Life Sciences Commons^™

The Role Food Security, Financial Literacy, And Nutrition Literacy Play On The Diet Quality Of College Students, Amelia Sullivan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research aimed to explore the roles of food security status (FSS), financial literacy (FL), and nutrition literacy (NL) on the diet quality (DQ) of college students at the University of Maine. This research additionally sought to understand mediational relationships among these factors that could impact DQ.

A cross-sectional convenience sample of college students completed an online questionnaire assessing sociodemographic factors, short healthy eating index (sHEI)-score, FSS, FL, and NL. Participants' continuous data were analyzed using a Pearson correlation. Differences between interactive NL and sHEI-score while controlling for gender and meal plan differences were analyzed using a MANCOVA. Additionally, differences …

A Study Of The Current State Of Providing Fruits And Vegetables In Maine's Middle Schools, Renee Pickard

Honors College

In this research study, I analyzed the nutrition of school lunches in Maine’s public and private middle schools. Proper nutrition is a vital component for not only the physical development but the intellectual and academic performance of children, particularly those entering the early stages of puberty. More specifically, nutrients, such as vitamin C, potassium, and folic acid, provided in fruits and vegetables increase immunity, manage blood pressure, and support cell growth and function (Brown, 2017). I conducted this research to determine if Maine’s schools are currently meeting the state and federal guidelines overseen by the United States Department of Agriculture …

Investigation Of Anti-Inflammatory And Antioxidants Properties Of Phenolic Compounds From Inonotus Obliquus Using Different Extraction Methods, Weaam A.A. Alhallaf

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Inonotus obliquus, commonly known as Chaga, is a fungal pathogen of birch trees, known to synthesize a range of phenolic compounds with remarkable health benefits. These presumed medicinal properties have generated increased interest in Chaga consumption. Prior research has demonstrated the diverse chemical composition of Chaga sourced from a variety of geographical locations. However, to our knowledge, there is currently no available literature regarding the extraction of bioactive compounds from Chaga grown in the United States. Additionally, the effect of the extraction method on the antioxidant and anti-inflammation properties specifically, has yet to be validated. Therefore, the present study was …

Assessing The Effectiveness Of The Expanded Food And Nutrition Education Program On Diet Quality As Measured By The Healthy Eating Index 2005, Sarah A. Perkins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background:The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is a federally funded program through the United States Department of Agriculture that offers nutrition education to low income families across the U.S.

Purpose:This study assessed the effectiveness of Maine EFNEP on food-related behavior change and diet quality as measured by the Healthy Eating Index-2005 (HEI). This study also explored the relationship between the results on the HEI and participation in food assistance programs such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), as well as the number of hours spent in the program.

Methodology:This study was a …

Flower Visitation In Relation To Pollen And Nectar Nutrition: Implications For Pollinator Habitat And Conservation, Megan E. Leach

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Pollination of both wild and crop plants is at a crossroads; honey bee populations are experiencing losses at a higher rate than ever before, and some native bee species are declining in abundance to the point of being listed as endangered species. A few examples of these threats include pesticide exposure, habitat loss, and climate change. In response to bee population declines, conservation efforts have been initiated to increase habitat quality for bees by planting pollinator reservoirs or gardens. Plants provide nutrition to bees in the form of pollen and nectar. Several studies have shown links between higher nutritional quality …

The Effect Of Wild Blueberry Anthocyanins And Phenolic Acids On Innate Immunity: The Compliment System, Vasiliki Papakotsi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Ingestion of berries containing polyphenols is associated with lower risk of inflammatory, metabolic, cardiovascular and degenerative diseases. Diet has been shown to modulate the activation of the complement system, a set of over 50 proteins present in the circulation and tissues that reacts in response to damage or microbial encounter and is critical for the maintenance of homeostasis. Imbalanced activation is tightly correlated with inflammation and various pathologies. Wild blueberries are a rich source of anthocyanins and phenolic acids, which can be found in plasma shortly after consumption. Given the involvement of both complement and polyphenols in the modulation of …

A Study Of Teacher Practices And Perspectives On Nutrition Education In Maine Elementary Schools, Alexandra J. Courtney

Honors College

The purpose of this study was to identify how multiple influencing factors on nutrition education, relating to professional development, teacher self-efficacy, teacher beliefs, program use, wellness policies, and environmental factors, influence the amount of time elementary educators spend teaching nutrition in their classrooms. The primary tool for data collection was a comprehensive survey developed using Qualtrics software. The survey was distributed to Maine superintendents and principals who were asked to pass the survey along to K-5 teachers. Out of 270 responses collected before the survey end date, 233 were used for statistical analyses. The factors that influenced time teaching nutrition …

Eating For Environmental And Personal Health: Green Eating, Health Behavior And Environmental Perceptions At The University Of Maine, Moira E. Burke

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if green eating (GE), defined as environmentally conscious eating, in college students had an impact on BMI, health behavior, fruit and vegetable intake, physical activity, and perceptions of the campus environment. This was a cross-sectional study of undergraduate and graduate students (n=190) at the University of Maine. The GE Survey was used to determine GE stage of change; participants were classified as either pre-action (precontemplation, contemplation, preparation) (n=113) or post-action (action, maintenance) (n=77). The GE Survey was also used to assess GE behavior, decisional balance, and self-efficacy. A de novo health behavior …

2012 Wild Blueberry Project Reports, Dorothy J. Klimis-Zacas, Vivian Ch Wu, Frank A. Drummond, Judith A. Collins, Lee Beers, Eric Asare, Alex Bacjz, Kalyn Bickerman, Sara Bushmann, Shannon Chapin, Cyndy Loftin, Alison Dibble, Lois Berg Stack, Eric Venturini, Samuel Hanes, Aaron Hoshide, Matthew S. Jones, Brianne Looze, Seanna L. Annis, Caleb Slemmons, David E. Yarborough, Jennifer L. D'Appollonio, Tsutomu Ohno, Ellen Mallory, Hannah Griffin, Katie Mcphee

Wild Blueberry Research Reports

The 2012 edition of the Wild Blueberry Project Reports was prepared for the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine and the Wild Blueberry Advisory Committee by researchers at the University of Maine, Orono. Projects in this report include:

1. Do wild blueberries alleviate risk factors related to the Metabolic Syndrome?

2. Development of effective intervention measures to maintain and improve food safety for wild blueberries

3. Control tactics for blueberry pest insects, 2012

4. Development and implementation of a wild blueberry thrips IPM program, 2012

5. IPM

6. Biology of blueberry and pest insects, 2012

7. Biology of beneficial insects and …

Testing Two Food Frequency Questionnaires And Stage-Based Newsletters With Economically Disadvantaged Young Adults, Beth J. Williams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

One of the most important ways to decrease risk of chronic disease development is to consume ample portions of h i t and vegetables. However, less than one-third of young adults meet "5-A-Day" servings, and variety is limited. Economically disadvantaged young adults may be especially vulnerable and are a hard to reach audience. Many of the Cooperative Extension programs are designed to reach low-income audiences and assist them in making changes in knowledge, skills, attitudes, and dietary choices for nutritional well-being. The objectives of this study were, in Phase I, to test two food frequency instruments for feasibility of use …

Tb122: Comparison Of Alpha- And Beta-Carotene Content Of Supermarket Vs Roadside Stand Produce In Maine, R. J. Bushway, A, Yang, A. M. Yamani

Technical Bulletins

A study was conducted to determine the alpha- and beta-carotene content of supermarket vs roadside stand produce using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The fruits and vegetables were obtained from a major local supermarket chain and three roadside stands in Dixmont, Etna and Charleston, ME. Thirteen vegetables and one fruit were sampled during a ten-week period between July and September of 1985. Significant differences at the 0.05 level were observed between supermarket and roadside stand produce for only Swiss chard and green peppers with roadside stands having higher beta-carotene levels in both instances. Alpha-carotene was shown to be nonsignificant among sources …

Tb120: Alternative Assessment Of Individual Dietary Intake--A Pilot Study, Paula A. Quatromoni, Richard A. Cook

Technical Bulletins

In an initial effort to devise a rapid assessment alternative that would provide a reliable estimate of an individual's usual dietary pattern, a Predicted Food List (estimated, abbreviated food frequency), an Actual Food List (recorded, truncated food frequency), and a Typical Diet Day (foods perceived as commonly consumed in a 24-hour period) were compared with a 75-day food record. Overall, the Predicted Food List appeared to be the best tool for depicting an individual's usual food intake. It was concluded that a shortened list of food items characterizing an individual's normal nutrient intake level may be a useful instrument allowing …

Blueberry Advisory Committee Research Report, H Y. Forsythe Jr, Jeffrey Holmes, F L. Caruso, M G. Zuck, John M. Smagula, Edward J. Mclaughlin, Jeff Risser, Mike Goltz, Dana Nelson, Sharon Roberts, Judy Gates, Moody F. Trevett, Tom Cs Yang, David E. Yarborough, Antonia L. Hoelper, D C. Emerson

Wild Blueberry Research Reports

The 1984 edition of the Blueberry Progress Reports was prepared for the Maine Blueberry Commission and the University of Maine Blueberry Advisory Committee by researchers with the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station and Maine Cooperative Extension Service at the University of Maine, Orono. Projects in this report include:

1. Control, biology, and ecology of insects affecting lowbush blueberries .

2. Chemical control of mummyberry disease (Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosi)

3. New Fungicides for control of Botrytis blossom blight

4. Nutritional survey of selected lowbush blueberry fields

5. Interaction of fertility and pruning practices on soil characteristics and lowbush blueberry growth and …

Tb42: The Mycotoxic Effects Of Fungi Isolated From Poultry Feed Ingredients: The Response Of Ducklings And Performance Of Commercial Broiler Chickens Fed Experimentally Infected Corn Diets, Elizabeth S. Barden, H. L. Chute, D. C. O'Meara, Hilda T. Wheelwright

Technical Bulletins

The present work, planned to investigate the possibility of mycotoxins occurring in feed ingredients fed to poultry in Maine, was designed with the following objectives: (1) to isolate fungi from poultry feed ingredients; (2) to grow the m separately on corn (the carbohydrate source of poultry rations) for later mixing into the diets; (3) to test the variously infected lots of this corn substrate for mycotoxicity by feeding ducklings, a bioindicator for toxins; (4) to determine the effects of aflatoxin and other mycotoxins from feed ingredients, on the performance of commercial broiler chickens; and (5) to appraise this response as …

Tb38: Utilization Of Amino Acids From Protein By The Growing Rat: Efficiency Of Carcass Protein Formation, Frederick H. Radke, Herman Dehaas, Richard A. Cook

Technical Bulletins

Ten experiment stations in the Northeast have cooperated in investigating three sources of amino acids (pure amino acids, milk protein and wheat gluten) at two levels (1.2% and 1.6% dietary nitrogen) with different subjects (humans, rats, pigs and protozoa) under different conditions (growth, maintenance and stress) in order to study availability of amino acids in protein. The publication describes the effect of the three nitrogen sources containing equal amounts of essential amino acids and nitrogen on the growth of rats over two and four weeks.

Tb40: Effect Of Dietary Changes On The Tissue Composition Of Rats, Frederick H. Radke, Herman Dehaas, Eileen K. Gabrielson

Technical Bulletins

The following experiments were done to study the effects of both long-term and day-by-day dietary changes of fat and protein on tissue fat and serum cholesterol levels.

B495: Breakfasts Of Maine Teen-Agers, Mary M. Clayton

Bulletins

This study was undertaken to determine the nutritive value of the breakfasts of Maine teenagers and the contribution of the breakfasts to their day's food intake.