Matching Items (4)
Description
Type 2 diabetes affects approximately 7.3% of Americans, leading to debilitating and life-threatening comorbidities. Estrogen and testosterone levels have been linked to inflammatory and oxidative stress markers, as well as glucose and insulin concentrations. The present study was designed to determine the link between sex differences, glucose control, and inflammation and oxidative stress related to daily almond ingestion among subjects with type 2 diabetes. Subjects were randomized to an intervention group, which received 1.5 oz. almonds daily for 12 weeks, or to the matched control group, which maintained their current diet. No significant differences were found in changes in glucose control in response to ingestion of almonds. However, CRP was significantly reduced by an average of 36.2% in those that received almonds daily (p = 0.017). Although not significant, women randomized to the intervention group appeared to have improvements in insulin resistance compared to women with no dietary change. Results suggest that the addition of almonds to the diet may be an effective intervention for managing inflammation associated with type 2 diabetes. The addition of almonds to the diet is a low cost intervention that is easily implemented into daily lifestyle. Due to the small sample size, additional studies are needed to determine the impact and mechanisms of almond ingestion in subjects with type 2 diabetes.
ContributorsPetersen, Katherine Nicole (Author) / Karen, Sweazea (Thesis advisor) / Carol, Johnston (Committee member) / Christy, Lespron (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2014
Description
Background: The shortage of available dietetic internship (DI) positions for qualified applicants threatens the future of dietetics. Only about half of all applicants will obtain a slot. Additional internship positions are needed and can be offered only if more practitioners become preceptors. Objective: To examine the perceptions associated with the role of DI preceptor among nutrition and dietetic practitioners and identify barriers and motivators to becoming a DI preceptor in Arizona. Design: An online survey adapted from previous published instruments was administered between July and September 2011 to dietetic and nutrition professionals eligible to precept dietetic interns. Participants: RD, DTR, and school food service professionals on file with Arizona registries were invited to participate in the survey. A total of 675 subjects participated in the study. Statistical analyses performed: Chi-square analysis was used to assess differences between preceptors and non-preceptors for categorical variables. Independent t-tests were used to analyze differences between groups for continuous variables. Results: Respondents included 314 current or former preceptors and 361 non-preceptors with no significant differences in gender, age, or race between groups. Preceptors typically perceived the preceptor role more favorably than non-preceptors. Non-preceptors reported fewer benefits and more disadvantages to being a preceptor. Only 18% of non-preceptors knew how to become a mentor. Conclusions: Motivators for practitioners to become preceptors and continue in the role include personal benefits, dedication to the role and profession, and contributions to the workplace by interns. Barriers to mentoring interns include lack of compensation, increased workload, lack of support, lack of training, lack of resources, intern liability, and lack of knowledge of how to become a preceptor. Results of the study can be used to target barriers and emphasize benefits associated with the preceptor role to encourage participation in the preceptor process to make more internship positions available.
ContributorsWooden, Alissa (Author) / Winham, Donna M (Thesis advisor) / Mayol-Kreiser, Sandra N (Committee member) / Morse, Lisa M (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2012
Description
Interprofessional education (IPE) is an accreditation requirement and an important component of training for future registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs). The dietetics program at the University of Arizona (UA) prepares students to become RDNs and has an online program to increase access to dietetics training. The existing face-to-face program incorporated in-person IPE into the curriculum. However, there was limited IPE available to dietetics students in the online program due to logistical and resource issues. To address this problem of practice, an online IPE module was developed providing dietetics students the opportunity to build collaborative skills with students in other UA healthcare training programs. A mixed methods action research study was designed to answer two research questions: (1) How and to what extent did participation an online IPE module impact online dietetics students’ interprofessional attitudes? and (2) After participating in an online IPE module, in what ways did online dietetics students change their thinking regarding the roles of healthcare professionals? Participants were dietetics students enrolled in an upper-division online dietetics course. Data gathered included a retrospective pre-post survey, online team discussion responses, reflection journal entries, personal constructs related to health professional roles, and focus group interviews. Results suggested that the online IPE intervention had a positive impact on dietetics students’ attitudes of interprofessional practice and enhanced their understanding of the roles of members of the interprofessional team. Both the quantitative and qualitative results indicated that after completing the intervention, participants’ were more attuned to the importance of interprofessional practice and the need to collaborate to provide quality patient care. There was also evidence that participants’ thinking regarding different healthcare professionals’ roles were more defined. The opportunity for participants to work on a final project as part of an interprofessional team likely contributed to the positive shared learning experiences and overall growth in interprofessional collaboration. In relation to practice, results indicate IPE should be included throughout dietetics training, and embrace students from a variety of public health disciplines. Future research should focus on exploring new approaches to engaging students in the online environment and evaluating the impact of IPE on students’ future practice.
ContributorsJackson, Kelly (Author) / Kurz, Terri (Thesis advisor) / Yañez-Fox, Lisa (Committee member) / Marian, Mary (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2021
Description
Water is an essential nutrient that is often overlooked. As a result of this hydration status is often forgotten as well. Becoming hypohydrated puts athletes at risk of decreased performance and potentially life-threatening heat illness. Being able to self-assess hydration status is may be instrumental in helping athletes safely optimize performance. Therefore, this study investigated, 1) the ability of an athletic population vs. trained investigators to self-diagnose underhydration, 2) the diagnostic ability of urine color (Ucol) charts as a method for diagnosing underhydration, and 3) the accuracy of participant and investigator assessments. Members of an athletic population each provided a urine sample and scored samples using both the traditional 8-color and newly developed 7-color Ucol chart. Investigators then scored the samples using the same methods. To determine the diagnostic value of the Ucol charts, Ucol scores were compared to concentration measures of Urine Specific Gravity (USG) and Urine Osmolality (Uosm). Differences in participant and investigator scores were compared using Mann-Whitney U and Spearman’s Correlation. Bland-Altman plots were drawn to assess individual differences in reporting against the mean of the two methods. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to both determine the ability of both charts to diagnose underhydration and to determine how well participants and investigators can determine their level of hydration. Athletes reported Ucol significantly lighter compared to investigators. Investigators showed no difference in reporting between the two charts but, athletes reported less than a color shade difference. The charts performed fair (8-color) to good (7-color) at diagnosing hypohydration. Athletes reported with less accuracy compared to investigators, and Ucol classification was found to be more accurate when compared to USG. Ucol charts are a practical tool to determine hydration status. Ucol scoring is similar regardless of the type of chart used. Trained investigators reported with slightly higher accuracy on both charts compared to untrained athletes. Athletes score Ucol fair to good in comparison to investigators. Ucol scoring is similar regardless of the type of chart used. The diagnostic ability of both Ucol charts is good in relation to USG. With education, athletes may be able to improve scores.
ContributorsPesek, Kathryn Margaret (Author) / Wardenaar, Floris (Thesis advisor) / Johnston, Carol (Committee member) / Yudell, Amber (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2022