Matching Items (7)
Filtering by
- Creators: School of Nutrition and Health Promotion
Description
Water makes up about 45-70% of a human body's total weight. It is estimated that 80% of the human brain's tissue is composed of water. Cognitive productivity is altered when the body is in a mere 2% dehydrated state. Several cognitive functions impacted by dehydration include: visual motor tracing, short-term recall, attentiveness, and mathematic efficiency. It is estimated that 80% of the U.S. adult population endures the majority of their day in a mildly dehydrated state.
Participants were employees working full-time jobs with Arizona State University or Tri Star Motor Company. Employees had to be 18 or older were invited to join the study. Employees participating in the study lived within the the greater Phoenix area. Participants of all races, genders, activity statuses, and BMIs were encouraged to join.
A one-arm, pre-test, post-test study design was utilized. We examined whether the hydration status of participants in the intervention improved or worsened during the course of the intervention, and then attributed any such improvement or deterioration to the intervention. Urine collections from an afternoon sample were gathered before and after the one-week intervention. For the intervention, the participating offices received a water dispensing system in close proximity to employee desk spaces. A reusable water bottle was also given to each participant. Urine specific gravity (USG) was assessed in all urine samples to indicate hydration status, and all participants completed water intake surveys before and after the intervention.
From this study, the overall change in water intake over the course of the one-week intervention was 143 ounces/day. This is an average of adding two and a half 8 oz glasses of water each day of the week per participant. USG also decreased significantly at the end of the intervention in comparison to the baseline value. In the greater body of research, this study strengthens the viability of inputting a hydration station and offering reusable water bottles to employees. This cost-effective method is an easy way to incorporate employee wellness in the workplace. The benefit of employees to drink more water is numerous, including increased focus, mental reactivity, and overall mood and wellness.
Participants were employees working full-time jobs with Arizona State University or Tri Star Motor Company. Employees had to be 18 or older were invited to join the study. Employees participating in the study lived within the the greater Phoenix area. Participants of all races, genders, activity statuses, and BMIs were encouraged to join.
A one-arm, pre-test, post-test study design was utilized. We examined whether the hydration status of participants in the intervention improved or worsened during the course of the intervention, and then attributed any such improvement or deterioration to the intervention. Urine collections from an afternoon sample were gathered before and after the one-week intervention. For the intervention, the participating offices received a water dispensing system in close proximity to employee desk spaces. A reusable water bottle was also given to each participant. Urine specific gravity (USG) was assessed in all urine samples to indicate hydration status, and all participants completed water intake surveys before and after the intervention.
From this study, the overall change in water intake over the course of the one-week intervention was 143 ounces/day. This is an average of adding two and a half 8 oz glasses of water each day of the week per participant. USG also decreased significantly at the end of the intervention in comparison to the baseline value. In the greater body of research, this study strengthens the viability of inputting a hydration station and offering reusable water bottles to employees. This cost-effective method is an easy way to incorporate employee wellness in the workplace. The benefit of employees to drink more water is numerous, including increased focus, mental reactivity, and overall mood and wellness.
ContributorsWildermuth, Kelsi (Author) / Johnston, Carol (Thesis advisor) / Dixon, Kathleen (Committee member) / Levinson, Simin (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2018
Description
University students currently lack sufficient knowledge and resources needed to support healthy eating patterns and nutrition. Comparison of the number of registered dietitians that are available to all students, along with the number of wellness events that are held at each university within the Pacific-12 conference will help determine which schools are best able to support their students' needs. Data was collected using a Google forms survey sent via email to wellness directors of each of the universities in the Pac-12 conference. Eight out of the twelve schools in the conference responded to the survey. The average number of dietitians available to all students (regardless of athlete status) was found to be 1.43 dietitians. Of the schools that responded, the University of Colorado, Boulder, has the most resources dedicated to student nutrition wellness with three dietitians available for all undergraduate students, free dietitian services, and approximately 150 wellness events each year. The success of available nutrition wellness resources was inconclusive as schools did not provide the information regarding student utilization and attendance. Future university promoted nutrition wellness programs should increase the number of affordable dietitians and total wellness events, as well as promote student health services through social media platforms to improve student nutrition knowledge and usage of resources.
ContributorsCurtin, Anne Clare (Author) / Dixon, Kathleen (Thesis director) / McCoy, Maureen (Committee member) / School of Nutrition and Health Promotion (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
Description
College students who may be living on their own for the first time are faced with a slew of new challenges, which include making healthy lifestyle choices. The purpose of this study involves investigating how well Arizona State University freshmen students take care of their health (regarding nutrition, purposeful exercise, alcohol consumption and sleep patterns) compared to other college freshmen throughout the United States. This study used data from the ASU Wellness department and the American College Health Association (ACHA) to compare these aspects of health and find out which areas ASU health promotions efforts should focus on to help educate freshmen and improve their health for the future. The writer also researched past studies to find the best ways to communicate health information to college freshmen via online media. Findings indicate both ASU freshmen and students from various U.S. universities fall short of meeting current health recommendations, and a need exists for further research to identify the best practices to effectively reach these students through the Internet and commonly used online platforms.
ContributorsKunkel, Katie Lynn (Author) / Chiarelli, Dean (Thesis director) / Aguila, Holly (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication (Contributor) / School of Nutrition and Health Promotion (Contributor)
Created2014-05
Paddle With A Purpose: A Synthesis on My Perspective on Cultivating an Intentional Life of Happiness
Description
Happiness is an enormously broad topic that has recently gained momentum in the workplace, literature, media and society. There are many interconnected topics and themes contributing to the overall state of being happy. In my book, I dive into the most important topics that contribute to daily and global happiness. Each of the following topics are explored within the evidence-based literature and juxtaposed with my own life experience and perspective. First, I will explore society’s impact on happiness. Society shapes our perspective more than we realize, so it is important to debunk what rings true to us individually and what does not. Next, I’ll share with you my favorite thing in life—gratitude. Gratitude is the easiest way to transition a negative affect into a positive state of being. In chapter three I will discuss how language and perspective shape our experiences. Word choice and self-talk are extremely impactful in your relationship with yourself and your relationship with others. Chapter four is about complaining and how it serves us and inhibits us. There are many functions to complaining, like self-awareness and enhanced interpersonal relationships as well as consequences like being a draining friend to be around. Then I’ll share about the phenomenon of emotional contagion and compassion and finish it up with the final chapter about being present and practicing happiness in our daily lives. It is most important to live a life full of intentional daily actions. The tone of my book is conversational and meant to serve as an inspirational tool to aide in achieving a happier life.
ContributorsSugarman, Cedar Gaia (Author) / Hoffner, Kristin (Thesis director) / Dawes, Mary (Committee member) / Curry Hart, Rachel (Committee member) / School of Nutrition and Health Promotion (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-05
Description
Introduction: A mini-documentary consisting of 4 student interviews and 1 professional interview was created for the purpose of providing examples of how body image and eating behaviors affect overall wellness and starting more conversation of this topic. Literature Review: A review of some of the current literature involving body image and wellness interventions suggests that body image is a significant factor of health and wellbeing. Wellness interventions, mostly "non-diet" approaches, that omit weight loss as a primary goal could be a suitable solution for some people wanting to make sustainable healthy lifestyle changes. The social media site, YouTube, was chosen to share the documentary based on the ability of social media to reach more people, engage them, and spread messages and information quickly. Methods: Participants of the video were volunteers responding to an ad posted on the Barrett, the Honors College daily newsletter. Michelle May, M.D. was interviewed to provide a professional perspective on the subject. Questions asked of the student participants were meant to provide examples of how each of their relationships with their bodies and food affected their ideas of health and vice versa. Final Video: The final video, titled "Food & You" can be found on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ShmAzlx2GhM Discussion and Conclusion: Overall, weight and body size still seem to play a role in the ideas the students interviewed have of health. As more research into improving body image is done, knowing how to add this to personal and health professional practice should be encouraged. Moving away from the weight-focused idea of health could improve body image and overall wellness.
ContributorsDehaven, Madison Riley (Author) / Dixon, Kathleen (Thesis director) / Kniskern, Megan (Committee member) / School of Nutrition and Health Promotion (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-12
Description
Health and wellness coaching has shown promising results in numerous studies. However, there is lack of published research evaluating the impact of using wellness-coaching interventions implemented by coaching trainees in a worksite setting. The main objective was to examine the changes in self-reported scores of the 12-wellness dimensions of health in ASU students, faculty, and staff after participating in an eight-week health and wellness program. The secondary outcome was to evaluate if additional health and wellness recommendations had a significant impact. The participants were aged 18 to 58 years and were divided into two groups: the first group received health and wellness coaching, while the second group received the health and wellness coaching in addition to recommendations on specific worksite social/embedded programs and supporting activities. Both groups had significantly increased scores in Eating/Nutrition and Thinking (p<0.001 and P<0.014 respectively). Health and wellness coaching trainees were effective in assisting clients on reaching realistic progress. Our program shows potential benefits in worksite wellness.
ContributorsBlackwell, Jared (Author) / Gregory-Mercado, Karen (Thesis director) / Collins, Michael (Committee member) / Scribner, Christina (Committee member) / School of Nutrition and Health Promotion (Contributor) / School for the Science of Health Care Delivery (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-12
Description
The following is a public relations strategy developed to position Julia Pearl Wellness, a corporate wellness consulting firm, and its owner, Julia Pearl, as credible, professional and experienced. The first portion includes a situational analysis, a research report on corporate wellness programs and the need for health solutions in the U.S., and market analysis. The campaign proposal, a creative product of the research, provides recommendations and tools for the firm to reach its stakeholders.
ContributorsWerner, Anna Nicole (Author) / Hass, Mark (Thesis director) / Bovio, Sonia (Committee member) / Department of Marketing (Contributor) / Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication (Contributor) / School of Nutrition and Health Promotion (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-12