs a train-the-trainer approach for providing expertise in …

Obesity And Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, Jacob Michael Taylor

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Obesity rates for pediatric acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) survivors vary from 11%-57%. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between caloric and macronutrient intake on the incidence of obesity in survivors of pediatric ALL. A retrospective study of 137 participants using existing data collected from the Bone II study was evaluated. Participants were grouped into categories based on BMI for adults and CDC growth charts for children. Data was collected from 24 hour food recalls at time of enrollment. No statistical significance was found between BMI groups. Forty percent of participants were overweight or obese, but 69% …

Youth Can! Grow Healthy!, Andrew Nils Carberry

Masters Theses

This study presents a formative evaluation of an afterschool program that combined youth development and school garden curricula. This program used a novel approach to teach elementary school children about fruits and vegetables and to engage them in advocacy for the physical activity and nutrition environments in their community. The youth development curriculum included sessions on team building, community pride, healthy eating and physical activity, and advocacy. Photovoice was used as a method to allow participants to assess their community and communicate findings with leaders. Participants selected community leaders to invite to their school and shared their findings via a …

The Effect Of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Derived From Various Sources On Bone Metabolism In Growing Female Rats, Robin E. Lukas

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Bone loss may be lessened if bone mass and strength are increased by optimizing nutrition intervention. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (o-3 PUFAs) have been suggested to improve bone mineralization and microarchitecture by affecting mineral balance and lipid peroxidation. However, the sources of the o-3 PUFA differ in the types of o-3 PUFA, ratios, and structural form. Therefore, the study objective was to determine the effect of o-3 PUFAs from different sources on bone mineral and microarchitecture and explore potential associations. Growing (28 day) female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned (n=10/group) to a high fat 12% (weight) diet consisting of either …

A Method For Collaborative Assessment Of Fish Consumption Risks And Benefits, Susan Donaldson, Kerry Seymour

The Journal of Extension

Conflicting media messages about the health benefits of eating fish have increased during the past decade. Mercury concentrations in fish continue to be documented, while nutritionists promote the benefits of eating fish high in omega-3 fatty acids. A simple, low-cost method to assess consumption patterns by anglers was developed in collaboration with a mercury chemist and state wildlife officials. This information will help Extension professionals develop and deliver research-based recommendations about the risks and benefits of eating fish while incorporating local fish advisories.

A Multi-Component School-Based Intervention Aimed At Increasing Vegetable Preference And Intake Among Elementary-Aged Children, Elizabeth Strasser

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study aimed to implement and assess a school-based multi-component intervention aimed at increasing elementary school-aged children's knowledge of, preference for, and intake of vegetables. The multi-component intervention included lunchroom exposure, nutrition curriculum in the classroom, after school program vegetable curriculum, family friendly nutrition newsletter, vegetable fair and parent cooking class. Lunchtime vegetable consumption was assessed by direct observation. Changes in preference, attitude, and knowledge were assessed using a pre- and post-intervention survey.

The multi-component intervention was implemented at Canyon Elementary during the 2008-2009 school year. Classroom teachers provided 20 minutes of nutrition education to students in grades one through …

Transport And Metabolism Of Glucose In Intervertebral Disc, Alicia R. Jackson

Open Access Dissertations

Low back pain is a major social and economic dilemma in the United States. Despite its high impact, the origins of low back remain unclear. Nonetheless, degenerative changes to the intervertebral discs (IVD) of the spine have been implicated as a possible source leading to pain. Poor nutritional supply to the IVD is believed to play a primary role in the pathophysiology of disc degeneration. Since the disc is avascular, vital nutrients, such as glucose, must be supplied by surrounding blood vessels. However, the transport and metabolic properties of glucose in the IVD have not been fully delineated. This knowledge …

Hss Alumni News Fall 2010, Department Of Health And Sport Sciences

Health and Sport Sciences Newsletter

• At Home at Otterbein by Andrea Johnson
• Separating Yourself in Sport Management by Dr. Greg Sullivan
• Otterbein College Returns to Its Roots as a University
• A Message from the Chair by Dr. Joan Rocks
• Updates from the Majors

Hss Departmental Developments Fall 2010, Department Of Health And Sport Sciences

Health and Sport Sciences Newsletter

• AustralLearn by Adam Wolfe
• Board of Trustees and Meeting
• Updates from the Majors

Prenatal Undernutrition And Cognitive Function In Late Adulthood, Susanne R. De Rooij, Hans Wouters, Julie E. Yonker, Rebecca C. Painter

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

At the end of World War II, a severe 5-mo famine struck the cities in the western part of The Netherlands. At its peak, the rations dropped to as low as 400 calories per day. In 1972, cognitive performance in 19-y-old male conscripts was reported not to have been affected by exposure to the famine before birth. In the present study, we show that cognitive function in later life does seem affected by prenatal undernutrition. We found that at age 56 to 59, men and women exposed to famine during the early stage of gestation performed worse on a selective …

B-Vitamins And Fatty Acids In The Prevention And Treatment Of Alzheimer's Disease And Dementia: A Systematic Review, Peter J. Whitehouse

Faculty Scholarship

The increasing worldwide prevalence of dementia is a major public health concern. Findings from some epidemiological studies suggest that diet and nutrition may be important modifiable risk factors for development of dementia. In order to evaluate the strength of the available evidence of an association of dietary factors with dementia including Alzheimer's disease (AD), we systematically searched relevant publication databases and hand-searched bibliographies up to end July 2007. We included prospective cohort studies which evaluated the association of nutrient levels with the risk of developing dementia and randomized intervention studies examining the treatment effect of nutrient supplementation on cognitive function. …

Prenatal Undernutrition And Cognitive Function In Late Adulthood, Susanne R. De Rooij, Hans Wouters, Julie E. Yonker, Rebecca C. Painter

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

At the end of World War II, a severe 5-mo famine struck the cities in the western part of The Netherlands. At its peak, the rations dropped to as low as 400 calories per day. In 1972, cognitive performance in 19-y-old male conscripts was reported not to have been affected by exposure to the famine before birth. In the present study, we show that cognitive function in later life does seem affected by prenatal undernutrition. We found that at age 56 to 59, men and women exposed to famine during the early stage of gestation performed worse on a selective …

Family Mealtimes, Dietary Quality, And Body Mass Index In Children, Claudia Christine Favre

Masters Theses

Frequency of family mealtimes has been positively linked to dietary quality and weight status in children; however, there is a lack of research identifying what components of family mealtimes are associated with this positive effect. This study investigated family mealtime components that may impact dietary intake and weight status in children aged 5-11 years.

Participants were 50 parent/child pairs (child: age = 7.3 ± 2.0 years, female = 44%, standardized body mass index (zBMI) = 0.55 ± 1.0, overweight/obese = 26.0%; parent: age = 36.8 ± 8.7 years, female = 76%, BMI = 29.0 ± 6.6 kg/m2, overweight/obese = 74.0%) …

Development Of A Nutrition Education Program For Hispanic Women Of South Carolina Based On Nutrition And Cooking Classes Using The Health Belief Model And The Social Cognitive Theory, Marta Gamboa Acuna

All Dissertations

During 2005, Hispanics became the largest minority group in the country. In the case of South Carolina during 2006, the Hispanic population represented 3.5% of its entire population. In general, Hispanics have lower level of income and education, and higher obesity rates than other ethnic groups. In addition, several studies have shown that Hispanics lack a basic knowledge regarding health and healthy eating, food combinations, portion size and cooking skills. The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a nutrition and cooking program for Hispanics with low income and low education levels. To determine participants' needs, an instrument …

Factors Affecting Bone Mineral Density In Elite Female Runners, Maureen E. Cartoon

Nutrition Theses

Introduction: The benefits of regular exercise on skeletal health have been well-documented in terms of stimulation of bone accrual and bone maintenance. Medium-impact sports activities such as running have been demonstrated to exert site-specific enhancement of bone mass in the lower appendicular skeleton. However, elite female runners engaged in high intensity training and sports activity may also be at risk of amenorrhea and low bone mineral density (BMD) resulting from inadequate caloric intake. Purpose: To investigate the effect of intensive exercise and maintenance of adequate caloric intake on BMD in a group of elite female runners. Methods: This study represents …

Positioning Techniques To Reduce The Occurrence Of Dequervain’S Tendonitis In Nursing Mothers, Alison Virzi

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

DeQuervain's tendonitis is an inflammation of two tendons: the extensor pollicis brevis and the abductor pollicis longus as they cross in the first dorsal compartment of the wrist. Symptoms include pain, swelling along the radial aspect of the wrist, and a decrease in thumb motion. A positive Finkelstein's test at examination is seen. Frequently it is caused by repetitively gripping, lifting, and positioning the wrist in flexion, ulnar deviation with thumb extension. It is a common diagnosis in women, referred to as "washerwoman's syndrome". It is also common for new mothers to experience due to the demands their wrists are …

Mir Talks To Vinita Bali, Managing Director And Ceo Of Britannia Industries, Srinivas K. Reddy

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Today we live in a truly global economy, no matter whether we talk about goods, services or manpower. Whereas economic growth rates in Europe and North America remain moderate, many Asian countries are booming despite last year´s economic downturn. This is reason enough for MIR to take a closer look at one of the rising stars: India. In June 2010, MIR talked to Vinita Bali, one of the few female CEOs of leading companies, who has worked in influential marketing positions on five continents. In describing how Britannia, one of the most famous Indian brands, handles everyday business and marketing …

Effects Of Nitrogen And Potassium Fertilizer On Willamette Spider Mite (Eotetranychus Willamettei) (Acari: Tetranychidae), Whitney Ann Geddes

Master's Theses

The spider mite family (Tetranychidae) is a well known pest group in agriculture. Within this family, Willamette spider mite (Eotetranychus willamettei) causes physical harm and potential damage to grapevines (Vitis vinifera) along the central and north coast of California as well as Washington and Oregon. Willamette spider mite prefers cooler climates and feeds by puncturing the plant leaf tissue; therefore removing plant nutrients in the early stages of plant growth. Amending soils with fertilizer is a common cultural practice used in commercial vineyards, but no study has documented the interaction between the effects fertilizer concentrations have on Willamette spider mite. …

The Homestead: Revisited, Christopher William Kramer

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

This paper discusses ideas for harmony on 100 acres in mid-eastern New York. Problems leading to this research include the depletion of resources from irresponsible energy use and profit-driven industrial agriculture; dependency on fossil fuels and centralized energy; and lack of connection between people within communities, with their environment, and with sources of food and water. It is feared that sustainable, resilience building practices that nourished generations throughout history are being neglected. This specific application provides depth and concreteness to the discussion and planning process. Resources including books, maps, reports, and periodicals were integrated to select the site and plan …

The Importance Of High School Nutrition Education, Rebecca Toisie Swanson

All Graduate Projects

This project looks at obesity and undernourishment in American students. The project discusses the importance of physical education and nutrition education and the lack there of in the 21st Century. Research indicates current legislative mandates involving standardized testing and a stress on core academics, changing familial and societal structures and evolving food technology have helped lead to the obesity epidemic in the United States. The project also looks at different ethnic and socioeconomic groups and the impact nutrition and overall health plays in these groups. The project includes a nutrition curriculum that is designed to be used in a ninth …

The Effect Of Aging And Resveratrol Supplementation On Bone Mass And Strength In Hindlimb Suspended Male Rats, Stephanie Wright

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Resveratrol has recently become a popular dietary supplement because of its potential for reducing the effects of aging and various age-related diseases. However, few studies have investigated the role of resveratrol in improving bone loss associated with aging. It has been widely reported that mechanical unloading increases bone loss. The elderly experience a prevalence of reduced mechanical loading due to declining activity levels and increased incidence of bed rest. In rats, hind-limb suspension (HLS) simulates mechanical unloading of bone. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the effects of aging and resveratrol supplementation on bone health in HLS …

The Effect Of Omega-3 Enhanced Fish Consumption On C-Reactive Protein Levels In Post-Menopausal Women, Megan Moran

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Heart disease is the leading killer of women in the United States, and the risk is 2--3 times greater in post-menopausal than pre-menopausal women. C-Reactive protein (CRP) is an inflammatory marker that has been identified as a risk factor for heart disease. The objective of this study was to determine if increased consumption of omega-3 fatty acids, known for their anti-inflammatory properties, reduced CRP levels in post-menopausal women. A sample of 29 women was recruited to participate in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups, experimental and control. The women were instructed to follow a heart healthy diet …

Correlation Of Age-Specific Phenylalanine Levels On Intellectual Outcome In Patients With Phenylketonuria, Krista S. Viau

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study includes data collected from a retrospective chart review of patients with phenylketonuria treated at the University of Utah Metabolic Clinic. Among the
approximately 175 patients treated for phenylketonuria at this clinic, 55 patients (28 female) met the inclusion criteria for the present study. Based on the diagnostic Phe
level, 66.7% were classified as having classic phenylketonuria, 18.5% with moderate phenylketonuria, and 14.8% with mild phenylketonuria.

Subjects’ cognitive status was measured with one of three neuropsychological tests: Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children third and fourth editions and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale third edition. Due to structural differences among …

Building Healthy Communities: A Workshop Bringing Together Public Administrators, Policy Makers, And Concerned Citizens, Howard H. Baker Jr. Center For Public Policy

Baker Center: Publications and Other Works

This workshop was designed to focus on how environmental factors influence a
communities’ nutrition and physical activity habits. During the morning session, nationally
renowned experts in the fields of nutrition, active transportation, public health, and urban
planning delivered keynote presentations and held a panel discussion. In the afternoon,
the audience members split into breakout sessions facilitated by the conference organizers,
and solutions to the problems presented by the experts were sought and recorded. Finally,
at the conclusion of the conference, a panel discussion of policy-makers (including
both elected and appointed officials) provided a thoughtful reflection on the process of
implementing …

Pb1647-Do You Need To Take A Vitamin Supplement?, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Health, and Fitness

W hat you eat is important to your health. Almost every day new research confirms the benefits of healthful eating. The Food Guide Pyramid offers a reliable and easy-to-follow plan for healthful eating. If you eat the recommended number of servings from each of the pyramid food groups and eat a variety of foods from within each of the food groups, you should get all the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients you need. People who consume a well-balanced diet usually do not need a vitamin/ mineral supplement.

Qualitative Description Of College Students' Dinner Groups, Brita Michelle Ball

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: The purpose of this study was to discover how college students conduct dinner groups and students' perceptions of the benefits and difficulties of participation.

Design: Qualitative study conducted with seven focus groups.

Setting: A university campus.

Participants: Thirty-six college students participating in dinner groups. Dinner groups were defined as a group of ≥3 people cooking for each other (or together) and eating together ≥4 times a week.

Analysis: The focus groups were recorded, transcribed, coded, and reconciled. NUDIST® NVivo software was used in identifying themes and subthemes.

Results: Dinner groups were composed of roommates and/or other students living nearby. …

Hss Departmental Developments Spring 2010, Department Of Health And Sport Sciences

Health and Sport Sciences Newsletter

• Official Recognition of Health Promotion & Fitness
• Alumni Panel Discussion
• Congratulations Grads
• Updates from the Majors

Maternal Autonomy As A Protective Factor In Child Nutritional Outcome In Tanzania, Hannah Murphy Ross-Suits

Public Health Theses

Child malnutrition is a problem in all countries and centers in poorer communities. Biological and socioeconomic factors alike contribute to malnutrition with recent studies focusing on aspects of maternal autonomy as an influencing factor. In this study, maternal autonomy is defined as the independence in her actions and control over resources a mother has within her household and is made up of several factors, including decision-making power, opinion of domestic abuse, and financial independence. Child nutritional outcomes were operationalized using the anthropometric measures height-for-age (HAZ), weight-for-height (WHZ), and weight-for-age (WAZ). For this study, the 2004-2005 Tanzanian Demographic and Health Survey …