Life Sciences Commons^™

Comparison Of Nutrition Education Approaches On Fruit And Vegetable Intake In Older Adults, Noelle R. Blasch

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Most Americans do not consume recommended intakes of fruits and vegetables (F/Vs). Hands-on nutrition education applies social cognitive theory as participants practice preparing F/Vs. This study compared a four-week hands-on nutrition education program (L+HO) with lecture only (L) in older adults with assessments at baseline and weeks four and eight. Twenty-three women over the age of 50 participated in either four, 90-minute weekly L+HO classes (n = 14) or four, 40-minute weekly L nutrition education classes (n = 9). Vegetable intake significantly increased at four weeks compared to baseline for both intervention groups. Vegetable intake increased at eight weeks compared …

Examining The Credentials Of Food Bloggers And The Online Environment Of Food Blogs, Jessica Coburn

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

This study evaluated characteristics of food blogs and food bloggers that potentially affect food choices. It was hypothesized that most food bloggers would not have a nutrition-related degree and food blog environments wouldn’t be supportive of health-conscious food choices. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a novel evaluation tool on 187 blogs, out of which 100 blogs met inclusion criteria. Because some blogs had multiple bloggers, two samples were investigated: 111 bloggers (n1 = 111) and 100 food blogs (n2 = 100). Data were gathered from a randomized list of blogs taken from americanfoodbloggers.com. Results showed that 6% of bloggers …

Influence Of Sports Drink Taste Preference On Consumption In Adult Recreational Soccer Players, Kiarash Molavi

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Sports drinks provide nutrients that improve athletic performance. This study investigated whether a preference in taste leads to an increased consumption of a sports drink prior to and after an endurance event in athletes. Male amateur soccer players (n=16) first participated in a blind sensory evaluation to determine their taste preference for two (designated as Drink A and Drink B) similarly flavored sports drinks. Subjects were divided into two groups based on their taste preference for either drink. They then participated in 9 soccer matches and were presented with either Drink A, Drink B, or water (3 trials each) before …

Sources Of Calcium, Vitamin D, Fiber, And Potassium In American Fast Food, Meghan Pearson

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Calcium, vitamin D, fiber, and potassium are widely underconsumed in the U.S. This study analyzes nutrition information from quick service restaurants to determine the fast-food industry⁰́₉s contribution of these nutrients to the American diet. The menu offerings of top-grossing quick-service restaurants in each of seven categories, McDonald's℗ʼ (burger), Subway℗ʼ (sandwich), Taco Bell℗ʼ (Mexican), Pizza Hut℗ʼ (pizza), Chick-fil-A℗ʼ (chicken), Panda Express℗ʼ (Asian), and Long John Silver's℗ʼ (seafood), were analyzed for calcium, vitamin D, fiber, potassium, and calories. The highest mean values of key nutrients were found at Pizza Hut (256.4 mg calcium), McDonald⁰́₉s (0.509 mcg vitamin D), Taco Bell (4.4 g …

Study Of Intuitive Eating Ratings And Self-Efficacy Differences In Women With Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (Pcos), Meaghan Ormsby Schillinger

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Background: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder, which if left untreated can lead to infertility and diabetes.

Objective: To determine whether women with PCOS who practice intuitive eating skills are more confident in sustaining healthy lifestyle changes.

Methods: A web-based survey was completed by 120 women with PCOS. Bivariate associations between the self-efficacy and intuitive eating scales was investigated using scatterplots, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and a simple linear regression model. Ratings on the intuitive eating scale were dichotomized as high or low and self-efficacy ratings were compared.

Results: Of the 120 responses, 89% of …

A Comparison Of The Impact Of A Heart-Healthy Diet Versus Paleolithic Nutrition On Hyperlipidemia In Adults, Robert Pastore

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Paleolithic nutrition can optimize serum lipids in adults with hyperlipidemia who have been on a heart-healthy diet based on the current recommendations by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (the Academy) or the American Heart Association (AHA). Twenty subjects (10 male and 10 female) age 40 to 62 were selected based on the criteria of a diagnosis of hypercholesterolemia. Subjects were not taking any cholesterol lowering medication and had followed a calorie-controlled diet, based on either the dietary principles of the Academy or the AHA, for at least four months followed by a Paleolithic diet for four months. Multivariate analysis …

Influence Of The Home Environment On Preschoolers’ Dietary Intake In Middle Class Families Enrolled In A Preschool Program In Metropolitan Seattle, Jessica M. Macintyre

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Background: Obesity in the United States has become a major health issue, affecting not only adults, but children as well. The increase among preschool children is of major concern, with 2 out of 10 children in 2008 being overweight or obese. It is important to start obesity prevention at a young age in order to avoid the development of obesity and its detrimental health conditions. Children begin to develop eating habits at a young age, and the home eating environment may have an influence on the development of eating habits.
Purpose: To assess the influence of both a positive and …

Nutrition-Related Knowledge And Behaviors Of Healthcare Professionals: A Pilot Study, Sarah Dale Zeola

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Background: Healthcare consumers have a plethora of resources of nutrition guidance available, yet many sources provide unreliable information. Healthcare professionals are expected to be the expert source of nutrition information and dietary guidance for their clients and patients.

Purpose: To determine the nutrition knowledge, behaviors, and beliefs of healthcare professionals to identify which, if any, professional group are experts in nutrition and which professionals are the best resource for nutrition information and guidance for healthcare consumers.

Research Design: A self-reported online survey gathered information on participants’ (n=201) BMI, knowledge of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, dietary intake, and beliefs about …

Comparison Of Body Fat Reduction In Overweight And Obese Subjects Utilizing Personalized Low-Fat Meal Plans And Non-Personalized Low-Fat Meal Plans, Stacy Dawn Buzan

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Background: Obesity is an epidemic and studies are needed to provide recommendations for more effective strategies to increase self-efficacy and long-term adoption of healthy nutritional habits in individuals who are obese.

Objective: To compare the use of personalized low-fat meal plans vs. non-personalized low-fat meal plans and body fat reduction in overweight and obese subjects 25 to 45 years of age.

Design: A 2-month comparative randomized block experimental study, in which subjects were randomly assigned to either Treatment 1 Group, receiving non-personalized low-fat meal plans, or Treatment 2 Group, receiving personalized low-fat meal plans with two 30-minute dietetic consultations.

Subjects/Setting: …

The Association Of Whole Grain Ontakes With The Metabolic Syndrome: The Baltimore Longitudinal Study Of Aging (Blsa), Janice Eileen Maras

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Background: Whole grains and their nutrient components have an important protective effect on the metabolic syndrome. Studies are needed to examine their bioactive components in relation to diet and the metabolic syndrome.

Objective: Our objective was to examine the associations between dietary intakes of whole grains and the metabolic syndrome.

Design: The study subjects were 1516 healthy men and women participating in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. Dietary information was collected with 7-day food records, and estimates of whole grain intake were obtained from a newly developed database.

Results: A total of 17% (n = 251) of subjects met …

Student Perceptions Of The Shift From Soft Drink Vending Machines To Milk Vending Machines In Schools, Jillian B. Trapini

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Soft drink vending machines are available in many schools across the nation. Some schools have recently removed soft drink vending machines and replaced them with milk vending machines. The purpose of this study was to investigate high school students’ (n = 84) perceptions of the shift from soft drink vending machines to milk vending machines in schools.

Students in this survey had an understanding of the importance of drinking milk, and students generally felt that purchasing milk from the lunch line was more convenient than from the vending machine. Students felt that the vending machine might contain warm, out of …