Nutrition Commons^™

Photovoice Exploration Of Afghan Refugee Background Women's Food-Related Well-Being, Eileen C. Lindemann

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

More than 117,000 Afghans have been relocated to the United States following the U.S. military withdrawal in August 2021. Research indicates that Afghan refugees resettled in the U.S. are at increased risk of psychological distress, with Afghan women particularly susceptible compared with Afghan men, and diet-related chronic disease. However, research also shows that traditional food and eating customs foster cultural identity, social support, integration, and well-being. The purpose of this study was to collaboratively explore the food-related well-being and daily life contexts of resettled refugee participants through the photovoice method, a participatory research strategy in which participants photograph aspects of …

More Choosy For Minor Foods: Diet, Seasonality And Food Selection In Sympatric Frugivorous And Folivorous Lemurs, Mitchell Irwin, Vololonirina Rahalinarivo, Bruno Ramorasata, Jean-Luc Raharison, Jean-Freddy Ranaivoarisoa, Chloé Gherardi, Jessica Rothman

Faculty Articles, Papers, and Other Scholarship

Despite traditional dietary categories common in primatology (folivore, frugivore, insectivore), most primates use one or more food types beyond their primary one. Among lemurs, folivores tend to have a complicated, long gastrointestinal tract with an enlarged cecum, shearing teeth, and microbiome adaptations to foliage, while frugivores have simple teeth and guts and fast gut passage. Yet frugivores often eat some leaves, and folivores eat some fruit, and little is known about the selection rules they follow within each food type. We quantified diet and food chemistry for two sympatric rainforest lemurs: a cathemeral frugivore (brown lemur, Eulemur fulvus) and a …

The Effects Of A History Of Child Trauma On Breastfeeding Outcomes, Emily Flynn

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Breastfeeding provides significant health benefits for both parent and child, yet many parents discontinue earlier than recommended. While childhood sexual abuse has been associated with breastfeeding difficulties, limited research has examined the broader effects of other forms of childhood maltreatments on breastfeeding outcomes. This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between a history of childhood trauma and breastfeeding outcomes, with social support explored as a potential moderator. Participants (n = 194) were birthing parents of children under the age of five, recruited from online parenting communities. Measures included the Adverse Childhood Experience International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ), a breastfeeding duration item, and a …

The Association Of Vitamin D Supplement Intake On Cardiovascular Health Outcomes Among U.S. Adults, Using Nhanes Data., Lamisa Tanzim Ruhin

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Background: Vitamin D, a fat-soluble nutrient essential for bone health and calcium homeostasis, has also been implicated in cardiovascular health outcomes. Despite extensive observational studies suggesting an inverse association between vitamin D deficiency and cardiovascular diseases (CVD), randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have yielded inconsistent findings regarding the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation in reducing cardiovascular risk.

Objective: This study investigated the association between reported vitamin D supplement intake and cardiovascular health biomarkers, specifically focusing on non-HDL cholesterol, among U.S. adults using NHANES 2021-2023 data.

Methods: A cross-sectional, quantitative analysis was conducted utilizing secondary data from NHANES. Participants aged 18 and …

Dietary Patterns And Nutrition Education: A Comparison Of Eating Patterns, Physical Activity Levels And Nutrition Education Of Older Adults That Utilize Community Meal Assistance Services In The Community, Teresa A. Ridolfi

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The older adult population is rapidly increasing, with projections indicating that 21% of the general population will be 65 years or older by 2030. This demographic shift is accompanied by a rise in health co-morbidities such as obesity, heart disease, certain types of cancers, and diabetes, which are exacerbated by inadequate nutrition and decreased physical function. This thesis examines dietary patterns, physical activity levels, and nutrition education among older adults utilizing community meal assistance services in Northern Illinois. The study aims to evaluate nutrient intakes, adherence to dietary guidelines, and physical activity levels among this population, using a descriptive epidemiological …

Insect Foraging Behaviors Across Habitat Types In Weddell’S Saddle-Back Tamarins, (Leontocebus Weddelli Weddelli) In Pando, Bolivia, Brianna Nicole Abba

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Researchers assume that small-bodied primates like the callitrichines are highly adaptable to environmental change and can increase their consumption of insects in disturbed habitats, however, these assumptions have rarely been tested. To better understand how habitat and other factors may influence the frequency of insect foraging, the type of prey capture techniques used, and prey capture success, I collected detailed observational data on one group of Weddell’s saddle-back tamarins (Leontocebus weddelli weddelli) in northwestern Bolivia in July and August 2022. I found that tamarins spent 62% of their total foraging and feeding time on insects. They spent 89% of their …

Modifying A Health Education Program By Utilizing Methods From Community-Based Participatory Research Framework, Tashara Grandys

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Purpose: This study determined the use of Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) and guided the modification of the Whole Body Approach (WBA) health education program. The modified program was pilot tested and implemented among neighbors at Northern Illinois Food Bank. The impact of the modification was assessed via pre and post surveys. Background and significance: WBA is a 10-week program developed by faculty at Northern Illinois University and has been taught by graduate students in collaboration with the Northern Illinois Food Bank since 2016. The program is based on the Satter Eating Competence Model and Health at Every Size and …

Student Attitudes Towards Their Program Area Of Study In A College Of Health And Human Services, Melanie Regan

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Poor retention rates can be an indicator of systematic problems within a university’s culture of academic affairs and administration. Improving student retention rates requires an understanding of why students are not returning to campus. This research aimed to develop and implement a survey analyzing students' sensory comfort, relevance, reaction to their area of study, sense of belonging, and self-efficacy within a College of Health and Human Sciences. A descriptive research design was utilized for this study to obtain information on the study population to survey participants' overall attitudes towards their experience in a program of study in a college of …

Through The Lens Of Tiktok: A New Perspective To Improving Food And Nutrition Literacy In Adolescents, Devin Kathleen Ebeling-Hammond

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Understanding food, nutrition, and physical activity is essential for everyone, and is important to learn from a young age to foster healthy, lifelong habits. Research indicates that 50% of adolescents do not consume the right amount of fruit, vegetables, or protein, and often consume excessive amounts of fats and sugar. Coincidentally, type 2 diabetes and other non-communicable diseases are on the rise, which can be improved through modifiable health determinants. The purpose of this study is to provide insight into innovative ways to teach adolescents about food, nutrition, and the importance of physical activity. An exploratory pilot study was selected …

Engaging Older Adults In Local Nonprofit Nutrition Assistance Programs: Understanding Barriers And Exploring Opportunities For Improved Participation, Amber R. Godinsky

Nonprofit and NGO Studies Student Projects

The rapidly growing population of older adults in the United States is set to require a highly skilled and specialized healthcare response to control the threat of a public health crisis. Research on approaches to mitigation suggests the need for an emphasis on preventative measures such as health promotion and nutrition intervention to be used as vital tools in local communities. This case study on older adults residing within DeKalb County, Illinois offers insight into the accessibility of nonprofit nutritional assistance programs by providing a local snapshot of the barriers to participation in a preventative health resource. Methods of collecting …

Food Security, Factors Influencing Food Acceptance, And Preferred Food Assistance Delivery Modalities: A Survey Of Students Attending A Medium Sized, Primarily Residential Emerging Research Institution, Amy Caroline Martin

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Food pantries are the most common form of food assistance provided on college campuses. However, there are several barriers that prevent college students from utilizing pantry resources, leading to low campus food pantry utilization and awareness. Barriers, poor pantry utilization, and awareness have been well documented. However, there is little information currently available regarding factors that facilitate college students’ acceptance of food assistance, and the food distribution modalities that food insecure college students prefer. The purpose of this study was to determine these factors and preferences so they may be used to improve food assistance programs on college campuses.To investigate …

Examination Of Food Allergy Accommodations, Barriers, Improvements, And Food Service On College Campus Dining Services, Krista Stawarz

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Background: Food allergies are an increasingly prevalent medical concern in college age students who live on campus and rely on campus dining services to accommodate them. The purpose of this study was to identify barriers along with current dining accommodation services that were available to students with food allergies at Northern Illinois University (NIU).Methods: Twenty-six students who had at least one food allergy and utilized the dining facilities were recruited to complete a cross-sectional survey. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used in this study. Results: The two most common barriers faced were lack of information and communication. Additional barriers …

Food Fan Academy: Boosting Informal Educators Abilities To Use Food As A Teaching Tool, Kelly Furr

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Introduction: Food, fitness, and nutrition (FAN) professional development (PD) for informal educators can serve to impact science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics, and medicine (STEAM+M) learning environments. Using food as a teaching tool in shaping the development of informal educators and education of students offers a unique opportunity for the acquisition of scientific knowledge and essential skills. The purpose of this study was to develop a Food FAN Academy for informal educators and evaluate the effectiveness of the PD. Methods: Case study method was utilized for the research study and the Food FAN Academy PD was a two-hour session designed in …

Effectiveness Of The Catch (Coordinated Approach To Child’S Health) Rainbow Program In Elementary Schools For Change In Fruit And Vegetable Intake, Ashley M. Valinskas

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Background: There is currently a lack of nutrition education programs that effectively increase fruit and vegetable (FV) intake among children. Not meeting the recommendations for fruits and vegetables increases the risk for poor academic achievement, obesity, and chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, asthma, and more. Nutrition, cooking, and gardening lessons individually and together have shown to increase fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption in school-aged children.Methods: Two-Hundred Twenty-five 4th and 5th graders participated in six cooking and six gardening lessons between September 2021 and May 2022 at Genoa Elementary school. Each nutrition education session was 25-minutes long, …

Dietitians’ Self-Efficacy For Implementation Strategies And Evidence-Based Practice Guideline Implementation Behaviors: A Mixed Methods Study, Lisa Moloney

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Background: Evidence-based practice (EBP) guidelines are valuable tools that can help promote the implementation of research into practice. Implementation of EBP guidelines can improve the standardization and quality of healthcare, but unfortunately, they are not routinely used in daily practice. Evidence-based practice is a core component of nutrition and dietetics practice, yet little is known about registered dietitian nutritionists’ (RDNs’) implementation of EBP guidelines. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate RDNs’ reported self-efficacy for using implementation strategies and their reported implementation behaviors for EBP guidelines. Methods: An explanatory mixed methods study guided by the Theory of Planned …

Effects Of Weight Bias Internalization On Disordered Eating, Dieting, And Intuitive Eating In College Students, Stacia Tietje

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Weight bias internalization (WBI) is the tendency to blame oneself for negative weight-based stereotypes and external influences. WBI has been shown to have negative effects on both physical and mental health. The purpose of this study is to examine the association between WBI, disordered eating, and dieting and whether intuitive eating moderates these relationships in a sample of college students. This study utilized a cross-sectional survey design to gather quantitative data. College undergraduate students (N = 652) from a Midwestern university were recruited via email. Data were analyzed in SPSS, using descriptive statistics, multiple linear regression, ordinal, and binary logistic …

Health Status And Gender Identity Among Northern Illinois University Students, Faculty And Staff, Blake E. Rooker

Honors Capstones

In the healthcare field, it is critical that practitioners understand their clients. Although support is growing, one of the least understood communities in society is the transgender community. The research set forth by this Capstone seeks to understand how the transgender community views the healthcare they receive. This will help future healthcare practitioners, including doctors, nurses, nutrition professionals, therapists, and so on, know how to best care for transgender clients.

Validation Of Prmr Equations In A Non-Caucasian Sample – Ethnicity As A Variable In Predicting Resting Metabolic Rate, Erin N. Bannister

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This study intends to identify a predictive resting metabolic rate (pRMR) equation that is predictive of the measured resting metabolic rate (mRMR) in a sample that includes a group of Black Americans. The handful of commonly used pRMR equations, such as the Mifflin- St. Jeor or Harris-Benedict equations, were created without defining the demographics of their populations, while validation of these equations is typically done with almost exclusively Caucasian subjects. Black and brown Americans require the same evidence of precision in predictions of daily energy needs as Caucasian Americans. When applied to non-Caucasian samples, these equations appear in the literature …

Comparing The Effectiveness And Appeal Of Delivering A Pilot Text Message And An In-Person Whole Body Approach (Wba) Program To Northern Illinois Food Bank Clients., Ashley Rae Werner

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Background: The Whole-Body Approach (WBA) is a program created by Northern Illinois Food Bank in partnership with Northern Illinois University (NIU) Nutrition and Dietetics Graduate students and faculty. This program has been delivered over the course of six years to various food pantries around the Northern Illinois area and modified in response to participants’ feedback. The topics that are discussed throughout the program include stress management, relationship with food, mindful eating, healthy body image, and enjoyable movement. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program was adapted to a delivered via text messages for Northern Illinois Food Bank My Pantry …

Nutritional Considerations In The Care Of Transgender And Gender-Diverse Individuals: Exploring The Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs, And Roles Of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists And Nutrition Professionals, Jennifer Madeleine Waters

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Within the past few years, various nutrition-relevant considerations related to the care of transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals have been emphasized. However, the preparedness of registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) to provide nutrition care to this highly marginalized group with unique health concerns is unknown. Available research on the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of RDNs as it relates to the care of the TGD community is scarce. It is unknown how frequently transgender-specific health and nutrition topics are being taught to emerging RDNs and nutrition professionals. Further, the potential barriers that nutrition and dietetics educators perceive or face as it relates …

Teaching And Learning Numeracy In Health Sciences: A High School Health Classroom Case Study, Jasmina Mesic

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

High school health science teacher professional development (TPD) is one learning environment where emphasis on numeracy and nutritional health literacy can make lifelong positive impacts on the health and wellbeing of youth. It has been estimated that only 33% of United States adults have limited numeracy skills and that only 12% are health literate. The purpose of this study was to begin the development of a high school health science TPD focused on numeracy and nutritional health literacy and to assist the teacher in delivering subject matter using brain-based learning principles. An exploratory case study design was selected as the …

Improvisation-Based Curriculum For Nutrition And Dietetics Undergraduate Students: An Examination In Alternative Education Methods, Megan Farris

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Introduction: Medical improvisation is the use of theatrical-based games to develop interpersonal communication skills (ICS), including those applicable to telehealth communication, among health care professionals.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if implementing a medical improvisation-based workshop via a virtual classroom within an upper-level undergraduate nutrition and dietetics counseling course improved students’ self-assessed perceived capability of the following characteristics required as ICS for telehealth communication: becoming a better listener, becoming more observant of nonverbal communication, responding in the moment, increasing self-confidence in presenting, and becoming a better team member/collaborator. This study also considered the feasibility of using …

Inulin-Containing Fructo-Oligosaccharides And Anxiety Scores In College Students, Spencer Herkes

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of inulin, in the form of fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), on anxiety symptoms in college students. With a prevalence of 40 million adults in the United States, or 18.1% of the population, anxiety is the most common mental illness in the United States. Previous studies have viewed gut microbiota and its potential link to anxiety both in humans and in mice. However, no previous studies viewed college students. Thirteen subjects were assigned to receive either 4.9 g per day of inulin as a treatment (TX) or no supplement as a control (CON) …

Impact Of Acquiring Childhood Cooking Skills On Adults’ Dietary Behaviors, Suzanne Check

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The ability to cook and prepare foods from fresh ingredients is a necessary life skill to improve overall diet quality and to prevent or reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Limited research exists on the appropriate time to develop these skills to have a long-term impact on diet quality and health. The primary objective of this study was to determine whether the age of learning cooking skills promotes higher cooking confidence and diet quality during adulthood. In addition, the study investigated the impact of learning cooking skills from various sources on diet quality and cooking confidence in adulthood. A cross-sectional …

High School Student-Athlete Sleep Habits Using Activity Monitoring, Corey Thomas Ungaro

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Sleep research is an area of scientific inquiry that impacts all individuals due to sleep's effects on health, well-being, and performance. Healthy sleep habits have been shown to improve academic and athletic performance in collegiate student-athletes. Surprisingly, no sleep research has been conducted on high school student-athletes during a semester. High school student-athletes can benefit from understanding their sleep habits and how sleep can affect the development of the adolescent brain and improve performance giving athletes the potential for a competitive advantage. This retrospective analysis aims to examine the sleep habits of student-athletes while balancing their academic and athletic responsibilities …

Chemical Niche Divergence In Sympatric Lemurs: Understanding Species' Food Selection, Chloe Nicole Marie Gherardi

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The integration of nutritional ecology into primatology has provided considerable insight into the feeding strategies of primates, and the ecological factors limiting populations - critical knowledge in a world of rapidly changing habitats. The eastern rainforest of Madagascar is home to one of the world’s most diverse primate communities, often hosting over 12 sympatric lemur species; however, the ecological mechanisms by which these species are able to coexist are not well understood. Two species within this community that have been especially understudied are the nocturnal and folivorous Avahi laniger and Lepilemur mustelinus. My research team observed and collected feeding data …

Assessing The Impact Of Mother’S Perception Of Support On Breastfeeding Intensity Through Six Months, Kathryn Doyle Palomares

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

INTRODUCTION: Expert recommendations instruct mothers to exclusively breastfeed for infant’s first 6 months of life. While many mothers intend to breastfeed, mothers frequently cite early breastfeeding difficulties as a leading cause of breastfeeding cessation. The large discrepancy between a mother’s intentions for exclusive breastfeeding and the actual rates warrants further investigation. OBJECTIVES: The current research study utilized data from the Infant Feeding Practices Study II to (1) to understand how the mother’s perception of breastfeeding support in the presence of breastfeeding difficulties affects breastfeeding intensity. METHODS: Multinomial logistic regression utilizing data from the Infant Feeding Practices Study II. At each …

Evaluation Of The Coordinated Approach To Child Health (Catch) Program In Third Through Fifth Graders In Northern Illinois, Paulina Karecka

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Background: The Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH) is a school-based education program designed to improve dietary habits and increase physical activity among children and adolescents based on the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of CATCH program, delivered by dietetic interns and Northern Illinois University (NIU) students, to 3rd-5th graders in Northern Illinois, in increasing their nutrition knowledge and healthy choices behavior. Methods: In total, 167 elementary school children in grades 3-5 in Northern Illinois participated in a non-experimental program evaluation study. We delivered 6 CATCH lessons throughout the academic year …

Mobile Apps For Type 2 Diabetes In A Low Socioeconomic Status Population, Kaitland Rae Woelky

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Background: Individuals of low socioeconomic status (SES) are disproportionately at risk for developing type 2 diabetes (T2DM) compared to their higher SES counterparts. Smartphone apps are increasingly used as a tool to compliment current diabetes education and have the ability to increase prevention and diabetes education in health disparate communities. The objective of this study was to identify the quality of nutrition and health related apps frequently recommended by diabetes educators to compliment current T2DM education programs for patient of low SES.

Methods: Clinicians (n=120) were recruited through two diabetes and dietetic professional groups to complete an online App Identification …

Influence Of Maternal Eating Attitudes, Behaviors, And Fat Talk On Adolescent, Non-Elite, Competitive-Level Gymnasts, Madisyn Rozner

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Adverse eating attitudes and eating behaviors describe thoughts and actions related to food and body image that increase risk for development for an eating disorder. The term, “fat talk” was defined as, “cultural meanings of talk about weight” and has been used to assess preoccupation with the cultural stigma of weight. Understanding risk factors for the development of adverse thoughts and actions in adolescence is especially important, as disordered cognitions and behaviors often appear in early adolescence. Maternal modeling, children modeling their actions or attitudes based on their mothers, plays a role in the level of risk. Similarly, gymnastics, an …