Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Commons^™

Testing The Health And Exercise Knowledge Of Bowling Green State University Students, Veronica Rasicci

Honors Projects

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions and the problem is only continuing to grow (Flegal, 2006). Young adult college students are at a time in their lives where behaviors can more easily change than during other ages. They also are at a point in their lives where their current behaviors will influence the habits that they continue into later adulthood (Racette, Deusinger, Strube, & Highstein, 2012). Education is one way to promote healthy changes by college students. It is important to find out what knowledge of health and exercise college students already have. I developed a questionnaire with content-related validity and …

A Review Of Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels In Alaska Native And Non-Natives In Southwest Alaska, Melanee Tiura

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Background: Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency have been documented throughout the world, correlating with disease processes including: cancers, bone disorders, autoimmune diseases, and cardiovascular disease. Factors affecting people of Southwest Alaska, such as northern latitude (above 34ºN), low dietary intake of vitamin D, reduced sun exposure, high body mass index, and darker skin pigmentation increase risk for Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] deficiency and insufficiency.

Purposes of the Study: To evaluate the incidence of 25(OH)D insufficiency and deficiency in Southwest Alaska, differences in deficiency rates between Alaska Natives and non-Natives, and seasonal trends in 25(OH)D levels.

Subjects: Forty-nine adults with 25(OH)D …

Patient Perspectives Of Nutrition In Healthcare: An Exploratory Study, Matthew Gary Petersen

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Healthcare is one of the most debated and controversial issues facing our nation and the world today. From availability to affordability, healthcare influences the lives of millions of people daily. For more than a decade the World Health Organization has called for an integrated approach to improve global health by improving patient adherence to prescribed treatments. Despite this, very little improvement has been made in adherence trends since the 1980's. Some current research has focused on improved adherence through an understanding of the patient's perspective of healthcare. By understanding how the patient sees healthcare, physicians are able to provide more …

Comparison Of Obesity Bias, Attitudes, And Beliefs Among Undergraduate Dietetic Students, Dietetic Interns, And Practicing Registered Dietitians, Sarah E. Welborn

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The obesity epidemic in the United States is increasing, and health concerns are also on the rise as they are directly related to obesity. Even though the majority of Americans are overweight or obese, prejudice and weight bias continue to be prevalent and socially accepted in a culture that tolerates discrimination towards these individuals. Health care providers, including registered dietitians, are not exempt from instigating bias towards obese patients causing a decrease in the level of care that they receive. The main purpose of this study was to compare attitudes, beliefs, and bias concerning obesity among undergraduate dietetic students, dietetic …

Fueling Sport Performance: Increasing Awareness In Female Collegiate Vegetarian Athletes, Rachael Irene Marie Sofie

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Vegetarian diets, when well-planned out, have been shown to meet the needs of female athletes. Although the lifestyle provides many benefits, it does not come without risk. Women athletes, in particular, are of the greatest concern. Energy restriction is common among female collegiate athletes. Because athletes are already converting to and practicing a vegetarian lifestyle, it is necessary that athletes and related sport professionals become aware of the risks and benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle. By increasing knowledge among related personnel, athletes can use vegetarianism as a performance enhancer. Outlining possible implications of the lifestyle will allow female collegiate athletes …

Curricular Competencies Related To Cultural Competence For The Education And Training Of Registered Dietitians, Tegan Jean Medico

Masters Theses

Increasing demographic diversity, persistent health disparities, and ongoing efforts to reduce health care costs have made cultural and linguistic competence in the United States health care system a premier concern. Integral to improving cultural competence in health care is providing health professionals with adequate education and training in cultural competence. For this reason, there has been increasing attention paid by academia across health-related disciplines and by national organizations and governmental health agencies to delineating what cultural competence in education and training entails. Though a multidisciplinary body of literature on developing curricula related to cultural competence for health professionals exists, still …

Assessing The Perceptions Of Environmental Pollutants, Health And Nutrition Behavior To Improve Risk Communications In Kentucky, Elizabeth Virginia Willett

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Nutrition interventions are an effective way to improve the dietary habits and lifestyle choices and reduce the risk of chronic disease. The Researchers in the UK-SRP Community Engagement Core develop nutrition programs for communities affected by environmental pollutants. Risk communication is a discipline that can be used to develop targeted nutrition interventions that will yield positive behavior change. The purpose of this study was to examine knowledge, risk perception, and actions concerning environmental pollutants and nutrition behavior. Data was collected using a modified survey instrument based on the validated Environmental Health Engagement Profile (EHEP). Survey participants from diverse regions of …

Nutrition Education Resources Used By Renal Dietitians For The Education Of The Outpatient Dialysis Population In Michigan, Susan L. Leslie

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A Multi-Component School-Based Intervention Aimed At Increasing Vegetable Preference And Intake Among Elementary-Aged Children, Elizabeth Strasser

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study aimed to implement and assess a school-based multi-component intervention aimed at increasing elementary school-aged children's knowledge of, preference for, and intake of vegetables. The multi-component intervention included lunchroom exposure, nutrition curriculum in the classroom, after school program vegetable curriculum, family friendly nutrition newsletter, vegetable fair and parent cooking class. Lunchtime vegetable consumption was assessed by direct observation. Changes in preference, attitude, and knowledge were assessed using a pre- and post-intervention survey.

The multi-component intervention was implemented at Canyon Elementary during the 2008-2009 school year. Classroom teachers provided 20 minutes of nutrition education to students in grades one through …

Impact Of Nutrition Education On Dietary Habits Of Female High School Students, Rae L. Schmidt

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The objective of this study was to explore the impact of nutrition education on the nutritional intake of female high school students. Two groups of females from Saline High School (Saline, Michigan) participated in the study. Age, height, weight, and activity level were obtained from each student in the control group (N=5) and the experimental group (N=17). Participants also completed a demographic survey and a 3-day food diary (two weekdays and one weekend day). No significant differences were found between the groups in age, weight, height, or Body Mass Index (BMI). Diet analysis of the three-day food diaries showed significant …

New Fruit And Vegetable Offerings And Challenges Increased Lunch-Time Fruit And Vegetable Consumption Among Fourth-Graders, Cory Ann Hansen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Facilitating nutritional improvement in schools is an important strategy for reversing the alarming trends of overweight and undernourishment currently observed among children in the United States. Compared to national recommendations, many people in the United States under-consume nutrient-dense foods, such as fruits and vegetables. The objective of this study was to determine if various school-based interventions can increase fruit and vegetable consumption among 75 fourth-graders. Interventions included fruit and vegetable challenges, offering a new variety of fruit, and classroom nutrition education. To assess intake, photographs of students' school lunch trays were taken pre- and post-consumption and then analyzed to determine …

An Analysis Of Nutritional Services Available For Persons With Developmental Disabilities, Dawnie Elzinga

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Developmental disabled (DD) individuals are living longer, more normal lives in the United States. There has been an influx of DD individuals living in residential settings instead of the more traditional institutional setting. Consequently, dietetic professionals will encounter persons with DD in every area of practice. Nutrition therapy is becoming more important in the multidisciplinary treatment of DD individuals. Governmental legislation and community programs have improved the treatment and rights of DD persons over the past decade. Even with these advocacy efforts, DD persons are often not receiving the nutritional treatment they need. Common nutritional problems encountered in the DD …

Body Image Among Elementary-Aged Children: Development, Implications, And Interventions, Mindy Beth Probst

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Body image is the mental image or conception that one has of one's body. Its development is effected by an individual's life experiences beginning at birth. Statistics show that close to half of elementary-aged children are already dissatisfied with their bodies and have begun to develop negative body images. Review of the current literature suggests that family, peers, cultural values and the media, and changes in physical appearance related to adiposity rebound and puberty are the major causes of this unfortunate situation. Research is also showing that children are participating in unhealthy diet and exercise practices as a result of …

Motivation And The Dietitian: Dietitians Must Increase Their Efforts To Motivate And Bring About Long-Term Success In Their Clients, Cory Ann Hansen

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Perhaps the most difficult aspect of a dietitian's job is motivating clients to make necessary changes in their lives to benefit their health. Although most people are capable of enduring short-term attempts at healthy living, a lifetime of appropriate dietary habits is difficult for virtually everyone. One of the greatest challenges of long-term success is a lack of motivation. This signifies that it is not skills or knowledge that people lack in general. Therefore, dietitians must focus part of their efforts on motivation rather than simply teaching people what they need to do. Methods that have been found to be …

Cystic Fibrosis And Nutrition Risk, Kristen Rae Stokes

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Introduction: Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disorder with serious pulmonary and nutritional implications. Nutrition status has a direct affect on lung function and longevity. Screening patients for growth velocity makes it possible to identify patients at nutritional risk. This identification is the first step towards appropriate nutritional interventions. The current screening tool used for children and adolescents with CF is not reliable and leaves too much room for clinical judgment. It is for this reason that a new screening tool was developed. Methods: The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation established a panel of experts for the purpose of developing an …

Nutrition In Traumatic Brain Injuries, Jaylene Dalley

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Nutrition intervention and support is a critical part of caring for traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. TBI patients have high energy and protein needs, as well as increased needs for some vitamins and minerals. There are a number of ways to assess energy and protein needs for TBI patients including indirect calorimetry, the Harrris-Benedict Equations and the Glasgow Coma Scale Equation. Most TBI patients are either non-responsive (comatose) or develop some form of dysphagia and, therefore, are unable to consume adequate amounts of nutrition via the oral route. Nutrition support through enteral or parenteral routes may improve the medical outcome …

Diet And Nutritional Concerns Of Hispanic Americans, Valerie Rawlinson

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Hispanic Americans are the second largest ethnic minority group in the United States today, at 12.5% of the total U.S. population. They face considerable nutrition-related challenges, of which dietitians and other nutrition professionals who serve this population need to be aware. Their diet goes through drastic, rapid changes soon after immigration to the United States, many of which have a strong negative impact on their health, putting them at greater risk for obesity and chronic diseases than the general population. In addition to diet and disease, Hispanic Americans face other issues that hinder their ability to benefit from nutritional counseling, …

Dysphagia And Nutrition In The Elderly, Amanda Panting

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Dysphagia and nutrition in the elderly go hand in hand. As age increases, bodily functions decrease. The loss of function causes an increased susceptibility to swallowing disorders and possible malnutrition. Dysphagia in the elderly increases mortality and morbidity rates (3). This paper discusses causes, symptoms and consequences of dysphagia. Swallow studies and various feeding techniques are examined. Alzheimer's disease, dementia and stroke are diseases that are commonly seen among patients with dysphagia (3, 10). Alternative nutrition via enteral feeding has been shown to increase survival rate (14, 15, 16). The ethics of prolonging death or prolonging life through nutrition support …

Application Of Dietary Guidelines For Guatemala In Three Rural Communities Of Chiquimula, Sandra Liseth Salazar Donis

Theses and Dissertations

In Guatemala, nutritional problems are directly related to the difficulty to purchase food fit for human consumption due to low family incomes as well as low nutritional education. This situation motivated the realization of the present study whose main objective was to apply the dietary guidelines for Guatemala in three rural communities of Chiquimula. All three communities were previously aided by Benson Institute efforts to promote changes in eating behavior. The sample was comprised of mothers from the El Pinalito, El Guayabo, and Maraxco communities of the department of Chiquimula. There were eight mothers, four literate and four illiterate, from …

The Nutritional Knowledge, Food Choices And Exercise Habits Of Students At Langston University, Preston Solomon

McCabe Thesis Collection

The process of nutritional assessment has long been used to identify specific nutritional problems that demand attention and correction. The major health problems in the United States and much of the industrialized world have nutrition at their root. The ten leading causes of death in the United States are in some way related to the lack of adequate knowledge, adequate nutrition, or both. Increasingly young people are experiencing obesity, high blood pressure, and high serum cholesterol. These conditions pose problems in nutrition and healthy lifestyles in general. Given that behavior is related positively to knowledge, good nutrition and medical knowledge …