Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Examining The Need For Parental Satisfaction With The Msu Extension Equine Assisted Therapy Program, Ashlyn Ann Kiker

Theses and Dissertations

Animal assisted interventions are becoming more prevalent in our society. Animal interventions have become a popular therapy technique that exist to aid a variety of disabilities. Equine therapeutic riding has become one of the most popular forms of animal assisted therapy for both children and adults. While research shows the importance and benefits of animal assisted therapy for children, there is a lack of research concerning parental satisfaction within therapeutic riding programs.

This study tested a newly developed instrument for measuring parental satisfaction for therapeutic riding programs. The Parent/Caregiver Evaluation Tool (Kerr, 2021) was administered to parents/caregivers whose children participated …

Macronutrient Intake: A Multi-Sport Study Of Female Division I Collegiate Athletes, Ffion Price

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Macronutrients play a critical role within collegiate athletes’ performance and health, with carbohydrates providing most of the energy needs for most athletes. There is little research examining the macronutrient intake of healthy collegiate female athletes across sports. The aim of the present study was to compare macronutrient intakes of female collegiate athletes within different sports and compare their intakes to recommendations. Methods: An observational study was conducted to determine whether a sample of female collegiate athletes (n=26) consumed the IOC nutritional recommendations. Sports included within the study were soccer, basketball, volleyball, and cross-country. Athletes were asked to complete a …

The Efficacy Of The Low-Fodmap Diet To Alleviate Symptoms Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome In Adults: A Systematic Review, Jacqueline Nicole Rustom

Theses and Dissertations

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional bowel disorder with 6.5% worldwide prevalence that causes gas production, abdominal distension, and abdominal pain or discomfort. This systematic review describes efficacy of the Low-Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides And Polyols (FODMAP) diet (Low-FODMAP diet or LFD) to alleviate IBS symptoms using the PRISMA guidelines. Nine randomized controlled trials (RCT) and one non-RCT consecutive controlled study published between 2015 to 2019 were identified using PubMed and CENTRAL. Included studies involved adult IBS participants with symptoms of abdominal pain, constipation, and/or diarrhea. A total of 530 participants completed the interventions from the 10 studies included …

A Review Of Calcineurin Biophysics With Implications For Cardiac Physiology, Ryan B. Williams

Theses and Dissertations

Calmodulin is a prevalent calcium sensing protein found in all cells. Three genes exist for calmodulin and all three of these genes encode for the exact same protein sequence. Recently mutations in the amino acid sequence of calmodulin have been identified in living human patients. Thus far, patients harboring these mutations in the calmodulin sequence have only displayed an altered cardiac related phenotype. Calcineurin is involved in many key physiological processes and its activity is regulated by calcium and calmodulin. In order to assess whether or not calcineurin contributes to calmodulinopathy (a pathological state arising from dysfunctional calmodulin), a comprehensive …

Feasibility Of Delivering Fall Prevention Intervention For People With Intellectual Disability In Group-Homes, Poram Choi

Theses and Dissertations

Adults with intellectual disability (ID) have a higher rate of falls than the general population, and changing health behaviors through exercise program could enhance health and reduce falls in this population. However, the feasibility study of fall prevention based on the theoretical framework for adults with ID has not been explored to date. This study examined the feasibility of a home-based exercise intervention for people with ID living in a residential setting. We provided an 8 week intervention consisting of a training workshop for support workers and sessions for adults with ID devoted to behavior reward, education about fall prevention …

Pilot Development Of A Critical Food Safety Message Visual Communication Tool For Farmers’ Market Vendors, Lilly W. Jan, Shannon M. Coleman, Anirudh Naig

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Farmers’ markets are popular sources of fresh and ready-to-eat foods for consumers in the United States. However, research indicates that food safety practices of vendors and their employees serve as a concern for customers. This pilot study focused on assessing a visual-based, minimal-text educational tool that was disseminated to farmers’ market vendors and employees (n = 27) in Iowa. The tool was evaluated using a post-intervention survey of vendors’ and employees’ knowledge of food safety practices and their attitudes towards the educational tool. The results did not show a statistically significant increase in attitude and knowledge scores of farmers’ market …

Evaluating The Feasibility Of A Future Care Planning Program With Older Adults, Jeong Eun Lee, Dahee Kim, Eva Kahana, Boaz Kahana

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Despite potential health care needs, many older adults do not make concrete plans about future care in late life. Prior community programs have not addressed this need via Cooperative Extension systems. To address these gaps, we developed and evaluated the pilot study program, Future Care Planning, designed to help older adults plan for their own personal, health, and environmental care. The Plan Ahead program (Plan Ahead) consists of two sessions implemented over two weeks to teach older adults to plan for their future care across multiple domains, including health communication, aging in place, and end-of-life discussion. Iowa State University Human …

Innovative Approach To Measure Effectiveness Of Handwashing Education In School-Age Children By Extension Educators, Katie Hoffman, Surine Greenway, Julie Buck, Grace Wittman, Jang Ho Kim

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

University of Idaho Extension educators developed an innovative approach to analyze the effectiveness of handwashing lessons taught to school-age children. A protocol was designed to determine if there was a significant decrease in bacterial Colony Forming Units (CFUs) before and after implementing an educational handwashing lesson. The protocol allowed Extension educators with limited to no research experience to validate their handwashing lessons with scientific research. A 79% reduction in Mean CFU counts pre- and post-handwashing was found, excluding an outlier. The results support the effectiveness of Extension handwashing lessons using a novel quantitative approach

Good For Baby, Good For Mom: The Determinants Of Breastfeeding Initiation And Continuation Among Working Women In The Midwest U.S., Qingyu Jiang, Holly Hatton-Bowers, Julie A. Tippens, Soo-Young Hong, Kara Kohel

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Various factors support or hinder women’s decision to initiate and continue breastfeeding, particularly among working women. Currently, limited literature investigates breastfeeding experiences among working women across time. The purpose of this study was to gain nuanced insight into working women’s breastfeeding experiences during the first year of their infant’s life. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with working women residing in a Midwestern state (N = 25) across two time points (when infants were 3-4 months and 9-12 months). Results showed that twenty-one working women initiated and continued breastfeeding when their infants were 3-4 months old, and 14 women in the …

Process Evaluation Of The Early Implementation Stages Of Thenational Diabetes Prevention Program Through Kentucky Cooperative Extension: Perceptions Of Adopters And Potential Adopters, Nicole Breazeale, Heather Norman-Burgdolf, Katherine Counts, Lovoria B. Williams

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

With the growing demand for lifestyle change programs that prevent or delay Type 2 diabetes onset, community organizations with broad reach should be explored for national dissemination of the National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP). This study evaluates the early implementation of the NDPP through Cooperative Extension in four Kentucky counties and explores the feasibility of scaling up the program to additional counties. Using a qualitative approach, semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 12 Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Agents – four who were participating in the pilot (adopters) and eight who had no experience with the NDPP (potential adopters). Five …

Using 4-H Animal Science Programming To Improve One Health, Lacie Ashby, April Barczewski, Ashley Travis, Chris Anderson, Sheryl Bennett

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Zoonoses, or diseases that can be transferred between humans and animals, such as variant swine influenza, avian influenza A viruses, and coronaviruses, comprise a large percentage of all newly identified and existing infectious diseases (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017). As a result, there is an ever-growing need for a One Health approach towards preventing and controlling zoonotic diseases. To better manage these public health risks at the human-animal-environment interface, Maryland 4-H and Maryland Department of Health initiated a statewide, multi-agency collaborative partnership. Through steps taken to collectively develop and implement long-term strategies to prevent future variant influenza outbreaks …

Full Issue, Volume 9, Number 3, Donna J. Peterson, Scott Cummings

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

No abstract provided.

A Qualitative Analysis Of Young Adults’ Health And Wellness Perceptions, Behaviors, And Information Seeking, Heejae Lee, Sheri Worthy

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Access to health- and wellness-related resources is unprecedented, and the desire to attain and use that information is high. However, the information is not always accurate, and individuals may be selectively choosing the information they read and follow. Additionally, although Americans have access to more health and wellness information than ever before, rates of obesity, hypertension, and sedentary lifestyles are still high. This study investigated information seeking for health and wellness-related resources by healthy, educated, young adults and their health and wellness perceptions and behaviors. Five focus groups were conducted with 35 young adults to gather information about diet, exercise, …

The Food Factor: Relating Brand Viewership To Behavior And Behavioral Intention, Mckayla Brubaker Nichols, Quisto Settle, Alisha Hardman, Laura Downey

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Mississippi residents (n = 404) were surveyed to determine how The Food Factor brand viewership impacted their behavior and behavioral intention. The Food Factor is a weekly Extension mass media program that communicates research-based information about food, nutrition, and healthy lifestyles. A researcher-developed instrument was used to collect information about behavior and behavioral intent, as well as perceptions of The Food Factor using Qualtrics from a representative sample. Respondents were split into viewer and non-viewer categories. Viewers were asked about their viewing frequency and their nutrition-related behaviors and behavioral intention to create a behavioral score. Non-viewers were also asked about …

Examining The Feasibility Of Partnering With Cooperative Extension To Advance Statewide Physical Education Policies In Oregon, Nina Taylor, Thomas Packebush, Tammy Winfield, Kathy Gunter

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Optimizing physical education (PE) is a proven approach to increase children’s physical activity. Oregon law requires elementary schools to provide PE for > 150 minutes/week. One strategy to meet the required minutes is for classroom teachers to deliver PE, which is permissible using curricula aligned to national PE standards. Be Physically Active 2Day (BEPA 2.0) is a unique classroom-based physical activity brain break curriculum aligned to PE standards. We evaluated the effectiveness of training school faculty to use BEPA 2.0 via a unique partnership with Cooperative Extension. Extension trainers (ET) were trained by a BEPA 2.0 Master Trainer (MT). School faculty …

A Process Evaluation Of The Happyhealthy Social Marketing Campaign, Laura H. Downey, Kristy Terp, Sylvia H. Byrd

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Social marketing campaigns are effective in promoting health behavior changes in individuals and communities. Mississippi State University Extension Service’s (MSU Extension) Office of Nutrition Education launched a statewide social marketing campaign branded HappyHealthy to target nutrition and healthy lifestyle-related behaviors of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-eligible individuals and families. In this study, a process evaluation was conducted with MSU Extension staff to assess perceptions of the campaign’s relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, and observability. In the early stages of the campaign, external evaluators conducted in-depth interviews with MSU Extension staff members (n = 17). After the campaign had been active for …

Barriers And Facilitators To Implementing Healthy Food Retail Programs: Extension Agents’ Perceptions, Kristin Riggsbee, Alexandra Nussbaumer Gardner, Elizabeth L. Hall, Elizabeth Anderson-Steeves, Christopher T. Sneed, Janie Burney, Sarah Colby

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to understand the perceptions Extension professionals have about healthy food retail programs (HFRPs). Family and Consumer Science (FCS) agents from one state in the southeastern United States were interviewed about their definitions of HFRPs, what challenges and benefits existed, and strategies for successful HFRP implementation. Participants reported that HFRPs would bring immense benefits to their communities, including expanding the recognition of Extension. However, one specific suggestion that was identified was hands-on training needed before initiating HFRPs, particularly on strategies for relationship development with retail store owners.

Move More, Sit Less: Applying The Physical Activity Guidelines For Americans To Extension Programs, Laura E. Balis, Hannah F. Fuerniss, Drew T. Brown, Chance Marshall, Samantha M. Harden

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Extension enhances the lives of Americans by translating research-based information related to existing needs into programming that is practical and accessible to the general public. Evidence clearly indicates that physical activity is correlated to positive health outcomes, but despite this conclusion, the majority of Americans do not meet the recommendations for physical activity. The 2nd Edition of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans provides guidance for Extension professionals to implement physical activity interventions. We recommend training and technical assistance strategies based on the Interactive Systems Framework to integrate physical activity promotion into all Extension areas.

Full Issue, Volume 9, Number 2, Donna J. Peterson, Kathleen Kelsey, Scott Cummings

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of A Health Education Intervention For Rural Preschool And Kindergarten Children In The Southeastern United States: A Cluster Randomized Trial, Holli H. Seitz, Julie C. Parker, Heather L. Hanna, Ginger C. Hooge

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

This research employed a matched-pairs randomized field experiment design to evaluate a classroom-based health education intervention for pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten children in a rural region of the southeastern United States. Schools were matched on demographic characteristics, then one school from each pair was randomly assigned to the treatment group and one to the delayed treatment group. The intervention included a field trip experience and an integrated curriculum designed to increase knowledge about nutrition, physical activity, and sleep. Staff conducted individual assessments of changes in knowledge with a random sample of children from each classroom (252 children from treatment classrooms; 251 …

First Things First: Assessing Needs, Comfort, And Role Clarity For Physical Activity Promotion, Laura E. Balis, Thomas E. Strayer Iii, Samantha M. Harden

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Extension has recently begun delivering physical activity programs, but delivering evidence-based interventions is a challenge. To increase adoption of evidence-based interventions, a better understanding of agents’ perceptions and needs is necessary. The purpose of this research was to conduct a readiness assessment to identify organizational factors and agent perceptions that speed or impede uptake of evidence-based physical activity programs. Data were gathered from agents through a sequential mixed-methods design informed by the RE-AIM (reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, maintenance) framework. A survey assessed current work status, demographic variables, physical activity levels, and time spent on programming tasks. Semi-structured focus group questions …

Facilitators And Barriers To Implementation Of Community-Based Socio-Ecological Approaches To Obesity Prevention Among Cooperative Extension Agents, Denise Holson, Jessica Stroope, Melissa Cater

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Perceptions, knowledge, and attitudes of Cooperative Extension Service (CES) Family and Consumer Science (FCS) agents related to the planning and implementation of community-based multi-level ecological obesity prevention strategies were identified through qualitative, exploratory research. Focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted in the five regions of the Louisiana State University CES (LSU AgCenter). Participants included CES FCS Extension agents (n = 35; 97% of agents). Participants were female and responsible for conducting programming in parishes (counties). Thematic analysis of data found principal factors that influenced FCS Extension agents’ perceived ability to plan and implement community-based multi-level obesity prevention approaches to include …

Identifying The 10 Most-Pressing Issues Facing Local Food Systems In The Southern Region, Quisto Settle, Carley C. Morrison, Liz Felter, Jennifer Taylor

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

This study was conducted to develop a list of the most-pressing issues facing local food systems in the Southern Region. A Delphi study that surveyed key informants across the Southern Region of the U.S. was used to develop the list. In the first round, informants were asked to list the three most-pressing issues. In the second round, they ranked all of the issues, which was used to create the top 10 issues: profitability, support for local food systems, education of the public, farming practices/knowledge, marketing and promotion, accessibility and affordability, lack of farms and farmers, regulations and certifications, infrastructure, and …

The Tasting Party Assessment: Can Educators Reliably Evaluate Preschoolers’ Willingness To Try New Foods In Group Settings?, Laura L. Bellows, Savannah Hobbs, Susan L. Johnson

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Food neophobia, defined as an unwillingness to consume novel and unfamiliar foods is common in young children. Assessment of neophobia or willingness to try new foods can be a challenge with this audience. With the increase in nutrition interventions focused on the young child, valid and reliable measures to assess willingness to try new foods that can be administered in groups by classroom teachers and Extension educators are needed. The Food Friends: Fun with New Foods (FWNF) program aims to increase children’s willingness to try new foods in childcare settings. The Tasting Party assessment was developed as the primary tool …

Extension’S Potential To Respond To Suburban Food Insecurity, Daniel T. Remley, Glennon Sweeney, Julie Fox, Laquore J. Meadows

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Between 2000 and 2013, the suburbs in the country’s largest metro areas saw their low-income population grow twice as fast as primary urban cities. In 2018, the Pew Research Center reported that poverty increased more sharply in suburbs than in urban and rural counties (Parker et al., 2018). The rise in suburban poverty coincides with an increasing prevalence of food insecurity. The social and physical environments of suburban communities pose unique food-related challenges for the suburban poor. Awareness and stigmatization of food assistance programs, lack of transportation options, access to food pantries, and limited community gardens are examples of challenges …

Full Issue, Volume 9, Number 1, Donna J. Peterson, Kathleen Kelsey

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

No abstract provided.