Medical Nutrition Commons^™

The Connection Between Medicaid And Obesity In Northeast Ohio, Emmie Kelley, Sophie Kheder

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Obesity is a major public health concern in the United States that is projected to increase exponentially over the next few years. Obesity is commonly associated with a lower socioeconomic status. Lower-income individuals tend to be supported by Medicaid, a federal insurance program for low-income Americans. Prior studies have shown a positive correlation between income status and obesity prevalence. Our goal was to find if there was a correlation between Medicaid patients and obesity in Northeast Ohio, to provide physicians with a set of characteristics to better combat obesity, since preventative and treatment guidelines are tailored to national trends. We …

Food Insecurity, Diet And Health Outcomes In Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Pilot Study, Nicole Zeky, Alysse Baudier, Colleen Leblanc, Elizabeth Mcdonough, Sarah A. Dumas, Dedrick Moulton

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background/Objectives: Food insecurity (FI) is a well-defined factor in pediatric health outcomes and has been associated with lower diet quality. While poor diet quality has been linked to the rising prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), little is known about the impact of FI on pediatric IBD. This pilot study explores the feasibility and potential impact of FI on dietary intake and clinical outcomes in children with newly diagnosed IBD. Methods: This pilot study included newly diagnosed IBD patients aged 5 to 18. FI screening was completed using the USDA 6-item and AAP 2-item screeners at diagnosis and 6 months. …

The Impact Of An Iron-Rich Diet On Fatigue In Menstruating Women With Non-Anemic Iron Deficiency, Meagan Seraydar, Lauren Latimer, Sam Miragliatto

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

Fatigue without diagnosed anemia is prevalent in menstruating women, with iron deficiency being a potential contributor. While iron supplementation is a standard intervention, dietary sources of iron may offer a sustainable alternative. This study aims to assess the impact of an iron-rich diet on fatigue levels in menstruating women. A 12-week randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted, assigning participants to either an iron-rich diet group or a control group following their usual diet without specific iron recommendations. Fatigue will be measured using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) at baseline, six weeks, and twelve weeks, alongside iron status biomarkers, including …

A "Mind"Ful Diet: Analyzing Nursing Education On The Mind Diet For Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease, Audrey Marie Rafols

Nursing | Senior Theses

Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease (EOAD) is a rare form of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) that makes up around 5% of AD cases. The Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet, a hybrid diet of the Mediterranean and DASH (dietary approaches to stop hypertension) is an approach that patients with EOAD can adapt to slow down the progression of cognitive decline. Current literature focuses on what the effects of the diet are more for AD and not EOAD specifically, where there is less of an established baseline of nurse knowledge. The lack of research about what nurses understand regarding providing education of the …

The Impact Of Minimally Processed High Fat Meals On Postprandial Glucose, Lipids And Metabolic Index In Pre-Diabetics, Oluwafemi Ayoola

Masters Theses, 2020-current

There is an increasing global prevalence of prediabetes, commonly diagnosed through increased fasting glucose (GLU). Elevated levels of GLU and triglycerides (TRG) have also been linked with more severe diabetes-related complications. Even a single high-fat meal (HFM) may result in adverse metabolic outcomes, in healthy individuals and prediabetics, which are a better predictor of disease risk than measuring fasting levels. Therefore, reducing these metabolic outcomes after a typical HFM often consumed in the Western diet is of critical importance to reduce chronic disease risk. The aim is to determine whether incorporating polyphenols and dietary fiber into an HFM would reduce …

Nutrient Profile Assessment Of A Meal Program Impact On Older Adults' Diet Quality And Food Security Status, Millicent Yaa Gyasiwaa Ms

Theses and Dissertations--Nutrition and Food Systems

The rise in food insecurity globally has ignited institutions and organizations to implement policies and programs to reduce the burden on vulnerable people including older adults and people living in underserved areas. Though programs such as congregate, home-delivered meals, and pantries have been initiated to contribute to reducing food insecurity the nutrient content of these meals including recovered meals and their effect on food security status, food quality, and health has not been widely studied. The current study, Meals on Wings (MOW), assessed the nutrient profile of the free meals offered 4 times per week for 3 months, from May …

Understanding Guardian Perceptions Of Whole-Foods Plant-Based Diets As Interventions In Pediatric Medicine, Vijay R. Luthra

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The obesity epidemic is widespread in American society, often affecting children who bear its consequences innocently. Due to a lack of nutrition knowledge, children rely on caregivers to meet their nutritional needs and instill healthy habits. This study examines parents' attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors, as well as perceived barriers to adopting a whole-foods plant-based diet (WFPD) for their children. Using a modified survey instrument by Morton et al., this study focused on parents and children regarding dietary choices. Participants were recruited from the waiting area of a pediatric clinic at the Medical College of Georgia between April and May 2023. …

Reducing Food Scarcity: The Benefits Of Urban Farming, S.A. Claudell, Emilio Mejia

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Urban farming can enhance the lives of communities and help reduce food scarcity. This paper presents a conceptual prototype of an efficient urban farming community that can be scaled for a single apartment building or an entire community across all global geoeconomics regions, including densely populated cities and rural, developing towns and communities. When deployed in coordination with smart crop choices, local farm support, and efficient transportation then the result isn’t just sustainability, but also increasing fresh produce accessibility, optimizing nutritional value, eliminating the use of ‘forever chemicals’, reducing transportation costs, and fostering global environmental benefits.

Imagine Doris, who is …

Effect Of Body Mass Index Percentile On Complicated Appendicitis, Postoperative Complications And Health Service Utilization Among Pediatric Patients In The United States, Nutan Hebballi

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

While overweight and obesity have been extensively studied for complicated appendicitis, postoperative complications, and health service utilization, the effects of being underweight are unknown. This dissertation assesses the associations between the body mass index (BMI) spectrum with complicated appendicitis, postoperative complications, and healthcare service utilization in pediatric patients.  A retrospective review of pediatric patients who underwent appendectomy surgery (01/01/2016-12/31/2020) was conducted using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Computed age and gender-specific BMI percentiles were categorized into underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese. The 30-day postoperative complications were grouped into minor, major, and any. Healthcare service utilizations were compared …

Differentials And Predictors Of Food Insecurity Among Federally Qualified Health Center Target Populations In Philadelphia: A Cross-Sectional Study, Galicano Kai Inguito, Brandon Joa, James Gardner, Eric N Fung, Laura Layer, Karen Fritz

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Over the past decade, the prevalence of food insecurity declined in the United States but curiously climbed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a sizable metropolitan area where many households experience food insecurity and are dependent on programs like SNAP. Therefore, we aimed to determine the burden of food insecurity among populations near Philadelphia Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) clinic sites.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in North Philadelphia, a populous and impoverished section of Philadelphia with many zip codes reporting 30-45% or more of the population below the federal poverty line. Students and clinicians affiliated with a local FQHC conducted …

Nutrition Needs Assessment For Women Of Childbearing Age With Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Callie Coleman, Whitney Bignell

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder that affects women’s menstrual cycles, androgen (male hormones) levels, and cysts on the ovaries. This endocrine disorder has various symptoms, with insulin resistance as a hallmark symptom. Approximately 65-70% of women with PCOS have insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, whether or not they are overweight, obese, or lean (Marshall & Dunaif, 2012). Many women with PCOS struggle to lose weight because their excess weight is related to nutrition, lifestyle factors, and imbalanced hormones. Understanding PCOS as a metabolic disorder with nutritional implications led to investigating the potential benefit of having registered dietitian nutritionists …

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 …

Entomophagy: Mealworm Protein In An Inpatient Hospital Setting (Engagement And Education To Rollout Entomophagy For Improved Nutrition), Caryl Showalter

Department of Entomology: Distance Master of Science Projects

The consumption of insects (entomophagy) is a well-practiced phenomenon in many parts of the world. Western societies, including the US, are among the few places that do not participate in this practice. However, entomophagy has the potential to ease nutritional burdens, globally. While many may believe that nutritional deficits are a relic of more economically challenging times or a problem specifically linked to the low economic countries, the truth is that any area can face this problem. This was made clear in the US during the coronavirus lockdown with an estimated doubling in food insecurity associated with a lack of …

Mobile Health App For Adolescents: Motion Sensor Data And Deep Learning Technique To Examine The Relationship Between Obesity And Walking Patterns, Sungchul Lee, Eunmin Hwang, Yanghee Kim, Fatih Demir, Hyunhwa Lee, Joshua J. Mosher, Eunyoung Jang, Kiho Lim

Nursing Faculty Research

With the prevalence of obesity in adolescents, and its long-term influence on their overall health, there is a large body of research exploring better ways to reduce the rate of obesity. A traditional way of maintaining an adequate body mass index (BMI), calculated by measuring the weight and height of an individual, is no longer enough, and we are in need of a better health care tool. Therefore, the current research proposes an easier method that offers instant and real-time feedback to the users from the data collected from the motion sensors of a smartphone. The study utilized the mHealth …

Testing The Effects Of Two Field-To-Fork Programs On The Nutritional Outcomes Of Elementary School Students From Diverse And Lower-Income Communities, Kimberly R. Hartson, Kristi M. King, Carol O'Neal, Aishia Brown, Toluwanimi Olajuyigbe, Shakeyrah Elmore, Angelique Perez

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to evaluate the effects of two farm-to-school programs, specifically the Field-to-Fork Multi-visit Program (N  =  264) and the Field-to-Fork After-school Club (N  =  56), on nutritional outcomes of elementary school students (third to fifth grade) from urban, diverse, and lower-income communities. Data were collected via self-report surveys measuring: (a) knowledge of recommendations for daily fruit and vegetable intake; (b) fruit and vegetable consumption; (c) knowledge of cooking a healthy recipe using vegetables; and (d) desire for farm fresh foods at school. Statistical analyses included McNemar’s and Wilcoxon signed rank tests. The …

The Associations Of Chronic Stress, Social Support, Health Behaviors And Metabolic Syndrome Among Hispanic Women, Edna Esquer

Dissertations

The Associations of Chronic Stress, Social Support, Health Behaviors and Metabolic Syndrome Among Hispanic Women

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) prevalence is 25% among Mexican American women 30 – 49 years of age, compared to 22% among non-Hispanic Whites in the United States. Little is known about the additional contributions of chronic stress, social support and health behaviors to the development of MetS among this population.

Purpose: Describe the associations between chronic stress, social support, and health behaviors and the presence of MetS in Hispanic women living in an underserved community.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study design. The Adult Treatment Panel …

Corruption In Capsules: How It Is Legal For Companies To Put Harmful Ingredients In Vitamins And Dietary Supplements, Emily Leggiero

English Department: Research for Change - Wicked Problems in Our World

The vitamin and supplement industry has increased exponentially in profits as well as potential products on the market since the turn of the century. However, these products are not regulated, nor do they undergo any premarket clinical research or testing. Public health is compromised by vitamins and supplements that are available for American consumption that is disproportionately unregulated to their chemically similar counterparts. This wicked problem is facilitated through the combination of historical legislative definitions that has since been distorted for corrupt administrative gain through the allotment of corporate expenditures. Company disbursements are made to the same policymakers that create …

Therapeutic Potential Of A Ketogenic Diet In The Treatment Of Major Depressive Disorder, Jordan A. Murrin

Masters Theses, 2020-current

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the second most common mental health condition and a leading cause of disability in the world. It is theorized that MDD develops from a combination of biological, psychological, and social stressors. The condition is typically treated using pharmaceuticals and psychotherapy. However, not all individuals with MDD have access to or choose to use these treatments, or may prefer to incorporate therapeutic lifestyle changes such as exercise, sleep, and healthy eating. Even with treatment, MDD can alter brain structure and function, leading to the development of comorbid mental health and chronic metabolic conditions like obesity, cardiovascular …

The Impact Of Stress On Diet, Sleep, And Exercise Amongst College Students, Jessica Rizzo

Senior Honors Projects

Stress is something that everyone faces in their lifetime and has an everlasting impact on their health. College students face high levels of stress throughout the semester, but how is that impacting their behavior? I conducted a survey alongside Dr. Melanson, a professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, to see just how college students are reacting to stress. The survey was circulated to different departments and classes to achieve a widespread collection of data. The survey remained completely anonymous and posed questions about eating, exercise, and sleep habits, along with questions on demographics and stress levels. Our …

Rising Rural Body-Mass Index Is The Main Driver Of The Global Obesity Epidemic In Adults, Con Burns, Tara Coppinger, Janette Walton, Et Al

Publications

Body-mass index (BMI) has increased steadily in most countries in parallel with a rise in the proportion of the population who live in cities1,2. This has led to a widely reported view that urbanization is one of the most important drivers of the global rise in obesity3,4,5,6. Here we use 2,009 population-based studies, with measurements of height and weight in more than 112 million adults, to report national, regional and global trends in mean BMI segregated by place of residence (a rural or urban area) from 1985 to …

Evaluation Of A Diabetes Self-Management Program For Hispanics In Lexington Kentucky: A Pilot Study, Miguel A. Gamboa Oropeza

Theses and Dissertations--Nutrition and Food Systems

Hispanics are more affected by diabetes than non-Hispanic whites and they tend to experience more severe complications. Research shows that although self-management is poor among ethnic minorities, it is even more so among Hispanics. The “Taking Ownership of Your Diabetes” (TOYD) program has been shown to be successful in helping individuals manage their diabetes. However, no work has been conducted with Hispanic audiences in Kentucky. TOYD program allows individuals to modify lifestyle risks and solve problems related to diabetes management. The program was translated from English to Spanish. Hispanics males and females between ages 19 to 75 years …

The Relationship Between Problem-Solving Ability/Eating Motivation And Perceived Quality Of Life In Individuals Diagnosed With Celiac Disease, Vincenzo Zaccheo

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Celiac disease (CD) is a digestive disorder resulting from gluten intolerance that leads to damage of the small intestine. The only current available treatment for CD involves adherence to a strict gluten-free diet. Due to the restrictive nature of this treatment diet, and the increasing prevalence of CD in recent years, much research has been conducted examining factors that impact the quality of life (QOL) of individuals with CD. However, there has been a dearth of literature identifying those factors which can be modified within a treatment setting. Thus, a need for further research in this area was identified. Through …

The Cognitive Effects Of Chronic Malnutrition And Environment On Working Memory And Executive Function In Children, Kristiana E. Morgan

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Chronic malnutrition, or stunting, occurs frequently in many developing countries such as Uganda. Stunting hinders physical growth and has been associated with delayed cognitive development, especially in young children. This study examined the effect of stunted growth on the function of cognitive processes involving the working memory and executive functions using neuropsychological assessments. Additionally, this study compared cognitive performances among rural and urban populations to analyze the environmental background differences which may affect cognition.

Population samples of fifteen five year old children classified as rural adequately nourished, rural stunted and urban adequately nourished were examined. Tests for working memory and …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Primary Care, Priti Patel

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

The Capstone Project is focused on communicating, influencing and educating other health care professionals regarding the role of occupational therapy in the future model of primary care delivery initiated by the adoption of the Affordable Care Act and the Triple Aim Initiative. Currently, primary care, the largest health care platform in United States, is not inclusive of occupational therapy services. Occupational therapists have the scope, knowledge and understanding to be part of the redesigned team model of primary care. Educating those currently working in primary care about adding occupational therapy services can have a significant impact on the profession of …

Nutrition Political Economy, Pakistan. Province Report:Sindh, Shehla Zaidi, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta, Rozina Mistry, Gul Nawaz, Noorya Hayat, Shandana Khan Mohmand, Andres Mejia Acosta

Community Health Sciences

No abstract provided.

Nutrition Political Economy, Pakistan. Provincial Report: Balochistan., Shehla Zaidi, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta, Suleman Qazi, Gul Nawaz, Noorya Hayat, Shandana Khan Mohmand, Andres Mejia Acosta

Community Health Sciences

No abstract provided.

Nutrition Political Economy, Pakistan. Province Report: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Shehla Zaidi, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta, Abdul Wajid, Gul Nawaz, Kashif Nazeer, Shandana Khan Mohmand, Andres Mejia Acosta

Community Health Sciences

No abstract provided.

Nutrition Political Economy, Pakistan. Province Report: Punjab, Shehla Zaidi, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta, Akhtar Rashid, Gul Nawaz, Noorya Hayat, Shandara Khan Mohmand, Andres Mejia Acosta

Epidemiology and Biostatistics Section

No abstract provided.

4 Part Research Project: Cholecystokinin, Marcie Tasker

Academic Symposium of Undergraduate Scholarship

This 4 part research paper contains information on the biological molecule Cholecystokinin. The following research discusses and presents evidence of the name, history and structure of the hormone. It also discusses the different chemical reactions Cholecystokinin has in the body, the biological roles of Cholecystokinin and the importance of Cholecystokinin focusing specifically on the unexplained obesity issue of our world.

Kelly, Rita Helen Roberts (Fa 353), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Folklife Archives Finding Aids

Finding aid and full-text scan of paper (Click on “Additional Files” below) for Folklife Archives Project 353. Paper: "Good Mothering through Breast Feeding: Observations of a Meeting of the La Leche League" written by Rita H. Kelly for a Western Kentucky University folk studies class.