Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Aunt Patti's Good Cooking: An Anti-Inflammatory Cookbook And Guide, Emma Starkman

Honors Theses

The concept for this project is a cookbook full of anti-inflammatory recipes and information about the diet. These include some of my favorite recipes that I have somehow modified to align more with the diet. There are also sections that give readers information about the diet including what the types of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory foods are, tips for eating out, how to stock the pantry, and more.

The Stigmatization Of Eating Disorders Based On Cultures: The South Vs The World, Maria Urbina Turcios

Honors Theses

Introduction: Eating Disorders (ED) are a current pandemic affecting boys, girls, men, and women of all ages, races, sizes, and backgrounds. Just in the United States alone, nine percent of the population, or 28.8 million Americans, will have an eating disorder in their lifetime.¹ This statistic only takes into account the people who sought help, but there are still millions that go untreated or undiagnosed throughout their lifetime. According to the American Psychiatric Association, ED is defined as behavioral conditions characterized by severe and persistent disturbance in eating behaviors and associated distressing thoughts and emotions.³ Some of the …

Freestyle: A Guide To Making Swimming Nutrition Simple, Megan Wills

Undergraduate Theses

Nutrition plays a critical role in the performance of an athlete. Although academic research surrounding the topic has increased, there is a disproportionate increase in materials created for the athletes themselves. Regarding competitive swimming, the scope of athlete-friendly instructional materials is even more limited. Therefore, there is an inherent disconnect between the academic research on the topic of competitive swimming nutrition and the athletes who need the information. The purpose of this project is to bridge the gap between the research and the content accessible for athletes themselves. Using an interpretive and simplistic approach, the available academic research was used …

The Perceptions And Effects Of Nutrition On Worker Health And Productivity In Construction, Matthew Scott Howell

Construction Management

Construction workers often have poor dietary habits due to poor nutrition education, lack of nutritious food options, and social stigma. These habits often lead to health problems like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease which can decrease productivity and put workers at risk of on-site injury. This preliminary study examines how nutrition impacts worker safety and productivity. A survey was distributed to six students involved in construction work for Cal Poly’s Residential Construction course. This survey identified their eating habits and inhibitors for healthy eating. Two meals, one with high nutritional value and one with low nutritional value, were given to …

Effects Of A 12-Week Plant-Based Diet Program On Obese And Overweight Adults In Rural Michigan, Nadine Larcher

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background

Overweight and obesity among adults are a rising epidemic in the U.S. Obesity is a risk factor for many chronic diseases and impacts morbidity and mortality. Despite our high-tech medical care system in the U.S., we are losing the war on obesity due to not addressing the underlying problems. These include unhealthy lifestyles and an unhealthy diet. A growing body of research studies has shown that adopting a low-fat whole food plant-based diet (WFPBD) regime consisting of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and no animal-based products is an effective measure to counteract the rising pandemic of chronic diseases related …

Ideal Body Weight And Body Fat Percentage Predict Relative Energy Deficiency In Sport (Red-S) Scores In Collegiate Athletes, Emily Norman

Theses and Dissertations--Nutrition and Food Systems

Background: Low energy availability (LEA) is the underlying cause of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) which negatively affects athletes' physiological function, health, and performance. RED-S results from inadequate dietary intake to support energy expenditure for daily living, growth, and optimal performance. It occurs in both male and female athletes, with or without disordered eating. However, screening and diagnosis in athletes can be difficult. Objective: This study aims to identify strong predictors of RED-S and assess its prevalence in collegiate male and female athletes. Methods: A total of 270 NCAA athlete test points from mixed sports were evaluated for RED-S …

Elucidating The Impact Of Western Diet On Bone Marrow Cytokine Signatures: Understanding Poor Outcomes In Susceptibility To Infection And Progression Of Cancer, Lahari Kondeti

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Among other disease outcomes, obesity is associated with 1) reduction in long-lasting immune protection and 2) acquisition of cancer. Given our interest in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) dynamics, we questioned if similar mechanisms in the bone marrow microenvironment contribute to obesity-induced HSPC alterations responsible for 1) decreased immune protection and 2) transformation of HSPCs in the pathogenesis of hematologic malignancies. The negative effects of obesity on immune protection are most notably established in influenza models. Influenza infection susceptibility is increased and influenza vaccine-induced immunity wains in obese individuals. Ongoing studies aim to define mechanisms for waning immunity at …

Nutrition Care For The Transgender Population: A Retrospective Study To Investigate Relationships Between The Nutrition Care Process Model And Patient Outcomes, Alana Minnee Marrero Gonzalez

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

One of the most important roles of the registered dietitian nutritionist is to provide medical nutrition therapy that is fitting to an individual’s culture, reality, ethnicity, and dietary preferences. A review of existing literature exposes the lack of information available on LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) health, for transgender communities. The purpose of this research was to generate knowledge of the nutrition-related problems and barriers to adequate nutrition and health, and their impact in nutrition assessment in a sample of Hispanic transgender adult patients living in San Juan, Puerto Rico. A retrospective observational study was conducted, data from 114 …

Milk Thistle Supplementation And Exercise To Influence Bilirubin And Body Weight Outcomes, Don Arthur Matutina

Theses and Dissertations--Nutrition and Food Systems

Background: Traditional obesity treatment is ineffective as rates are still on the rise, thus necessitating novel treatments. Plasma bilirubin, once thought as only a clinical marker of liver disease, is now considered an important hormone, correlated with better outcomes within certain metabolic disease states such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. This is largely due to bilirubin’s role in promoting fatty acid oxidation via its interaction with PPARα and its antioxidant capacities to reduce lipid peroxidation. Possible methods of mildly increasing plasma bilirubin may provide a novel obesity treatment. Objective: To evaluate if Silmarin supplementation via milk thistle, exercise, or a …

Walking The Talk: A Qualitative Exploration Of Gatekeeping Staff Perceptions Surrounding Implementation Of Nutrition Policy In Florida Food Banks, Rachel Lynn Mccandless

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Food insecurity is an independent risk factor for adverse health outcomes; providing nutrient-dense food through the emergency food system to individuals who regularly seek assistance can impact population-level health disparities. This research explored the extrinsic and intrinsic barriers and facilitators surrounding formal nutrition policy implementation as seen by the logistical gatekeepers in a sample of Feeding Florida food banks. A secondary aim of this research was to explore the change readiness of these same logistical decision-makers in nutrition policy implementation. Research Questions included the following: What are the critical gatekeeping staff perceptions of the barriers and facilitators to implementing formal …

The Differences Between The Quality Of Life And Personal Health Profile Between Individuals Diagnosed With Celiac Disease And Those Who Follow A Gluten-Free Diet For Non-Celiac Reasons, Ellie Fuechtmann

Theses and Graduate Projects

Background: Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten proteins in wheat, barley, and rye, necessitating a strict gluten-free diet. However, many individuals without celiac disease are adopting gluten-free diets for various health reasons.

Purpose: This study compares the quality of life and health profile of individuals with celiac disease and those following a gluten-free diet for non-celiac reasons.

Methods: A survey was conducted and distributed via social media to people diagnosed with celiac disease and those adhering to a gluten-free diet non-celiac. The results were analyzed via Google Forms and Excel to better interpret the data for visualization. …

Development Of A Community-Based Plan For An Effective Behavioral Intervention To Reduce Childhood Obesity In A Rural Appalachian Community, Jennifer Stacy Wells

Theses and Dissertations--Nutrition and Food Systems

Rural children experience increased rates of obesity and reduced access to specialized weight management facilities, which makes receiving the recommended frequency of care difficult. Clinical-community partnerships, recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to expand access, have been shown to be a feasible strategy of care delivery. Examination of literature and stakeholder interviews were used to inform the development of a collaborative pediatric weight management program in a rural, Appalachian community. Screening articles as well as intervention articles were reviewed. Outcomes of screening articles reviewed included BMI measures (3), screening practices (7), and referral practices (4). Common outcomes of …

L-Menthol: An Emerging Athletic Performance Enhancing Aid, Maitham Khanafer

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

Background: L-menthol is an emerging athletic performance-enhancing aid. This review serves as an analytic report of existing controlled trials in the scientific literature that have investigated this compound as a sports aid when administered via the novel method of mouth rinsing followed by expectoration. Methods: Data on menthol mouth rinsing was sourced from EBSCO PowerSearch, Medline, and NCBI. In addition to a systematic review of existing literature, the current review outlines a detailed protocol to evaluate menthol mouth rinsing on a treadmill time-to-exhaustion test. This protocol adds an additional feature of conducting blood work examining any changes in energy substrate …

Effects That The Methylenetetrahydrofolate Gene Mutation (Both The C677t And A1298c Polymorphisms) Have On Both Men And Women’S Fertility Abilities And Subsequent Fetal Development, As Well As What Nutritional Changes Can Possibly Do To Aid In Reversing These Supposed Negative Effects., Elizabeth Simkanin

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This study discusses the perceived negative effects of variants (C677T and A1298C) of the methylenetetrahydrofolate (MTHFR) gene on male and female fertility and fetal development, as well as the potential for nutrition changes to aid in reversing these negative effects. This research project was completed in order to discuss the possible association with and connection between nutrition and fertility in both male and female individuals who have either of the two most common MTHFR gene polymorphisms, 677C>T and 1298A>C. These two polymorphisms are of particular interest because they are associated with the most decreased activity of the MTHFR …

Risk Of Low Energy Availability, Disordered Eating, And Menstrual Dysfunction In Female Recreational Runners, Marissa Miles

All Master's Theses

Running is characterized by high physiological demands with an emphasis on weight, which may lead to a greater risk of developing low energy availability (LEA) and/or disordered eating (DE). Recreational runners are a population that is often overlooked due to a lack of resources readily available to them. Purpose: This study investigated (1) the prevalence of menstrual dysfunction, risk of DE and LEA and (2) compare the risk of DE, training volume, and weight dissatisfaction between female recreational runners at risk for LEA versus not at risk for LEA. Methods: Female recreational runners (n= 1,923) completed an online questionnaire that …

Narrative Review: Food Image Use For Machine Learnings’ Function In Dietary Assessment And Real Time Nutrition Feedback And Education, Jason Fee

Masters Theses, 2020-current

Technology has played a key role in advancing the health and agriculture sectors to improve obesity rates, diseasecontrol, food waste, and overall health disparities. However, these health and lifestyle determinants continue to plague theUnited States population. While new technologies have been and are currently being developed to address these concerns, they may not be practical for the general population. Utilizing machine learning advancement in food recognition using smartphone technology may be a means to improve the dietary component of nutrition assessments while providing valuable nutrition feedback. This narrative review was conducted to assess the current state of the literature on …

Implementing Food Insecurity Screening On A College Campus, Norma Martinez

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Background. Students attending universities have higher rates of food insecurity than U.S. households. Most college campuses do not routinely screen students for food insecurity, which can affect students’ health and school performance. Currently, the university health clinic does not screen students for food insecurity. Purpose. To screen all students who present to the university clinic for food insecurity and evaluate students with food insecurity for malnutrition. Evidence. Foreman et al. (2018) and Abu and Oldewage-Theron (2019) found that food insecurity was present at some of the largest Texas universities at rates higher than the national average. Project Objectives. To screen …

Cross-Sectional Analysis Of The Relationship Between Adherence To The Mediterranean Diet And Mental Wellness, Gabrielle A. Jasmin

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

The Mediterranean Diet (MD) is a well-known healthy dietary pattern that continues to be recommended by literature due to its benefits of preventing chronic diseases and enhancing the overall health of the general public. With an abundance of literature focusing on the physical health benefits of MD, this study aimed to assess whether there is an association between adherence to MD and mental wellness, specifically levels of depression and anxiety. A random sample of 100 participants consented to complete an online survey to assess their adherence to MD and levels of depression and anxiety through the validated questionnaires of 14-item …

An Evaluation Of A Multidisciplinary Implementation Of Evidence Based Practice In Prediabetes, Emily Sisco

Dissertations

Abstract

Problem Over 70% of prediabetic patients progress to full diabetes. There are over 80 million American adults who are diabetic. Diabetes is the costliest chronic disease that often leads to many other health issues.

Methods This QI project utilized a descriptive observational design. Quantitative data was collected via retrospective chart review. Primary data collected was documentation of a patient visit to the registered dietician and the hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) of patients who followed up in the office after the referral.

Results Eight patients followed up to the office for a second visit (n=8). Four patients did see the registered …

Diabetic Ketoacidosis In Pediatric Patients, Jarrod Genther

Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)

Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Pediatric Patients

Jarrod Genther

Otterbein University

NURS 6810- Advanced Pathophysiology

Deana Batross, DNP & Shivani Bhatnagar, DNP

July 29, 2022

Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Pediatric Patients

Abstract

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a life-threatening complication in children with type 1 diabetes. Children with type 1 diabetes cannot produce endogenous insulin and must receive exogenous insulin to allow glucose influx into cells throughout the body for energy consumption. Without insulin, the child will progress to diabetic ketoacidosis. The covid-19 pandemic introduced new obstacles for patients with a predisposition for type 1 diabetes, presenting with a more profound acidosis, greater need for …

Impact Of Incorporating Intuitive Eating Principles Into A College Nutrition Course On Eating Behaviors, Kira L. Minot

Master's Theses

Objective: This study aimed to assess the impact of an online introductory college nutrition course that implements evidence-based intuitive eating (IE) concepts and principles on students’ application of IE behaviors. A secondary outcome explored the relationship between student grades and changes in IE behavior implementation. Researchers hypothesized an increase in the average use of IE practices post-intervention.

Methods: This study was a non-randomized pilot intervention using pre- and post-test surveys. Enrolled students completed the intuitive eating scale-2 (IES-2) survey on the first and last days of the 16-week course. Students participated in typical nutrition coursework throughout the semester with the …

A Review Of Dietary Monitoring Applications And Eating Disorder/Disordered Eating Symptomatology, Donald Mellott Jr.

Masters Theses, 2020-current

Eating disorders are among the deadliest mental illnesses in the United States. Given their high prevalence and low treatment rates, mitigating risk exposure is necessary for prevention. Dietary monitoring applications are highly popular self-monitoring tools that can inform dietary patterns and improve weight loss efficacy. However, they can also serve as a means for those with body preoccupation to restrict and possibly exacerbate disordered symptomatology. A literature search was conducted to identify research regarding the usage of dietary monitoring applications and eating disorder/disordered eating symptomatology. Twelve articles met inclusion criteria and are discussed in the review. An association between the …

The Development, Evaluation, And Pilot-Test Of A Nutrition Education Tool Kit At A Mobile Food Pantry In Virginia., Caitlin Swanson

Masters Theses, 2020-current

Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop, test and evaluate a nutrition education tool kit at a mobile food pantry (MFP) in rural Virginia.

Design: Cross-sectional, mixed methods approach using both quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate the effectiveness of a tool kit training at increasing participant self-efficacy, basic nutrition knowledge and perceived readiness to conduct a nutrition lesson with MFP guests. The ability for participants to translate the training into practice was also observed and documented.

Setting: Pilot tested on March 11^th 2020 at the Timberville Blue Ridge Area Food Bank MFP site.

Participants …

Comparing Intuitive Eating Behaviors Between Student Athletes And College Students Enrolled At The University Of Mississippi, Mary Mckennon Pierce

Honors Theses

Intuitive eating strives to consciously listen to the internal hunger and fullness cues our body provides, as humans often practiced long before counting calories and dieting existed. Rational thought, instinct, and emotion influence an intuitive eater’s decision-making and allow for full capability in navigating food decisions. While intuitive eating habits can benefit any individual, little research has compared the intuitive eating habits between collegiate students and student-athletes. measures unconditional permission to eat, eating for physical rather than emotional reasons, reliance on hunger and fullness cues, and body-food choice congruence. Student-athletes presented a significantly higher overall intuitive eating score (3.53±0.54, p=0.003) …

Increasing Obesity Education In An Underserved Latino Population, Morgan Lippert, Kelsey Beard

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Obesity is a rapidly growing health problem in the United States. Certain populations are at high risk for developing obesity including the Latino population and underserved communities. This Quality Improvement project aimed to develop a more patient centered approach for primary care providers use to deliver obesity education to an at-risk Latino population. The project was completed at a clinic in southern Illinois where the majority of the population is underserved and Spanish speaking. Obesity education tools in both Spanish and English were given to the patients in order to decrease the language barrier and improve patient education and understanding …

Food Insecurity In Collegiate Athletes During Covid-19, Elizabeth Swindell

Honors Theses

A study done by Georgetown University in 2019 found that one-fourth of NCAA, D1 collegiate athletes experience food insecurity. The study purpose was to examine food security levels in student athletes at a southern university and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on food security in these students. A survey was completed by student athletes to determine their food security levels during the 2020 academic year at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey included questions relating to food security based on the USDA’s food insecurity module as well as questions specifically related to the impact of food security …

College Students Fail To Identify Nutrition Misinformation On Social Media, Helen Mary Katool

Honors Theses

Social media has become a part of everyday life in our society and has the capability to reach billions, across age groups. Research has shown that there is a direct link between the widespread access to social media and the amount of misinformation that is circulating. In fact, unqualified and uneducated individuals share believable but inaccurate nutrition posts. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine if college students can distinguish the difference between nutrition misinformation or factual nutrition information when presented on social media. Male and female college students (>18 years old) from two classes (nutrition and …

First Generation Filipino Children And The Risk Of Childhood Obesity: Influence Of Screen Time, Krystal Joy Joy Ragasa

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: Obesity is an epidemic in the United States and among all Asian subgroups, Filipinos are particularly at a much higher risk. Obesity raises the risk of acquiring other health complications, especially for those who develop obesity at a younger age. Research has shown that children who engage in higher levels of screen time are more likely to become obese, resulting in screen time restrictions and recommendations. Additionally, rates of obesity are higher in immigrants. There is a gap in the explanation of screen time’s effect on childhood obesity for first generation Filipino children.

Aim: The purpose of the proposed …

The Impact Of A Heart Healthy Diet On The Development Of Heart Disease, Fenina Gonzales

Nursing | Senior Theses

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Both modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors contribute to the development of this disease. One modifiable risk factor is diet. Potentially, the right diet, i.e. one that is deemed heart healthy, can aid in the prevention of heart disease.

This thesis aims to determine what constitutes a heart healthy diet First, a literature review related to the use of diet and nutrition for the prevention of heart disease will be provided. Next, this thesis will present a research proposal for a longitudinal study that will compare five-year and 10-year …

The Ketogenic Diet: Its Effectiveness As An Adjuvant Therapy For Cancer, Rheaonn Marin

Nursing | Senior Theses

This paper explores a total of six research studies and will contain a literature review and proposal for further study regarding the effectiveness of the ketogenic diet as an adjuvant cancer therapy. Each study addresses a variety of different factors involved in KD implementation, ranging from effects on body composition and lipid profiles, to self-proclaimed quality of life, to tumor expression and progression under a KD regime. Ultimately, each were divided into three separate categories depending on the aspects of research that were covered. Two studies, by Hagihara et.al and Jansen and Walach respectively, discuss the potential benefits of KD …