Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Efficacy Of An Enhanced Implementation Strategy To Increase Parent Engagement With A Health Promotion Program In Childcare, Courtney T. Luecking, Cody D. Neshteruk, Stephanie Mazzucca, Dianne S. Ward

Dietetics and Human Nutrition Faculty Publications

Previous efforts to involve parents in implementation of childcare-based health promotion interventions have yielded limited success, suggesting a need for different implementation strategies. This study evaluated the efficacy of an enhanced implementation strategy to increase parent engagement with Healthy Me, Healthy We. This quasi-experimental study included childcare centers from the second of two waves of a cluster-randomized trial. The standard approach (giving parents intervention materials, prompting participation at home, inviting participation with classroom events) was delivered in 2016–2017 (29 centers, 116 providers, and 199 parents). The enhanced approach (standard plus seeking feedback, identifying and addressing barriers to parent participation) …

Policy Implications Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Food Security In Rural America: Evidence From Appalachia, Kathryn M. Cardarelli, Emily M. Dewitt, Rachel Gillespie, Rachel Hogg-Graham, Heather Norman-Burgdolf, Janet T. Mullins

Dietetics and Human Nutrition Faculty Publications

Rural communities are disproportionally affected by food insecurity, making them vulnerable to the consequences of supply disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. While access to food was initially diminished due to food supply disruptions, little is known about the mechanisms through which federal emergency assistance programs impacted food access in rural populations. Through a series of five focus groups in spring 2021, we examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on food access in a rural Appalachian community in Kentucky. Data were analyzed using a Grounded Theory Approach. Findings revealed the following four primary themes: food scarcity in grocery stores; …

Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption Among Adults In Rural Appalachia, Heather Norman-Burgdolf, Emily M. Dewitt, Kathryn M. Cardarelli, Rachel Gillespie, Stacey A. Slone, Alison A. Gustafson

Dietetics and Human Nutrition Faculty Publications

Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption is decreasing nationally, yet intakes remain high in certain sub-populations as new varieties of SSBs are introduced. This study aims to expand on SSB intake patterns among adults living in Appalachia to develop policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) interventions to reduce consumption. Baseline cohort surveys were conducted to examine beverage consumption patterns of adults in one rural Appalachian county in Kentucky using a validated BEVQ-15 instrument. Ages were collapsed into three generational groups – Millennials (22–38 years), Generation X (39–54 years), and Boomers/Silents (≥55 years). Over half (n = 81; 54%) of the sample (n = …

Losses, Gains, And Changes To The Food Environment In A Rural Kentucky County During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Makenzie L. Barr, Courtney Martin, Courtney T. Luecking, Kathryn M. Cardarelli

Dietetics and Human Nutrition Faculty Publications

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused alterations to be made in the way many people access, prepare, and consume food. Rural communities are particularly impacted due to pre-existing structural vulnerabilities, i.e., poverty, lack of infrastructure, and limited fresh food options. This study aimed to characterize experiences of one rural Appalachian community’s changes to the food environment during the pandemic. In April 2021, six focus groups were conducted with residents of Laurel County, Kentucky. Using grounded theory, we identified losses, gains, and overall changes to the community food environment since the onset of COVID-19. Seventeen Laurel Countians (17 female; ages 30–74) participated …

Process Evaluation Of The Early Implementation Stages Of The National Diabetes Prevention Program Through Kentucky Cooperative Extension: Perceptions Of Adopters And Potential Adopters, Nicole Breazeale, Heather Norman-Burgdolf, Katherine Counts, Lovoria B. Williams

Dietetics and Human Nutrition Faculty Publications

With the growing demand for lifestyle change programs that prevent or delay Type 2 diabetes onset, community organizations with broad reach should be explored for national dissemination of the National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP). This study evaluates the early implementation of the NDPP through Cooperative Extension in four Kentucky counties and explores the feasibility of scaling up the program to additional counties. Using a qualitative approach, semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 12 Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Agents – four who were participating in the pilot (adopters) and eight who had no experience with the NDPP (potential adopters). Five …

Exploring Perceived Importance Of A Novel Emergency Food Program During Covid-19 And Program Recipient Characteristics, Makenzie L. Barr, Kendra Oonorasak, Kristin Hughes, Lauren Batey, Kaela Jackson, Haley Marshall, Tammy Stephenson

Dietetics and Human Nutrition Faculty Publications

Following rising unemployment rates and consequent loss of income due to COVID-19, many people have been seeking meal assistance. This study examines the impact of a community-based free meal distribution program during the pandemic in Kentucky, reviewing characteristics of recipients of the program. Demographics, health behaviors, food insecure classification, and rating of importance of the meal program were collected. Qualitative feedback on the impact of the program was collected via open response. Of the 92 participants using the meal service, the cohort was female, Black, 43 years of age (43.5 ± 15.0 years), with a household income under 30,000 USD …

Assessment Of Cultural Sensitivity In Dietetics Education, Julie Plasencia, Heather Norman-Burgdolf, Lorraine Weatherspoon

Dietetics and Human Nutrition Faculty Publications

Cultural sensitivity and competency are skills needed for agricultural professionals including nutrition and dietetics practitioners. The objective of the current study was to examine the learning transference of cultural sensitivity topics taught in a cultural foods course into case study assessments of a capstone-level course. This study is a cross-sectional, content analysis of cultural sensitivity assessment rubric (CSAR) scores for two case study assessments. The study was conducted in a landgrant, research-intensive university and 55 students (60%) from a capstone-level dietetics course participated. T-tests were used to compare CSAR scores between students who had completed a cultural foods course and …

Screen Time Parenting Practices And Associations With Preschool Children’S Tv Viewing And Weight-Related Outcomes, Cody D. Neshteruk, Gina L. Tripicchio, Stephanie Lobaugh, Amber E. Vaughn, Courtney T. Luecking, Stephanie Mazzucca, Dianne S. Ward

Dietetics and Human Nutrition Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to examine associations between screen time (ST) parenting practices and 2–5-year-old children’s TV viewing and weight status. Data were collected from 252 parent–child dyads enrolled in a randomized parent-focused childhood obesity prevention trial from 2009–2012. ST parenting practices were assessed at baseline using a validated parent-reported survey. Parent-reported child TV viewing and objectively measured anthropometrics were assessed at baseline, post-intervention (35 weeks), and follow-up (59 weeks). Marginal effect models were developed to test the association between baseline ST parenting practices and children’s TV viewing, BMI z-score, and waist circumference across all time points. Limiting/monitoring …

Community-Based Efforts Aim To Improve The Food Environment Within A Highly Obese Rural Appalachian County, Rachel Gillespie, Emily M. Dewitt, Heather Norman-Burgdolf, Brynnan Dunaway, Alison A. Gustafson

Dietetics and Human Nutrition Faculty Publications

Rural communities in Appalachia are displaying increased obesity prevalence, yet traditional interventions have not provided a broad enough impact to improve dietary consumption patterns. Therefore, expanding efforts that address the food environment and incorporate behavioral nudges through community-developed marketing strategies may be a viable mechanism to improve food and beverage choices within this unique population. This study installed shelf-wobblers across n = 5 gas stations in one rural Appalachian county in Kentucky. Smart Snacks were identified from store inventory lists utilizing the CDC Food Service Guideline for Federal Facilities calculator and were categorized into high-protein snacks, low-fat carbohydrate snacks, meal …

Consumption Of Diet And Nutrition Information In Digital Magazines Marketing To Latinx Women, Julie Plasencia, Clara Barajas, Jordan Hinton

Dietetics and Human Nutrition Faculty Publications

Objective: To examine the types of nutrition and health-related articles published in digital magazines directed toward Latinx women; and to examine the extent to which advertisements about food, nutrition, and weight-loss are prevalent in these media.

Design: A descriptive content analysis was completed for five digital magazines marketing to Latinx women. A total of 1,234 articles and 3,001 advertisements were examined for nutrition and health-related content.

Results: Early editions of digital magazines directed towards Latinx women included more advertisements than articles on the topics of food and health. Among the articles, very few (0-30%) included health and nutrition information that …

Fat And Carbohydrate Interact To Potentiate Food Reward In Healthy Weight But Not In Overweight Or Obesity, Emily E. Perszyk, Zach Hutelin, Jessica Trinh, Arsene Kanyamibwa, Sophie Fromm, Xue S. Davis, Kathryn M. Wall, Kyle D. Flack, Alexandra G. Difeliceantonio, Dana M. Small

Dietetics and Human Nutrition Faculty Publications

Prior work suggests that actual, but not estimated, energy density drives the reinforcing value of food and that energy from fat and carbohydrate can interact to potentiate reward. Here we sought to replicate these findings in an American sample and to determine if the effects are influenced by body mass index (BMI). Thirty participants with healthy weight (HW; BMI 21.92 ± 1.77; M ± SD) and 30 participants with overweight/obesity (OW/OB; BMI 29.42 ± 4.44) rated pictures of common American snacks in 120-kcal portions for liking, familiarity, frequency of consumption, expected satiety, healthiness, energy content, energy density, and price. Participants …

Alternative Community Nutrition Experiential Learning Opportunities For Dietetic Interns During Covid-19, Courtney T. Luecking, Elizabeth Combs, Heather Norman-Burgdolf

Dietetics and Human Nutrition Faculty Publications

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, collaboration among faculty in the Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition at the University of Kentucky yielded two, four-week virtual experiential learning opportunities with Cooperative Extension for 19 dietetic interns. Remote experiences focused on development of new programming regarding the role of nutrition in the prevention/management of the most prevalent chronic diseases affecting Kentuckians and translating an existing social marketing program that promotes quality family time through preparation of nutritious, affordable home-cooked meals. Weekly assignments took ~10 hours, included individual and groupwork, and came together to create program packages encompassing commonly used products (e.g., …

Leveraging Online Learning To Promote Systems Thinking For Sustainable Food Systems Training In Dietetics Education, Marie Spiker, Amanda Hege, Janice Giddens, Joanna Cummings, Jasia Steinmetz, Angie Tagtow, Erin Bergquist, Lauren Burns, Christina Campbell, Diane Stadler, Elizabeth Combs, Nancy Prange, Aaron Schwartz, Katie Brown, Kevin Sauer

Dietetics and Human Nutrition Faculty Publications

Educating and training a multisectoral food systems workforce is a critical part of developing sustainable, resilient, and healthy food and water systems. This paper shares perspectives from a working group of educators, learners, and food systems subject matter experts that collaborated over the course of a year to develop, pilot test, and evaluate two interactive webinar series with a multi-site cohort of dietetics interns and graduate students. The three-part webinar series format included a training webinar, a practice activity, and a synthesis webinar. In reflecting on the effectiveness of this format, we provide direct assessments of student learning from subject …

Healthy Trees – Healthy People: A Model For Engaging Citizen Scientists In Exotic Pest Detection In Urban Parks, Heather Norman-Burgdolf, Lynne K. Rieske

Dietetics and Human Nutrition Faculty Publications

Healthy Trees – Healthy People (HT-HP) is an outreach and education program created to enlist and train participants in exotic pest detection while providing them with structured opportunities to connect with urban nature and increase their physical and emotional health. HT- HP creates infrastructure to increase engagement by the urban populace in the urban tree canopy. The program solicits participants to engage in an 8-week intervention designed to expand capacity to detect non-native insect pests and pathogens, while increasing physical activity, raising awareness of healthy lifestyle choices, and improving the health of participants. Program participants were trained in tree and …

Integrating Policies, Systems, And Environments (Pse) Work Into Fcs Extension Programming: Lessons Learned From A Multi-State Training, Lisa T. Washburn, Heather Norman-Burgdolf, Karen L. Franck, Lauren E. Kennedy, Christopher T. Sneed

Dietetics and Human Nutrition Faculty Publications

Public health efforts have emphasized changes to policies, systems and environments (PSEs) to improve health behaviors for individuals and communities. Extension has increasingly emphasized these approaches, particularly for work of Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) agents. In part, this emphasis on PSEs in Extension has been driven by SNAP-Ed and other federally funded initiatives, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) High Obesity Programs (HOP). However, broader adoption and implementation of PSEs at the local level has lagged in some states for various reasons. These include limited understanding about PSE interventions and how this work fits with …