Parental Sources Of Nutrition Information And Their Knowledge, Attitudes, And Behaviors: Impact On Children's Dietary Intake In Ages 2-5 – A Cross-Sectional Study, Mara O. Fiorio

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Objectives: Nutrition in early childhood is critical to long-term health outcomes and parents play a key role in shaping children’s eating habits. This study examined where U.S. parents of children aged 2–5 obtain nutrition information, source credibility, and how parental nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors (KAB) relate to children’s dietary intake.

Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was completed by 126 parents, recruited via social media and community networks using convenience sampling. The survey assessed parental sources of nutrition information, perceived trustworthiness, nutrition knowledge, feeding attitudes and behaviors, and child dietary intake. Descriptive statistics summarized demographic characteristics and source utilization. Chi-square …

Food Allergies And Quality Of Life In Older Adults: Development Of A Food Allergy Questionnaire, Avalon F. Mustafa

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The United States is experiencing a rapid increase in the number of older adults, yet there is a lack of research on food allergies in this demographic. While there are survey instruments available to study food allergies and quality of life, none of these are tailored to the unique needs of elderly individuals. This study aims to create and validate an on-line survey instrument specifically designed for older adults, focusing on their quality of life in the context of food allergies. The survey will be used to establish a food allergy severity score and a quality-of-life score, enabling comparison between …

Clearing Ethnic Minority Roadblocks To Entry Into The Field Of Dietetics: A Mixed Analysis, Lisa C. Best

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Background - Dietitians are represented by fewer than 3% African Americans and 6% Hispanics compared with population demographics of 13% and 19% respectively. Despite 50 years of research on pipeline education, mentorship programs, cultural competency, and funding opportunities, minority participation in dietetics remains disproportionately low. At a time of increasing health care disparity, it is more important than ever to recruit and retain minorities in dietetics to optimally serve an ever increasingly diverse population.

Methods - 18 Historically Black Colleges and 26 high Hispanic census schools nationwide were contacted by email and follow-up phone call to explore and address ethnic …

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 …

Challenges Patients Face When Transitioning From The Hospital Into The Home Setting With An Enteral Feeding Tube & The Impact Of Staffing A Home Enteral Nutrition Registered Dietitian Case Manager, Najwa N. Worthen

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A Home Enteral Nutrition (HEN) case manager position was implemented within the Tampa Veteran’s Health System (VHS) to coordinate and ensure that the transition process from the hospital into the home setting with a new feeding tube transpires smoothly. The Knowledgeto-Action (KTA) theoretical framework was used in this quality improvement project to incorporate a systematic step-by-step process to transition evidence into practice, and assess the effectiveness as well as the sustainability of maintaining a HEN case manager position within the Tampa VHS. 1 In a repeated cross-sectional study design, HEN case management data Pre-Case Management, Post-Case Management with 1-RD case …

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 …

Florida Healthcare Workers Responses To Covid-19, Kristen K. Hicks-Roof

Showcase of Faculty Scholarly & Creative Activity

These two articles were published to describe the landscape of Florida healthcare professionals' responses to COVID-19. These data were collected in mid-2020 when times were unpredictable. These findings shed a lot of light on how we need to better train healthcare professionals on telehealth, interprofessional collaboration and communication among each other and patients.

Dcn Dissertation Proposal: The Impact Of A Pediatric Interdisciplinary Outpatient Feeding Clinic On Preterm Infant Weight Gain And Caregiver Compliance With Feeding Recommendations, Doretta Leung

Dean's Leadership Council Library Research Prize

Early nutrition intervention along with interdisciplinary care is important for premature infants because malnutrition often leads to poor growth in this population.1,2 Poor growth in preterm infants results in subsequent neurocognitive development as there is an association between deficient postnatal growth and poor neurologic outcome up to age 19.1,2 It is important to focus on an infant’s nutrition, feeding, and any gastroenterology concerns after hospital discharge to prevent poor growth. Most importantly, it is essential to have an interdisciplinary care monitoring infant care and outcomes in an outpatient setting; however, this service is lacking in Northeast Florida. The newly developed …

A Two-Day Virtual Workshop On The Micronutrient-Directed Nutrition-Focused Physical Exam For Ghanaian Nutrition Professionals: Examining Perceived Self-Efficacy And Innovation, Leah Anne Qubty

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Micronutrients are key components of various physiological processes. Therefore, in the setting of deficiency, poor health outcomes ensue. In Ghana, micronutrient deficiencies are common and medical resources are limited. The Ghanaian dietetics profession is growing, and this growth is propitiously timed to address micronutrient deficiencies. Biochemical markers of nutrition status are considered the gold standard to detect micronutrient deficiencies, but are costly and require specialized medical equipment. In the absence of available biochemical markers of nutrition status, the micronutrient-directed nutrition-focused physical exam is a viable tool. Nutrition professionals such as Registered Dietitians are qualified to conduct this exam, but feel …

The Effects Of Fermented Vegetables On The Gut Microbiota For Prevention Of Cardiovascular Disease, Melissa Baron

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the impact of regular consumption of fermented vegetables on markers of inflammation and the composition of the gut microbiota in adults at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Eighty-seven adults ages 35-64 were randomized into a Fermented Vegetable (FV) (100g fermented vegetables daily at least 5x/wk), or a Usual Diet (UD) group. Blood and stool samples were obtained before and after the intervention for measurement of C-Reactive Protein, interleukin-6, angiopoietin-like protein 4, trimethylamine oxide, and lipopolysaccharide binding protein. Next-generation sequencing of the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene isolated from stool samples was performed on the Illumina …

Childhood Food Insecurity: A Program Impact And Evaluation Study Of The Meals On Wheels For Kids Program, Claudia Rivero

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In America, millions of families and children face hunger and food insecurity every day. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, more than thirty-eight million people experienced hunger in 2020. As many as 13 million children in the United States live in food-insecure homes. Many households that experience food insecurity do not qualify for federal nutrition programs. While valuable, barriers to these programs can block food-insecure households with children and prevent access to healthy food. The impact of adverse health and nutritional consequences, of a food-insecure household, will continue to plague our communities until efficient programming connects to those …

Nutrition Perception, Dietary Intake, And Anthropometric Correlations Between Autism Spectrum Disorder And Typically Developing Adolescents., Kristin M. Berg

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The adolescent’s nutrition perception is reflected in dietary intake and body composition. Obesity is prevalent among adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Dietary habits of children with ASD are affected by sensory issues, gastrointestinal factors, and parental provision of diet. This cross-sectional study identifies the relationships among variables for dietary intake, nutrition perception of intake, and anthropometric measurements for adiposity for 19 adolescents, ages 11 to 17, with ASD. Twenty-four children who are typically developing (TD) were assessed to compare all variables for significant differences. Measurements of variables of interest were obtained from the adolescent subjects: a 24-hour recall of …

Implementation Of A Transitions Of Care Nutrition Intervention For Malnourished Patients, Nina Rocca

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The topic of Transitions of Care (TOC) has been investigated by physician and nursing professions for years, while only more recently by nutrition professionals. Registered Dietitians are not always involved in TOC planning. RDs can play an important role in TOC by communicating patients’ nutrition information across health care settings, especially for patients with malnutrition. The primary aim was to use a CDC based process evaluation to evaluate if a case management, nursing focused care transitions framework, adapted for a TOC nutrition intervention, can result in a successful intervention implementation. The secondary aim was to use a CDC outcomes evaluation, …

Exploring The Health Outcomes And Patient’S Viewpoint Of Pediatric Patients Receiving Medical Nutrition Therapy Visits With In-Person, Telephonic, And Tele-Video Modalities At A Rural Community Health Center, Valerie L. Muehleman

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The Covid-19 pandemic advanced telephonic (TP) and tele-video (TV) visits for medical nutrition therapy (MNT). This study explored the health outcomes and patient’s viewpoints of MNT by modalities in a community health center (CHC). Participants ranged in age from 1-18 years, diagnosed with overweight/obesity, and received MNT from a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) from January 1, 2019 to August 31, 2021. Health outcomes measured were health goal achievement, BMI percentile, pre/post lipid panel, and A1C%. Show/no-show rates and demographic characteristics of gender, age, race, insurance, county, language, and ethnicity were also compared by the visit modality. Ten interviews in the …

Estimation Of 24-Hour Urinary Creatinine Excretion Through The Development Of A Model And Its Relationship To Outcomes In Hospitalized Critically Ill Veterans, Lynn Diane Hiller

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Background: Muscle mass is highly correlated with patient outcomes. Techniques to identify patients with low muscularity include computed tomography (CT) and bioelectrical impendence analysis (BIA) however disadvantages of cost, exposure to radiation and access make these measurements unavailable to the average dietitian. Urinary creatinine excretion (UCE) and estimation of creatinine height index (CHI) are strongly associated with muscularity and outcomes, however, require a 24-hour urine collection. The postulation that UCE may be predicted from patient variables, through mathematical modeling, would avoid the need for a 24-hour urine collection and may be clinically useful.

Methods: Input variables of age, …

Virtual Supervised Practice During The Covid-19 Pandemic. Does Virtual Learning Affect The Quality Of Preparation For The Rd Exam Or Beginning Dietetics Practice?, Shaynee M. Roper

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The Covid-19 pandemic has seemingly altered the practice of Dietetics, and its essential supervised practice component of the Dietetic Internship programs. Telehealth, in particular telenutrition, became a necessity of practice for the entire United States and many parts of the world. Medicare and many private insurance companies amended policies for the expansion, inclusion, and provision of MNT via telephone.¹ In addition, numerous Dietetic Interns were forced to complete the supervised practice (SPE) components of ACEND (Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics) accredited programs virtually. The practice of telehealth is not a new concept. Indeed, this area of …

Interprofessional Education Activities And New Practitioner Competence: Implications For Practice In Nutrition And Dietetics Education, Stephanie N. Petrosky

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Interprofessional education (IPE) and interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP) are associated with improved perception, values, attitudes towards collaborative practice, and therefore benefits patients, practitioners, and health care systems. Notable organizations have long promoted standardized guidelines for best practices in interdisciplinary team-based learning to improve patient safety and health outcomes. The state of IPE in nutrition and dietetics practice was recently addressed by the Nutrition and Dietetic Educators and Preceptors (NDEP) practice group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The authors generated a call to action to engage in IPCP while pushing the boundaries of leadership in teaching, research, and practice. …

A Quasi-Experimental Correlational Study Of Knowledge, Attitude, Behavior Of Nutrition Paraprofessionals Receiving An Online Nutrition Education Training. A Framework For Training Nutrition Paraprofessionals In Northwest Georgia Wic, Cicely Clarisse Thomas

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Background In 1998, Georgia Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) adopted the Florida Department of Public Health WIC Nutrition Training Guide. The purpose of adopting the course was to use it as a resource to properly educate and train nutrition paraprofessionals to conduct low risk education to Georgia WIC participants.¹ The Georgia WIC policy requires that each nutrition paraprofessional complete the approved nutrition training prior to educating WIC participants. The current resource for training nutrition paraprofessionals in Georgia WIC is outdated. Last updated in 2007, the formal training no longer accurately trains paraprofessional staff to …

Nutrinews: November, 2021, Department Of Nutrition And Dietetics, University Of North Florida

NutriNews

This issue features UNF COVID Corner, Plant Powered Protein: Is it Enough? A Day i the Life of an Iranian Nutrition Student, Plant Power: Vegetarianism Edition, Nutrition Club Spotlight: SNDA, Are Vegans more at Risk for Developing a B12 Deficiency? Here's What you need to know?, Shopping in Season: Beets, Don't Fight the Phytonutrients!, Can athletes be plant-based?

Nutrinews: October, 2021, Department Of Nutrition And Dietetics, University Of North Florida

NutriNews

This issue features UNF COVID corner, Mythbusting: do Probiotic supplements really benefit gut health more than fermented foods?, How Fermented Foods may Improve your health, Fermentation Innovation, Lunch Box: Red cabbage Sauerkraut with ginger, Shopping in Season: Quince, Spotting Nutritional Quackery: Check yourself before you wreck yourself, Probiotics and Performance, Slaying Diet Culture follow up.

Practical School Nutrition Program May Reduce Food Neophobia, Corinne A. Labyak, Leslie G. Kaplan, Tammie M. Johnson, Meghan Moholland

Nutrition and Dietetics Faculty Research and Scholarship

The study’s purpose was to evaluate an intervention to reduce fruit and vegetable food neophobia and influence attitudes and behaviors among children using a four-month, non-experimental, before-and-after intervention. Participants were children aged 5–11 years in an intervention school (IS) and a control school (CS). Children were offered fruit or vegetable samples weekly utilizing school-specific psychosocial and educational practices to encourage participation. The outcomes of interest included attitudes measured using a written survey-based food neophobia scale (FNS), behavioral observations, and an oral survey. The post-intervention IS FNS score was significantly lower compared to pre-intervention (p = 0.04). Repeated-measures ANOVA revealed a …

Nutrinews: September, 2021, Department Of Nutrition And Dietetics, University Of North Florida

NutriNews

This issue features Nutrition Clubs, Diets Don't Work! Here's Why, Lobbying for My Plate, Myth Busting: Intuitive Eating vs. Meal Tracking: Which method works better?, 6 Steps to utilize for a successful semester, A Day in the Life of a College student, Muscadine Grapes: The Forgotten American Fruit

Nutrinews: August, 2021, Department Of Nutrition And Dietetics, University Of North Florida

NutriNews

This issue features Shopping in Season: Jackfruit, Sustainability of Local Food, and Dietary Habits of Iranians

Nutrinews: May-June, 2021, Department Of Nutrition And Dietetics, University Of North Florida

NutriNews

This issue features Food Insecurity, Shopping in Season: The Papaya, Lunch Box

Center For Nutrition And Food Security: Hunger Map, Adremae Alotaya

Showcase of Osprey Advancements in Research and Scholarship (SOARS)

Honorable Mention Winner

Environmental Center Leadership Program Project

Food insecurity is an inconsistent access or inability to prepare nutritious foods. In the United States, about 1 in every 6 adults lack the access to nutritious foods. In Duval County, 20.1% of adults suffer from Food Insecurity. Causes of food insecurity is multifactorial and can have a negative effect on an individual’s mental and physical health. The Center for Nutrition and Food Security at the University of North Florida (UNF) is working to address the food insecurity in Northeast Florida by creating a Hunger Map. The Hunger Map consists of four …

Alcohol Consumption And Anxiety Amongst College Students, Eardley Belime, Angela Wright, Nathan Jubran, Abigail Lake

Showcase of Osprey Advancements in Research and Scholarship (SOARS)

Honorable Mention Winner

“According to a national survey administered by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA 2020) and a survey conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA) anxiety is one of the top concerns regarding college students. (APA, 2013) This systematic review was done to determine if there is a relationship between alcohol consumption and anxiety in college students. A total of 26 articles published between the years 2010 and 2020 that were retrieved from Psycinfo met the inclusion criteria needed for the analysis. In looking at the relationship between anxiety and alcohol consumption, the mediators of …

Nutrition Professionals’ Knowledge, Consumption And Recommendations Of Whole Grains, Krystal Walker, Tamara Marsh, Cristina Reyes Gonzalez, Kelly Toups

Showcase of Osprey Advancements in Research and Scholarship (SOARS)

Project of Merit Winner

Research outcome: To determine the relationship between nutrition professionals’ knowledge, consumption, and recommendations of whole grains. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with nutrition professionals (n=480). Participants were recruited via email and social media from October 2020-February 2021. The participants completed a validated 21-question survey about whole grain knowledge, consumption, and recommendations. Analysis: The analyses included descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation tests. Results: Survey respondents included 72.5% Registered Dietitians Nutritionists (RD/RDN) and 27.5% RD in training (e.g. dietetic intern, student). Nutrition professionals felt whole grains were important in their own diet (93%) and their patient/clients’ diet …

Obesity Among Hispanics: The Relationship To Lifestyles, Socioeconomic Characteristics, And Education, Stacey Harmer

Showcase of Osprey Advancements in Research and Scholarship (SOARS)

Honorable Mention Winner

In the Hispanic community, there are multiple factors that increase the probability of obesity. Among them are the diets and changes in diets over the past several decades, lifestyles and urbanization that have promoted sedentarism, status in society and stratification, education, and gender. Among the populations, women have higher risk of obesity in the Hispanic community. Education and socioeconomic status plays differing roles in the rates of obesity in developed and developing countries. Socioeconomic status affects the resources and support that are available. Urbanization increases the likelihood of adopting diets that are higher in fats and refined …

How Can Project-Based Mentorships Enhance The Dietetics Profession?, V. Tarbell, K. Cottey, M. Sandoval Rodriguez, C. Mccleskey, B. Krpec, K. Beathard, K. Hicks-Roof

Showcase of Osprey Advancements in Research and Scholarship (SOARS)

Research Outcomes: The RD Mentorship Program is designed to provide dietetic students (mentee) with the opportunity to gain one-on-one experience with a Registered Dietitian (mentor). This nationwide program evaluates project-based mentorships. Methods: Potential mentors and mentees completed an initial survey that indicated mentor projects and mentee interests. Mentees (n=378) were matched to a mentor (n=264) based on their project preferences and interests. Matches met virtually monthly from September 2020 to April 2021. A mid-program evaluation was sent out in December 2020. Analysis: Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data Results: The mid-program evaluation indicated that 96% (n=265) of participants …

Psychological Well-Being, Eating Disorder Risk, & Weight-Related Concerns In First Semester College Students, Madisen Reasonover

Showcase of Osprey Advancements in Research and Scholarship (SOARS)

Both mental health and eating disorders are increasing health concerns for college students. This study aimed to examine associative links between psychological distress, adverse childhood experiences, food addiction, and weight-related concerns among first semester college students. Freshman students 18 years or older in all majors in a southeastern university were invited to take an online survey. The measures included demographic characteristics, psychological behaviors and eating disorder risks. Pearson’s correlation analysis was used to assess associations. Ninety-two students (79.3% female, 61.5% white) completed the survey. Psychological distress was significantly correlated with higher eating disorder risk (stress r=0.28, anxiety r=0.28, depression r=0.42; …