Nutrition Commons^™

Unifying Multi-State Efforts Through A Nationally Coordinated Extension Diabetes Program, Laura Balis, Shari Gallup, Heather Norman-Burgdolf, Julie Buck, Pam Daniels, Dan Remley, Lisa Graves, Margaret Jenkins, Gayle Price

Dietetics and Human Nutrition Faculty Publications

The Cooperative Extension System translates research to practice and “brings the University to the people” throughout the U.S. However, the system suffers from program duplication and is challenged to scale-out effective programs. One program, Dining with Diabetes (DWD), stands out for its dissemination to multiple states. DWD is a community-based program aimed at improving diabetes management, nutrition, and physical activity behaviors. DWD was coordinated through a national working group and implemented by state Extension systems. A pragmatic, quasi-experimental study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of the national coordination model and the overall impact of DWD. Four states reported data …

Food For Thought: The Relationship Between Nutrition And Academic Performance, Sarah Freeman

Honors Projects in Science and Technology

Nutrition has been shown to impact the level of cognitive function in individuals. Through the analysis of nutritional diets, this new research will aim to uncover the impact that diet has on cognitive function of Bryant University students by analyzing their ability to perform on a variety of cognitive assessments. This study will provide recommendations to students at Bryant University on what they should eat so they can perform their best academically. This research will also investigate whether Bryant University is offering the best food for students to eat setting them up for success.

Evaluation Of Artificial Sweeteners: Their Effects On Ice Cream Properties And Public Acceptance, Gwyneth Hadasa

Honors Theses

Background: The public is becoming more health conscious while sugar consumption, particularly frozen desserts, remains high. An evaluation of sugar alternatives that can maintain integrity of a product while providing fewer deleterious effects is necessary.

Objective: To assess the impacts of sugar alternatives on homemade vanilla ice cream while gathering information on a community’s opinion of the effects.

Method: Ice cream samples made with sugar (control), Sweet’N Low®, Equal®, Splenda®, Stevia®, and monk fruit sweeteners were prepared for a taste test. A sensory evaluation was conducted on March 31, 2022 at Ouachita Baptist University. Microsoft Excel® was utilized to conduct …

A Targeted Nutrition Protocol For The Prevention And Treatment Of Depression: A Systematic Review Of The Evidence, Nicole Koci, Camilla A. Mirkin

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

Rates of depression have been rising steadily over the last several decades with more than 264 million people affected, making it one of the top three burdens globally. The pandemic has brought on a greater risk of depression. Forty-two percent of individuals surveyed in December 2020 by the US Census Bureau reported depressive symptoms. Many factors, including poor diet quality, play a role in the development of depression during traumatic events like the pandemic. A low-quality dietary pattern has been associated with obesity, low-grade chronic inflammation, dysbiosis, increased cortisol levels and monoamine neurotransmitter deficiency. Among others, these factors have been …

Plant Wise, Sophia Llamas

Honors Projects

Conceptually, Plant Wise is the key to bridging the gap between preconceived ideas about vegan and vegetarianism and successfully integrating plant-based foods into your everyday life. Physically, Plant Wise is a self-educational, interactive booklet chock-full of activities intended for users to complete at their own pace. Inside this 56-page booklet, there are recipes, doodling spaces, weekly check sheets, activities to do with friends and family, challenges, and so much more. Plant Wise utilizes these activities and journaling opportunities throughout as a self-reflective vehicle to give users an experience to reflect on, which aids in the retention of what’s been learned …

Evaluation Of Nutrition Intervention In The Senior Population, Stephanie K. Fonseca

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

Average life expectancy has steadily increased with each passing year and is estimated to continue increasing in years to come. Reports show that the number of people aged 65 or older has increased from 6% of the population in the 1960’s, to 12% in the year 2000, to 16% of the total population in 2015.¹ This number is expected to increase to almost 20% of the population by the year 2050.¹ Striving towards healthy aging can help the growing senior population to live the best possible life in their later years. Nutrition education is one area of learning …

El Salvador's Food Clock, Zarea Collins

Undergraduate Research Conference

The initial concept stemmed from an honors project collaboration. The project was a research paper on the evolution of El Salvador’s food culture. Topics discussed were El Salvador's food culture, focusing on the history, staple foods, food medicine, dietetics, and how the country has been impacted by the expansion of globalization. Additionally, the relationship between medical conditions and how dietitians respond to them are further explored. Globalization has negatively impacted El Salvador's health status, dietary practices, and ingrained poor habits that will be carried on for generations.

“Many People Have No Idea”: A Qualitative Analysis Of Healthcare Barriers Among Yazidi Refugees In The Midwestern United States, Falah Rashoka, Megan S. Kelley, Jeong‑Kyun Choi, Marc A. Garcia, Weiwen Chai, Hazim N. Rashawka

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has shed new light on inequities in healthcare access faced by immigrant and refugee communities. To address ongoing disparities, there is an urgent need for ecological approaches to better understand the barriers that hinder and resources that facilitate access to healthcare. This study investigates barriers to healthcare system access faced by Yazidi refugees in the Midwestern United States.

Methods: Informed by the Interpretative Phenomenological Approach, three focus group meetings with a community advisory board were conducted between September 2019 and January 2020. The nine-member focus group included social workers, healthcare providers, and members of …

Changes In The Female Athlete Triad Knowledge After Educational Intervention: A Pilot Study, Kate Buckley

Student Research Symposium

A 10-Minute educational intervention, investigating knowledge of the Female Athlete Triad among USU Female athletes. Knowledge was assessed using a 7 question survey both before the educational intervention and after to compare knowledge scores.

Dietetic Student Perceptions Of Interdisciplinary Teams, Mckenna Voorhees

Student Research Symposium

Introduction: Interdisciplinary/interprofessional collaboration (IDC) is an important component of healthcare delivery through which providers can efficiently and effectively meet the diverse and complex care needs of patients/clients. Interprofessional education (IPE) enables the acquisition of skills needed for IDC. Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) function as important members of interdisciplinary teams; as such, shifts in dietetic program accreditation standards currently require the incorporation of IPE in curricula. A broad exploration of interdisciplinary dietetic student attitudes is needed to pinpoint target areas of improvement in IPE to promote effective participation in future IDC among RDNs. Objectives: To examine overall dietetic student attitudes of …

How Demographic And Social Factors Correlate With The Perception Of Gluten And Gluten Sensitivity (Gs), Grace White

Scholar Week 2016 - present

Learning Objective: To determine which of the presented demographic and social factors correlate with GS or gluten misconceptions to discover potential contributors of GS.

Background: With an increase in GS cases, an exploration and understanding of how demographic and social factors such as gender, ethnicity, economic status, family/friend behavior, and social media correlate with GS and the perception of gluten was sought after.

Method: The researcher constructed a survey that was reviewed by 13 individuals for content, clarity, and internal consistency. The survey was sent out to the student body (2,658) at a small Midwestern university. The final …

The Impact Of Food Prices On College Students' Food Choices, Caroline Boehne

Scholar Week 2016 - present

Learning Outcome: Recognize the need for nutrition education among college students as it relates to health-conscious food purchases and the effect that price of nutrient-dense foods has on college students’ food purchases.

Introduction: Mulik & Haynes-Maslow (2019), noted purchasing healthy foods is often more expensive than unhealthy counterparts. The inability to afford nutrient-dense foods may lead to future health complications. Research results support the need for nutrition education for college students.

Methods: A quantitative online survey was administered to 2,658 college students, n=133. The survey combined Croker’s (2016) General Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire to evaluate students’ understanding of nutrition and …

Influence Of Acute Water Ingestion And Prolonged Standing On Raw Bioimpedance And Subsequent Body Fluid And Composition Estimates, Grant M. Tinsley, Matthew T. Stratton, Patrick S. Harty, Abegale D. Williams, Sarah J. White, Christian Rodriguez, Jacob R. Dellinger, Baylor A. Johnson, Robert W. Smith, Eric T. Trexler

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

This study evaluated the influence of acute water ingestion and maintaining an upright posture on raw bioimpedance and subsequent estimates of body fluids and composition. Twenty healthy adults participated in a randomized crossover study. In both conditions, an overnight food and fluid fast was followed by an initial multi-frequency bioimpedance assessment (InBody 770). Participants then ingested 11 mL/kg of water (water condition) or did not (control condition) during a 5-minute period. Thereafter, bioimpedance assessments were performed every 10 minutes for one hour with participants remaining upright throughout. Linear mixed effects models were used to examine the influence of condition and …

Creating Sustainable, High-Performance Silkworm Fibers Inspired By Neurodegenerative Disease (Amyloids), Gavin Christensen

Student Research Symposium

Amyloids present in neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer’s, have a devastating effect on neurons at a microscopic level. The aggregation of amyloid plaque in neuronal synapses prevents communication between brain cells, resulting in decreased cognitive function. The ability of amyloids to form these plaques on a microscopic scale can potentially increase the strength of silkworm silk fibers when utilized on a macroscopic scale. Amyloids, by nature, have a high beta sheet concentration that forms beta nanocrystals when incorporated into the silkworm genome via CRISPR-Cas9. Silkworm silk, with select amyloid and spider silk gene sequences, poses a strong candidate for a biosynthetic …

Factors That Influence Dietetic Interns' Dietary Practices, Jenna Sacks, Breann Mcfarlane, Courtney Weese, Katie Thompson

Student Research Symposium

Background: The dietetic internship is a rigorous supervised practice experience that all future registered dietitians must complete. Research suggests that environmental and social factors may affect dietary choices. No studies have been done to evaluate if the rigorous internship experience affects interns’ dietary practices. Objective: The objective of this focus group research study was to gather opinions from various dietetic interns to understand what factors of the internship experience, if any, affected interns’ dietary habits and preferences. It was hypothesized that environmental and social factors from the dietetic internship would impact interns’ dietary habits. Design: Qualitative data was collected via …

The Effect Of Diet On Muc2 Gene Expression In The Colon Mucosa, Abi Weaver

Student Research Symposium

The objective of this study is to determine how a change in diet affects the expression of Muc2 in the colon mucosa at three different timepoints of inflammation.

A Study On The Impact Of Diet On Unified Fire Authority Firefighter Performance, Marin Easton

Student Research Symposium

Objective: This project aimed to examine the impact of nutrition knowledge, dietary intake, and physical activity on firefighters’ performance on their routine physical assessment (RPA) Methodology: Members of the Unified Fire Authority were invited via email to participate in this cross-sectional study. Participants (N=92) completed a 40-question survey that assessed specialized diet adherence, dietary intake, nutrition knowledge (using questions from the General Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire; 1 point for each correct answer [26 points possible]), regular physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire), and perceived physical performance on their RPA. Based on their responses, participants were categorized into one of two groups: …

Comparison Of Flavonoid Intake Assessment Methods Using Usda And Phenol Explorer Databases: Subcohort Diet, Cancer And Health-Next Generations—Max Study, Fabian Lanuza, Nicola P. Bondonno, Raul Zamora-Ros, Agnetha Linn Rostgaard-Hansen, Anne Tjønneland, Rikard Landberg, Jytte Halkjær, Cristina Andres-Lacueva

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Flavonoids are bioactive plant compounds that are widely present in the human diet. Estimating flavonoid intake with a high degree of certainty is challenging due to the inherent limitations of dietary questionnaires and food composition databases. This study aimed to evaluate the degree of reliability among flavonoid intakes estimated using four different approaches based on the two most comprehensive flavonoid databases, namely, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Phenol Explorer (PE). In 678 individuals from the MAX study, a subcohort of the Diet, Cancer and Health-Next Generations cohort, dietary data were collected using three 24-h diet recalls over 1 …

Growing Up Healthy: A Study On Young Adults And Their Readiness To Transition To Independent Healthcare, Annabelle Heddell

2022 Awards for Excellence in Student Research and Creative Activity - Documents

Healthcare is a lifelong journey that involves changes, decision making, and awareness of health needs and concerns. As children grow up and age out of the pediatric system, transitioning occurs. Healthcare transitioning (HCT) is a process that assists individuals with the different stages of their health journey. Transition readiness is derived from the concept of health care transitioning, which is generally defined as “the process of shifting from pediatric to adultfocused care” (Kelemen et al., 2014, p. 1062). A more in-depth definition describes health care transitioning as the “process of purposeful, planned movement of adolescents with chronic medical conditions from …

Shinetagantsi: Un Caso De La Alimentación Materna E Infantil Y Medicina Intercultural Durante Lactancia En La Comunidad Nativa De Palotoa Teparo, Layne Scopano

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Con un enfoque antropológico, esta investigación analiza las percepciones del cuidado desde los sistemas médicos occidentales y la medicina tradicional de las madres de la comunidad nativa de Palotoa Teparo en la Amazonía peruana en lo que respecta a la nutrición durante la lactancia. Los resultados de este estudio, obtenidos a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas y observación directa e indirecta, permiten describir el estado nutricional de las madres de Palotoa Teparo durante la lactancia y su relación con la nutrición infantil, señalar las prácticas de salud, tanto occidental como tradicional, relevantes para el estado nutricional de las madres y los …

Encouraging Healthier Habits In Children, Krysta Hughes

IPS/BAS 495 Undergraduate Capstone Projects

Childhood obesity rates in America are the highest they've ever been. In this research we are focused on encouraging healthier habits in children. The method used was an observational, cross-sectional online survey of 5 children and 4 parents. All of the children and parents wanted to pick healthier behaviors after reading my book. A Qualtrics survey was used to record each surveyor's response. Further research on this topic should include researching how many children have began to implement healthier habits and measure if the rate of obesity in children has been affected through yearly health visits.

Identification And Evaluation Of Tools Utilised For Measuring Food Provision In Childcare Centres And Primary Schools: A Systematic Review, Audrey Elford, Cherice Gwee, Maliney Veal, Rati Jani, Ros Sambell, Shabnam Kashef, Penelope Love

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Children aged 2–11 years spend significant hours per week in early childhood education and care (ECEC) and primary schools. Whilst considered important environments to influence children’s food intake, there is heterogeneity in the tools utilised to assess food provision in these settings. This systematic review aimed to identify and evaluate tools used to measure food provision in ECEC and primary schools. Methods: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) was followed. Publications (2003–2020) that implemented, validated, or developed measurement tools to assess food provision within ECEC or primary schools were included. Two reviewers extracted and evaluated studies, cross …

Assessing Satisfaction With Bi-Weekly Produce Deliveries As A Means To Reduce Food Insecurity On College Campuses, Sophie Crosby

Senior Theses

Background: As food insecurity disproportionately affects college students and students are often unable to receive government nutritional assistance, more lasting, sustainable interventions are needed to decrease food insecurity on college campuses. The purpose of this study was to measure the satisfaction of the FoodShare program, a low-cost, biweekly fresh produce delivery, at the University of South Carolina. The purpose of this study was to pilot FoodShare’s program with adaptations to the University of South Carolina and examine participants’ experience with the program. Methods: Forty-three students, faculty, and staff purchased boxes over a three-month period. FoodShare boxes were purchased and delivered …

El Impacto De La Pandemia En La Formación De Los Hábitos De Alimentación En Niñes Pequeñes En La Villa 21-24 En Barracas, Buenos Aires / The Impact Of The Pandemic In The Creation Of Nutritional Habits In Young Children In Villa 21-24 In Barracas, Buenos Aires, Hannah Seewald

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Durante la Pandemia COVID-19 en Argentina, la inflación aumentó, y el desempleo aumentó especialmente entre los trabajadores informales, lo que dejó a muchos de ellos dependientes de los comedores comunitarios y de la ayuda nutricional para alimentar a sus familias. La violencia doméstica y la pobreza aumentaron aún más. Problemas estructurales como la falta de agua potable y los cortes de luz, situaciones que suelen enfrentar los habitantes de la Villa 21-24, Barracas, Buenos Aires, continuaron. Las escuelas se cerraron y la instrucción presencial se suspendió, en ese contexto los grupos comunitarios trabajaron para alcanzar los suministros adecuados de alimentos. …

A Review On Empirical Approach To Therapeutic Recombinant Protein Production Factories: Applications, Pharmacokinetics And Challenges, Zahra Naz, Ambreen Kanwal, Asima Tayyeb

Journal of Bioresource Management

Major portion of the proteins in a cell refers to their critical roles in metabolism of the living body. Proteins dysfunction results in the severe disorders which need to be treated in time. For this, respective proteins can be extracted by the external sources and be supplied to the human beings. Such medicinal proteins are known as therapeutic proteins (TPs). This review summarizes some of the key areas about these miracle proteins like their types, classification, production factories, routes of administration, pharmacokinetics, and potential applications. Furthermore, challenges and hurdles faced in getting a potential protein drug, its FDA approval and …

Vitamin A Rich Foods Consumption Of Women And Children From Selected Region In Uganda, Joyce Nankumbi

Doctoral Dissertations

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) remains a public health concern in low- and middle-income countries. Young children and women in the reproductive age group, particularly pregnant and lactating women, continue to experience vitamin A deficiency resulting in the risk of morbidity and mortality. Efforts to combat vitamin A deficiency have been tested with some success especially with school-based vitamin A supplementation programs. However, cost issues and reaching the most vulnerable individuals presents a formidable challenge. Globally, food-based approaches have been identified as a sustainable and effective strategy in improving vitamin A status and alleviating VAD. This dissertation provides an overview of …

Tackling Protein-Calorie Malnutrition During World Crises, Zahra Ali Padhani, Jai K. Das, Saeed Akhtar, Tariq Ismail, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta

Woman and Child Health

Undernutrition is still highly prevalent in developing countries and leads to a multitude of problems as it weakens the immune system, which leads to increased risk of infections and diet-related diseases. COVID-19 has worsened the existing situation and has resulted in unprecedented health, social, and economic disruptions across the world. Before COVID-19, about 54% children under 5 years were moderately or seriously malnourished, and after the COVID-19 pandemic, early estimates suggest that an additional 2.6 million children were stunted; 9.3 million were wasted, with an addition of 2.1 million maternal anemia cases; 168,000 child deaths; and USD 29.7 billion in …

Optimal Iron Content In Ready-To-Use Therapeutic Foods For The Treatment Of Severe Acute Malnutrition In The Community Settings: A Protocol For The Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Aamer Imdad, Melissa François, Fanny F. Chen, Abigail Smith, Olivia Tsistinas, Emily Tanner Smith, Jai K. Das, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Introduction: The current standard of care for children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) involves using ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) to promote growth; however, the precise formulation to achieve optimal recovery remains unclear. Emerging research suggests that alternative RUTF formulations may be more effective in correcting SAM-related complications such as anaemia and iron deficiency. This systematic review commissioned by the WHO aims to synthesise the most recent research on the iron content in RUTF and related products in the community-based treatment of uncomplicated severe malnutrition in children aged 6 months and older.
Methods and analysis: We will search multiple electronic databases. …

Influence Of Fertilizer Rate On Swollen Stem Formation (“Bulbing”) And Vitamin C Content In Different Kohlrabi Cultivars, Mark Iradukunda, Paul E. Read

Honors Theses

Kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea Gongylodes Group) is a vegetable crop found in the Brassicaceae, and it is rich in antioxidants such as vitamin C. Vitamin C helps in oxidative damage repair and strengthens the immune system, so exploring vitamin C sources may contribute to improving human health. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of different fertilizer rates on kohlrabi yield, in terms of the swollen stem and the vitamin C content, and if those effects are similar in different kohlrabi cultivars. In this greenhouse study, we fertilized four potted kohlrabi cultivars with a common water-soluble greenhouse fertilizer …

Ingredient Classification Using Food Ontology, Ricky Flores

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

A food label provides some of the most crucial information for a food product. The food label is a key resource for many health-conscious consumers for understanding ingredients. It is also vital for individuals to avoid food allergens or help patients follow dietary recommendations. While the food labels in the United States are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) many labels contain additional information or statements that are not regulated. Moreover, the food label may be complex or contain terminology that the layperson may not understand. Evidence has indicated that consumers often find nutrition labels confusing, especially when …