Digital Commons Network^™

How Nutrition And Physical Activity Shape Your Well-Being, Stacy Phillips

EFNEP

This publication will explore the link among nutrition, physical activity, physical health, and mental health and how it impacts whole-body well-being. Understanding how multiple aspects of a person's lifestyle can affect an individual's overall well-being is essential to providing better education on how to make better choices to improve their well-being.

The Impact Of Increased Beef Intake On Cardiometabolic Health In Postmenopausal Women: A 16-Week Randomized Controlled Trial, Leen Samman

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

By 2030, it is projected that the number of post-menopausal women globally will reach 1.2 billion. Moreover, because of increases in life expectancy, women will spend a greater proportion of their later years at elevated risk of chronic disease associated with the hormonal changes of the menopausal transition. Dietary interventions, specifically high-protein diets have shown potential mitigating effects; however, most interventions have focused on total protein intake or protein supplements, not whole foods like lean beef. This randomized controlled trial aimed to assess the effects of daily lean beef consumption as part of a higher protein diet on cardiometabolic markers …

Field Pea (Pisum Sativum L.) Response To Planting Date In South Carolina Organic Cropping Systems, Tristan Lawrence

All Theses

Field peas (Pisum sativum L.) are not widely cultivated in South Carolina, resulting in limited agronomic data to support farmers interested in this crop. However, field peas hold significant promise as a cool season crop for both organic and conventional growers in the region. Most commercially available field pea cultivars are evaluated and bred for the Pacific Northwest, where environmental conditions differ substantially from those in the southeastern United States. Consequently, there is a lack of region-specific recommendations for successful cultivation in South Carolina. To address this gap, a two-year planting date study was conducted during the …

Consumer Perceptions Of Fda Front-Of-Package Nutrition Labeling, Madison Price

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed a front-of-package nutrition labeling (FOPL) rule in early 2025 to help consumers more quickly and easily compare the nutritional quality of packaged foods (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2025). FOPL is gaining attention as a way to encourage healthier eating habits and consumer choices, but there is still debate over which label format works best. The objective of this study was to examine consumer perceptions, understanding, and trust of FDA FOPL, and to determine how these labels impact purchasing behavior and nutritional decision-making. Data were collected via an online Qualtrics survey distributed …

Impact Of Nutrition Programs In Schools On The Well-Being Of Elementary School Students, Sophia Perea Manriquez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This senior capstone explores the impact of school-based nutrition programs on the well-being of elementary school students. This research draws on the experiences and perspectives of four teachers, one principal, and three food service staff members who provide insight into how these programs are implemented and perceived within the school environment. Through the use of literature review and surveys the findings indicate the importance of school nutrition programs and the value of children having access to healthy, nutritious food, which is important for their learning and academic success. Therefore, schools should recognize the importance of nutrition programs and continue to …

Easy Travel-Friendly Snack Recipes For College Students To Support Mental Well-Being, Lidia Vides

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

College is a pivotal period in life of a young adult, marked by newfound independence, increased responsibilities, heightened academic pressure, and significant changes in daily routine. While this transition can often be exciting for a young adult, it also presents many different challenges. As a result, many students experience increased levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Nutrition plays a powerful yet often overlooked role in supporting mental and physical health. Current research studies show that a balanced diet rich in whole food ingredients can help regulate mood and promote emotional well-being through multiple biological pathways. However, despite this knowledge, convenient, …

How Are Women Dealing With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome?, Adrianna A. Brown

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background and Aims: PCOS is one of the leading multisystem conditions among women of reproductive age. Dietary changes may help improve outcomes associated with PCOS and its comorbidities. While a lower carbohydrate, moderate protein diet is often recommended, those with PCOS often use temporary diets or dietary supplements instead of or in addition to prescription medications due to dissatisfaction with their treatment options. Additionally, studies examining the usefulness of supplements and their effects on PCOS symptoms are lacking. This study explored the prevalence of use of temporary diets, prescription medications, and dietary supplements among women with PCOS.

Methods: An anonymous …

Un-Packing The Pantry: Evaluating And Addressing Nutritional Gaps In Full Circle Food Pantry Service, Gweneth J. Keith-Powell

Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Arkansas has the highest food insecurity rate in the U.S., and college students are disproportionately food insecure. Food insecure populations tend to have worse nutrition and face poorer health outcomes, exacerbating the economic disparities they already face. The purpose of this study was to analyze specific food pantry usage trends, healthy diet access barriers, and processed food consumption drivers of Full Circle Food Pantry clients at the University of Arkansas as they related to food insecurity and nutrition disparities, as well as design a targeted project to improve nutation in an underserved client demographic. Findings supported existing literature regarding lower …

Mechanistic Insights Into Enterolactone-Mediated Glut4-Dependent Glucose Uptake, Merritt Smith

Senior Honors Theses

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States, with approximately 25% of healthcare expenditures directed toward its management and associated metabolic complications. In response to the urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies, recent research has focused on bioactive compounds derived from dietary sources. In light of that, we identified the plant lignan matairesinol (MA) and its gut-derived metabolite, enterolactone (ENL), as agents capable of enhancing glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 differentiated adipocytes. These results suggest that enterolactone may represent a promising dietary supplement for improving glycemic control in patients with …

Implementing A Nutrition Screening, Education, And Risk Reduction Framework In Optometric Care To Prevent Diabetic Retinopathy In Adults With T2dm, Juliana M. Varanelli

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of preventable vision loss among adults with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), driven largely by chronic hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Despite strong evidence supporting the role of nutrition in modifying these risk factors, nutrition screening and counseling are not routinely integrated into optometric care. This project aimed to develop a practical, evidence-based framework to incorporate nutrition screening, patient education, and referral pathways into comprehensive optometric practice to support prevention and reduce the onset and progression of diabetic retinopathy.

This project involved a literature review of peer-reviewed research and clinical guidelines related to …

Advancing Caregiver Support In Community-Based Care: Advocacy, Resources, And Education Supporting Nicu Transition And Families With Complex Needs, Leah G. Rickard-Breeden

OTD Capstone Projects

This capstone project was completed in partnership with Nurses for Newborns (NFN), a nonprofit organization that is seeking to improve maternal and infant health outcomes across Middle Tennessee through free, in-home nursing visits. They provide education, health assessments, and connections to community resources for prenatal and postpartum mothers and their infants; specifically, those facing medical, emotional, or social barriers. The focus of this project was to create a comprehensive resource to support caregivers of infants through their transition from the NICU to home. A needs assessment revealed that families would benefit from additional support and resources to help bridge the …

Nutrition And Meal Preparation Programming And Development At E.L.I.'S House, Kara E. Nienhaus

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed through a partnership with E.L.I.’s House in Franklin, Tennessee. E.L.I.’s House is a nonprofit organization that exists to help women and their children thrive after trauma. The desired outcome of this project was to create programming to provide education and life skills training to participants, and to develop manageable systems for grocery shopping and nutrition in the site handbook. Goals promoted occupational therapy-based skills such as meal preparation, nutrition management, cognitive flexibility, and task sequencing. The project involved creating a house recipe book with balanced meals, accessible information on basic nutritional needs for adults …

Development Of Telenutrition Education And Counseling Protocol To Improve Diet Quality In Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury, Adrianne Widaman, Benjamin Dirlikov, Ramya Gopalan, Shelley Wood, Maria Sol Casas, Kazuko Shem

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Background: Cardiometabolic disease (CMD) is a leading cause of death for individuals living with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI), with a mortality rate due to CMD being higher than individuals without SCI. Telenutrition (TN) interventions tailored to health and accessibility needs of individuals with SCI may mitigate cardiometabolic risks. Objectives: To describe the development and validation of a telehealth-based medical nutrition therapy (MNT) within a clinical trial investigating the effectiveness of modifying diets to improve cardiometabolic health in persons with chronic SCI. Methods: The adaptive module-based MNT education content was developed in 3 phases by a multidisciplinary team. The first …

A Preliminary Investigation On The Relationship Between Established Dietary Habits And Willingness To Adopt New Food Groups, Graziella Greco, Rasika Singh, Kristen Berry, Autumn Dye

Research Day

Introduction: Obesity is a nationwide health crisis that predisposes individuals to a host of other diseases including hypertension and diabetes. In Philadelphia alone, approximately 41% of children between the ages of 6-17, and 33% of adults are obese. It has been shown that education on nutrition positively correlates with healthy eating behaviors, which can minimize the chances of obesity developing into its comorbidities. This study aims to see if food demonstrations and healthy recipe samples will lead to patients incorporating new foods into their diets. Adult patients in a combined adult and pediatric primary care office are offered three healthy …

Nutrition Strategies To Help Children With Arfid Overcome Nutrition-Related Deficiencies, Saul Campos

The Agora

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is a serious and relatively newly recognized eating disorder that affects children and adolescents. The disorder was formally introduced in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) and is characterized by restrictive eating patterns that lead to significant nutritional deficiencies, weight loss or poor growth, dependence on nutritional supplements, or interference with psychosocial functioning (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Current estimates suggest that ARFID may affect approximately 1–5% of children and adolescents, though prevalence varies depending on the population studied and diagnostic criteria used (Białek-Dratwa et al., 2022). Unlike other eating disorders, …

Relative Impact Of Multidomain Lifestyle Interventions On Deficit Accumulation Frailty Over 24 Months In The U.S. Pointer Trial, Mark A Espeland, Kayloni Olson, Christy C Tangney, Darren R Gitelman, Maryjo Cleveland, Amber A Thro, Yitbarek N Demesie, Heather M Snyder, Rachel A Whitmer, Pankaja Desai, Rifat Alam, Lucia Crivelli, Thomas M Holland, Olivia Preissle, Rema Raman, Michele K York, Laura D Baker

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Multidomain lifestyle interventions hold promise as approaches to slow aging. Deficit accumulation frailty indices (FIs) are increasingly used to capture aging processes. Frailty is highly associated with increased mortality and chronic disease risk, but the degree to which multidomain lifestyle changes impact frailty is not clear.

Methods: The U.S. Study to Protect Brain Health through Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Risk (U.S. POINTER) was a 2-year randomized clinical trial to compare two multidomain lifestyle interventions designed to increase exercise, improve diet, and promote social and cognitive stimulating activities and health monitoring. The Structured intervention incorporated greater structure, intensity, and accountability …

Psychosocial Mediators Of A Physical Activity And Dietary Intervention In Pregnant Women With Overweight Or Obesity, Meghan Baruth, Sarah Wilcox, Jihong Liu, Rebecca Schlaff

Faculty Publications

Background

Mediation analyses provide insight into both ‘pieces’ of the mediation chain; they allow us to look into the ‘black box’ that is behavior change. They allow researchers to better understand the ‘how’ of an intervention’s effects and/or the ‘why’ behind why an intervention worked or did not work. The lack of publications in pregnant populations highlights the need for additional studies to be conducted and published. The purpose of this study is to examine the psychosocial mediators of physical activity and dietary outcomes in a sample of pregnant women with overweight or obesity participating in the Health in Pregnancy …

A Regional Scoping Review Of School-Based Nutrition Interventions Conducted Across Nordic Countries, Basil H. Aboul-Enein, Stephen Gambescia, Nada Benajiba, Norah Eid Aljohani, Teresa Keller, Patricia J. Kelly

College of Nursing Faculty Papers & Presentations

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: While Nordic countries have a relatively high socioeconomic status population, they are challenged by the health deficit of rising obesity and overweight among young people. The aim of this regional scoping review is to identify best practices for designing and implementing effective school nutrition programs in Nordic countries and identify gaps for further research.

METHODS: Using the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a scoping review was conducted across nine academic databases between 1980 and May 2025.

RESULTS: Fifty-three studies met the inclusion criteria, from small pilot interventions to large national or international cohorts involving thousands of students across the five …

Screening For Food Insecurity In An Outpatient Ophthalmology Clinic: A Health Equity- Quality Improvement Fellowship Project, Christine Coward, Tricia Jacobson, Mahadevan Subramanian, Sharon Ojo, Theresa Green, Neil Seligman, Jan Schriefer

Journal of Academic Ophthalmology

Background: Various social determinants of health have been implicated in ophthalmic diseases, with food insecurity being particular important, given the link between food and conditions such as diabetic and hypertensive retinopathy. Although quality improvement initiatives that address food insecurity screening exist, data extending to the ophthalmic clinical setting is limited.

Purpose: We implemented a health equity quality improvement fellowship project to improve screening for food insecurity in an urban ophthalmology outpatient clinic that sees adults and children.

Methods: Several initiatives were implemented in an attempt to reach a goal of 80% of patients screened for food insecurity. …

The Effect Of Low And High-Carbohydrate Diets On Memory Performance In College Students, Samia Baugh, Zoe Zajko, Jamie Analuisa, Ivanna Jacome

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

Carbohydrates are the primary source of energy for the brain and play an important role in processes related to memory performance. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of a low-carbohydrate diet compared to a high-carbohydrate diet on memory performance in college students aged 18–22 years. For the purposes of this study, a low-carbohydrate diet is defined as a diet providing fewer than 130 grams of carbohydrates per day, while a high-carbohydrate diet provides approximately 325 grams of carbohydrates. This population is particularly important to study because college students experience high academic demands that require strong memory …

Children's Evaluation Of Gw George Reads, A Food And Nutrition Literacy Experiential Learning Program, For Preschoolers, Lisbeth Vargas Ramos, Karina R. Lora

GW Research Showcase 2021-2026

No abstract provided.

Ten Tips On How To Optimize Nutrition In Children With Chronic Kidney Disease Or On Dialysis., Nonnie Polderman, Vanessa Shaw, Caroline E. Anderson, An Desloovere, Louise Mcalister, Christina L. Nelms, Fabio Paglialonga, Pearl Pugh, Leila Qizalbash, Evelien Snauwaert, José Renken-Terhaerdt, Jetta Tuokkola, Larry A. Greenbaum, Rukshana Shroff

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Optimal nutrition is central to growth and development in all children, and is particularly relevant in those with chronic illnesses. This document provides 10 practical, evidence-informed tips on the assessment and management of the nutritional prescription in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and those receiving dialysis. The 10 tips synthesize work of the Paediatric Renal Nutrition Taskforce, an international team of pediatric renal dietitians and pediatric nephrologists who develop clinical practice recommendations for the nutritional management of children with kidney diseases. We describe a comprehensive, three-dimensional nutritional assessment (anthropometry, dietary intake, biochemical markers) and regular monitoring tailored to age, …

Understanding Perceptions Of Food Is Medicine Among Low-Income Cancer Survivors To Address Food And Nutrition Security, Mritika Rahman, Roya Sakhizada, Sherrie Wallington, Karina R. Lora

GW Research Showcase 2021-2026

No abstract provided.

Online Snap, Wic, And Nutrition Incentives In The United States: A Scoping Review Of Program Implementation And Evaluation Evidence, Richie Holmberg, Kin Anjani, Gabby Headrick

GW Research Showcase 2021-2026

No abstract provided.

Oral Multienzyme Supplementation Alters Postprandial Plasma Nutrient Concentrations After A Mixed Meal In Healthy Middle-Aged And Older Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Trial, Max T. Deutz, Andrew T. Askow, Sean M. Garvey, David A. Alvarado, Takeshi M. Barnes, Zan Zupancic, Alexander V. Ulanov, Jared W. Willard, Hannah D. Holscher, Brett R. Loman, Nicholas A. Burd

Kinesiology & Sport Management Scholarship

Background: Age-related decline in digestive function increases malnutrition risk. Supplementing meals with digestive enzymes may improve macronutrient digestion and bioavailability in adults reaching older ages.

Objectives: To assess postprandial plasma nutrient concentrations after co-ingestion of a mixed meal and a mixture of 6 enzyme preparations (ENZ), including proteases, lipase, amylase, and glucoamylase.

Methods: Thirty middle-aged and older adults (56 ± 11 y; 18 females, 12 males) ingested chicken, peas, potatoes, and butter (435 kcal; 34 g protein, 51 g carbohydrate, 11 g fat) with either ENZ or placebo (PLA) in a randomized crossover fashion. Blood samples were collected …

Final Project: Nutrition And Human Disease, Sam Newberry Ph.D.

School of Arts & Sciences

This assignment is made up of a series of smaller assignments that were developed by SUNY Geneseo Professor Sam Newberry during the spring 2026 semester.

Learning Objectives

• Identify and demonstrate understanding of audience needs
• Identify nutritional issues associated with human disease
• Clear communication of information via an Infographic
• Proper utilization of scholarly sources of information

Biol 210: Nutrition (Syllabus), Sam Newberry Ph.D.

School of Arts & Sciences

This syllabus was developed by SUNY Geneseo Professor Sam Newberry during the spring 2026 semester.

Course Learning Objectives:

Students who are active participants and complete course requirements will be able to: 

1. Demonstrate familiarity with nutrients, their food sources, their functions, and signs and symptoms of deficiency or excess.
2. Demonstrate familiarity with biological, psychological, social and cultural factors that influence human diet and nutrition.
3. Describe and explain in class discussion and on exams the relationship between diet and health, particularly for selected public health issues.
4. Demonstrate familiarity with nutritional guidelines used in the United States, and the challenges of establishing such …

Eating For Healthy Eyes: The Role Of Nutrition In Ocular Health, Brianna Stroh

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

The central research question of this thesis asks: How does nutrition influence ocular health overall and the impact of nutrition on the development or progression of common eye diseases? Building upon existing research in optometry/ophthalmology, nutrition science, and public health, this project examines the physiological mechanisms linking diet to eye health and evaluates how specific nutrients and dietary patterns contribute to disease prevention and visual function. This thesis employs a comprehensive review of peer-reviewed literature to evaluate the relationship between nutrition and ocular disease. Key areas of focus include the role of oxidative stress in eye disease development, the protective …

Impressions Of An Electrolyte Beverage Among Individuals Participating In Collegiate Sports, S. Andrew Cage, Alexander P. Jacobsen, Jessie Gibson, Eric Bobel, Rebecca Peebles, Derek Lege, M.Ed., Cscs

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to describe the appeal of an electrolyte hydration beverage for individuals participating in collegiate athletics. A secondary purpose of this project was to describe the acute impact of the examined beverage on the gastrointestinal tract. Methods: A total 100 individuals participating in collegiate athletics were enrolled in this study (age = 21 ± 2 years, Male = 51, Female = 49). Each participant was provided a packet of electrolyte drink mix (EverLyte^® sticks, Kent Precision Foods Group, Inc., Muscatine, IA). Participants were instructed to combine the drink mix with a bottle of …

What Do Future Nutrition Professionals Think About Wic Jobs? A Study Of Nutrition Career Perceptions, Madison Degenfelder

Theses

Background: The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program faces a critical workforce shortage, yet little is known about the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of nutrition students and recent graduates regarding WIC career pathways, requirements, and compensation. Understanding these factors is essential to design strategies to strengthen recruitment and build a sustainable WIC workforce. Objective: To identify and describe knowledge, attitudes and beliefs on entering the WIC workforce among college nutrition and dietetics students and recent graduates. Design: A mixed-methods, sequential study design which included a cross-sectional survey and two focus groups was employed to ascertain …