Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Gestational Diabetes: What About Your Exercise?, Andreana Henry

Symposium of Student Scholars

Previous research on exercise as a form of preventative care to reduce the risk of gestational diabetes has produced conflicting views. When and why exercise is the most beneficial during pregnancy has been widely debated, as well as which trimester exercise is the most effective to reduce the risk of gestational diabetes. It has been argued that if a woman has not previously incorporated exercise into her lifestyle, during pregnancy is not the ideal time to start. Conversely, light to moderate exercise is encouraged to decrease the chances of gestational diabetes, but which gestation period exercise will have the greatest …

Food Deserts: Hungry For Answers, Lawren Cumberbatch

Symposium of Student Scholars

In 2010, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported that 23.5 million people in the United States live in food deserts. As defined by the USDA, a “food desert” is a neighborhood that lacks healthy food sources. This can be measured by distance to a store, number of stores in an area, individual-level resources such as family income or vehicle availability, and neighborhood-level resources such as availability of public transportation. Past research provides evidence that food deserts are especially likely to occur in communities heavily populated by minorities. As a Black Indian pre-med student aiming to join the world …

The Effect Of Sprint Interval Training And Intermittent Fasting On Cognitive Function, Dana Taghaddos

Undergraduate Student Research Internships Conference

This study will explore how a combination of a time-restricted eating (TRE) strategy and a sprint interval training (SIT) exercise program will affect cognitive function. Both TRE and SIT are easily implemented lifestyle habits that have been shown to present significant brain challenges. Participants will be randomized into 3 groups: either SIT + TRE (Group 1), SIT alone (Group 2), or TRE alone (Group 3). We will assess acute effects (single day of TRE, followed by a single session of SIT the next day), and the effects over a 6 week period. The SIT protocol consists of four 30 second …

Association Between Childhood Obesity And Lack Of Healthy Food Access In Urban Food Deserts, Nicholas Averell, Rushali Desai, Archana Menon, Ayushi Naik, Arpun Shah

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background

Childhood Obesity: growing epidemic affecting almost 20% of children and adolescents in the United States

● Characterized by BMI greater than 95^th percentile of their age and gender

● Often leads to chronic medical conditions: high blood pressure, Type II Diabetes and heart diseases

● Low socioeconomic status(SES), lack of healthy food access and urban neighborhood

Nutrition Education Intervention For Children In Low Socioeconomic Neighborhoods, Archana Menon, Kasmier Viciosi, Joshua Nsubuga

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Childhood obesity is a public health epidemic affecting 18.5% of children and adolescents in the United States. Children who are obese are more likely to obese as adults. Obesity leads to a number of comorbidities including chronic conditions like high blood pressure, Type II diabetes, and heart disease. Low socioeconomic status (SES), lack of healthy food access, and urban neighborhoods have been associated with childhood obesity. Additionally, convenience stores and other low-price stores tended to display and promote junk foods by the main entrance, whereas supermarkets and higher-income stores tended to display fruits and vegetables. We want to combat these …

The Benefits Of Vegetarian Diet, Michael Segobiano

Campus Research Day

My presentation will include the benefits of a vegetarian diet. I will discuss the nutrients that vegetarian diet provides and how it benefits the body in a essential way. I will also explain the reason why vegetarian diet should be the first choice and why it is better than meat-included diet.

Rotc Cadets' Nutrition Knowledge & Behaviors: A Pilot Study, Mikaela Blake, Annika Israelsen, Tori Gossling, Jacob Lamb

Student Research Symposium

The Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) prepares college students for future military service. The ROTC includes a rigorous physical training program. As such, effective nutrition practices are necessary to maintain performance. The purpose of this study was to assess USU Cadets’ nutrition knowledge and practices to inform future research and intervention needs. Cadets were recruited through email and classroom announcements. Participants completed an online survey that gathered demographic, fitness, nutrition knowledge, nutrition behaviors, Intuitive Eating, perceived stress, and food security data. Results indicated that most cadets had a moderate knowledge of nutrition with a deficit in sports nutrition. This study …

Alcohol Consumption And Anxiety Amongst College Students, Eardley Belime, Angela Wright, Nathan Jubran, Abigail Lake

Showcase of Osprey Advancements in Research and Scholarship (SOARS)

Honorable Mention Winner

“According to a national survey administered by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA 2020) and a survey conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA) anxiety is one of the top concerns regarding college students. (APA, 2013) This systematic review was done to determine if there is a relationship between alcohol consumption and anxiety in college students. A total of 26 articles published between the years 2010 and 2020 that were retrieved from Psycinfo met the inclusion criteria needed for the analysis. In looking at the relationship between anxiety and alcohol consumption, the mediators of …

Nutrition Professionals’ Knowledge, Consumption And Recommendations Of Whole Grains, Krystal Walker, Tamara Marsh, Cristina Reyes Gonzalez, Kelly Toups

Showcase of Osprey Advancements in Research and Scholarship (SOARS)

Project of Merit Winner

Research outcome: To determine the relationship between nutrition professionals’ knowledge, consumption, and recommendations of whole grains. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with nutrition professionals (n=480). Participants were recruited via email and social media from October 2020-February 2021. The participants completed a validated 21-question survey about whole grain knowledge, consumption, and recommendations. Analysis: The analyses included descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation tests. Results: Survey respondents included 72.5% Registered Dietitians Nutritionists (RD/RDN) and 27.5% RD in training (e.g. dietetic intern, student). Nutrition professionals felt whole grains were important in their own diet (93%) and their patient/clients’ diet …

Obesity Among Hispanics: The Relationship To Lifestyles, Socioeconomic Characteristics, And Education, Stacey Harmer

Showcase of Osprey Advancements in Research and Scholarship (SOARS)

Honorable Mention Winner

In the Hispanic community, there are multiple factors that increase the probability of obesity. Among them are the diets and changes in diets over the past several decades, lifestyles and urbanization that have promoted sedentarism, status in society and stratification, education, and gender. Among the populations, women have higher risk of obesity in the Hispanic community. Education and socioeconomic status plays differing roles in the rates of obesity in developed and developing countries. Socioeconomic status affects the resources and support that are available. Urbanization increases the likelihood of adopting diets that are higher in fats and refined …

How Can Project-Based Mentorships Enhance The Dietetics Profession?, V. Tarbell, K. Cottey, M. Sandoval Rodriguez, C. Mccleskey, B. Krpec, K. Beathard, K. Hicks-Roof

Showcase of Osprey Advancements in Research and Scholarship (SOARS)

Research Outcomes: The RD Mentorship Program is designed to provide dietetic students (mentee) with the opportunity to gain one-on-one experience with a Registered Dietitian (mentor). This nationwide program evaluates project-based mentorships. Methods: Potential mentors and mentees completed an initial survey that indicated mentor projects and mentee interests. Mentees (n=378) were matched to a mentor (n=264) based on their project preferences and interests. Matches met virtually monthly from September 2020 to April 2021. A mid-program evaluation was sent out in December 2020. Analysis: Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data Results: The mid-program evaluation indicated that 96% (n=265) of participants …

Psychological Well-Being, Eating Disorder Risk, & Weight-Related Concerns In First Semester College Students, Madisen Reasonover

Showcase of Osprey Advancements in Research and Scholarship (SOARS)

Both mental health and eating disorders are increasing health concerns for college students. This study aimed to examine associative links between psychological distress, adverse childhood experiences, food addiction, and weight-related concerns among first semester college students. Freshman students 18 years or older in all majors in a southeastern university were invited to take an online survey. The measures included demographic characteristics, psychological behaviors and eating disorder risks. Pearson’s correlation analysis was used to assess associations. Ninety-two students (79.3% female, 61.5% white) completed the survey. Psychological distress was significantly correlated with higher eating disorder risk (stress r=0.28, anxiety r=0.28, depression r=0.42; …

Safe Sex Practices Among Racial And Ethnic Minority High School Students: 2019 U.S. Yrbs, Hannah Lovett, Rachel Tindel, Aramis Chapman, Anna Schneider, Judith Rodriguez

Showcase of Osprey Advancements in Research and Scholarship (SOARS)

This study explores trends of sex safe practices in high school students, specifically the differences between white students and students of minority races and ethnicities. Past research and data have shown that condom and contraceptive use has decreased across all races, but more significantly among students of racial and ethnic minorities. The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) is part of the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS). Data is collected at the national level from designated middle and high schools. This study uses data from the 2019 YRBS to analyze current trends of condom use and other birth control use. …

Center For Nutrition And Food Security: Hunger Map, Adremae Alotaya

Showcase of Osprey Advancements in Research and Scholarship (SOARS)

Honorable Mention Winner

Environmental Center Leadership Program Project

Food insecurity is an inconsistent access or inability to prepare nutritious foods. In the United States, about 1 in every 6 adults lack the access to nutritious foods. In Duval County, 20.1% of adults suffer from Food Insecurity. Causes of food insecurity is multifactorial and can have a negative effect on an individual’s mental and physical health. The Center for Nutrition and Food Security at the University of North Florida (UNF) is working to address the food insecurity in Northeast Florida by creating a Hunger Map. The Hunger Map consists of four …

Fuel For Motivation: The Impact Of Empathy In An Educational Setting, Meghan Cosby, Jen Ross, Andrea Arikawa, Kristen Hicks-Roof

Showcase of Osprey Advancements in Research and Scholarship (SOARS)

Honorable Mention Winner

According to Merriam Webster, empathy is defined as “the action of or capacity for understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experiences of another.” While research related to empathy has mainly focused on the importance of teaching empathy to students, little is known about the relationship between instructor empathy and student outcomes. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of empathy on motivation and student outcomes in a sample of undergraduate and graduate students at the University of North Florida. Focus groups were conducted via zoom to …

Selective Induction Of Apoptosis By Aqueous Extract Of Chinese Medicinal Herb Scutellaria Barbata In Hct-116 Colon Cancer Cells And Ccd-841 Colon Epithelial Cells., Camile Kordas, Joshua Li, Kristin Ferrer

Honors Scholars & Undergraduate Research Poster Symposium Programs

Scutellaria barbata (SB) has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for treating liver, lung and rectal tumors. We previously found that aqueous extracts of SB inhibited mutagenesis, DNA binding, and metabolism of aflatoxin B1 and benzo(a)pyrene. They were also shown to inhibit foci formation in the colon of AOM-induced mice. Other research demonstrated that ethanol extracts inhibit colorectal cancer growth, inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis. In this study, the effects of aqueous extracts of SB on the induction and modulation of apoptosis in HCT-116 colon cancer cells and CCD-841 normal colon epithelial cells were assessed using TUNEL assay, Apoptosis/Necrosis Detection …

There's An App For That: Promoting Health App Use In Rural Ireland, Noor Yahya, Marcus Simon

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Problem Statement: Smartphones and mobile applications (commonly referred to as apps) were first introduced in the late 20th century and early 21st century. Due to the public’s time constraints, lack of transportation, lack of medical insurance, and a growing desire for healthier lifestyles, the total global mHealth market forecast to reach 100 billion dollars in 2021 – a fivefold increase from 21 billion in 2016. mHealth apps have been successfully used for health promotion activities but barriers such as lack of knowledge and comfort in using health apps exist.

Purpose: Evaluate readiness of a rural community and the …

Toward An Evidence-Based Definition And Classification Of Carbohydrate Food Quality: An Expert Panel Report., Judith C. Rodriguez, Kevin B. Comerford, Yanni Papanikolaou, Julie Miller Jones, Joanne Slavin, Siddhartha Angadi, Adam Drewnoski

Showcase of Faculty Scholarly & Creative Activity

(Article Abstract) Carbohydrate-containing crops provide the bulk of dietary energy worldwide. In addition to their various carbohydrate forms (sugars, starches, fibers) and ratios, these foods may also contain varying amounts and combinations of proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, prebiotics, and anti-nutritional factors that may impact diet quality and health. Currently, there is no standardized or unified way to assess the quality of carbohydrate foods for the overall purpose of improving diet quality and health outcomes, creating an urgent need for the development of metrics and tools to better define and classify high-quality carbohydrate foods. The present report is based on …