Nutrition Commons^™

Disability-Related Educational Content In Nutrition And Dietetic Programs: An Exploratory Study, Wendy Medunick, Allison Gomes, Joachim Sackey, Laura Byham-Gray, Jane Ziegler

Journal of Dietetic Education

Background: Health disparities experienced by people with disabilities (PWD) are partly attributed to inadequate knowledge, training, confidence and competence regarding disabilities among health professionals. While registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) are key members of the healthcare team, it is unclear how pre-professional nutrition and dietetics (ND) programs prepare future RDNs to care for PWD. This study examined the status of disability-related education within ND programs in the United States. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional electronic survey was distributed to 570 directors of accredited ND programs. The survey, which adapted questions from a previously validated instrument and published studies, included questions assessing disability-related …

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, …

The Gut Microbiome, The Gut-Brain Axis, And College Student Well-Being, Idi Mckay

University Honors Theses

This literature review examines how diet, stress, environmental exposure, and food accessibility may influence college students' mental health and academic performance through the gut microbiome and the Gut-Brain Axis (GBA). Current microbiome research often focuses on early childhood development, clinical disease populations, or older adults, while overlooking college-age students who experience significant social, environmental, and biological transitions. College students frequently face food insecurity, irregular eating patterns, chronic stress, inconsistent sleep schedules, and reduced access to nutrient-dense foods, all of which may influence microbial diversity and overall gut health.

This thesis explores how modern campus environments and lifestyle factors may contribute …

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 …

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 …

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, …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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

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 …

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 …

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 …

Wellness Connection Newsletter March 2026, Roger Williams University School Of Law

Life of the Law School (1993- )

No abstract provided.

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 …

Nutritional Care For Adults With Obesity Treated With Glp-1and Dual Gip/Glp-1 Receptor Agonists: A Review Of Evidence, Gaps, And Clinical Implications, Carolina Mcguane

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

Abstract

Background:

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) and dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide/glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GIP/GLP-1 RAs) have revolutionized obesity management, producing unprecedented weight loss outcomes. Their widespread use has outpaced research on nutritional implications, adverse events, and evidence-based guidance for dietitians. Given the central role of nutrition practitioners in supporting adults with obesity, understanding the mechanisms, risks, and nutrition-related outcomes of GLP-1 therapies is critical.

Methods:

A comprehensive literature search was conducted utilizing PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar to identify relevant peer-reviewed articles on the topic of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) use and nutrition-related …

Conclusions Are Not Supported By The Published Statistical Analysis Comment On López-Toledo Et Al Flaxseed Improves Glucose And Lipid Metabolism In Mexican Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes: A Parallel Randomized Clinical Trial, Robert W Spitz, Deependra K Thapa, Thirupathi Reddy Mokalla, Wasiuddin Najam, Andrew W Brown, David B Allison

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

López-Toledo et al [...].

Low Energy Availability (Lea) And Its Relationship To Nutritional Status And Bone Health In Collegiate Athletes, Anthony Dempsey

UNH URC Open (2026 and after)

This project aims to identify low energy availability in a sample of collegiate athletes and explore the relationship with bone mineral density and nutrient deficiencies. Participants (n=3,407) were recruited from a northeast university and self-reported athlete status and physical activity via online questionnaire. Food records were used to calculate energy and nutrient intake. Anthropometrics including height, weight, body composition and bone mineral status were measured in duplicate. Energy availability (EA) was calculated as (Energy Intake (EI) -Exercising Energy Expenditure) (EEE)) /Fat Free Mass (FFM) (kg) and categorized as optimal (>45 kcal/kg FFM), subclinical, or clinically low (< 30 kcal/kg FFM). Fifteen percent of participants were characterized as athletes (club or division I varsity); mean EA was lower among athletes vs. nonathletes (17.90.7vs.21.90.3, p< .001). Males were more likely to have optimal EA status vs. females (8.8vs4.7%, p< .001). Most females (75.1%) were categorized as clinically LEA; 20.3% had subclinical LEA. Among men, athletes’ EA was similar to nonathletes (21.11.2vs22.20.5, p=.4); among females, athletes had lower EA vs. nonathletes (16.220.9vs21.70.3, p< .001). Males with clinically low EA were most likely to consume inadequate intakes of potassium, fiber, iron, and vitamin D (77.1,94.0,10.4 and 97.3%, respectively); similarly, females with clinically low EA, were most likely to consume inadequate intakes (81.9,87.6,88.3, and 99.5%, respectively). Bone z-scores were higher among athletes vs. non athletes (-.27±.06vs-.67±.02, p< .001) but were not different by EA status. Given the prevalence of LEA within the college athlete and nonathlete populations, further research and tailored nutritional education is needed for this at-risk population.

Crab And Lobster Shell Meal Taste Preferences Of Dairy Heifer Calves, Summer R. Pescinski, Peter S. Erickson

Honors Theses and Capstones

Objective: This preference study was conducted to evaluate the palatability of crab shell meal (CM) and lobster shell meal (LM) when added to calf starter for post-weaned dairy heifer calves.

Materials and methods: Six calves were used for a sequential elimination experiment to rank their taste preferences when offered control calf starter, calf starter mixed with 50 g of CM, and calf starter mixed with 50 g of LM.  The calves were kept on the study for a total of 5-d split into two feeding segments.  Preference was determined by calculating the total intake of each treatment …

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 …

Homemade For Change: Addressing The Barriers To Home Cooking Among Emerging Adults For Better Health, Finances, And Well-Being, Sarida Smitthimedhin

Masters Theses

This study investigates how a visual approach—combining design, photography, and illustration with nutrition—can encourage home cooking. In today’s fast-paced society and overabundance food culture, many emerging adults struggle to prepare meals at home. This study examines how food industry practices and cultural trends shape the eating habits of emerging adults by exploring the reasons behind the decline in home cooking and its adverse effects on health, finances, well-being, and the environment.

Although research indicates that most adults recognize that home cooking is the healthiest choice, they often do not practice it, citing time and lack of cooking knowledge as their …

Linking Training To Confidence: A Literature Review On Advancing Nutrition Environments In Child Care Programs, Jeanne M. Vanorsdal

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

This comprehensive literature review examined child care nutrition training interventions using the Health Belief Model (HBM) to understand how to increase providers’ ability to serve nutritious food. By analyzing HBM constructs such as perceived severity, benefits, and barriers, the review assessed how training influences provider abilities and identified barriers and facilitators to consistently offering healthy meals and snacks. Studies were 1) published in English; 2) research conducted in the United States; 3) population involved home-based or center-based child care providers caring for children from birth to age 5; 4) articles published from January 1, 2015, to October 5, 2025; 5) …

Sleep-Disordered Breathing Subtypes And Future Diet Quality In The Multi-Ethnic Study Of Atherosclerosis, Kaitlin S Potts, Cecilia Castro-Diehl, Tianyi Huang, Alexis C Wood, Jerome I Rotter, Stephen S Rich, Tamar Sofer, Susan Redline, Heming Wang

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Objectives: Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and diet quality impact cardiometabolic disease, but few studies have examined if SDB influences diet quality. This study estimated the association between SDB subtypes (with and without sleepiness) and future diet quality in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Methods: Probable SDB was characterized by self-reported physician-diagnosed sleep apnea (PDSA) or habitual snoring and subtyped by presence or absence of sleepiness. A food frequency questionnaire measured diet 1.6 years before, and 7.8 years after SDB assessment. Diet quality was measured with the Alternate Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI). Mean differences in AHEI at follow-up by SDB subtypes were …

The Role Of Nutrition-Sensitive Interventions In Improving Nutritional Outcomes: Findings From A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Thomas De Hoop, Adria Molotsky, Rebecca Walcott, Pablo Gaitán-Rossi, Sonia Hernández-Cordero, Amos Laar, Torben Behmer, Hoa Thi Mai Nguyen, Averi Chakrabarti, Garima Siwach, Varsha Ranjit, Vania Lara-Mejía, Bianca Franco-Lares, Mireya Vilar-Compte

Department of Nutrition and Food Studies Scholarship and Creative Works

Background

Maternal and child undernutrition remains a major global health concern despite modest progress. Accelerating reductions in stunting and wasting will require increased investments in nutrition-sensitive interventions, which target nutrition impacts outside of the healthcare setting. This review examines the effects of four types of nutrition-sensitive interventions —cash/food transfers, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, water/sanitation/hygiene, and school nutrition— on maternal and child nutrition outcomes and dietary diversity.

Methods

We synthesized the evidence using an initial broad search and synthesis for nutrition-sensitive interventions, followed by targeted searches and syntheses for specific interventions and nutrition outcomes. Meta-analyses were performed to evaluate the impacts of cash …

Hungry Minds: Analyzing The Impact Of Food Insecurity And Food Assistance Programs On Neurocognitive Development And Childhood Mental Health, Kayla A. Davenport

Senior Theses

Introduction: Food insecurity affects millions of children in the United States and is increasingly recognized as a significant risk factor for poor nutritional intake and adverse health outcomes. However, less is known about how the experience of food insecurity disrupts healthy development and well-being, particularly among American youth. This thesis had two aims: (1) to examine the relationship between household food insecurity and children’s neurocognitive and mental health outcomes and (2) to evaluate how major food assistance programs address, or fail to address, these developmental risks.

Methods: This thesis uses a mixed-methods approach, integrating a narrative literature review, a cross-sectional …

Interleukin-6 (Il-6) Mediated Pathways In Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (Nafld) And Its Implications On Magnesium And Zinc Mineral Deficiencies: A Scoping Review, Marianne Koleng, Leann Nguyen

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

The prevalence and incidence of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is rising. In the United States alone, the prevalence of NAFLD is currently 38% and there has been a 50% increase over the last three decades. The present study investigated the role of ultratrace mineral deficiencies, specifically magnesium (Mg) and zinc (Zn), and if so, what nutritional interventions could be made to ameliorate or protect against the development of NAFLD. The role of trace and ultratrace minerals in pro-inflammatory cytokine pathways contributing to NAFLD, specifically Interleukin-6 (IL-6), were investigated. IL-6 is produced by hepatocytes and plays a crucial role in …

Co-Designing A Digital Nutrition Intervention For Individuals With Severe Mental Illness Using The Behaviour Change Wheel, Ciara O'Sullivan, Tara Coppinger, Indika Dhanapala, Alison Merrotsy

Publications

Title: Co-Designing a Digital Nutrition Intervention for Individuals with Severe Mental Illness Using the Behaviour Change Wheel

Purpose: This study aims to develop a digital nutrition intervention for individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) residing in high-support mental health hostels, using a theoretically informed co-design approach.

Design/methodology/approach: This study will employ a participatory, mixed-methods approach, incorporating Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) to ensure user-centred intervention design. The Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) guides the selection of intervention functions, Behaviour Change Techniques (BCTs) and delivery methods. The study will consist of three phases: (1) Preparation, (2) Co-Design, and (3) Finalisation.

Findings: Data …

Renal Patients’ Perception Of Self-Efficacy Through Rapport And Trust With Registered Dietitians, Michelle Denise Broussard

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

End stage renal disease requires dietary education and behavior modifications to manage the condition. The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the role of rapport and trust between the patients and registered dietitians and its impact on self-efficacy. The study was implemented over 12 weeks in multi-site dialysis units in urban Georgia. The health belief model was used as the framework to explain the participants’ desire toward self-efficacy. Data were obtained for the 14-item Health Care Relationship Trust scale and the self-efficacy scales and analyzed using multiple linear regression. A convenience sample of 125 patients between the ages …