Human and Clinical Nutrition Commons^™

The Effect Of Body Mass Index On Graft Function And Kidney Transplant Outcomes, Morgan Galle

Theses & Dissertations

Background: When determining eligibility for kidney transplantation, body mass index (BMI) is often a debatable criterion for transplant due to the clinical indication, an elevated BMI has adverse effects on kidney transplant outcomes. There is a current gap in research on the effect BMI has on kidney transplant outcomes.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the role BMI plays in post-kidney transplant clinical outcomes including delayed graft function, new onset diabetes after transplant, wound complications, hospital length of stay, albumin, and readmissions to the hospital from initial hospitalization and at six months following kidney transplantation. The primary …

Hospital Practices Related To Breastfeeding In Mississippi: A Socio-Ecological Approach, Amir Alakaam

Dissertations

Mississippi continues to have one of the lowest rates and the weakest support in respect to breastfeeding in the nation (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014a). Hospital practices supporting breastfeeding such as the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding (TSSB) can dramatically increase breastfeeding rates and duration (Rosenberg, Stull, Adler, Kasehagen, & Crivelli-Kovach, 2008). The aim of this study was to explore breastfeeding practices in Mississippi hospitals based on two levels of the Socio-Ecological Model: the organizational level (phase I) examined the hospital practices based on the level of implementation of the TSSB; the individual level (phase II) examined knowledge …

Portion Size Communication By Means Of Package Design, Tami J. Strickland

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study assessed consumers’ current methods of determining portion sizing of chicken products and examined their perceptions of how effectively three package designs communicate portion size. Everett M. Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations (DI) Theory analyzes the characteristics of the consumer of the innovation (adopter) and the impact these characteristics have on adopting new innovations. The innovation in this study will be the prototype packaging. Focusing on Rogers’ adopter characteristics and defined proprietary consumer segmentation characteristics, this study will be pivotal for future package design projects targeting nutrition education.

Focus group questions were scrutinized through a pilot study and revised …

Development Of A 3-Pronged Approach To Evaluation For The Icook-4h Project, Douglas R. Mathews

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Most nutrition education programs are created without adequate forethought to planning evaluation strategies. The goal of this study was to develop and implement a comprehensive 3-pronged approach to evaluate iCook 4-H, a six- session, biweekly program for 9-10 year old youth and their adult main food preparer. It was used to evaluate the curriculum for the intervention of a 2-year childhood obesity prevention study. Forty iCook 4-H classes were implemented for 150 dyads by 16 leaders between September and December, 2013, in Maine, Nebraska, South Dakota, Tennessee, and West Virginia. The evaluation included measures of fidelity of implementation, process evaluation, …

The Validity Of Urine Color Self-Assessment As An Index Of Hydration In Males, Daniel Layne Nixon

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

While water intake is so important, there are few practical hydration assessment techniques for the general population to use on a daily basis. The present study examined the accuracy of self-assessed urine color (Ucol) as a potential hydration assessment tool. Male college aged subjects provided a urine sample into a custom built urinal (n=76; 1.79±0.76 m, 83.9±16.0 kg). The urinal contained a picture of the 1-8 color scale and a light and dark urine color scale. Subjects were asked to give their urine color estimation as a whole number integer and to estimate if their urine was light or dark. …

The Human And Environmental Health Impacts Of Food Quality Among Emergency Food Providers, Alexina Cather

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract

Human health and environmental health are inextricably entwined, and the ways in which we grow, process, package, transport, market, and consume food are critical factors for both human and environmental health. The current industrial food system in the United States has numerous adverse effects on environmental and human health, which significantly impact the millions of food insecure Americans who receive their nutritional needs from emergency food providers (American Public Health Association, 2007). The widespread food insecurity in the United States and the increasing prevalence of obesity among adults and children have drawn attention to the role that emergency food …

The Effect Of Perceived Healthy And Unhealthy Commercials On Intake Of Perceived Healthy And Unhealthy Snack Foods In Normal Weight, College-Aged, Dietary Restrained Women, Seletha Ann Periman

Masters Theses

Background: Exposure to various types of food cues via television commercials may enhance consumption of different foods, particularly in females who engage in cognitive efforts to control food intake (i.e., restrained eaters). However, it is unknown if food-related commercials differing in health perceptions impact on intake of foods with differing health perceptions. This study investigated the effect of viewing “healthy” or “unhealthy” food commercials on intake of “healthy” and “unhealthy” snack foods in healthy weight, dietary-restrained, college-aged women.

Methods: Using a 3 x 2 between-subjects design (factors of commercial type [“healthy” foods, “unhealthy” foods, and non-food-related] and snack food type …

My Painted Plate: Nutrition-Related Art Enhances The Effects Of Nutrition Education, Abby Helene Forman

Masters Theses

Background: A few studies have shown that art–based nutrition education (primarily in the form of theater) can increase nutrition knowledge and change behavior. Little research exists on the use of visual arts in nutrition education programs. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact on children’s nutrition knowledge, self-efficacy, and behavior, of using visual art and differing levels of intensity of art activities in nutrition education.

Methods: The study used a three-armed cluster randomized control trial design with three time points. Children ages 8-12, at 6 different summer camps in Knoxville, Tennessee, attended the My Painted Plate program. …

The Longitudinal Effects Of Beta-Alanine On Punch Power, Punch Frequency, And Fatigue In Female Amateur Fighters, Rodger Wayne Stewart

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Beta-alanine is a non-essential amino acid typically obtained in the diet via high-protein foods (beef, chicken, pork, and fish) and produced in the confines of the liver. BA is a precursor to the cytoplasmic dipeptide carnosine (beta-alanylhistidine). Carnosine is found in high concentrations in human skeletal muscle where it plays a key role in intracellular pH buffering. Research indicates BA supplementation increased punch power, punch frequency, and lactate concentrations in male amateur fighters after 28-day supplementation. There are currently no studies evaluating the effects of BA on boxing performance variables in women. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to …

Effects Of Soybean Pectin On Blood Glucose And Insulin Responses In Healthy Men, Melissa Ann Jones

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this study was to examine the effects of soy pectin on postprandial plasma glucose and insulin responses in healthy adult males␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ intestinal microbiota to determine if differences in weight or body mass index would be linked to differences in microbiota populations. Pectin is a soluble fiber with demonstrated health benefits such as the ability to lower blood glucose and cholesterol, increase satiety leading to lower caloric intake, improve insulin resistance and lower inflammation. These benefits suggest that pectin may help in prevention and treatment of type II diabetes. Soy pectin is extracted from hulls, a waste product …

Understanding Childhood Hunger: A Qualitative Look At The Issues Hindering Progress In The United States, Samantha Kropp

Honors Theses

This thesis examines childhood hunger as roughly 1 in 5 kids live in households that struggle to put food on the table. These children experience physical problems as a result of their food instability, but this problem is connected to other personal and societal issues, such as poor education. To understand how hunger affects children, this study began with a historical analysis of the past 60 years of government supported programs and policies, such as the school breakfasts and summer lunch programs. Four interviews were conducted with different experts in the field, specifically three individuals from a prominent national non‐profit …

Satellite Cell Behavior In Cyclists Following Intensified Training With And Without Protein Supplementation, Alec I. Mckenzie

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

PURPOSE: The objectives were to determine the satellite cell (SC) response among endurance-trained cyclists (n=8; VO_2max: 63.1 ± 8.4 mL/Kg/min)to a period of intensified training (ICT) (10 days) and 10 days of recovery (RVT), with and without protein supplementation. METHODS: Muscle biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis prior to- and immediately following ICT and RVT. Fluorescent microscopy was used to analyze SCs and myosin heavy chain I and IIa (MHC I and IIa). Data were analyzed using magnitude-based inferences. RESULTS: MHC I SCs were exceptionally abundant at baseline (38 ± 20 SCs/100 fibers). MHC I SC count …

Effects Of Mild Hypohydration And Hyperthermia On Cognition And Mood In Obese And Non-Obese Females, Jenna Marie Burchfield

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

INTRODUCTION: Information regarding effects of hypohydration (HY) and hyperthermia (HT) on cognition, mood and development of symptoms is conflicting since the two conditions often confound each other. Further, although obese individuals may have physiological impairments during heat stress, whether psychological impairments occur with HY and HT is unknown. PURPOSE: To assess the independent and combined effects of mild HY and HT on cognition, mood, and the development of symptoms in obese and non-obese females. METHODS: Twenty-two healthy females (11 non-obese, 22±2y, 61±6kg, 25±4% body fat; 11 obese, 22±2y, 80±18kg, 44±5% body fat) volunteered in two randomized, repeated-measures trials, involving passive …

Hypohydration And Mood State In Free-Living Males And Females, Thomas Edward Vidal

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Previous research has shown that acute dehydration can result in changes in mood. These changes have been reported in less than a 1% loss in total body water. However, the effect of hypohydration (i.e., reflected through high urine concentration) on mood in free-living conditions has not been studied. PURPOSE: The present study was designed to determine if hydration status is associated with mood within the general population under free-living conditions. METHODS: A group of 103 apparently healthy subjects (49 male, 54 female, 41±14 y, 1.7±0.1 m, 76.1±16.9 kg) completed three visits separated by a week. Mood was assessed by the …

Technology And Nutrition: Interactive Strategies For Children To Learn Nutrition, Nicole Bogden

Honors Theses

This manuscript aims to describe nutritional requirements and needs for children and how technology is being used to improve nutritional knowledge among them. Several technologies and applications are explored, and recommendations are given for ways to improve. Four interactive nutrition games for children are examined: two computer games and two mobile applications. Through revision of performance, nutrition content, attraction, design and attention capabilities, HealthyHeroes was chosen to be the best game for children to learn and have fun with the subject of nutrition.

The Relationship Between Dairy Product Consumption And Cognitive Performance In A Group Of Community-Dwelling Healthy Older Adults, Mariam R. Ismail

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Dietary intake is one of the modifiable factors that may affect older adults’ cognitive function in their later years. Very little research has considered the potential role of dairy products on cognitive function. The aim of the present study was twofold: first, to investigate whether there is a difference in cognitive performance between older adults who consumed the recommended amount of dairy products (3 servings per day) and individuals who consumed less than the recommended amount (1 or 2 servings per day); second, to examine whether there is an association between the nutrients contained in the dairy products and cognitive …

Dietary Supplement Use, Perceptions, And Associated Lifestyle Behaviors In Undergraduate College Students, Student-Athletes, And Rotc Cadets, Arthur A. Valentine

Theses and Dissertations

The use of dietary supplements has steadily increased among the American population in recent years; however, little is known about current trends in dietary supplement use in the collegiate population. The purpose of this study was to investigate dietary supplement use, perceptions of knowledge and efficacy of dietary supplements, and lifestyle behaviors of supplement users and non-users in a university population. Undergraduate students, NCAA division I student-athletes, and Army ROTC cadets at a midsized Midwestern University were recruited for a single-stage cross-sectional online survey via email and also through the use of fliers. Participants included 381 undergraduate students, 56 student-athletes, …

The Effect Of A Fruit And Vegetable Program On Diet Quality And Produce Consumption, Jeanne Arbuckle

Theses and Dissertations

Fruits and vegetables are an important part of our diet, yet few individuals consume the recommended amounts. Incorporating produce in our diet provides many necessary nutrients and may aid in decreasing the risk of chronic disease, controlling obesity and improving mental functioning. In an attempt to increase intake, a program was created to provide fresh fruits and vegetables on a weekly basis to an Illinois State University population for eight weeks. Participants chose from three sizes of produce bags and were supplied with seven different types of fruits and vegetables each week. Dietetic interns performed the planning, ordering, organizing and …

A Qualitative Assessment Of Eating Behaviors In Adults With Autism, Samantha Barbier

Theses and Dissertations

Rationale: Diagnosis of autism has increased ten-fold in the last 40 years, and adults with autism remain an underrepresented population in research. Purpose: To qualitatively explore the relationship between eating behaviors and autism using a questionnaire and interviews with adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Methods: Four males aged 22-27 were interviewed with their mothers present and completed the Swedish Eating Assessment for Autism Spectrum Disorders (SWEAA). Interviews were analyzed through the process of open coding, and the questionnaires were analyzed to determine consistent findings between the interview and the SWEAA questionnaire. Major Findings: Participants generally recognized hunger and satiety …

The Role And Impact Of Cooperative Extension In Diabetes Self-Management Education, Brittany Michelle Murray

Theses and Dissertations--Nutrition and Food Systems

Diabetes is increasing globally and nationally. Diabetes complications and costs can be reduced through modification of lifestyle risks and diabetes self-management education (DSME). The Cooperative Extension System (CES) is uniquely positioned to implement DSME. This study assessed the role and impact of the Cooperative Extension System (CES) in DSME. A survey was sent to CES professionals throughout the U.S. a total of 43 participants provided information on 73 DSME programs. Most participants were from the South (n=22, 51.16%) and Midwest (n=12, 27.91%) and most programs targeted adults with and at risk for type 2 diabetes. Most programs were developed and …

The Relationships Among Bmi, Waist Circumference, Weight Loss And Health Indicators, John R. Rupp

Theses and Dissertations--Nutrition and Food Systems

Current health recommendations encourage weight loss for overweight and obese individuals. However, the importance of weight to health is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of weight loss on overall health in a sample of adults who have completed a 10 or 12 week weight loss intervention. The study sample included males and females (n =99) between the ages of 27 -64 years that had a BMI of 29-45 kg/m². The study design is a secondary data analysis of data from two different behavioral weight loss interventions. Both interventions prescribed a reduced calorie diet, …

Photovoice: Engaging School Communities In Wellness Efforts, Hilary J. Overby

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Currently there are no interactive tools that allow school communities to assess their school wellness needs and foster interest in wellness efforts. PhotoVoice is a participatory action research methodology commonly used in public health that utilizes photography to document and showcase community strengths and weaknesses in order to promote change. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to gather perceptions of a school community after using PhotoVoice to document school wellness efforts 1. Participants: High school students (n=103) and school community members (i.e., residents of community, school faculty) (n=188) were recruited across three school districts. Methods: High school students …

Uric Acid Level Is Associated With Postprandial Lipemic Response To A High Saturated Fat Meal, Roy Gail Cutler

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Hyperlipidemia caused by a diet high in saturated fat can lead to visceral fat weight gain, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. Being over-weight from visceral fat has been linked to increased risk of developing most age-related diseases and disability, along with a lower income potential and quality of life. However, researchers are just beginning to understand the biological mechanisms that regulate the conversion of excess calories into visceral fat storage rather than glycogen or muscle. Epidemiological studies have repeatedly shown a comorbid association between age-related diseases involving hyperlipemia and circulating levels of uric acid, but not a direct association. This study …

Electronic Benefit Transfer: Food Choices, Food Insecurity, And Type 2 Diabetes, Diana Louise Malkin-Washeim

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this research was to examine food security for people with prediabetes participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), focusing on their food choice decisions and coping strategies over a 30-day benefit cycle that potentially increases the risk of Type 2 diabetes. A cross-sectional, quantitative design based on food choice process model constructs was used. SNAP participants (n = 36) with prediabetes, aged 21-70 years, were recruited as outpatients from Bronx Lebanon Hospital and completed self-reported questionnaires on demographics and health, food security, and food frequency. Descriptive statistics, Pearson chi square tests, and regression analysis were performed …

Relationships Between The Coordinated School Health Program And Childhood Obesity In Tennessee, Tekeela Shonta Green

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Childhood obesity rates have increased nationwide, but rates of childhood obesity are higher in Tennessee (TN). The Coordinated School Health (CSH) Program is a multicomponent approach designed to improve academics and health in children in Tennessee; however, researchers have not evaluated the 8 components of the plan and the impact it has on weight in children. The purpose of the study was to determine if a relationship existed between the Coordinated School Health Program and obesity in children. The conceptual framework for this study was Bandura's social cognitive theory. One hundred forty CSH coordinators in TN were surveyed and the …

The Effects Of Barriers Toward Fighting Childhood Obesity Within Head Start, Vanessa Chaney

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Childhood obesity is associated with significant morbidity and mortality and poses a health care burden. Child care facilities serve at the forefront in fighting childhood obesity among preschoolers. Since 2009, a significant shift has occurred in studying child care settings among children aged 3-5 in North Carolina and South Carolina in response to the rising rates of obesity in this population. Some of the hypothesized determinants of childhood obesity among preschoolers in North Carolina and South Carolina are outdoor activity, staff behavior, center's size and location. The purpose of this study was to investigate if significant relationships exist between childhood …

A Cross-Sectional Study: Dietary Micronutrient Levels In Allied Health And Nursing Students, Grisseel A. Cruz-Espaillat

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The adequate intake of micronutrients is important to maintain optimal health and prevent nutritional disorders and chronic disease. Studies have shown that medical students often reduce self-care behaviors and lack adequate dietary intake, leading to nutritional deficiencies. In this quantitative cross-sectional study, measurements of micronutrient levels in a sample of allied health and nursing students were compared to Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) values. NutritionQuest Data-on-Demand System was used to analyze nutrients and food group intake. The postpositivist paradigm was used to examine how the independent and dependent variables relate to each other. Using a one-sample t test, a comparison of …

Primary Factors Affecting Breastfeeding In African American Communities, Lowest Jefferson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Prior research has shown that African Americans are less likely than are Hispanics and Whites to breastfeed their children. Compounding this problem is the scarcity of research that examines African American's culture, perceptions, and beliefs about breastfeeding. This study was conducted to gain a greater understanding of the phenomenon of breastfeeding through the perspectives of African American mothers. Guided by the theories of reasoned action and planned behavior, this ethnographic study elicited African American mothers' perspectives on breastfeeding by examining what influenced their decision to breastfeed or not. This study took place in Washington State. Ten women recruited through purposeful …

Observations And Teachers' Perceptions Of The Implementation, Benefits, And Challenges Of Breakfast In The Classroom, Dixie Shaffer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The federal government established nutrition assistance programs such as the School Breakfast Program and school districts have implemented Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC) to improve participation rates, yet millions of low-income children do not partake in these programs. Thus, many school districts are failing to meet the nutritional needs of the low-income population, which can have negative effects on a child's healthy development. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to observe and explore teachers' perspectives regarding school breakfast implementation in a small school district in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Research questions examined experiences with implementation, …

Relationships Between A Prenatal Nutrition Education Intervention And Maternal Nutrition In Ethiopia, Divya Lakshmi Selvakumar

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In Ethiopia, 17% of pregnant women ages 18-49 are malnourished and have low awareness of prenatal nutrition, which may relate to increasingly high rates of maternal and infant mortality. The purpose of this mixed methods research study was to determine the effects of a community-based prenatal nutrition education intervention program on maternal nutrition knowledge and attitudes in the Alaje district of Ethiopia. The theoretical framework was Sen's capability theory of poverty, in which opportunities can lead to well-being and promote economic development. Research questions focused on the relationships among 8 independent variables-age, income source, degree of program implementation, marital status, …