International and Community Nutrition Commons^™

Socio-Demographic Disparities In Diet Quality Among Utah Residents, Palak Gupta, Lendel K. Narine

Transforming Communities

Diet quality significantly influences health outcomes, with socio-demographic factors playing a crucial role in shaping dietary behaviors. This study aims to investigate the dietary behaviors and socio-demographic characteristics of Utah residents, highlighting disparities in diet quality and the underlying factors contributing to these differences. Using a sample of 1,522 adults, data on socio-demographic characteristics, diet quality, and food expenditure were collected via an online survey in April and May 2023. The modified Rapid Eating Assessment for Participants-Shortened Version (REAP-S) was used to assess diet quality. Results indicate that respondents spent about 30% of their monthly income on food, reflecting a …

Food Security - What It Is And Why It Matters, Makell Corry, Palak Gupta

All Current Publications

Insufficient access to safe and nutritious foods can severely impact physical, mental, and social well-being. Without proper nutrition, focus levels, energy, and immune system support can decline, leading to long-term health challenges. This fact sheet addresses the pillars of food security and reviews government programs that help address insufficient food. It also offers recommendations of ways to volunteer to address the problem in your community.

Nourishtank: An Innovative Program On Solving Hunger, Palak Gupta, Ashley Sullivan, Kristin Hoch, Lea Palmer, Jocelin Gibson, Mateja Savoie-Roskos, Heidi Leblanc

Outcomes and Impact Quarterly

NourishTank, a Shark Tank-style event, saw students propose food and nutrition insecurity solutions. Twenty-eight students formed 11 teams, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration. The winning idea, 'Farm2Fork Gone Mobile,' earned $1,000 toward their proposed project. NourishTank, through partnerships and media, highlights student-driven efforts combating food insecurity and raising awareness.

Organization Of A Community Garden Program Through Utah State University Food $Ense And Master Gardener Extension Programs For Low-Income Families In Logan, Utah, Jackie Hendrickson

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Nearly 12.3% of American households are food insecure. In Cache County, Utah, specifically, the rates of food insecurity are even higher (15%). Addressing the issue of food insecurity improves physical/mental health outcomes, childhood cognitive/physical development, family environments, and decreases healthcare costs. Evidence-based strategies to improve food security include increasing one’s access to fresh fruits and vegetables and improving self-efficacy. Community gardens are recognized as an initiative that improve participant’s levels of food security. In Utah, a number of community gardens exist, but none focus on food insecure individuals or include a curriculum of basic gardening and nutrition skills. Utah State …

A Sensory-Based Multi-Component School-Based Nutrition Intervention Among Fifth-Grade Students, Stacy Lyn Bevan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The nutritional status of children is declining as evidenced by the steady rise in childhood obesity rates over the last three decades. Consuming five servings of fruit and vegetables (FV) daily has shown to help with weight maintenance, but children are consuming far less than the recommended servings. This study was designed to test the efficacy of a sensory-focused multi-component school-based program at increasing vegetable intake among fifth-graders. Classroom, family, and community components allowed children to explore thirteen target vegetables with their senses including taste. Vegetable consumption was measured by digitalized observations of lunchtime vegetable selection and consumption. Vegetable acceptance …

Assessment Of Calcium, Milk, And Non-Milk Beverage Intake Of Multiethnic Youth Aged 10 To 18 Years, J. Keith Jensen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Achieving and maintaining maximal peak bone mass is critical to the prevention of osteoporosis. Adequate calcium intake during youth is a major aspect of proper bone mass development. Because of the importance of calcium, a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) that estimates calcium intake of 10- to 18-year-old Asian, Hispanic, and white youth living in the western United States was developed. This new FFQ was shown to accurately and reliably estimate calcium intake of these youth. Accuracy among Hispanics, however, was low and requires further evaluation. A second study examined intake of calcium, milk, and non-milk beverages of Hispanic and non-Hispanic …

The Obesity Epidemic: Characteristics Of Successful Weight Management Programs And Colorado's Approach, Michele Singer

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Obesity is rapidly growing in the United States with no sign of decreasing with current treatment options available to Americans (1). There are many treatments for obesity, but few are effective. The State of Colorado has numerous community nutrition programs available to its residents ranging from government programs such as universities and state health departments to healthcare providers and volunteer organizations such as the American Heart Association. Current treatments that are available for overweight and obese individuals include commercial programs, popular diet books, Internet programs, and individualized counseling. This paper will discuss different treatments and their efficacy, successful weight loss …

Factors Influencing Milk Consumption In An Elementary School Lunch Program, Andrea G. Payne

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

This study investigated milk consumption in an elementary school and whether it could be affected by milk temperature and/or nutrition education. This study was of interest because of the increasing amount of nutritionally related diseases, and the effect that calcium intake could have in diminishing some of those diseases. It was also of interest because the younger generation is drinking less milk and more soda, therefore setting themselves up for nutritionally related diseases later in life.

The study was conducted at an elementary school containing grades K-5. The study was conducted Monday through Friday for a seven week time period. …

Factors That Influence High School Student Participation In United States Department Of Agriculture School Lunch Nutrition Programs, Rebecca S. Mckinnon

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

The survey investigated factors that influenced high school student participation in the National School Lunch Program. The National School Lunch program provides nutritionally balanced meals based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the Recommended Dietary Allowances, and the Food Guide Pyramid. This nutrition program contributes significantly to the nutrient needs of adolescents, however, participation rates are low and students do not receive the health benefits associated with this nutrition program when they do not participate.

The survey was conducted in two high schools, both with grades sophomore through senior. The two high schools had distinct differences in location, cafeteria design …

Predicting Successful Weight Loss Maintenance With The Health Locus Of Control And Other Behavioral Modification Factors, Kimberley Ann Mcmahon

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

The purpose of this study was to determine if health locus of control (LOC) is a reliable indicator of weight Joss maintenance. It was hypothesized that a high internal locus of control (ILOC) is a reliable indicator for weight loss maintenance in individuals, while external locus of control (ELOC) contributes to weight re-gain after weight loss.

The study involved 203 adults who completed a seven section questionnaire. Subjects were separated into groups based on their sub-category of locus of control, as well as their degree within the sub-category (high, moderate, or low in either internal (ILOC), external (ELOC), or fate, …

Conjunctival Impression Cytology Assessment Of Vitamin A Status Of Migrant Children, Laura Nihan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Subclinical vitamin A deficiency was assessed in 65 Hispanic children attending four migrant Head Start programs in Utah. Subjects aged 2 to 6 years (median 3 years 10 months) were examined for evidence of vitamin A deficiency by conjunctival impression cytology. Biochemical indices for serum vitamin A, retinol-binding protein, zinc, and iron were performed.

Of eight children (12.5%) with subclinical vitamin A deficiency, one child had a marginal serum vitamin A of 11 μg/dl. Retinol-binding protein concentrations were significantly lower in two subjects with abnormal conjunctival impression cytology. Serum zinc, which when low can mimic signs of ocular vitamin …

Nutritional Screening Of Utah Rural And Urban Elderly, Rachel Taylor Rood

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The population of Americans over age 65 is expected to increase from a reported 12 percent in 1988 to 22 percent by the year 2030. Nutrition screening and intervention can help combat the rising need for health care and other services among the elderly by preventing or delaying disability and dependency.

This study was designed to determine the degree of nutritional risk present within the elderly population in rural and urban areas in the state of Utah by conducting an initial nutrition screening using the Determine Your Nutritional Health checklist developed by the Nutrition Screening Initiative. Congregate meal sites were …

The Contribution Of Meats To Energy And Essential Nutrient Intakes Of Women In The United States, C. Dian Martin

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study used the 1987-88 USDA Nationwide Food Consumption Survey to investigate the contribution meat products make to intakes of nutrients at risk of inadequate or excessive consumption by women. The study is unique in that meat nutrients were extracted from mixed dishes, providing a more accurate picture of consumption. Cluster analysis was used to classify nonpregnant, nonlactating women 19 years and older based on their consumption patterns of total meat and individual meats (beef, poultry, processed meats, pork and seafoods) as percent of caloric intake.

Total fat and SFA intakes exceeded National Research Council (NRC) goals regardless of meat …

The Impact Of Nutrition Education On Dietary Behavior And Iron Status In Participants Of The Supplemental Food Program For Women, Infants And Children, And The Expanded Food And Nutrition Education Program, Nedra K. Christensen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study was conducted to determine the impact of nutrition education on participants of the Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP). The specific objectives were to: 1) determine the impact of participation in EFNEP on iron status as assessed by hematocrit (hct) and ferritin levels; 2) determine the effect of nutrition knowledge on hct and ferritin values; and 3) determine the effect dietary behavior has on hct and ferritin levels for both WIC and EFNEP participants.

Each study participant completed a 24-hour dietary recall record plus food frequency …

Characteristics Related To The Incidence Of Osteoporosis In Two Distinct Female Populations, Deborah A. Pyke

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Osteoporosis is responsible for approximately 1.3 to 1.5 million fractures per year in the United States. The risk of osteoporosis increases with age, especially among postmenopausal women, and with lifestyle factors such as the use of certain drugs, heavy alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, high caffeine intake, and sedentary living. Genetic factors that may influence susceptibility to osteoporosis include a positive family history of the disease, or a low weight - for-height ratio. In some cases, race and geographic location may increase or decrease the risk of osteoporosis. Known protective factors include obesity, estrogen replacement therapy, weight bearing exercise, and possibly …

Using Adaptive Conjoint Analysis And Market Simulations To Determine The Effect And Usefulness Of Nutrition Label Information In Consumer Purchase Decisions, Constance J. Geiger

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Nutrition labeling research suggests consumers want nutrition information on the label; however, many do not comprehend it. The purpose of Phase I was to determine the effect of: 1. two levels of nutrition label formats; 2. three levels of nutrition information load on consumers' preference for product choice using adaptive conjoint analysis. A computer interactive interview was conducted on 252 consumers in Crossroads Mall, Salt Lake City, Utah. label alternatives were printed on soup cans to realistically portray the information. The conjoint analysis compared the attributes, nutrition information format, and nutrition information load in addition to brand and price and …

Vitamin A Status, Anthropometric Measurements, And Food Practices Of Women Of Childbearing Age And Their Preschool Children In Northeast Brazil, Susan Ahlstrom Henderson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Vitamin A nutrition status was evaluated in 110 pairs of women and their preschool children at rural health posts in two different ecological regions of Northeast Brazil. Serum retinol and carotene, weight, height, tricep skinfold and mid-arm circumference were measured from each mother and child. Nutrition knowledge of mothers, socioeconomic living conditions and consumption of retinol and carotene food sources were assessed.

Nine children (8 percent) and one mother had less than acceptable serum retinol (less than 20 μg/dl). Additionally, 21 percent of the children and six percent of the mothers had "low" serum carotene levels. Thirty-seven percent and 57 …

Nutrient Intakes Of An Elderly Nursing Home Population, Gaynell Hutson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A dietary nutrient intake study of ninety-five residents of a nursing home in a rural community was conducted. Nutrient intakes were determined for seven consecutive days using the method of weighing food served and weighing food left by subjects. Patients on regular, diabetic, soft and sodium restricted diets were included in the study. Snacks consumed between meals and vitamin and mineral supplements were included in the nutrient intakes.

Height, weight, body mass index, tricept skinfold measurement and serum blood laboratory data were obtained for each subject. Activity levels were also determined.

Results showed the mean caloric intake of the men …

Nutritional Anemias In Selected Countries, Wun-Yuan Mei

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Blood is a constantly changing, highly complex tissue which is concerned with the transport of cell nutrients, the elimination of wastes, and the maintenance of chemical equilibrium. The mature red blood cell takes about seven and half days to develop, then has a life cycle of 120 days. Many factors are involved in this complicated process. Many nutrients are required for the frame-work of the red blood cells and in the hemoglobin within these cells.

Anemia is a condition in which there is a reduction in the total circulating hemoglobin. Anemias may be described biochemically in terms of lowered hemoglobin …