Digital Commons Network^™

Students' Consumption Of Healthy Food Items Using A Social Marketing Intervention, Kayla Autumn Dalton

Masters Theses

This study was an analysis of student eating habits in an "all-you-care-to-eat" dining center at a mid-size, four year, Midwest residential institution. The present, quantitative study was replicated based off a study conducted in 2008 at a similar Midwest university by Diana Poovey Duncan. The present study examined college students' (n = 218) eating habits and consumption patterns over a nine-week study period. Participants were solicited to take the pre-intervention survey in person with incentives during the second week of the study while a post-intervention survey was sent electronically during the seventh week only to those whom provided an …

Dietary Iron Intake And Knowledge Of Iron Deficiency And Iron Deficiency Anemia Among Recreational Female Marathon Runners, Jamie Merritt

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Survey Of Medicinal Herbs Of Central Illinois Prairie And Woodlands, Debra Ann Welch

Masters Theses

Illinois has been named the "Prairie State" for good reason. When the pioneers discovered a vast sea of grasses and forbs, they thought the prairie infertile. However, they soon found out that the blacksoil prairie was composed of a rich diversity of plant species that could provide much of the medical and nutritional needs of everyday life. The medicinal uses of many prairie species have not only been tested throughout history, but today modern science has also discovered their therapeutic importance.

The purpose of this study was to survey prairie species growing in the central Illinois counties of Coles and …

Cup Size Effects On Soda Consumption, Lisa Heiser

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Don't Waist Your College Experience: Administering Nutrition Education Through Facebook, Brittany A. Zaring

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of social media, specifically Face book, as a medium of providing nutrition education and its impact on college students' food choices. A Facebook group was designed, Don't Waist Your College Experience, and college students were invited to join and participate in the nutrition education intervention and complete a pre- and post- revised version of the Rapid Eating Assessment for Patients (REAP). Fortytwo participants (98% Caucasian, 86% females, 60% graduate students) completed the pre-REAP questionnaire and 10 of those also completed the post-REAP questionnaire. The questionnaire was designed to assess dietary …

The Rise And Fall Of Kin Structure In The Neotropical, Family-Living Buff-Breasted Wren (Cantorchilus Leucotis) In Gamboa, Panama, Sarah C. Alessi

Masters Theses

Family-living species provide an exciting model to examine how natal dispersal and kin structure influence genetic structuring within local populations. Juvenile buff-breasted wrens (Cantorchilus leucotis) of both sexes delay dispersal and exhibit short-distance natal dispersal, which should lead to kin-structured populations in which relatives of both sexes occupy neighboring territories. Blood samples collected from juvenile and adult wrens in Gamboa, Panama were analyzed using microsatellite markers to determine whether related individuals are spatially clustered on neighboring territories, spatial clusters of relatives change over time, and if kin structure is sex-specific. Global and local spatial autocorrelation analyses detected genetic …

"Make Over Your Body": Conflicting Messages In Women's Fitness Magazines, Joy Zoodsma

Masters Theses

SHAPE Magazine is a women's fitness magazine that has been consistently popular since its initial publication in 1981. This study explores how the messages of health and beauty in this publication have evolved over the last three decades, especially in response to the cultural imperatives of consumerism and feminism. It critically analyzes the visual and textual messages on SHAPE Magazine covers and in letters from the editor, which offer important examples of the ways in which SHAPE attempts to “hail” readers – to draw them in, to convince them that what the magazine has to offer is relevant to their …

The Role Of Saturated Fatty Acids In Connexin Expression On Endothelial Cells And Eosinophils, Kurt Anthony Ashack

Masters Theses

Eotaxin is a potent chemoattractant for eosinophils that becomes elevated in the tissues in response to inflammation and increased adiposity. Therefore, eosinophil migration into adipose tissue should increase in diet-induced obese individuals, yet it does not. This suggested to us that something within the cellular microenvironment of diet-induced obese individuals might be altering the endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecules (ELAM) such as VCAM-1 or selectins on the endothelial cells, thus preventing eosinophils from entering the inflamed tissue. Connexons are gap junctions in endothelial cells and on immune cells such as macrophages that are composed of connexins and have been shown to …

Successful Weight Loss, Weight Loss Maintenance And Psychological Characteristics In Minority Men And Women Attending An Inner-City Weight Loss Program, Julie Ann Hall

Masters Theses

Inner-city communities are disproportionately impacted by obesity and chronic disease. The LOSE BIG Challenge is a motivational physical activity and nutrition education program offered to inner-city Grand Rapids, Michigan residents with diabetes or hypertension. Twenty-eight participants (26 women, 2 men) in a 12-week culturallybased weight loss program were studied. Before and after the intervention, height, weight, lifestyle information, readiness to change, eating behaviors, depression scores, and quality of life scores were measured. Participants were followed 4 and 6 months post intervention. At baseline, 86% of the participants were obese (BMI >30 kg/m²), 54% watched more than ten hours …

Music Therapy In The Nicu: Interventions And Techniques In Current Practice And A Survey Of Experience And Designation Implications, Suzanna A. Peczeniuk-Hoffman

Masters Theses

While researchers have documented the clinical use of music in medical settings, little is known about music therapists working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The purpose of the study was to examine the demographics, educational training (NICU-MT designation), employment conditions, and music therapy interventions/techniques used by professional music therapists in the NICU. A 15- item survey was designed and electronically mailed to music therapists (N = 318) identified by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA), the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT), and Infant and Child Medical Music Therapy Institute at Florida State University as potentially working with …

The Effect Of Ad Libitum Hydration On Cognitive Function Following Exercise In The Heat, Matthew Wittbrodt

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to quantify the effect of different hydration strategies on physiological and cognitive variables after an exercise bout in the heat. On three occasions, twelve males performed three heat stress tests of 50min at 60%VO_2peak in a hot environment (32°C; 65%RH). The heat stress tests differed in hydration strategy to be implemented during exercise (NF: no fluid, AL: ad libitum, FR: full fluid replacement). A cognitive battery was administered pre-­ and post-­exercise to examine alterations in cognition. Fluid loss during NF was greater than the AL and FR (NF: 1.54 %; AL: 0.29 …

I'M The Same Me: Communication And Renegotiation Of Identity In The Weight-Loss Surgery Experiences Of Women, Heather D. Schild

Masters Theses

Adult obesity rates are on the rise in the United States according to the Centers for Disease Control (2009) which has led to an increase in obesity-related illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease. Weight-loss surgery (WLS) has become accepted as a "cure" for obesity by the medical community. There has been a dramatic increase in the number of obese individuals electing to undergo WLS every year; 82% of these individuals are women (AHRQ, 2007). More women may be electing to undergo these procedures than men due to the pressures women face in American culture to achieve social standards of …

A Perception Analysis Of Downtown Residents: The City Of Lansing, Mi. Food Desert In Context, Thomas J. Veldman

Masters Theses

This thesis examines the perceptions of residents inside and outside of a USDA-defined food desert in Lansing, MI related to fresh and frozen produce access. Through an online and paper survey, Lansing-area residents ranked their perceived level of access to fresh produce, their perception of their own health, and reported their general daily intake of fresh produce. Through several statistical analyses, this thesis was able to determine that residents residing within the study area in downtown Lansing had statistically significant variations in their perception of access to fresh and frozen produce, traveled longer to their preferred primary and secondary food …

The Role Of Vegetarian Options In Campus Dining: Acceptability Of Vegetarian Burgers, James D. Roche

Masters Theses

Although there are many healthy varieties of meats and sustainable methods of raising livestock, there are still environmental and health concerns regarding meat production and consumption. This study examines the acceptability of garden burgers as a replacement for beef burgers in a university dining center by comparing appearance, taste and overall acceptability of these two products. The study also looked to determine whether there were any differences in sensory ratings for the vegetarian burgers between different genders and participants with varying levels of exposure to vegetarian burgers.

Does Menu Labeling Effect [Sic] Consumer Choices?, Ashley R. Waters

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine if patrons purchase fewer calories when calorie information was posted on fast food menus. Researchers also sought to explore how the factors of price, taste, and caloric content influenced purchase decisions. Additionally, to determine if certain groups utilize calorie labels more than others, researchers explored demographic factors like gender, age, and education level and other factors like frequency of fast food consumption and knowledge of daily caloric intake.

Evaluation Of Knowledge, Beliefs And Use Of Nutritional Ergogenic Aids Among Collegiate Athletes, Mekenzie Lewis

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the NEA knowledge and practices of collegiate athletes. Participants of the study included 152 Division I collegiate athletes from a small Midwestern university. Athletes were both male and female participants of rugby, basketball, baseball, soccer, swimming, and/or track and field during the 2011-2012 school year. A 14 item questionnaire was developed based on concepts associated with misconceptions or wide spread beliefs about these NEAs identified through review of sports nutrition peer reviewed research articles, published text books, and based on personal experiences with college athletes. Content accuracy was established by review of …

Evaluation Of Menu-Labeling's Effect On Restaurant Patrons' Meal Choices, Sarah Elizabeth Knoll

Masters Theses

Background: Quick service restaurant food has been association with weight gain, increased waist size, and insulin resistance, that lead to increased risks of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and stroke. A resolution includes a public policy initiative mandating restaurants to list calories at the point <>f purchase. The purpose of this research was to determine if calorie menu labeling has an effect on individuals' decision to build a healthier combo meal, one lower in calories.

Methvds: A convenience sample was gathered. Participants completed an online survey asking them to build combo meals from quick st;rvice restaurants. Participants were randomly sorted into …

Physical Activity And Household Food Insecurity As Important Predictors Of Health Status In Eiu Students, Tatjana Magoc

Masters Theses

Household food insecurity (HFI), defined as limited access to nutritionally adequate foods, is associated with poor diet, which can increase the risk of obesity and health related problems (Kaiser, 2005; Brewer et al., 2010). It is one of the conditions that may adversely affect the normal development of children and adults. The highest level of food insecurity is defined as "hunger". The purpose of this study was to (a) assess the general level ofHFI in Eastern Illinois University (EIU) students, (b) examine the association between Physical Activity (PA) and Body Mass Index (BMI) in EIU students, (c) examine the association …

The Effect Of An Oral Carbohydrate Rinse On Shorter-Endurance Exercise Program, Morgan Esh

Masters Theses

Research has suggested that orally rinsing with a carbohydrate solution can improve shorter-endurance exercise performance (Carter, Jeukendrup, & Jones, 2004; Chambers, Bridge, & Jones, 2009; Pottier, Bouckaert, Roels, & Derave, 2009; Rollo, Williams, & Nevill, 2011). The purpose of this study was to determine if a carbohydrate mouth rinse improves a 30 minute running distance compared to a non-carbohydrate mouth rinse in females ages 18 to 25 years. Eight female recreational runners performed two experimental rinse-trials the morning after an overnight fast. Participants performed each 30 minute treadmill run at a Borg rating of perceived exertion (RPE) of 14 and …

Nutrition Facts Panel Components: Utilization By Consumers, Caitlin A. Huth

Masters Theses

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) passed the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act (NLEA) that resulted in the appearance of the Nutrition Facts Panel (NFP) on all packaged foods in 1994. With rising rates of obesity in the country, the Panel was intended to serve as a nutrition tool to help consumers make informed food and nutrition choices. Previous research has discussed the application and use of the NFP related to consumers' demographic features, dietary outcomes, such as diet quality, and consumer behaviors, such as purchasing decisions.

The purpose of this study was to determine the use of NFP components …

Knowledge, Application, And The Impact Of Nutrition Education Of Portion Sizes In Female Adolescents, Denise Fearday

Masters Theses

The rising rates of obesity in children and adolescents are a cause for concern and an opportunity to educate youth on prevention strategies regarding obesity. Studies have shown that adolescents carry their knowledge and habits of eating into adulthood, and therefore should be educated when young to prevent obesity at an older age. A nutrition education workshop was presented to a group of adolescent females to determine their knowledge and application of portion sizes. The workshop was designed as a pretest-intervention-posttest study with an objective of determining the impact of a portion size workshop on the knowledge and attitudes of …

Linking The Colonization Rate Of Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizae (Vam) To Species Dynamics In Succession, Jie Luo

Masters Theses

Vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae (YAM) are the most common mycorrhizal fungi that form symbiotic associations with plant species. They form hyphae, vesicles and arbuscules which expand root surface area and exchange nutrients within root cells. Greater abundance of YAM can result in more nutrient uptake and disease resistance to the host plant. While mycorrhizae are often important to the growth and reproduction of individual species, their role in regulating plant community dynamics is less clear. Previous research has shown that YAM are tightly related to plant traits such as relative growth rate, foliar N and P concentrations, and responses to soil …

The Effect Of The Power Balance Bracelet On Strength, Agility, Flexibility And Vertical Jump In Collegiate Male Athletes, Rusa Lea Reimnitz

Masters Theses

The Power Balance Bracelet is marketed as a way to increase an athlete's performance in strength, flexibility and balance. The purpose of this study was to examine the validity of the Power Balance Bracelet manufacturer's claims. Twenty male Division I athletes from Eastern Illinois University performed four tests on three different dates. The first session was a control trial and the subsequent sessions were performed with either the Power Balance bracelet or the placebo bracelet. Treatment order was assigned randomly with one half performing with the Power Balance and one half performing with the placebo bracelet in the second and …

Adolescent Athletes' Use Of And Attitudes Toward Performance Enhancing Supplements, Stephanie R. Smith

Masters Theses

Performance enhancing supplements are widely used today in the competitive sports community. With the desire to be the best competitor, younger athletes are using supplements. Although there is no strong evidence that supplements will benefit adolescent athletes, this population is using supplements. The purposes of this study were to identify male and female adolescents' frequency of supplement use, nutrition knowledge, and collect data that will aid in the development of nutrition education materials for adolescent athletes.

In Vivo Evaluation Of Microfibrous Bioactive Borate Glasses For Use In Wound Healing, Yinan Lin

Masters Theses

"This project consisted of two parts focused on in vivo evaluation of microfibrous bioactive borate glasses for use in wound healing. Part one of the project involved subcutaneous implantation of two types of borate glass microfibers and 45S5 glass micro fibers in the dorsum of rats and histologically evaluating the soft tissues at the implant sites at 2 to 4 weeks post surgery. The primary objective was to assess the angiogenic response to the implanted materials. The 13-93B3 and 13-93B3Cu glass microfibers were found to significantly increase the microvascular density in soft tissue, an outcome that suggests these simple and …

Trace Element Accumulation In Rice :Effects Of Soil Arsenic, Irrigation Management, Phosphate Application And Iron Oxide Amendment, Eric Michael Farrow

Masters Theses

A concern is growing over the accumulation of trace contaminants in rice, a plant which has been estimated to supply 50% of the caloric intake to the world's population. Contamination with arsenic (As) and other trace elements have been shown in many areas including the U.S. and rice intake poses a potential risk to human health. This research investigated the accumulation of selected trace elements including arsenic (As), selenium (Se), molybdenum (Mo) and cadmium (Cd) in as many as six rice cultivars and two control soils common to the south central U.S. A field study was completed to evaluate the …

The Prevalence Of Risk Factors Associated With The Female Athlete Triad Among Eastern Illinois University Female Cross Country Runners, Rachel Renee Snow

Masters Theses

Three main components structure the Female Athlete Triad which are, disordered eating, amenorrhea, and low bone mineral density. This could be a dilemma for athletes because the elements of the triad may contribute to major health issues in the future. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of risk factors associated with the Female Athlete Triad among Eastern Illinois University female cross country runners. Thirteen subjects ranging in age from 18 - 22 years participated in this study. A five part questionnaire was utilized to determine the subject's demographics, exercise history, dietary habits, menstrual history, and skeletal …

School Psychologist Training And Diagnosis Of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Katharine M. Zwolinski

Masters Theses

Attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) is a developmental disorder that is characterized by inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. ADHD is commonly diagnosed in childhood and one of the most frequent referral concerns brought to the attention of school psychologists, yet it is often misdiagnosed (Cotuono, 1993; Des granges, Des granges, & Karsky, 1995). The goal of this study is to explore ADHD training among specialist level school psychologists, assessment procedures they were exposed to during training, the information they rely on when determining if a child meets ADHD diagnostic criteria, and the accuracy of the diagnosis. It was hypothesized that the …

Sleeping The Way To Success: Examining The Relationship Between Sleep And Academic Success Among College Students, Jennifer M. Hedges

Masters Theses

The negative effects of poor sleep habits have been widely studied, although there is little research focusing on the academic impact that poor sleep has among the college student population, where poor sleep seems to be prevalent. Research studies have consistently documented that sleep difficulties and daytime tiredness affect more than half of college students. Daytime naps, pulling "all-nighter" cram sessions, and late bedtimes and rise times are just a few of the common scenarios that deeply disturb the sleep quality and quantity of college students. The American Sleep Association (2007) has shown that sleep is necessary for survival in …

Orthorexia Nervosa: Healthy Eating Or Eating Disorder?, Sonia Mahesh Shah

Masters Theses

A new concept called orthorexia nervosa has recently become more prevalent in scientific journal articles. Orthorexia nervosa has been defined as a fixation on eating only healthy foods, spending hours ruminating on meals, and an obsession with proper nutrition (Bratman, 1997). Several studies have attempted to investigate this concept, establish prevalence rates, and determine whether orthorexia is a disorder. Some studies have found an association between eating disorders, anxiety, and orthorexia as well as posited risk factors such as higher body-mass index, level of education, and sex. The present study examined an individual's scores on measures of orthorexia, anxiety, eating …