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- All Subjects: Nutrition
- Genre: Masters Thesis
- Member of: ASU Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Description
The true number of food borne illness occurrences that stem from the home is largely unknown, but researchers believe the number is much greater than represented in national data. The focus on food safety has generally been directed at food service establishments, which have made great strides at improving the methods of how their food is prepared. However, that same drive for proper food safety education is lacking in home kitchens, where the majority of food is prepared. Young adults are among some of the riskiest food preparers, and limited research and education methods have been tested on this vulnerable population. This study examined the effect of a basic food safety intervention on consumer food safety knowledge in young adults in the United States (U.S.) over a week period. The study had a pre/post survey design, where participants answered a survey, watched a short 10-minute video, and then recompleted the same survey a week later. Ninety-one participants age 18-29 years completed the initial food safety knowledge questionnaire. Twenty-six of those participants completed both the pre- and post-intervention food safety knowledge questionnaires. A paired t-test was used to analyze changes in questionnaire scores pre/post intervention. The majority of participants were female (78.9%), Arizona State University (ASU) students (78.0%), did not have any formal food safety education (58.2%), prepared a minimum of one meal per week from home (96.7%), and had completed 0-1 college nutrition courses (64.8%). The average overall score for all participants who completed the initial questionnaire was 62.6%. For those that took both the initial questionnaire and the follow up questionnaire (n=26), their scores shifted from 66.8% to 65.5% after the intervention. Scores increased significantly only for one question post-intervention: 38.5% (n=10) to 53.8% (n=14) for the safest method for cooling a large pot of hot soup (p = 0.050). This was the first study of its kind to test a video intervention in attempts to increase food safety knowledge in young adults, and additional studies must be done to solidify the results of this study. Other means of education should be explored as well to determine the best way of reaching this population and others.
ContributorsClifford, Brooke (Author) / Johnston, Carol (Thesis advisor) / Grgich, Traci (Committee member) / Shepard, Christina (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2019
Description
Chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer are leading causes of death in the United States. Although they result from a host of personal and environmental factors, diet remains a critical way to reduce the risk. Plant-based diets in particular are associated with reduction in risk for chronic disease due to an intake that closely mirrors the Dietary Guidelines for fruit and vegetable consumption, fiber, and fat intake. Additionally, plant-based diets offer a sustainable alternative in relation to food production as they often require fewer natural resources overall.
While there are many benefits to following a plant-based diet, potential concerns arise as well. Certain micronutrients can be lacking and protein intake can be inadequate without careful consideration of dietary intake. Protein is especially important for its role in maintaining lean body mass, which allows individuals to function in activities of daily living. Plant-based sources of protein are often less digestible; therefore, those consuming vegetarian and vegan diets may benefit from increased protein intake for preservation and perhaps improved lean body mass as well as strength changes.
Recent research has shown that vegetarians had significantly less muscle mass compared to omnivores despite similar amounts of protein intake in grams per day. Other research has shown that vegetarians do not necessarily see an increase in muscle mass when exposed to resistance exercise, whereas those following an omnivorous diet or lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet do. However, other studies have found that vegetarians can achieve increases in lean body mass comparable to omnivores if 30g/meal of plant-based protein is ingested consistently.
It remains unclear what effect protein supplementation might have on strength and muscle mass among sedentary plant-based eaters. As such, the present study assessed sedentary vegetarian and vegan individuals as to whether increases in dietary plant-based protein could elicit changes in body composition, hand grip and lower body strength independent of exercise. After an 8-week intervention, no significant differences for lean body mass or strength were noted. Results are discussed in the context of trial integrity and supplement consumption issues.
While there are many benefits to following a plant-based diet, potential concerns arise as well. Certain micronutrients can be lacking and protein intake can be inadequate without careful consideration of dietary intake. Protein is especially important for its role in maintaining lean body mass, which allows individuals to function in activities of daily living. Plant-based sources of protein are often less digestible; therefore, those consuming vegetarian and vegan diets may benefit from increased protein intake for preservation and perhaps improved lean body mass as well as strength changes.
Recent research has shown that vegetarians had significantly less muscle mass compared to omnivores despite similar amounts of protein intake in grams per day. Other research has shown that vegetarians do not necessarily see an increase in muscle mass when exposed to resistance exercise, whereas those following an omnivorous diet or lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet do. However, other studies have found that vegetarians can achieve increases in lean body mass comparable to omnivores if 30g/meal of plant-based protein is ingested consistently.
It remains unclear what effect protein supplementation might have on strength and muscle mass among sedentary plant-based eaters. As such, the present study assessed sedentary vegetarian and vegan individuals as to whether increases in dietary plant-based protein could elicit changes in body composition, hand grip and lower body strength independent of exercise. After an 8-week intervention, no significant differences for lean body mass or strength were noted. Results are discussed in the context of trial integrity and supplement consumption issues.
ContributorsIncollingo, April (Author) / Wharton, Christopher (Christopher Mack), 1977- (Thesis advisor) / Johnston, Carol (Committee member) / Grgich, Traci (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2020
Description
Objective: It’s not well understood how youth perceive existing fruit and vegetable (FV) marketing materials available in schools. This ancillary study sought to assess the acceptability of FV marketing materials freely available to schools among adolescents in grades 6-12.
Methods: Middle and high school adolescents (n=40; 50% female; 52.5% Hispanic) in the Phoenix, AZ area were asked to rank marketing materials (n=35) from favorite to least favorite in four categories: table tents, medium posters, large posters and announcements. Favorites were determined by showing participants two items at a time and having them choose which they preferred; items were displayed to each adolescent in a random order. Adolescents participated in a 20-30 minute interview on their favorite items in each category based on acceptance/attractiveness, comprehension, relevance, motivation and uniqueness of the materials. A content analysis was performed on top rated marketing materials. Top rated marketing materials were determined by the number of times the advertisement was ranked first in its category.
Results: An analysis of the design features of the items indicated that most participants (84%) preferred marketing materials with more than 4 color groups. Participant preference of advertisement length and word count was varied. A total of 5 themes and 20 subthemes emerged when participants discussed their favorite FV advertisements. Themes included: likes (e.g., colors, length, FV shown), dislikes (e.g., length, FV shown), health information (e.g., vitamin shown), comprehension (e.g., doesn’t recognize FV), and social aspects (e.g., peer opinion). Peer opinion often influenced participant opinion on marketing materials. Participants often said peers wouldn’t like the advertisements shown: “…kids my age think that vegetables are not good, and they like food more than vegetables.” Fruits and vegetable pictured as well as the information in the marketing materials also influenced adolescent preference.
Conclusion: Students preferred advertisements with more color and strong visual aspects. Word count had minimal influence on their opinions of the marketing materials, while information mentioned and peer opinion did have a positive effect. Further research needs to be done to determine if there is a link between adolescent preferences on FV marketing materials and FV consumption habits.
Methods: Middle and high school adolescents (n=40; 50% female; 52.5% Hispanic) in the Phoenix, AZ area were asked to rank marketing materials (n=35) from favorite to least favorite in four categories: table tents, medium posters, large posters and announcements. Favorites were determined by showing participants two items at a time and having them choose which they preferred; items were displayed to each adolescent in a random order. Adolescents participated in a 20-30 minute interview on their favorite items in each category based on acceptance/attractiveness, comprehension, relevance, motivation and uniqueness of the materials. A content analysis was performed on top rated marketing materials. Top rated marketing materials were determined by the number of times the advertisement was ranked first in its category.
Results: An analysis of the design features of the items indicated that most participants (84%) preferred marketing materials with more than 4 color groups. Participant preference of advertisement length and word count was varied. A total of 5 themes and 20 subthemes emerged when participants discussed their favorite FV advertisements. Themes included: likes (e.g., colors, length, FV shown), dislikes (e.g., length, FV shown), health information (e.g., vitamin shown), comprehension (e.g., doesn’t recognize FV), and social aspects (e.g., peer opinion). Peer opinion often influenced participant opinion on marketing materials. Participants often said peers wouldn’t like the advertisements shown: “…kids my age think that vegetables are not good, and they like food more than vegetables.” Fruits and vegetable pictured as well as the information in the marketing materials also influenced adolescent preference.
Conclusion: Students preferred advertisements with more color and strong visual aspects. Word count had minimal influence on their opinions of the marketing materials, while information mentioned and peer opinion did have a positive effect. Further research needs to be done to determine if there is a link between adolescent preferences on FV marketing materials and FV consumption habits.
ContributorsPisano, Sydney Alexis (Author) / Bruening, Meg (Thesis advisor) / Adams, Marc (Committee member) / Grgich, Traci (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2019
Description
Background: The USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) provides accessibility, variety, and nutrition education to increase exposure to fresh F/V to school children. The aim of this study examines Arizona FFVP’s nutrition education frequency and delivery in relation to the effects by the COVID-19 pandemic for SY 2019-2020, SY 2020-2021, and SY 2021 - 2022. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional analysis of 57 Arizona school food managers (FSM) (and alike positions) (N=143; n=57; 18%(10) used Spanish; 82%(47) used English; FFVP site-level FSM = 81%(41); FFVP Non-FSM
= 19% (11); 88% (50) rural; 12%(7) urban) during SY2019 – 2020, SY2020 – 2021, and SY2021 - 2022. Participants were surveyed for their perspective of FFVP service, nutrition education, and partnerships. The statistical analysis used quantitative and qualitative content variables presented as percentages.
Results: Nutrition education were consistently delivered twice a week. FFVP service delivered most commonly 2 days/week (TF1 at 63% (26); TF2 at 59% (20),TF3 at 54% (19); TF 4 at 53% (19)). FFVP nutrition education was most frequently delivered 2days/week (TF1 at 55% (18); TF2 at 55% (18); TF3 at 54% (15); TF4 at 54% (20)). Teachers were most responsible for delivering nutrition education weekly in classrooms TF1 at 55%(21), TF2 at 44%(16), TF3 at 38% (15), TF4 at 45%. Most frequent method to select nutrition education was based on produce served that week (TF1 at 40% (23), TF2 at 36% (21), TF 3 at 39% (21),TF4 at 40% (24)) and day TF1 at 37% (21), TF2 at 36% (21), TF3 at 35% (19), TF4 42% (25).
Conclusion: FSM and alike positions are important to FFVP services. Arizona FFVP schools were able provide consistent nutrition education even through a nationwide school closure caused by COVID-19 pandemic.
ContributorsBlackhorse, Kimberly (Author) / Bruening, Meredith (Thesis advisor) / Grgich, Traci (Committee member) / Zuck, Jessica (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2022
Description
Background: Studies show that rural schools may be less supportive of student fruit/vegetable (FV) consumption, but few studies have investigated the relationship between school locale and FVs. The aim of this research is to analyze the relationship between school locale (rural vs. urban) and students’ FV selection, consumption, and waste in elementary, middle, and high schools. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of 37 Arizona schools evaluated differences in the selection, consumption, and waste of fresh FVs from students (n=2525; 45.7% female; 41% non-white; mean age=11.6±3.3; 23.5% rural) using objective plate waste measures. Zero-inflated negative binomial regressions examined differences in FV grams selected, consumed, and wasted by urban vs. rural locale, adjusted for sociodemographics and school.
Results: The percent of students who selected, consumed, and wasted zero grams of FVs were 14%, 21%, 20%, respectively. Among students with some (non-zero amounts), the average selected, consumed, and wasted FVs were 115.0±81.4g, 51.7.5±65.1g, 65.2±66.7g, respectively. Rural students (versus urban) had lower odds of selecting (OR=0.75), consuming (OR=0.78), and wasting (OR=0.71) any FVs, after adjusting for covariates. However, among students with some FVs on their plates, rural students selected (IRR=1.40), consumed (IRR=1.18) and wasted (IRR=1.62) more grams of FVs.
Conclusions: Rural students had reduced odds of selecting and consuming any FVs, but with lower odds of waste, perhaps due to reduced selection. Once some FVs were on the tray, likelihood of consumption and waste by rural students were greater. Results support interventions targeting rural students’ FV intake to reduce waste.
ContributorsJepson, Molly Eilish (Author) / Bruening, Meg (Thesis advisor) / Adams, Marc (Committee member) / Grgich, Traci (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2021
Description
Background: Children in the United States have low diet quality scores and consume less than the recommended amounts of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and dairy. The National School Lunch Program serves nearly 30 million children daily, and has the potential to improve the diet quality of children. However, there are high levels of food waste, particularly of fruits and vegetables. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine which menu items students are throwing away untouched most frequently. A secondary purpose of this study is to determine which menu items students are fully consuming most frequently.
Methods: Student participants (n=2,881) in Arizona elementary, middle, and high schools who participated in school lunch were randomly selected to participate in the study. Student lunch trays were photographed before and after the student ate. Visual estimation was used to determine if menu items were untouched or fully consumed. Menu item names were standardized and categorized into menu categories. The frequency menu items were untouched or fully consumed were summarized in percentages by menu category, and stratified by school level.
Results: Findings show that menu items within each menu category are untouched and fully consumed with different frequencies. Cold vegetable items were untouched with the greatest frequency, with 39% of all servings untouched. Some menu items were both untouched and fully consumed with high frequency.
Conclusion: Food service managers can use these results to plan menus with food items that are more popular among their students to help increase consumption and decrease waste. Future research should explore the relationship between packaging and preparation with student consumption and waste. Researchers should also examine aspects of the high school food environment that may lead to increased student consumption.
ContributorsLiddicoat, Carina Marie (Author) / Bruening, Meg (Thesis advisor) / Adams, Marc A (Committee member) / Grgich, Traci (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2022