Digital Commons Network^™

Lifestyle Data-Based Multiclass Obesity Prediction With Interpretable Ensemble Models Incorporating Shap And Lime Analysis, Shahid Mohammad Ganie, Pijush Kanti Dutta Pramanik, Zhongming Zhao

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Obesity is a major public health concern. Predicting obesity risk from lifestyle data can guide targeted interventions, but current models remain limited. This study first evaluates ensemble learning methods and then combines approaches to improve prediction accuracy and generalizability. Four ensemble techniques-boosting, bagging, stacking, and voting-were tested. Five boosting and five bagging models were constructed alongside voting and stacking models. Hyperparameter tuning optimized performance, and feature importance analysis guided potential feature elemination. In phase two, hybrid stacking and voting models integrated the best-performing boosting and bagging models to enhance predictive capability. Model robustness was ensured through k-fold cross-validation and statistical …

Perceived Recovery And Muscle Fatigue In Professional Soccer Players During Preseason, Josip Maleš, Frane Žuvela, Nicola Bragazzi, Andrea De Giorgio, Goran Kuvačić

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(8): 1212-1227, 2025. https://doi.org/10.70252/ERIN2946 This study aimed to examine weekly variations and within-subject relationships between internal training intensity (ITI), perceived recovery (TQR), neuromuscular performance (CMJ), and perceived muscle soreness (PMS) during a four-week preseason period in professional soccer players. Twenty-three soccer players (age 24.8 ± 4.4 years; height 182 ± 7 cm; body mass 74.6 ± 6.7 kg) classified as Tier 3 athletes from the Croatian Second Soccer League were monitored using session rating of perceived exertion, TQR scales, countermovement jump tests, and PMS questionnaires. A significant reduction in ITI and concurrent improvement in TQR …

Age And Postural Stability In Firefighters: An Analysis Of Anterior Reach Asymmetry And The Two-Foot Length Criterion, Madeleine Fulk, Roger O. Kollock, Maddie Seidner, Rachel Ward, Zora Szabo, Muhammed O. Malik, Gabriel J. Sanders

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(8): 1175-1185, 2025. https://doi.org/10.70252/HSMV3009 This study explored how age affects postural stability (PS) in firefighters by focusing on two key objectives: 1) determining if age affects right-to-left anterior (ANT) reach distance asymmetry (ASYM) during the Motor Control Screen (MCS) test and 2) assessing whether the proportion of firefighters not meeting the greater than two-foot length (2FL) criterion for ANT reach differs across age groups. Data from 95 male firefighters were analyzed using the MCS ANT reach test, part of the Y-Balance Test (YBT). The key outcomes were the difference in ANT reach distances between legs …

The Effects Of Combined Fasting And Exercise On Inflammatory Cytokine Concentrations In Healthy Adults: A Randomized Crossover Study, Landon S. Deru, Austin F. Duersch, Spencer C. Cleverly, Hunter D. Chamberlain, Elizabeth Z. Gipson, Parker G. Graves, Cameron G. Jacobsen, Larry A. Tucker, Bruce W. Bailey

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(6): 1252-1268, 2025. https://doi.org/10.70252/APHT9483 The object was to assess the effects of adding exercise to a 36-hour fast on the inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α, and MCP-1. The study was a randomized crossover design with counterbalanced conditions in community members living near a single academic institution. Participants included twenty healthy adults (11 male). The intervention consisted of two 36-h water-only fasts, one of which was initiated with a bout of treadmill exercise. Venous blood was taken at baseline, 12-h, 24-h, and 36-h of fasting. Area under the curve and timepoint analyses were computed. The area under …

Incidence And Risk Factors Of Metabolic Syndrome In Track And Field Throwing Athletes, Taylor Browning, Samuel Headley, Elizabeth M. Mullin, Margaret T. Jones, Andrew R. Jagim, Jennifer Fields

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(6): 1199-1211, 2025. https://doi.org/10.70252/HOKT7948 Track and field (T&F) throwers are a prominent subgroup of athletes that may be at risk for the development of Metabolic Syndrome (MetSyn) and other cardiometabolic disease conditions. However, limited research exists examining the prevalence of MetSyn in these athletes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the incidence of MetSyn and associated risk factors in collegiate throwers. Collegiate Division I men (n=17) and women (n=4) T&F throwers participated in a single day of lab assessments, which included anthropometrics, body composition, blood pressure, a venous blood draw, and aerobic …

Influence Of Social Identity And Industry Role On Implicit Biases In Fitness Professionals, Shayna J. Guerra, Katie Mcpherrin, Kellie A. Walters, Leilani Madrigal, Alison Ede, Amber Johnson

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(4): 1228-1251, 2025. https://doi.org/10.70252/SQUH3795 Implicit biases are unconscious, internally held beliefs shaped by cultural norms, societal structures, and personal experiences and are often related to societal constructs such as race, gender, age, body shape, and ability. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between social identity, industry role, and implicit biases in fitness professionals. Participants (n=296) were randomly assigned two implicit association tests (IATs): disability, weight, gender, skin-tone, or age. IATs measured implicit bias through word and pictorial associations and timed response to word/picture stimuli. Interviews (n=25) were conducted to further examine …

The Effect Of Mental Training On Psychological Hardiness And Selected Personality Traits Among Adolescent Male Volleyball Players, Moneer Fadel Ali Hassan, Omar Waleed Abdulkareem

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(4): 1186-1198, 2025. https://doi.org/10.70252/MQUH7716 This study was to examine the effect of a mental training program, including a combination of autogenic training and imagery, on a number of mental skills and on the development of personality traits - psychological hardiness as well as conscientiousness, openness to experience, and neuroticism - in Adolescent male volleyball players. 60 adolescent male volleyball players (aged 15–17) participated in a two-group, pretest-posttest design. The experimental group (n = 30) completed 8-week mental skills training program, including imagery, self-talk, attention control, and relaxation, while the control group (n = 30) followed …

Upper Extremity Asymmetries In Collegiate Tennis Players Compared To An Athletic Control Of Runners, Elizabeth A. Cafferty, Dale R. Wagner, Brennan J. Thompson

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(3): 1151-1165, 2025. https://doi.org/10.70252/MDRK9289 Previous research on limb asymmetries of athletes participating in dominant-sided sports lacks an athletic control group. This study aimed to determine the magnitude of upper limb asymmetries in dominant-sided athletes (tennis players) compared to nondominant-sided athletes (cross-country runners). Men and women university athletes (10 tennis, 11 cross-country) participated. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to measure bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density (BMD), and lean mass (LM) of the whole body, upper extremities, and forearms. Circumference measurements were taken at mid-biceps and widest part of the forearms. Bony breadth of …

Playing Surface Impacts Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test (Level 1) Performance And Validity Of Indirect Vo2max Estimation, Gianna Ferigne, Kloe Martin, Charlie Ottinger, Lauren Biscardi

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(8): 1142-1150, 2025. https://doi.org/10.70252/PGPL8156 This study compared performance on the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (YYIR1) and the agility t-test between two playing surfaces, artificial turf and natural grass. This study also assessed agreement between estimated VO2max from the YYIR1 on artificial turf and natural grass with laboratory measured VO2max. Male collegiate soccer players completed three experimental sessions on separate days: YYIR1 and t-test on artificial turf, YYIR1 and t-test on natural grass, and a laboratory VO2max test. The validated Bangsbo et al. equation was used to estimate VO2max from YYIR1 distance. Participants covered …

Effects Of A Quadricep-Dominant Vs. Functional Training Program On Activities Of Daily Living, Functional Performance, And Motor Unit Recruitment In Older Adults, Brittany Followay, Tamera Holland, Larissa Rowley

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(8): 1096-1113, 2025. https://doi.org/10.70252/YHYC9630 The study investigated the effects of a quadriceps-dominant (QD) versus functional (FX) training program on the Functional Movement Screen (FMS), activities of daily living (ADLs), and motor unit (MU) recruitment of the vastus lateralis (VL) and biceps femoris (BF). Twenty-six older adults (68.9 + 5.1yrs) were randomly assigned to a 6-week QD or FX training program. Participants completed ADLs, FMS, and three closed-kinetic chain exercises (CKCs): front lunge (FL), side lunge (SL), and bilateral squat (BLSQ), pre and post-intervention. Electromyography was recorded from the VL and BF during maximal voluntary isometric …

Influence Of Carbon-Fiber Shoes On Outdoor Running Biomechanics As Assessed With Wearable Sensors, Megan Spencer, Nathan Goldcamp, Jean L. Mccrory

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(7): 1121-1132, 2025. https://doi.org/10.70252/JMBI4851 Carbon-fiber shoes feature a stiff yet lightweight curved carbon-fiber plate embedded in the sole and a resilient midsole foam. These shoes create spring-like rebounding effect that has proven to decrease energy consumption and enhance athletic performance. To date, most biomechanics research on carbon-fiber shoes has been laboratory-based. The purpose of our study was to compare running biomechanics in competitive runners wearing carbon-fiber shoes or traditional shoes using wearable sensors on an outdoor composite track. Ten elite runners (9F, 1M) who consistently ran over 30 miles per week and owned a pair …

Physical And Mental Benefits Of Chair Yoga For Older Adults: A Case Series, Justin Smith, Anna Buessing, Carson Pierce, Payton Hybarger, Taylor Antonowich, Wyatt Akins, Barbara Smith

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(5): 1166-1174, 2025. https://doi.org/10.70252/COQS7170 Fitness and rehabilitation professionals commonly use yoga training for improving balance, flexibility, and mental health in populations of all ages. However, little is known about how chair yoga, a specific form of yoga, would impact physical and mental health in older adults. The purpose of this case series was to explore the feasibility and benefits of an 8-week chair yoga class for older adults in an independent living facility. Four participants (ages 77-92 years) performed chair yoga interventions once a week for 8 weeks. Interventions included, but were not limited to, …

An Example Analysis For A Gender-Inclusive Approach In Sport And Exercise Science Research Using Fitbit Outcomes From The All Of Us Research Program Dataset, James W. Navalta, Dustin W. Davis, Jafra D. Thomas, Whitley J. Stone

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(1): 1133-1141, 2025. https://doi.org/10.70252/HRNQ4501 Prevalence studies with wearable devices are used to understand disparities in health-related physical activity behaviors and whether interventions are efficacious. However, studies have been limited to a binary definition of sex. This example analysis aimed to demonstrate how researchers can investigate differences in data beyond the sex-gender binary. Using a cross-sectional analysis of the All of Us Research Program dataset, participants' self-identified gender was categorized into Cisgender Female (n = 10,401), Additional Options (n = 27), Non-binary (n = 84), Transgender (n = 17), and Cisgender Male …

Ethnic Differences In Health-Related Quality Of Life, Physical Activity, And Health Locus Of Control, Kimberly Feiler

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(8): 1072-1085, 2025. https://doi.org/10.70252/STUM6367 This research aimed to better understand the differences in health-related quality of life (HRQoL: general health, physical functioning), physical activity (PA), and health locus of control (HLOC: internal, external-chance, external-powerful others, God) among various ethnic groups. The study’s sample included 185 individuals, 22 - 81 years of age, who were attending or employed by one of three religiously-affiliated higher education institutions during the 2020-2021 academic year. Participants voluntarily answered questions about their ethnic identity, HRQoL, PA level, and HLOC. To analyze the interaction of HRQoL, PA, and HLOC, a multiple regression …

Hemodynamic And Autonomic Modulation In Response To Additive Sympathetic Stressors In Young, Healthy Individuals, J. Derek Kingsley, Anthony G. Pinzone, Gretchen E. Elsey, Stacie M. Humm

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(6): 1047-1060, 2025. https://doi.org/10.70252/WWDK4926 Isometric handgrip (IHG) coupled with post-exercise muscular ischemia (PEMI) and the cold pressor test (CPT) have been demonstrated to increase measures of hemodynamics and to reduce vagal tone. However, little is known about how acute resistance exercise (RE) alters these responses. The purpose was to evaluate an acute bout of RE in conjunction with a single- or dual-stressor task on hemodynamics and autonomic modulation in resistance-trained individuals. Ten resistance-trained individuals (Mean ± SD; Age: 23 ± 3 years) completed a single- (SS: IHG + PEMI only) or dual-stressor (DS: IHG + …

The Effect Of Ankle Bracing On Athletic Performance Variables In Healthy Young Adult Athletes, Penny L. Head, Kurt Neelly, Karen Furgal, Sydney Graves, Meredith Jordan, Mackenzie Polston, Zach Powars, Hailey Shuttleworth, Daniel Smalling

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(5): 1086-1095, 2025. https://doi.org/10.70252/XPTX6116 Acute ankle sprains are common in sports and carry a significantly increased risk of recurrence after an initial injury. Bracing has been shown to reduce injury recurrence; however, athletes may decline this prophylactic measure due to fear of negative effect on athletic performance. Previous research examining the impact of bracing on performance has demonstrated conflicting results. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of bracing on choice reaction time and foot speed in healthy, young adults using computerized agility testing. Twenty-eight healthy athletes aged 18-25 years completed the …

Effect Of Velocity-Based Training On Vertical Jump Performance By Beach Volleyball Players, Filipe Aquino, Igor Nasser, Wladymir Külkamp, Bruno Ribeiro Ramalho Oliveira, Diego Viana Gomes, Everton Crivoi Do Carmo, Walace Monteiro, Eduardo Latari

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(3): 1061-1071, 2025. https://doi.org/10.70252/DFMZ2015 The aim of this study was to examine variations in countermovement jump (CMJ) performance after two velocity-based training (VBT) protocols in the half-squat exercise. Sixteen male beach volleyball athletes performed CMJ tests before and after three experimental sessions on the half-squat exercise. The two VBT protocols were performed in three sets, at a mean propulsive velocity (~ 0.49 m•s⁻¹) associated with relative intensity (~ 85% 1RM), with three minutes interset recovery. In the VL0-10 session, the participants stopped their sets upon reaching a velocity loss (VL) threshold of 10%. …

Renoprotective Potential Of Ciprofloxacin, Prednisolone, And Infliximab In Acetic Acid-Induced Ulcerative Colitis Rats, O. A. Oyesola, O. E. Olayemi, B. I. Kukoyi

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease with systemic manifestations, including renal impairment mediated by oxidative stress, inflammation, and electrolyte imbalance. This study investigated the renoprotective potential of ciprofloxacin, prednisolone, and infliximab in rats with acetic acid–induced UC. Fifty male Sprague–Dawley rats (180–200 g) were divided into five groups (n = 10): control, UC control, UC + ciprofloxacin (50 mg/kg, p.o.), UC + prednisolone (4 mg/kg, p.o.), and UC + infliximab (5 mg/kg, i.p.). UC was induced by rectal instillation of 4% acetic acid, and treatments were administered for 42 days. Serum urea, creatinine, electrolytes, and malondialdehyde (MDA) …

Purple Tomatoes Boost Nutrition Crop Value And Create New Opportunities For United States (U.S) Agriculture, Tariq Alam

Agronomic Crops

The agricultural landscape in the United States is continually evolving, with growers and the tomato industry seeking innovative ways to meet consumer demands while enhancing profitability. The introduction of both bioengineered and classically bred anthocyanins-enriched purple tomatoes presents a unique opportunity for U.S. growers to cultivate a high-value crop that appeals to niche markets and commands premium pricing. Bioengineered purple tomatoes achieve high anthocyanin levels through the introduction of snapdragon transcription factors, while classically bred 'Indigo Rose' purple tomatoes are developed via classical breeding methods, providing an alternative for consumers who prefer traditionally bred products. Specifically, the purple tomato holds …

Exploring The Behaviors Of Women Who Are Mentally Thriving With Autoimmune Disease: A Mixed Methods Approach, Emilie Ann Ellenberg

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Autoimmune diseases encompass a variety of conditions that impact millions of Americans, with a higher prevalence among women than men. These diseases involve immune system dysregulation, leading to tissue damage and dysfunction. Despite progress in understanding their underlying mechanisms, important aspects remain inadequately understood, such as the relationships among immune dysregulation, medical outcomes, and psychiatric comorbidities. Preliminary qualitative research indicates that perceived diagnostic invalidation leads to the mental health needs among women with autoimmune diseases often being unmet, and behavioral health help-seeking behaviors being reduced. Although perceived diagnostic invalidation can lead to increased mental health symptomology and decreased help-seeking behaviors, …

Marigold-Silver Nanoparticles (Agnps) Complex: Characterization, Therapeutic Potential, And Future Approaches For Lung Injury Via Antioxidant And Anti-Inflammatory Effects, Navdeep Kaur

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) and other lung conditions are a key cause of the problems facing global health, as they greatly increase morbidity, death, and the financial burden. In order to achieve the third Sustainable Development Goal of the United Nations, which is to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable illnesses by one-third by 2030, updated epidemiological statistics are crucial for directing prevention, control, and treatment measures. One of the major reasons of illness and death globally is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Lung damage and the emergence of CRDs, such as asthma, emphysema, COPD, and other respiratory disorders, are largely …

Formulation And Characterization Of Albumin Nanoparticles For Nsclc Photochemotherapy, Faisal Mohammad Shamim Khan

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer and is a leading cause of worldwide cancer-related death, which is a strong motivation to develop more efficacious approaches to its treatment. This thesis outlines the construction of folate-targeted bovine serum albumin (FA-BSA) nanoparticles co-loading Chlorin e6 (Ce6), a photodynamic therapy photosensitizer, and Evofosfamide (EVO), a hypoxia-activated prodrug, to enable synergistic photochemotherapy. The 1-Ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDC) is a water-soluble carbodiimide coupling reagent and used for amide bonds between carboxylic acid and amines. FA-BSA nanoparticles were prepared through a desolvation approach and stabilized through crosslinking by the carbodiimide reagent …

Review Of Diffusion Models And Its Applications In Biomedical Informatics, Jiawei Luo, Liren Yang, Yan Liu, Changbao Hu, Grant Wang, Yan Yang, Tie-Lin Yang, Xiaobo Zhou

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The diffusion model, a cutting-edge deep generative technique, is gaining traction in biomedical informatics, showcasing promising applications across various domains. This review presents an overview of the working principles, categories, and numerous applications of diffusion models in biomedical research. In medical imaging, these models, through frameworks like Denoising Diffusion Probabilistic Models (DDPMs) and Stochastic Differential Equations (SDE), offer advanced solutions for image generation, reconstruction, segmentation, and denoising. Notably, they’ve been employed in synthesizing 2D/3D medical images, MRI, and PET image reconstruction, and segmentation tasks such as labeled MRI generation. In the realm of structured Electronic Health Records (EHR) data, diffusion …

A Standard-Based Taxonomy Of Features That Affect User Response To Clinical Decision Support Alerts, Siru Liu, Allison B Mccoy, Dean F Sittig, Josh F Peterson, Thomas A Lasko, Adam Wright

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: The objective of this work is to develop a standard-based taxonomy of features that might affect user response to alerts using evidence from literature and public alert logic repositories.

Methods: We developed a taxonomy of features using multiple sources: (1) the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) CDS Connect Repository, (2) alert logic from commercial electronic health record (EHR) customers, and (3) published literature. Three categories (patient, provider, environment/context) were used a priori to develop the taxonomy. The final taxonomy was mapped to the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) standard for development of standardized CDS services.

Results: Aggregating …

Sexually Dimorphic Sail Feathers In The Mandarin Duck As A Model For Lifelong Developmental Modulation, Pin-Chi Tang, Hsu-Chen Cheng, Gee-Way Lin, Yung-Chih Lai, Ya-Chen Liang, Ping Wu, Tzu-Chiao Lin, Chen Siang Ng, Isheng Jason Tsai, Ang Li, Wen Hsiung Li, Chih-Feng Chen, Cheng-Ming Chuong, Randall Widelitz

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Developmental processes extend beyond embryogenesis to support lifelong tissue adaptations. Avian feather follicles, with their resident stem cells and capacity for cyclic regeneration, provide a dynamic model for postnatal tissue remodeling. Here, we propose the Mandarin duck (Aix galericulata) as an ideal model to study lifelong developmental modulation, focusing on the sexually dimorphic "sail feather"-a secondary flight feather in males that undergoes seasonal transformation into a strikingly asymmetric, ornamented phenotype during the breeding season. We identified asymmetric morphogen expression in regenerating male sail feathers and used transcriptome and H3K27ac ChIP-seq to uncover male and female signaling pathways and regulatory elements. …

Research Progress On The Effect Of Grafting Technology On Disease Resistance And Stress Resistance Of Watermelon, Xuena Liu, Shikai La, Chang Chen, Ainong Shi, Mingjiao Wang, Yingying Zhang, Jinghuai Guo, Lingdi Dong

Horticulture Faculty Publications and Presentations

Grafting is an effective horticultural technique that significantly enhances disease resistance and stress tolerance in watermelon. This review systematically summarizes the types of rootstocks used in watermelon grafting and analyzes the effects of grafting on plant responses to biotic stresses, such as viral and fungal pathogens, root-knot nematodes infections, and abiotic stresses, including drought, temperature extremes, and salinity. Furthermore, it discusses the changes in fruit quality and explores the underlying mechanisms associated with graft-induced resistance. By synthesizing recent research advances, this review aims to offer valuable insights and practical references for improving resistance and promoting sustainable production in cucurbit and …

Biodiversity Conservation Depends On The Expansion Of Taxonomy And Systematics Research, Luis A. Ruedas, Scott L. Gardner

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Despite mammals constituting fewer than 0.3% of all described species, their conservation is compelling for a number of reasons. They contribute to biodiversity and are important in maintaining and regulating ecological communities. Many mammals have significant cultural and economic value, serving as sources of food, medicine, and tourism revenue. Furthermore, the conservation of mammals often leads to the protection of entire habitats, benefiting numerous other species and preserving ecosystem services that are critical for human well- being. Humans share a unique evolutionary history with other mammal species, making their preservation important for scientific research, education, and understanding of our own …

Interdisciplinary Beef - Forage Management Demonstrations, G D. Lacefield, W R. Burris, E D. Miksch, M Rasnake

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

An interdisciplinary project, designated as Comprehensive Cow-Calf Management Demonstrations, was initiated by a term of extension specialists to demonstrate recommended management practices for cow-calf producers. The team consisted of extension specialists in beef cattle, agronomy and veterinary science. Cooperators for comprehensive on-farm demonstrations were nominated by county extension agents for agriculture and local veterinary practitioners. Selected cooperators were using a minimum of recommended practices but exhibited a willingness to make suggested changes. Farms were inventoried initially for cattle number and condition, soil capability and fertility, and existing facilities. Farm plans were then developed that would permit utilization of available resources …

Evaluating Correlates Of Healthy Eating And Dietary Quality Among Older Adults: A Mixed Methods Approach To Development And Application Of A New Survey Instrument, Sara K. Rosenkranz, Donya Shamati, Anna Biggins, Alissa Mick, Christopher Acosta, Richard R. Rosenkranz

Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences Faculty Research

Objectives: Community-dwelling older adults face unique challenges related to nutrition and health, but little is known about their barriers and facilitators for healthy eating behaviors. This study sought to develop and evaluate a new instrument to measure the capability, opportunity, and motivation for healthy eating behaviors (COM-HE) among community-dwelling older adults.

Design: A mixed methods approach was used to obtain qualitative and quantitative data. Participants were aged 65 years or older, community-dwelling, and English-speaking. Participants engaged in focus groups (n = 12) and pilot-testing (n = 81) to evaluate the COM-HE instrument. The Rapid Eating Assessment for Participants – Shortened …

10.20.2025 Ored Connect, Liz Williamson

ORED Newsletter

• OTC Director Candidate Forum
• ORED Small Grants Program RFP