Nutrition Commons^™

Nutrition Education In Food Pantries: Perceptions Of Pantry Personnel Towards Implementation, Chelsea Allison, Christopher T Sneed, Marissa Mcelrone, Kristin Riggsbee, Janie Burney

The Journal of Extension

Extension programming can be effective at delivering nutrition education to food pantry clients. This study aimed to understand the perceptions of food pantry personnel towards nutrition education. A mixed methods survey was administered to food pantry personnel (n=53). Most (62.3%) reported their food pantry was church-affiliated, and few (22.6%) reported any Extension collaboration. Qualitative themes included perceptions that nutrition education was resource intensive, clients were not interested in nutrition education, and differing attitudes towards nutrition education. When working with food pantries, Extension should educate personnel about the importance of nutrition education, offer resources, and facilitate programming.

Eat Well, Be Well: Basic Needs Initiative's Online Hub For Nutrition Education, Misha Moseley

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Basic Needs Initiative at California State University, Monterey Bay is a department that provides students with food, housing, and wellness resources. Over half of the university's students experience food insecurity, and over 85% use non-academic resources to learn about nutrition. This project adds a dietary health section to the department’s website to increase students’ access to nutrition education. It addresses the micro-level agency problem that too few students eat a healthy, balanced diet. Unhealthy eating is a risk factor for food insecurity, so the project indirectly addresses the macro-level health problem that too many college students in California experience food …

Effects Of A Cooking And Gardening Nutrition Intervention In Food Insecure College Students, Alison K. Macchi

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As higher education becomes more attainable to all populations, college students from low-income backgrounds are at an increased risk of food insecurity due to the financial burdens that come with the transition to college. Food insecurity on U.S. college campuses ranges up to 59%, quadrupling the average national household food insecurity rate of 14%. In college students, food insecurity is correlated with unhealthy eating, alcohol use, and mental health issues.

The aim of this study was to develop and examine the feasibility and promise of a Social Cognitive Theory based, urban gardening, cooking and nutrition education intervention on health behavior …

Investigating Elementary School Food Programs: Impacts On Child Knowledge And Dietary Behaviours, Paige Colley

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Good nutrition is an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. A balanced diet can promote positive health outcomes, protecting against health problems caused by nutritional deficiencies. Canada has reported poor diet quality and high rates of overweight and obesity among children. Obesity has been linked to several non-communicable diseases including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and some forms of cancer. Efforts to improve lifelong, healthy eating behaviours must be implemented.

This dissertation investigated the impacts of school food programming on child nutrition. A Centrally Procured School Food Program (CPSFP) was implemented at 30 elementary schools in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. …

Examining The Effectiveness Of A Nutrition Education Intervention For Hispanic Participants, Ginnefer O. Cox, Britt Rotberg, Melanie K. Ng, Sarah T. Henes, Silvia Q. Giraudo

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) Food Talk nutrition education curriculum in the state of Georgia was specifically tailored towards Hispanic EFNEP participants in order to test the effectiveness of the intervention in the Hispanic population.

Methods: 455 Hispanic EFNEP individuals ages 18-61 in the state of Georgia participated in the data collection. Measures collected include a 24 hour diet recall, and a food behavior checklist to compare consumption and food behavior practices both before and after nutrition education intervention.

Results: Measurable objectives of the study include statistically significant (p<.001) in fruit, vegetable and milk consumption and consumption of fruits, vegetables and milk group foods closer to the recommended levels of USDA MyPlate guidelines for the nutrition education intervention group. Results also showed statistically significant (p<.0001) improvements in nutrition-related behaviors.

Conclusion: This study supports a nutrition intervention …

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 …

The Impact Of School Nutrition Education And Physical Education Programs On Weight Status Of Obese Children Aged 5-12 Years, Lamia Alotaibi

Masters Theses

Epidemiological studies indicate that 12.5 million children and adolescents are considered obese (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017). Obesity is on the rise globally, and while it affects both children and adults, early measures can be taken to reduce the number of children who are obese, and therefore, come into adulthood at a higher risk for obesity-related diseases, such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and sleep apnea. There are many studies in which programs are implemented and tested for effectiveness; therefore, a systematic review of these studies that examine which factors play into overall obesity prevention and health improvements among …

Pink And Dude Chefs: Effectiveness Of An After-School Nutrition Knowledge And Culinary Skills Program For Middle School Students To Increase Fruit And Vegetable Consumption, Alyssa S. Vaziri

Master's Theses

The rate of overweight and obesity among adolescents aged 12-19 years has more than tripled since 1980, and disproportionately impacts low-income and marginalized populations. Reduction in adolescent obesity rates may result in decreased health risks, decrease healthcare costs, and increased quality of life. Effective intervention methods for adolescent participants have incorporated nutrition knowledge and culinary skill building into afterschool programs. This study examines whether building knowledge, skills, and confidence through a culinary intervention can improve adolescent participants’ choices of healthful foods through increased fruit and vegetable intake.

Pink and Dude Chefs (PDC) is an afterschool nutrition education and culinary skills …

Promoting Healthy Eating Habits And Physical Activity Among School-Aged Children In Kuwait – “My Healthy Habits" Summer Camp, Ghanima Alabdullah

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The effectiveness of an eight-week nutrition and physical activity intervention at a summer camp to prevent obesity, and promote healthy eating habits and physical activity among children in Kuwait was studied. Two summer camps were recruited for intervention and comparison groups. Convenient sampling was used (N= 79). Pre-test/post-test assessment were used for the participants in the intervention and comparison groups. Modified Healthy Habits Survey (HHS) was used to measure children’s knowledge, behavior and attitude about nutrition, screen time and physical activities, BMI-for age percentile were collected. Statistical analysis included independent t-test, paired t-test, chi-squared test, McNemar's test, and multiple regression. …

Pink And Dude Chefs: Impact Of A Nutrition And Culinary Education Program With Middle School Students In An Afterschool Setting, Jessie R. Bierlich-Wesch

Master's Theses

The epidemic of adolescent obesity has become one of the greatest public health concerns in the United States. Approximately 20.5% of adolescents of both sexes aged 12-19 years are considered obese. Higher rates of obesity are evident in ethnic minority and lower income status children with the highest prevalence among Hispanic/Latino and Black populations. The causes for obesity are multifactorial in nature and highlight disparities nationwide. These factors include socioeconomic status, education, environment, availability and access to fresh fruits and vegetables, and behavior patterns. Successful intervention methods that have reduced the impact of adolescent obesity have incorporated nutrition knowledge and …

Evaluation Of The Springfield Menu Program, Hannah Stenger

Masters Theses

Studies have shown that many low-income and disadvantaged Americans have a poor diet quality, which increases obesity and chronic disease risk. According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, education and income levels of Springfield residents are well below state averages, and racial diversity in Springfield has increased significantly over the past few decades. Springfield’s demographics increase the risk of health disparities in the community, and higher rates of diabetes, heart disease, and obesity are seen in Springfield. To promote healthy eating behaviors among Springfield residents, Mason Square Health Task Force (MSHTF), a Live Well Springfield (LWS) partner, created a …

The Effects Of A Six Month Nutrition Intervention On Diet Quality In Persons With Or At Risk For The Metabolic Syndrome, Rebecca Horne

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

One quarter of the world’s population is thought to have the metabolic syndrome, and first line treatments include dietary strategies for weight loss. Restrictive diet interventions commonly used in research appear to lack long-term sustainability; therefore, other approaches are warranted. The Canadian Healthy Eating Index (CHEI) was used as a framework and outcome measure for a 6-month ad-libitum diet quality intervention that assessed diet quality and key risk factors of the syndrome. Participants (n=23) were randomized to the nutrition program (n=16) or usual care (control) (n=7). Post intervention, CHEI scores increased by 9.1 and 3.4 points intervention and control, respectively …

Nutrition Knowledge And Child Care Feeding Practices Of Early Childhood Education Students: A Preliminary Study, Sarah Jill White

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to describe the nutrition knowledge and child care feeding practices of Early Childhood Education students in a university setting. Thirty-three Early Childhood Education students from seven geographically diverse universities completed a web-based survey assessing nutrition knowledge and child feeding practices. A nutrition knowledge instrument was developed and validated to measure knowledge of nutrition for preschool-aged children. The Comprehensive Feeding Practices Questionnaire, which has been previously validated in parents, was slightly modified and used to assess child feeding practices. Mean scores for the nutrition knowledge and child feeding practices were determined. Multivariate analyses were conducted …