Nutrition Commons^™

Impact Of Hydration On Collegiate Athletic Performance, Fatigue, And Recovery, Lauren Woodard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The impact of dehydration on several key physiological functions that are critical for athletic performance is well studied. Hydration monitoring has been known to have significant value on impaired physical functions by maximizing performance during training and competition. Impaired physical functions has been suggested as a limitation on explosive strength, musculoskeletal output, cardiovascular output, and proper technique in contact sports. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between hydration levels and physiological profiles that can be used as a proactive approach in monitoring a collegiate athlete’s athletic performance, fatigue, and recovery status. It was hypothesized that insufficient …

Relationships Between Dietary Habits, Demographics, And Hike Outcome Among 2015 Pacific Crest Trail Backpackers, Lauren Ann Black

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative research study explores the relationship between dietary patterns, hiker demographics, and total miles hiked during a backpacking trip on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). Long hiking distances, low rate of thru-hike completion, consumption of processed and ready to eat foods, weight loss, and large time and monetary strains are comthemes accepted anecdotally by the backpacking population11. However, these themes have yet to be adequately researched and validated for long distance backpackers and PCT backpackers specifically. The online survey gathered data from 151 backpackers who hiked the PCT in 2015. Significant positive correlational relationships were found between the number …

An Evaluation Of The Mississippi Recipes For Success Resource From The Perspective Of Child Nutrition Directors, Chelsea L. Bell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Mississippi Recipes for Success (MRS), A Guide for Child Nutrition Programs provides printed and online resources for child nutrition directors. These resources include recipes and methods to assist directors in effectively implementing United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) nutrition standards. The purpose of this study was to investigate if child nutrition directors utilize these resources, as well as assess child nutrition directors’ perceptions of the helpfulness, satisfaction, and importance of the various components of the online and 2014 printed versions of the MRS. Data collection for this study involved an online survey that evaluated directors’ usage of the resources …

The Home Environment And Parenting Practices: Associations With Physical Activity And Sedentary Time In Preschool-Age Children, Emily C. Huber

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Preschool-age children have the potential to be influenced by their physical home environment and their parents’ physical activity (PA) practices more than older children as preschool-age children are more reliant on parents for PA opportunities. Previous research with this focus has relied predominantly on various subjective assessments of child activity, often resulting in overestimation of PA and underestimation of sedentary time (ST). Collectively, this dissertation project explored the associations among home environment factors, parent PA practices, parent satisfaction of children’s body size and children’s PA and ST by utilizing objective measures of activity and the full range of PA intensities …

Effect Of Body Image Awareness Program On Weight Satisfaction In Ncaa Division I Female Athletes, Derionne Brooks

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A Qualitative Analysis Of Barriers To And Facilitators Of Successful Weight Loss, Alyson Drooger

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Along with the United States obesity epidemic comes extensive weight loss attempts. One way people are attempting to lose weight is through meal replacement programs. Much work has been done to study strategies of structured weight loss programs and examine their success. Limited work has been done to study the specific barriers and facilitators of the real life participants who join weight loss programs. The purpose of this study is to identify, through qualitative research methods, the barriers to and facilitators of weight loss while participating in a meal replacement program.

Methods: Twenty-nine members of a meal replacement program …

Icook 4-H: Report Of Accelerometer Derived Physical Activity In 9-10 Year Old Children From Baseline, Post, And Follow-Up, Chase Merfeld

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

To examine the relationship between baseline, post, and follow-up accelerometer derived physical activity (PA) in 9-10 year old children participating in iCook 4-H, a 16-week, 5- state, randomized control family centered childhood obesity prevention program. This family focus intervention was designed to promote PA through lifestyle modifications. Between group differences in minutes-per-day and intensity of PA were determined on accelerometer compliant participants. All subjects wore an accelerometer (Actigraph GT3X+) for 7 days at baseline, post, and follow-up intervention assessment. Mean daily minutes of accelerometer derived sedentary time (ST) and PA including light (LPA), moderate (MPA), vigorous (VPA) and moderate-to-vigorous (MVPA) …

Influencers And Barriers To Consumption Of Healthful Diets In Rural Youth In Context Of The Bioecological Model, Megan Bren

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to determine influencers and barriers to healthful dietary intake in rural youth in context of the bioecological model. Four focus groups as part of Ignite, a tri-state, five-year, community based partipatory research (CBPR) intervention were conducted with 6th to 8th grade adolescents from an economically disadvantaged community of rural South Dakota. Results were categorized into the context of the bioecological model. Within the model, the process, person, context and time (PPCT) design with the three types of personal characteristics were used to describe the framework in which the systems are embedded. Focus group content …

Successful Weight Management: Barriers And Facilitators To Maintaining Weight After Weight Loss Via A Meal Replacement Program, Hope D. Kleine

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: Meal replacement programs (MRPs) facilitate weight loss. Unfortunately, a large percentage of individuals that lose weight through MRP are not successful at maintaining their weight. Weight regain one year following weight loss via meal replacements has been as high as 40-50%, demonstrating a critical need to improve weight maintenance in MRP participants. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to identify barriers and facilitators of weight maintenance after reaching a goal weight in MRP participants.

Methods: Seven focus groups of ≤8 clients were conducted to discuss barriers and facilitators of weight maintenance prior to reaching a point of …

The Healthfulness Of Entrées And Students’ Purchases In The Campus Dining Environment, Krista Leischner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to determine the availability of “more” versus “less healthful” entrée items in the campus dining environment and also to determine if students’ purchases are reflective of what is offered.
Entrée items were categorized as either “more” or “less healthful” according to the American Heart Association guidelines. Students’ entrée purchases from the 2014- 2015 school year were analyzed at a Midwestern university. The relationship between students’ demographics and food purchases was also analyzed in this observational study. Significant differences between more healthful and less healthful purchased and available items were determined using a Chi-square test. …

Differences In Running Mechanics Between Overweight/Obese And Healthy Weight Children, Kristen Roles

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background/Purpose: Physical activity is commonly prescribed to reduce childhood obesity. However, due to differences in mechanics during low-impact activities, such as walking, obese children may be more prone to negative physical complications during high-impact activities, such as running. Therefore, this study analyzed the mechanical differences in running mechanics between healthy weight (HW) and overweight/obese (OV/OB) children. We hypothesized that when compared to HW children, OV/OB children would display higher vertical loading, greater joint moments and greater joint angular impulses during running. We also expect decreased sagittal plane range of motion and increased frontal plane range of motion of the hip, …

Icook 4-H: 0 To 24-Month Accelerometer-Derived Physical Activity And Sedentary Time In Youth, Emily Hofer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

To assess accelerometer-derived physical activity and sedentary time from 0 to 24- months in youth in the iCook 4-H program. The iCook 4-H Program was a 5-state, randomized, control-treatment, family-based childhood obesity prevention intervention promoting cooking, eating and playing together. Youth, 9-10 years old, and their main adult meal preparer, participated in the 12-week program followed by monthly newsletters and bi-yearly booster sessions until 24-months. Physical activity and sedentary time were determined for youth who wore an Actigraph GT3X+ accelerometer for 7 days at 0, 4, 12, and 24-months and met defined accelerometer compliance standards. Mean daily minutes of sedentary …

A Study Of The Effectiveness Of Front-Of-Package Nutrition Labels In The Us, Emily Lauren Irvin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

American weight trends have steadily increased over the past years. In efforts to better inform consumers of their food consumption, increasingly front-of-package (fop) food labels are displayed on packaged food items. Fop nutrition labels have become more prevalent in the US to help consumers identify healthier options at the point-of-purchase. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of two current fop labels, the facts up front and the facts up front extended labels. In addition, a generic binary label was created to represent a non-brand associated symbol, which does not currently exist in the US. Participants were randomized to one …

Predisposing Risk Factors Associated With Stress Fracture Development In Division I Cross Country Runners, Kaci Griffin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore potential factors that could be associated with increased stress fracture development in division one collegiate cross country runners. Participants for this study consisted of 42 collegiate cross country runners at the University of Mississippi. A nutritional assessment consisting of a 3-day food record and measurements of whole body, lumbar spine and hip bone mineral densities using a Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) was conducted on each athlete. Each athlete was also asked to answer a demographic questionnaire with questions regarding ethnicity, hometown, smoking status, vitamin/mineral intake, previous stress fracture history, birth control usage …

Parental Awareness, Consumption And Feeding Practices Of Functional Foods, Peter Jewel Weiss

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Functional foods are believed to improve overall health and well-being and reduce the risk of specific diseases. Research has examined adult awareness and consumption of functional foods. However, research on whether parental awareness and consumption of functional foods results in feeding their children functional foods is lacking. Therefore, this study’s objective was to examine relationships between parental awareness and consumption of functional foods, and feeding their children functional foods. Parents of children in two school districts in Mississippi were surveyed (n=202). The section on parental awareness, consumption, and feeding their children consisted of 27 questions featuring 19 functional food components, …

The Relationship Of Parental Barriers To Parents Feeding Their Children Health-Promoting, Functional Foods, Jordyn Michelle Thornton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Studies have discovered barriers that prevent parents from feeding children nutritiously. There is sparse information about whether parents intentionally feed their children functional foods, raising the question of whether there are barriers that inhibit parents when feeding their children nutritiously. This study of parents in two Mississippi school districts in 2015 ( n=193) examined the barriers parents face to consuming health-promoting, functional foods as well as the relation of these barriers to feeding their children functional foods. The age group 45–54 was less likely to perceive taste as a barrier (p<.05) to consuming functional foods, while individuals with some college education (p<.05) and individuals with an associate degree (p<.05) were more likely to perceive taste as a barrier. Additionally, the age group 55+ was less likely to perceive availability of food as a barrier (p<.01). Lastly, the females were more likely than males to perceive knowledge as a barrier ; lack of knowledge of foods’ health benefits was significant for the female gender (p<.05) to consuming functional foods. This study also found a significant relationship between parent’s lack of knowledge of health-promoting foods when feeding their children functional foods for specific health benefits. The findings concluded that parents who perceived lack of knowledge as a barrier to consuming functional foods, were more likely to feed their children foods with health benefits for cancer prevention (p<.01), heart health ( p<.05), and other health benefits (p<.01), while not for bone, digestive, and weight health. Further investigation shothat foods beneficial for cancer prevention, heart health, and other health benefits are among food items incorporated in children’s diets through foods such as fruits, vegetables, fortified foods/beverages, etc.

Can Physical Activity Reinforce Nutrition Education? Evaluation Of Physical Activity In The Families In Transformation (Fit), Wellness Program For Children., Meagan Dyan Maloney

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Objective: to determine if physical activity can reinforce nutrition education messages in the families in transformation (fit) program at Healthworks! located in Tupelo, Mississippi. Methods: children ages 7-13 participating in the (fit) program made up the subjects for this study. A control and treatment group were observed using a nutrition reinforcement physical activity and a non-nutrition reinforcement activity during the regular physical activity nights of the (fit) program, and a pre and post nutrition quiz, health habits survey, anthropometric data, and fitness data were obtained pre and post study to determine if the intervention had an impact on the subjects. …

Empowering Students To Care: An Edible Garden And Farm Education Approach, Shannon C. Mcqueen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Through this qualitative study, I want to add to the theoretical conversation about garden and farm education in schools and offer a starting point for a conversation surrounding care and gardening/farming in schools. The purpose of this study is to understand how teachers and students demonstrate care while implementing a garden and farm curriculum. Data collection included 15 participant interviews from students, staff, administrators, and school officials from a large public school district implementing garden and farm education lessons and observations of educators, farmers, and farm interns interacting with and instructing students in a weeklong Farm Camp environment. I utilized …

Photovoice: Engaging School Communities In Wellness Efforts, Hilary J. Overby

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Currently there are no interactive tools that allow school communities to assess their school wellness needs and foster interest in wellness efforts. PhotoVoice is a participatory action research methodology commonly used in public health that utilizes photography to document and showcase community strengths and weaknesses in order to promote change. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to gather perceptions of a school community after using PhotoVoice to document school wellness efforts 1. Participants: High school students (n=103) and school community members (i.e., residents of community, school faculty) (n=188) were recruited across three school districts. Methods: High school students …

Parental Attitudes, Concerns, Health & Knowledge Of Nutrition And Their Relationship To Usage Of Functional Foods In Parental Feeding, Lauren Elizabeth Guy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purchase and consumption of functional foods is one of the fastest growing trends in the food and nutrition industry. Though many studies have suggested reasons why consumers purchase and consume functional foods, there has been limited research to understand what factors, if any, influence the use of functional foods in parental dietary practices. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether parental awareness of functional foods, self-reported knowledge of nutrition, overall health, and concern for their children's diets play a role in the provision of specific categories of functional foods (digestive health, weight management, bone health, cancer …

Vitamin D Status Of College Students: Implications For Health Leaders, Eileen M. Cress

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Vitamin D deficiency is considered to be a pandemic with implications for compromised bone health and other chronic diseases. Few studies have examined vitamin D status in college-aged individuals where prevention of future health consequences is still possible. Serum vitamin D 25(OH)D status and vitamin D intake were examined in 98 college students ages 18-29 years during winter. BMI was classified as < 25and 25 or greater. Race was categorized as Caucasian or other. Overall, 69.5% had suboptimal serum vitamin D levels, <30ng/mL. Only 8 students (8.2%) met the EAR (400 IU) per day for vitamin D intake. t tests were used to determine if there were significant differences in serum vitamin D level and dietary intake based on gender, race and BMI. Significant differences were found in serum vitamin D level when compared by gender and race. Females tended to have a higher serum vitamin D level than males. Those representing minorities had lower serum vitamin D levels than Caucasians; One hundred percent of the minority students had suboptimal serum vitamin D levels. Based on these findings, dietitians should increase efforts to target college-aged individuals in educational programming related to factors affecting vitamin D synthesis, vitamin D intake, and health consequences of suboptimal vitamin D status, particularly in winter. Consideration should be given to vitamin D fortification of foods that meet the preferences of today’s consumer.

The Effectiveness Of The Implementation Of The Kids Eat Right Rd Parent Empowerment Program At Johnson City Head Start Centers, Emily M. Stern

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Obesity among children is a public health concern. Preschool-­‐aged children, especially those from low-­‐income families, are no exception to the obesity epidemic. During the RD Parent Empowerment Program, parents of Head Start children in Johnson City, TN completed a structured education program over the course of 4 workshops related to healthy habits of families. The goal was to empower parents to shop smart, cook healthy, and eat right. The Family Nutrition and Physical Activity (FNPA) screening tool was used as an assessment tool to evaluate behavior change over the course of the program. Improvement in overall FNPA score was …

Developing A Survey To Measure School Wellness Policy Engagement Among School Administrators, School Staff And Parents, Tara J. Pratt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: As a means to combat the childhood obesity epidemic, congress enacted the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004. This act required all school districts participating in the Healthy School Lunch or Breakfast Program to create and implement a school wellness policy. In 2010 the Healthy, Hunger- Free Kids Act required additional components be added to school wellness policies, such as public notification of wellness policy initiatives. There is currently not a survey tool available that measures these new mandate requirements among school administrators, school staff and parents in school wellness policies. Goal: The goal of this research …

Can Student-Driven Changes Increase Salad Bar Usage In Schools?, Shannon Leeke

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Increasing student salad bar participation may increase students' consumption of fruits and vegetables while decreasing their risk of chronic disease. This study observed student perception, experience, and participation of the school salad bar in two northwest Mississippi high schools. The subjects were students' age 15-18 years old. One school served as the control variable and one served as the intervention variable. A three-week baseline of salad bar participation was collected before surveying students at the intervention school. Surveying student perception and experience of the salad bar provided data to implement changes to the salad bar. Student perception and experience was …

Is Marital Status A Determinant Of Self-Monitoring Of Blood Glucose?, Jasmine Evelyn Dixon Jones

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Glycemic control is one of the most important aspects of diabetes management and is necessary for the prevention or delay of complications associated with diabetes mellitus (DM). Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is a technique used achieve glycemic control by revealing day-to-day changes in blood glucose levels. Since marriage protective effects have been shown for mortality, especially for men, it is useful to determine whether a similar relationship is found between marriage and SMBG. The purpose of this study is to examine whether marital status is a determinant of SMBG, when controlling for other variables, and whether marital status determines …

Parent's Use And Likely Use Of Nutrition Education Resources In The Mississippi Delta Region, Rachel Jessica Scoggins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Objective: To identify nutrition education resources currently being used and those likely to be used if made available by parents of elementary-aged children in the Mississippi Delta region. Methods: Surveys were completed by 214 parents (92% female, 88% African American) of children in grades K-2nd from three schools in the Mississippi Delta region. Survey items obtained nutrition education resources currently used by parents , those likely to be used if made available, mode of delivery and mediators (individuals) providing nutrition education. Results: Parents reported high importance that their child eats healthy. Physicians were identified as the primary mediator for delivering …

Exercise Participation During Weight Loss On A High Protein – Low Carbohydrate Diet Plan In Females Aged 15-25 Years, Margaret Mobley-Meulman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Weight gain due to poor diet and lack of exercise is responsible for over 300,000 deaths each year (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2010). Obese adults have an increased risk for serious health conditions including high blood pressure and cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, respiratory problems, and certain cancers (National Cancer Institute, 2012). Participation in exercise can help control weight, strengthen muscles and bones, and reduce the incidence of cardiac events, stroke, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, colon and breast cancers, osteoporotic fractures, gallbladder disease, obesity, depression, anxiety, and delay mortality …

Assessment Of Dietary Behaviors Of College Students Participating In The Health Promotion Program Bucs: Live Well, Courtney E. Mckinney

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Rates of adult obesity in the United States continue to rise, especially among the college-age population who typically practice poor dietary choices, contributing to weight gain. College-age students experience a transitional phase called ‘emerging adulthood’ where they learn autonomy in many areas that influence long-term health status. The purpose of the online health promotion program BUCS: Live Well was to promote self-efficacy in ability to incorporate positive dietary changes, assess incidences of positive dietary habits after completing the program, and determine if weight status, residence, and health perceptions influence dietary behaviors. BUCS: Live Well was successful in assessing current dietary …

Building A Foundation For Interprofessional-Education (Ipe) Between Dietetic Students And Dental Hygiene Students At East Tennessee State University (Etsu), Monique Richard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Nutrition education is an integral part of dental education as well as a variety of other healthcare professions¹, but interprofessional education (IPE) between the fields of dietetics and dental hygiene is limited. The purpose of this pilot study was to define areas of opportunity to establish a foundation for the implementation of complimentary curriculum between the dietetics and dental hygiene programs at ETSU. A 76-question survey was developed and administered to dietetic interns (n=26), dental hygiene students (n=49), dietetic faculty (n=23), and dental hygiene faculty (n=19) at ETSU and Baylor College of Dentistry at Texas A&M Health Science …

Child Friendliness Of Restaurants: A Pilot Study, Amy Mccluskey Bardwell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this study was to develop an instrument to measure the child friendliness of restaurants using a combination of previous literature and focus groups. The pilot study consisted of a thirty-six item survey instrument that was distributed to forty individuals. Among the forty individuals who received the survey instrument, thirty-three of them completed the survey. A panel of experts reviethe survey results using cognitive factor analysis. The experts were asked to place each item of the survey instrument into categories. From this, five factors emerged. These included: facilities, service, atmosphere, activities, and menu. Six items from the survey …