Digital Commons Network^™

What Are The Barriers Affecting Accessibility Of Dietetic Internships?, Samantha Moelter

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Objective: To explore the disparity between number of students completing degrees in dietetics, students matched to internships, and current and projected field needs. Methods: An electronic survey covering a variety of factors potentially affecting internship accessibility was distributed to 251 internship program directors, 200 preceptors, and accreditation board, staff, and review members. Results: Of 193 total respondents, 60% agreed that accreditation competencies prepared dietetic interns well and that internship costs may hinder diversity among interns. Seventy-two percent of program directors (n=115) reported difficulties in preceptor recruitment and 56% reported difficulties in preceptor training/orientation. Conclusion: The overarching goal of ACEND®, dietetic …

From Myplate To Mcteacher's Night : A Communication-Centered And Ecological Investigation Of Nutrition Education In Middle School : A Case Study, Crystal Lee Brandow

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

We have an undeniable awareness about the rates of obesity in our country, and we know that rates of obesity among children and youth are higher than ever. In fact, this is predicted to be the first generation of children who will not live longer than their parents. An abundance of research has identified the challenges and the causes of childhood obesity, and even proposed solutions for addressing this growing public health concern. One of the suggested solutions, or at least preventative measures, involves schools playing an active role in combating the obesity epidemic through the provision of nutrition interventions. …

Success Stories And Emerging Themes In Conservation Physiology, Christine L. Madliger, Steven J. Cooke, Erica J. Crespi, Jennifer L. Funk, Kevin R. Hultine, Kathleen E. Hunt, Jason R. Rohr, Brent J. Sinclair, Cory D. Suski, Craig K. R. Willis, Oliver P. Love

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

The potential benefits of physiology for conservation are well established and include greater specificity of management techniques, determination of cause–effect relationships, increased sensitivity of health and disturbance monitoring and greater capacity for predicting future change. While descriptions of the specific avenues in which conservation and physiology can be integrated are readily available and important to the continuing expansion of the discipline of ‘conservation physiology’, to date there has been no assessment of how the field has specifically contributed to conservation success. However, the goal of conservation physiology is to foster conservation solutions and it is therefore important to assess whether …

Lifestyle Contributors To Cardiovascular Disease Risk, Adam J. Berrones

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Aortic stiffness is an independent risk factor that has prognostic value regarding future cardiovascular disease (CVD) events such as myocardial infarction, strokes, and heart failure. Although death rates due to coronary heart disease have declined in recent years, the leading global killer remains CVD and prevalence is still high. Understanding lifestyle contributors associated with aortic stiffness would provide the public with insight into targeting key health-related behaviors.

The purpose of this observational study was to examine the association of physical activity, physical function, and dietary quality as independent factors contributing to aortic stiffness in apparently healthy middle aged men. Fifty-two …

The Development, Implementation, And Evaluation Of A Campus-Based Culinary Nutrition Program For College Students, Jennifer Mcmullen

Theses and Dissertations--Education Sciences

College students, on average, do not consume enough fruits and vegetables. Contributing to poor eating habits is an overall decline in young adults’ cooking skills as compared to previous decades, with today’s college students often relying on ubiquitous convenience food options. The detriments associated with these food choices are linked to a number of chronic diseases, including obesity. Though programming for college students which incorporates both nutrition education and hands-on cooking opportunities is rare, programs which have been implemented have had positive outcomes associated with increased self-efficacy with cooking and eating healthfully, and improved eating behaviors.

This research utilized a …

Assessment Of Obesity Management In A Primary Care Setting, Katie Diffenderfer

DNP Projects

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the current practices related to obesity in the primary care setting in University of Kentucky’s Healthcare System. The specific aims were to: 1) Determine the proportion of obese patients who had an ICD-9/10 diagnosis code for obesity, 2) Determine the proportion of obese patients who received interventions related to their obesity, 3) Determine whether obesity diagnosis and interventions varied based on patient demographics, and 4) Compare actual obesity interventions to those outlined in the clinical practice guidelines.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of male and female patients between the ages of …

The Impact Of Direct-Fed Microbials And Enzymes On The Health And Performance Of Holstein Cattle With Emphasis On Colostrum Quality And Serum Immunoglobulins In The Calf, Shona Brittany Ort

Master's Theses and Capstones

Research has shown that direct-fed microbials (DFM) and enzyme supplementation can impact the dry matter intake (DMI), milk production, and milk composition. However, limited research has evaluated the impact of DFM and enzyme supplementation on colostrum quality and the uptake of the Immunoglobulins A and G (IgA and IgG) by calves. In this study, 36 multiparous Holstein cows were blocked by expected calving date and randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments 3 weeks prior to calving and remained on these treatments until week 8 postpartum. These treatments were: 1) 0 g of DFM and enzyme (control), 2) 45.40 g/d …

Getting Back To Our Roots, Emily J. Jacobs

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Completing this senior honors project afforded the opportunity to develop activities around the topics of basic gardening skills, cooking skills, and the importance of quality nutrition for the students from the Center for Child Development Day Camp. Seven lesson plans were developed in collaboration with Mrs. Kathy Schupp, the director of the Nutrition Center. At the beginning of summer, discussion took place regarding the types of nutrition information that could be learned from working in the Schrank Hall South teaching garden. The Great Garden Detective Adventure was used as a resource in planning lessons for the students. This book was …

Antibiotic Efficacy And Interaction In Escherichia Coli During Varying Nutrient Conditions, Kristina K. Millar

Scripps Senior Theses

Due to the recent rise in antibiotic resistant pathogens, and the difficulties surrounding the quest for new antibiotics, many researchers have started revisiting antibiotic interactions in hopes of finding new treatment options. The primary outcome of this project was to examine the efficacy of concomitant antibiotic use under varying nutrient conditions, to identify variations in antibiotic interactions. Antibiotic interactions were studied, utilizing E. coli as a model bacterial system, grown in four different media types. E. coli cultures were treated with streptomycin, tobramycin, erythromycin, and amikacin individually and in a pairwise fashion at varying doses. We found that at least …

Effect Of Direct-Fed Microbials And Enzyme Supplementation In Prepartum Holstein Cows On Colostrum And Calf Immunity, Erin M. Shangraw

Honors Theses and Capstones

In cows, colostrum is composed of several antibodies and nutrients to provide immunity and energy to the calf. Feeding calves high quality colostrum has been shown to improve calf health, leading to reduced mortality in calves and greater milk production in cows. The addition of direct-fed microbials (DFM) to cow diets has been theorized to improve feed efficiency and milk production, with studies showing mixed results. However, few experiments have studied the effect of feeding DFM on colostrum quality. In this experiment two treatments were given, 1) DFM and 2) DFM and enzymes (DFME). Colostrum was …

Physician Perspectives On Nutrition Counseling And Nutrition Focused Continuing Medical Education In Texas, Kristen Hicks, P. Murano

Nutrition and Dietetics Faculty Research and Scholarship

To assess Texas physician nutrition counseling practices and interest in nutrition continuing education opportunities that would enhance patient care. A simple online survey was developed, validated then randomly distributed to physicians across Texas between May 2015 and August 2015. Participants (n=54) completed the survey regarding demographics, incorporation of nutrition with patient care, and nutrition-related continuing education opportunities. Physicians across Texas overwhelmingly reported insufficient incorporation of nutrition counseling into their practice and were in favor of additional continuing medical education (CME) opportunities focused on nutrition. Our results showed 89% of physicians care for patients who require nutrition counseling “Sometimes” or “Usually/Always”. …

Carbohydrate Intake In Form Of Gel Is Associated With Increased Gastrointestinal Distress But Not With Performance Differences Compared With Liquid Carbohydrate Ingestion During Simulated Long-Distance Triathlon, Mahdi Sareban, David Zügel, Karsten Koehler, Paul Hartveg, Martina Zügel, Uwe Schumann, Jürgen Michael Steinacker, Gunnar Treff

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

The ingestion of exogenous carbohydrates (CHO) during prolonged endurance exercise, such as long-distance triathlon, is considered beneficial with regard to performance. However, little is known about whether this performance benefit differs among different forms of CHO administration. To this end, the purpose of our study was to determine the impact of CHO ingestion from a semisolid source (GEL) on measures of performance and gastrointestinal (GI) comfort compared with CHO ingestion from a liquid source (LIQ). Nine well-trained triathletes participated in this randomized crossover study. Each participant completed a 60-min swim, 180-min bike exercise, and a 60-min all-out run in a …

Comparing Healthy Eating Index Scores To Physical Activity Levels In Adults Using 20007–08 And 2009–10 Nhanes Data Sets, Lori Nedescu

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Research suggests diet intake among adults lacks in healthfulness, which contributes to poor quality of life and increased disease outcomes. This study assesses the relationship between diet quality, using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI), and presence of physical activity (PA). Participants included 11,167 adults ≥ 20yrs with valid NHANES 2007–08 and 2009–10 diet interviews and PA questionnaires. Subjects were divided into sedentary, 1–149 minutes per week of PA (moderate exercisers) and ≥150 minutes per week PA (meets or exceeds PA guidelines) groups based on guidelines set by the Department of Health and Human Services. Dietary interviews were scored for quality …

American Obesity: Rooted In Uncertainty, Institutions And Public Policy, James Woodward

Theses and Dissertations--Public Policy and Administration

Despite the efforts of policymakers, medical professionals, and other stakeholders, obesity and related health problems show no signs of receding from their record-high rates. Public policy has largely taken the form of consumer advice, (e.g., USDA’s Dietary Guidelines). Since consumers bear most of the costs associated with their obesity, the goal of obesity prevention appears to be incentive-compatible, prima facie. That is, there is no a priori case for much further policy intervention unless existing advice is deficient or consumers’ exhibit systematically poor decision-making.

My review of the literature shows that scholars have long conveyed a consistent narrative regarding …

Water Management Efficiency In The Food And Beverage Industry, Maria Del C Reyes Torres

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Water is critical for food production, food security, and health. Water quality management influences freshwater sustainability, land, and energy administration. Global agriculture accounts for more than 70% of all water consumption; the fertilizer, manure, and pesticide overspills are chief sources of water pollution worldwide. On a global scale, food-related waste directly impacts local food production and water resource management. The purpose of this multiple-case study on the food and beverage (FB) industry in the State of Georgia was to identify successful strategies for improving water management efficiency. The concepts of systems thinking, adaptive resource management, and integrated water resource management …

Modeling Effects Of Diet On Human Gut Microbiota, Richard Thomas Agans

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

The human gut microbiota is integrally involved in the metabolism of nutrients contained within the human diet. Studies into human nutrition have primarily been carried out using human and animal models. These studies are extremely important in our understanding of human nutrition, however, suffer from inherent limitations including unique microbial compositions between individuals, compliance in human studies, inability to carry out mechanistic studies, and inability to interrogate proximal regions of the gut without applying invasive techniques. In vitro gut simulator systems circumvent many of these limitations in animal and human models by allowing control of gut environmental conditions, decreasing variability …

Nutritional Effects On Reproductive Performance Of Captiveadult Female Coyotes (Canis Latrans), Eric M. Gese, Beth M. Roberts, Frederick F. Knowlton

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Interactions between animals and their environment are fundamental to ecological research. Field studies of coyote (Canis latrans) reproductive performance suggest mean litter size changes in response to prey abundance. However, this relationship has been assessed primarily by using carcasses collected from trappers. The objective of this study was to assess whether nutritional manipulation prior to mating affected reproduction in adult female coyotes. We examined the effects of caloric restriction during the 7 months prior to estrus on the reproductive rates of 11 captive female coyotes and the subsequent initial survival of pups through two reproductive cycles. This was …

Using Nutrition And Fitness Awareness To Reduce Overweight And Obesity In Adolescents, Allissa.Johnson Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In the United States, adolescent obesity rates continue to increase unabated, yet there is a paucity of programs to address these conditions for this population. The current study evaluated an after-school program in California high schools that uses a mentoring model with youth to promote regular exercise and healthy food choices. It is grounded in Social Cognitive Theory which focuses on both the impact of the environment on shaping behaviors and the ability of an individual to construct his or her own suitable environment. A quantitative single-group pretest-posttest design using archived participant responses was utilized in order to determine whether …

Factors Influencing Dietary Practices Among Liberian Refugees And Ghanaian Residents, Jennifer Mandelbaum

Public Health Theses

Buduburam Refugee Settlement was established in Ghana in 1990 by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in response to Liberia’s first civil war (1989-1997). A limited amount of research on intergenerational differences and acculturation with respect to diet in refugee populations has been published, despite refugees’ susceptibility to food insecurity and diet-related health conditions. As the worldwide refugee population continues to grow, it becomes increasingly important to develop socio-cultural frameworks to address specific health and nutrition needs of refugees. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative study was to understand among Liberian refugees in Buduburam Refugee Settlement: 1) dietary …

Cultural Influences On The Weight, Diet, And Physical Activity Of Pregnant Immigrant Latinas, Martha Eugenia Dominguez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this phenomenological study is how culture and acculturation can potentially influence gestational weight during pregnancy, leading to overweight and obesity among immigrant Latinas. To understand the possible influence of culture and acculturation on the diet, exercise, and weight of pregnant immigrant Latinas, the experiences of immigrant Latinas who had undergone a pregnancy in Mexico and were pregnant in California were examined. The ecological model theory was applied as a framework for exploring the participants' experiences regarding nutrition, physical activity, and weight gain. Semistructured interviews with 10 qualified participants were conducted. Data analysis entailed an inductive approach …

Egesta Of The Sea Urchin Lytechinus Variegatus Promote Weight Gain In The Shrimp Litopenaeus Vannamei, Karen Elizabeth Jensen

All ETDs from UAB

Long-term economic and environmental sustainability of aquaculture will be dependent on utilization of novel nutrient sources and remediation of effluent streams. Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) is a method intended to maximize productivity and minimize waste by strategically reusing effluent from a primary, fed species in the production of one or more secondary, extractive species. Such relationships are based on the trophic role of the fed and extractive species in question. Sea urchin egesta are thought to play a role in nutrient cycling in natural habitats by providing an energy source for many coprophagous deposit feeders, suspension feeders, and microbes. The …

Fruit Fly Nutrition, Rearing And Quality Control, Samira A. Mohamed, Fathiya M. Khamis, Chrysantus M. Tanga

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Tephritid fruit flies are recognized worldwide as an important threat to the horticultural industry. Most of the species belonging to this group are highly polyphagous attacking several important fruits and vegetables. They cause direct damage through larval feeding and indirect losses are associated with quarantine restrictions. The increasing awareness of the damage caused by these fruit flies to the horticultural industry has created a demand for the development of control measures based on integrated pest management (IPM) strategies and the sterile insect technique (SIT). However, success of the majority of these control methods largely depends on the ability to establish …

The Effects Of Varying Levels Of Dietary Starch On Reproductivetraits In Lactating Dairy Cows, Abdulkadi̇r Keski̇n, Hidir Gençoğlu, Gülnaz Meci̇toğlu, İsmai̇l Çeti̇n, Çağdaş Kara, Duygu Udum Küçükşen, Ebru Bi̇len, Bariş Güner, Abdülkadi̇r Orman, Ahmet Gümen

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of three different dietary starch levels on postpartum milk yield, blood metabolites, and reproductive traits in cows. A total of 23 primiparous Holstein-Friesian cows were fed three different diets including different starch levels on a dry matter basis from parturition until day 80. Cows were randomly assigned into the three groups according to the starch levels: low (LS, 16%, n = 7), medium (MS, 20%, n = 8), and high (HS, 24%, n = 8). Milk yields were recorded daily, and body condition score (BCS) was determined every week. Transrectal …

Emotional Intelligence, Job Satisfaction, And Burnout For Dietitians, Cara Perdue

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There are low retention rates of dietitians and this impacts quality of care. Emotional intelligence (EI) may be the missing component to improve retention, due to EI increasing job satisfaction and decreasing burnout for other health providers. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between EI, job satisfaction, and burnout for dietitians. The theoretical framework utilized was the 4-branch model of EI. Method of inquiry was convenience, quantitative non-experimental design. Registered dietitians (N = 84,173) living in the United States were contacted via e-mail. Approximately 9.5% of dietitians (n = 8,038) completed the Wong and Law EI …

Oral Nutritional Supplement Use In Relation To Length Of Stay In Heart Failure Patients At A Regional Medical Center, Ellen Burkhardt Babb

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Improving the nutritional status of hospitalized patients has been shown to reduce length of stay (LOS), hospital costs, readmission rates, complication rates, and mortality. Provision of nutrient-rich, liquid, oral nutrition supplements (ONS) is one approach to improving nutritional status. ONS use has been associated with improved outcomes among patients with diagnoses of orthopedic injuries and pressure ulcers, mainly using prospective designs among elderly and/or malnourished patients. Less information is available for other diagnoses, and no analysis of the effects of ONS could be found that considered the epidemiological triad of person, place, and time. This study used a quantitative, retrospective …

The Relationship Between Nutrient Intake And Social Emotional Functioning In Preschool Children, Tracy L. Daniel

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mental health disorders are rising in children and being referred to as an epidemic. Numerous studies have shown micronutrient deficiencies and poor diet quality are suspected of playing a contributory role in the escalation of certain disorders. However, there is no research in young children focusing specifically on social emotional disorders and possible links to nutrition. Conventional treatment for social emotional disorders in children typically involves medication. Parents are increasingly turning to complementary and alternative medicine to treat their children with a method that is individualized and holistic. The biopsychosocial model provided the theoretical framework for this correlational study that …

Anti-Aging Genes Improve Appetite Regulation And Reverse Cell Senescence And Apoptosis In Global Populations, Ian James Martins

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Appetite regulation by nutritional intervention is required early in life that involves the anti-aging gene Sirtuin 1 (Sirt 1) with Sirt 1 maintenance of other cellular anti-aging genes involved in cell circadian rhythm, senescence and apoptosis. Interests in anti-aging therapy with appetite regulation improve an individual’s survival to metabolic disease induced by gene-environment interactions by maintenance of the anti-aging genes connected to the metabolism of bacterial lipopolysaccharides, drugs and xenobiotics. Interventions to the aging process involve early calorie restriction with appetite regulation connected to appropriate genetic mechanisms that involve mitochondrial biogenesis and DNA repair in neurons. In the aging process …

Community Food Security Strategies: An Exploratory Study Of Their Potential For Food Insecure Households With Children, Michelle L. Kaiser, Kareem Usher, Colleen Spees

Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk

This research sought to explore nutrition and related health issues of 151 households with children who participated in a survey addressing food access, food security, nutrition, health, food provisioning strategies, and barriers to optimal food consumption. This study explored the potential use of community food security strategies as a tool to address public health concerns through increasing fruit and vegetable intake by improving access to affordable healthy foods. Poor diet, stress, and food insecurity impacts adults and children in terms of cognitive development, mental health, and risk for costly chronic diseases. This research contextualized consumer responses within a contemporary policy …

Staff Education: Nutrition Education In The Intellectually /Developmentally Disabled Community, Claire C. Bradley-Davalos Msn Rn

Master's Projects and Capstones

The objective of my project is to develop staff education regarding a nutrition initiative developed to address the 44% obesity rate among clients in our care. My target population is direct care staff working in the Intellectually/Developmentally Disabled (IDD) community, and high functioning clients who live independently in the community. The staff knowledge was tested pre- and post-education to demonstrate knowledge retained. Staff are required to get a score of 80 or better to pass. Test results are interpreted to see which content areas need further teaching or clarification. Initial results indicate that four areas of education need to be …

Effectiveness Of Food-Demos To Increase Nutrition Knowledge, Megan Hemmelgarn

Honors Projects

This research investigated the effectiveness of a one-time food-demo at increasing the knowledge and improving the behavior of vegetable and diary consumption in the diets of college-aged females. Participation included a convenience sample of 26 college-aged females living in residence halls at a Bowling Green State University in Northwest Ohio. Testing was delivered before intervention as a baseline of knowledge and diet behavior. Post-testing was delivered immediately after intervention and evaluated any gain in knowledge from the baseline. One-month after intervention, post 2-testing was distributed evaluating retention of knowledge and behavioral change. Overall, participants experienced knowledge gain immediately after intervention …