Nutrition Commons^™

Environmental Perspective For System Dynamics Modeling Of Stunting Mitigation To Achieve The Sustainable Development Goals In West Sumatra, Indonesia, Elsa Yuniarti, Nabila Azzahra, Yulhendri Yulhendri, Heldi Heldi, Mery Delvina, Saskia Putri Azeli

Kesmas

This study developed a system dynamics model to simulate stunting reduction in West Sumatra Province, Indonesia, by integrating infant and toddler health, maternal health, and environmental determinants. Secondary data from 2020–2024 on low birth weight, immunization, malnutrition, exclusive breastfeeding, maternal chronic energy deficiency, iron and folic acid supplement distribution, sanitation, and safe drinking water access were compiled from West Sumatra Provincial Health Office and Statistics Indonesia, and validated through consultation with five stakeholder institutions. Causal Loop Diagrams mapped feedback relationships among determinants and were translated into Stock Flow Diagrams using Powersim Studio 10. The model was validated through structural verification, …

The Registered Dietitian Nutritionist’S Implementation Of Dysphagia Screening In Clinical Practice: A Commentary, Nicole Wiksten, Holly Estes-Doetsch, Laura C. Boucher, Sarah Rusnak, Kristen M. Roberts

Journal of Dietetic Education

Background: The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) amended the competencies for the future education model (FEM) in dietetic education to include competency 3.6 stating that the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) must be able to "Initiate and conduct bedside swallow screenings". There is no clear process for RDNs to implement dysphagia screening in practice or academia. The aim of this review is to inform clinicians and educators on current literature discussing current RDN and speech language pathology approaches to dysphagia screening and to provide a proposed curriculum for implementation of competency 3.6 in clinical practice and academia.

Assessing And Addressing Cultural Competence And Cultural Humility In Dietetic Education, Zoe Duran, Nicholas Slagel, Lisa Caldwell, Katie Kage

Journal of Dietetic Education

Limited theory-informed, dietetic-specific resources are available to guide the development, evaluation, and refinement of culturally competent (CC) curricula. This pilot study used a mixed-methods, theory-informed approach to evaluate CC integration within an undergraduate dietetics curriculum and examine the applicability of existing CC self-assessment tools for dietetic students. A senior-level undergraduate community nutrition curriculum was evaluated using the Tool for Assessing Cultural Competence Training (TACCT), guided by the Campinha-Bacote Model of Cultural Competence in Healthcare Delivery. James Banks’ Model of Multicultural Curriculum Reform was then applied to refine curricular content and learning activities. In addition, 74 students enrolled in a didactic …

Virtual Reality: The Future Of Didactic And Experiential Education For Nutrition And Dietetics, Michael Holik, Dexter Richardson

Journal of Dietetic Education

The integration of virtual reality (VR) into nutrition and dietetics education provides an innovative answer to challenges in accessing experiential learning. This study examined student perceptions of immersive VR experiences designed to simulate hospital foodservice operations and nutrition counseling sessions, guided by the Diffusion of Innovation Theory (DOI). A quasi-experimental design involved 55 participants who engaged with 360° VR modules featuring interactive elements, avatars representing key healthcare roles, and embedded critical-thinking questions. Results demonstrated strong support for VR’s educational value across DOI’s five key attributes: relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, and observability. Participants reported enhanced understanding of registered dietitian roles, …

Editors' Message, Volume 4, Issue 2, Diana Cuy Castellanos, M Elizabeth (Beth) Miller

Journal of Dietetic Education

In this edition, you will find research on the use of virtual reality in experiential food service learning, instruments to assess cultural competency and humility in dietetic students, and tools for measuring empathy—an area of growing importance in dietetic pedagogy. Additionally, this issue explores the inclusion of disability-related curricula in education programs and features a commentary on RDNs implementing swallow screenings within clinical practice, highlighting how this procedure falls within an RDN’s scope of practice when supported by proper training and demonstrated competency.

Cover, Table Of Contents, About The Journal

Journal of Dietetic Education

No abstract provided.

Campus Food Recovery: Balancing Sustainability And Student Needs, Scott T. Taylor Jr., Wenhao Zhang, Robin B. Dipietro, Mary Stein, Junehee Kwon

ICHRIE Research Reports

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of a food recovery program at a large university on food waste reduction and food insecurity mitigation. The primary goal of the food recovery program was two-fold: to help provide ready-to-eat meals for students facing food insecurity and to help the campus food service provider minimize post-production food waste. Thus, food was recovered from multiple dining outlets on a large university campus in the southeast United States. To ensure a valid comparison between 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 academic years, a 3-month period during the spring semesters in 2023 and 2024 was …

Community-Based Participatory Research In Developing Online Nutrition Tools: A Pathway To Relevance And Engagement, Laura Justice, Stacy Phillips

EFNEP

This article explains how Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) can strengthen the design of digital nutrition tools by ensuring they are culturally relevant, accessible, and grounded in community needs. By engaging participants as equal partners, CBPR enhances trust, usability, and long-term impact. The approach aligns with EFNEP’s mission to deliver inclusive, community-driven nutrition education and provides a framework for developing sustainable, adaptable tools that reflect the lived experiences of the families Extension serves.

Behavioral Science Applications In Collegiate Athlete Nutrition And Sleep: A Scoping Review, Maryam Yuhas, Katherine M. Kidwell, Olivia Moskuna, Rajib Mandal, Jessica L. Garay

Nutrition - All Scholarship

Nutrition and sleep are key health behaviors supporting athletic performance. Collegiate athletes in the United States (U.S.) are at high risk of insufficient dietary intake and nightly sleep given the competing demands of elite sports and academics. Researchers have developed interventions to improve collegiate athletes’ sleep and nutrition, either individually or collectively. However, progress in understanding how best to create sustained behavior change in this population has been slow. This may be due to the lack of application of behavioral science principles such as lack of a guiding theory, effective strategies, and consideration of implementation contexts. This scoping review takes …

Incorporating The Use Of Puppets And Puppetry-Based Approaches In Nutrition: A Scoping Review Of Interventions, Basil H. Aboul-Enein, Nada Benajiba, Majd Jan, Sarah Ali Alasmari, Patricia J. Kelly, Stephen F. Gambescia, Elizabeth Dodge

College of Nursing Faculty Papers & Presentations

Puppetry-based activities could serve as a low cost and manageable intervention in improving health-related outcomes. This review aims to identify the research to date and gaps in practice of the role and application of puppetry interventions in nutrition education. A scoping review was conducted using the PICOS framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, identifying studies across eight databases between January, 1980 and July, 2025.Twenty-five studies were identified, with the majority (n = 19) aimed at pre-school and school-aged children. Fifteen studies used quasi-experimental, pre-post designs. The use of hand and finger puppets was common, as well as videos and puppet theatre. …

Analyzing Sun Bucks Program Experience Among Southwestern Pennsylvania Families With Just Harvest, Olivia Mae Gifford

Public Health Capstone Projects

1. Objectives: This project primarily seeks to identify the common barriers preventing vulnerable families from accessing the SUN Bucks Program. The SUN Bucks program is an optional program through the United States Department of Agriculture that works in conjunction with the state of Pennsylvania in order to provide school-aged children families with supplemental funds to supply greater nutrition during the summer months. This research supports the work of a local non-profit, Just Harvest, in order to better inform their advocacy and outreach efforts as they fight against food insecurity in Western Pennsylvania.
2. Methods: All data was collected electronically via a …

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.

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 …

Food Insecurity On College Campus, Erika Islao, Izzy Green, Rachel Stone, Ariana Messer

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

Food Insecurity can affect certain groups more than others. At the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University we've observed it in international students, student-athletes, and those without transportation. Although CSBSJU offers several dining options, it can still be difficult for students to access meals due to limited availability during breaks, limited dining hours for student-athletes, and transportation barriers. This paper examines how food insecurity and nutrition insecurity impact students’ overall well-being while also exploring how these challenges appear within the CSBSJU community. Research shows that students experiencing food insecurity often report higher stress levels, and lower academic engagement. …

Analyzing 24-Hour Diet Recalls To Assess Dietary Changes Among Children Who Complete Oral Food Challenges (Ofcs), Hannah Plank, Wan Shen, Heesoon Lee

Honors Projects

Pediatric food allergies are a growing public health concern in America due to their potential association with long-term nutritional impacts and reduced quality of life in those affected. Oral food challenges (OFCs) are considered the gold standard for clinical food allergy diagnosis, but few studies have examined if passing or failing an OFC affects overall diet quality in infants. This clinical observational study examined differences in diet quality, measured by the Healthy Eating Index (HEI), among 39 children aged 0–6 years who participated in OFCs at ProMedica Allergy and Immunology Clinic in Perrysburg, Ohio. Parents and caregivers reported daily dietary …

Intersecting Determinants Of Health: Correlating Food Insecurity And Sleep Deprivation Across Southern Adventist University Demographics*, Heaven Robles, Jesica Paralafox Ramirez, Kimberly Mongare, Joshua C. Jenkins, Melany Castillo, Philip Chen Dr, Aaron Corbit Dr

Campus Research Month

For university students, social determinants of health such as food security and sleep patterns heavily dictate both health outcomes and academic success. Using a cross-sectional study design, statistical analyses will be conducted using the Jamovi software platform to compare mean sleep durations and food access scores across multiple academic departments and ethnic demographic groups. The study evaluates four primary hypotheses: (1) Consistent food access positively correlates with sleep quality; (2) Food security and sleep metrics vary significantly across academic departments; (3) Systemic ethnic disparities exist in food accessibility; and (4) Underrepresented ethnic groups experience a compounded burden of food insecurity …

Mixed Methods Evaluation Of A Shipped Medically Tailored Meal Pilot Intervention, Shelly Palmer, Laura E. Balis, Amy L. Yaroch

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: Medically tailored meal (MTM) programs generally demonstrate meaningful health outcomes for patients. There is a need to evaluate novel MTM delivery methods to understand participant and organizational-level impacts. The objectives of this study were to assess a shipped MTM pilot intervention, including 1) initial and ongoing client reach, 2) effects on clients’ health and behaviors, and 3) staff members’ perceptions of factors that influence intervention maintenance.

Methods: Based on the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, maintenance (RE-AIM) framework, the mixed methods design included quantitative data collected from participants and qualitative data collected from MTM provider staff. The pilot took place …

Start With What They Know: Using Motivational Interviewing To Create A Cooking Class, A Culinary Intervention For Teens (Autistic And Non-Autistic), Gwendolyn S. Tedder

LEND Trainee Presentations

Autistic teens are at greater risk for having heart disease and diabetes as adults. Food particularity, sensory issues, fixed mindset, and anxiety over trying new things can slow down their interest in preparing food for themselves. Nurturing basic cooking skills and gently encouraging trying new foods would provide more nutritional options to teens as they move into adulthood. A cooking class preceded by Motivational Interviewing (MI) developed further interest in preparing food afterward in teens, both autistic and non-autistic, and in trying new foods for autistic teens with food concerns.

Farmers Markets As Community Infrastructure: Evidence From A Three-Year Statewide Data Project In Utah, Jaclyn Pace, Roslynn Mccann, Blue Cook, Steven Price, Lorali Smith, Dianna Parkynn, Joshua Cafferty

Outcomes and Impact Quarterly

Utah farmers markets play a critical role in food access, small business viability, and community connection, yet limited statewide data document their impact. The Utah Farmers Market Network (UFMN) and Utah State University (USU) Extension conducted a mixed-methods evaluation (2023–2025) and found that farmers markets make valuable contributions to the community.

Food Councils And Federal Committees: Community Responses To Inaction On Food Insecurity By Government, Kevin O'Connell, Liam R. Rupprecht

Binghamton University Undergraduate Journal

Food insecurity is a devastating force in the United States, as shown by its destructive impact on vulnerable groups like children, racial minorities, and those in poverty. Non-white urban communities of color especially have significantly higher rates of household food insecurity due to systemic racism in American food systems. Despite the prevalence of these factors, they are consistently overlooked by public and private forces. Federal efforts have failed to resolve the issue, leaving it to local “food council” organizations that attempt to help through advocacy and charity. These groups face a difficult task: how can they work to mitigate food …

Supporting Latine Older Adults’ Nutrition And Physical Health Goals In Counseling, Zachary Mcniece, Jacqueline Bergman

Adultspan Journal

Latine older adults face disproportionate risk of chronic nutrition-related conditions and food insecurity, which can exacerbate or contribute to mental health-related concerns. Cultural stigma toward mental illness can result in Latine clients, especially older adults, somatizing symptoms and focusing on physical health goals in counseling. Despite these intersecting needs, counselors often overlook their clients' physical health goals due to limited training and the assumption that medical providers alone should address these needs. This article advocates for the integration of basic, culturally responsive nutrition information into counseling practice to support client well-being while remaining within the scope of practice. We offer …

Transforming Dietetics Curriculum: A Culinary Nutrition Certificate Grounded In Competency-Based Innovation, Jennifer R. Watson, Rachel C. Sinley, Jangwoo Jo

Journal of Dietetic Education

Culinary nutrition has become a promising interdisciplinary field that combines culinary arts and nutritional science to enhance health outcomes through practical, food-based education. As the healthcare landscape increasingly emphasizes preventive care, dietitians are well-positioned to lead culinary nutrition initiatives; however, formal training opportunities remain scarce. To address this gap, Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) created a new Culinary Nutrition Certificate that combines experiential cooking coursework from the School of Hospitality with core nutrition education from the Department of Nutrition. This paper places the certificate within the broader context of culinary nutrition and dietetics education, emphasizing the importance of …

Editors’ Message, Diana Cuy Castellanos, M Elizabeth (Beth) Miller

Journal of Dietetic Education

This edition of the Journal of Dietetic Education highlights specialized skill training and attainment and interprofessional collaboration in dietetic students. Our featured original research explores how we prepare students for the complexities of current practice—ranging from the digital documentation of the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) to the integration of culinary medicine.

Cover, Table Of Contents, About The Journal

Journal of Dietetic Education

No abstract provided.

Dietary Flavonoid Intake And Psychological Well-Being – A Bidirectional Relationship, Alysha S. Thompson, Nicola P. Bondonno, Yan Lydia Liu, Farah Qureshi, Laura D. Kubzansky, Claudia Trudel-Fitzgerald, Julia K. Boehm, Eric B. Rimm, Aedín Cassidy

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Background and aim

Methods

Examining The Factor Structure And Subgroup Invariance Of The Deliberate Denial Of Disordered Eating Behaviors Scale, Lindsay Howard, Sage Hawn, Kayla D. Pitchford, Riley Mcgrath, Aubri Farniok, Arturo Sesma, Kristin E. Heron

Psychology Faculty Publications

The denial, concealment, or omission of disordered eating behaviors has received limited attention in the eating disorder literature, partly due to the lack of reliable and valid measures. This study re-examined the factor structure of the Denial of Disordered Eating Behaviors Scale (DDEBS-12) and tested measurement invariance across gender identity, racial identity, and levels of disordered eating in a non-clinical undergraduate sample (N = 3285). Confirmatory factor analyses did not support the original unidimensional structure. Instead, a seven-item model assessing denial of dietary restriction demonstrated the best fit and was renamed the DDEBS-restriction. The revised scale showed good internal consistency …

Eat With Understanding: A Um Student Guide To Food Systems, James Deacon, Cora Johnson, Lucas Dymit, Kaeli Rackham, Elsie Danyo

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

The industrialized food system creates environmental harm, reduces food sovereignty, and contributes to growing food insecurity. These problems oftentimes are overlooked in higher education. To address this gap, our project examines how access to sustainable food education and campus-community partnerships can improve well-being and informed decision-making amongst University of Montana students. This collaborative project connects partners within UM Wellness, PEAS Farm, the Missoula Food Bank and Community Center, and the Big Sky Culinary Institute. Our research includes applied learning with these organizations by hosting a variety of speaker series presentations and coordinating a cooking workshop. We collected quantitative and qualitative …

Physical Activity Among Active-Duty Us Military Servicemembers With Overweight And Obesity, Natalie M. Yarish, Jessica L. Morse, Jennalee S. Wooldridge, Erin E. Dooley, Niloofar Afari

Exercise Science Faculty Publications

Background

To examine physical activity (PA) among US military servicemembers (SM) with overweight and obesity (OW/OB) and if they meet Physical Activity Guidelines (PAG). To assess differences in PA by sex and associations between PA and body composition.

Methods

PA duration and intensity were objectively collected via accelerometers and self-reported daily average via self-report International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) among US active-duty SM (n=113, 58% female, Mean BMI = 33.3 ± 3.9 kg/m2). Sex, body mass index (BMI), and body fat % (BF% via circumference and an equation) were measured. Accelerometer PA and sedentary time were computed for IPAQ categories …

Food Stamp Participation And Health Outcomes In Ca Immigrants, Esther Kang

Scripps Senior Theses

The U.S. social welfare system includes programs aiming to increase access to nutritious food to reduce nutrition insecurity. However, studies suggest that immigrants continue to face disproportionate risks of nutrition insecurity and may face barriers to enrollment due to legal status. This study, using secondary data from the 2023 California Health Interview Survey, examines the associations between food stamp participation, food insecurity, and clinical diagnosis of diabetes among adult U.S.-born, naturalized, and non-citizen adults in California. The findings suggest that those enrolled in food stamps are more likely to report food insecurity than those who are not enrolled, and that …

Developing A Tool To Measure Resistance To Sustainable Food Choices: A Pilot Study In Ireland And The Netherlands, Kate Flanagan, Bart Sinteur, Patricia J. Bulsing, John M. Kearney

SURE Journal: Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal

Consumer uptake of a sustainable diet is critical for addressing environmental challenges and promoting public health. Understanding why consumers resist adopting sustainable eating habits can inform targeted interventions and policies. This pilot study examines whether a newly developed scale can effectively detect consumer resistance to a sustainable diet. Currently, there is a lack of research on a tool to measure consumer resistance to a sustainable diet, highlighting the need for a reliable instrument.

The aim of this study is to develop a scale, based on existing literature, to measure consumer resistance to a sustainable diet. Additionally, the study aims to …