Matching Items (20)
Description
High childhood obesity rates have resulted in many interventions to attempt to lower these rates. Interventions such as day camps, residential camps, therapy-based interventions and family-based interventions lead to changes in weight and self-esteem but family-based intervention leads to the longest-term success for children ages nine to 17. Analysis of the interventions was measured using tools such as BMI, BMI-percentiles, and weight. Psychological measures such as self-esteem, happiness, and quality of life analysis was preferred, however were not measured in all studies. While most interventions resulted in weight loss and increased self-esteem, results were often not long-term. Studies provided evidence that family-based therapy has potential to last long-term, however there is a lack of research. To determine the most effective childhood nutrition intervention research must conduct follow-ups for many years after the initial intervention to ensure they provide long-term results.
ContributorsAnderson, Megan Lee (Author) / McCoy, Maureen (Thesis director) / Kniskern, Megan (Committee member) / College of Health Solutions (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
We faced many struggles of starting college together, one of which, being the difficulty of mealtime once you are officially on your own. To the two of us and many of our friends, it was difficult no longer having a meal that felt like it turned a house to a home. Our goal of this project was to help those who may be experiencing similar feelings.
For our Thesis Project we wanted to create a cookbook that was designed specifically for college students who are living in the dorms. Our cookbook includes recipes that are low cost and easy to make for beginners. To be sure to capture our target audience, our cookbook will only included recipes which can be created using the given appliances in most standard dorms, which are limited to a microwave, blender, refrigerator and small freezer.
For the recipes specifically, we used a lot of family recipes and recipes from peers and colleagues. A great deal of time was spent actually testing out the potential recipes so we could narrow down which would be best for our book.
As two seniors who have grown immensely over the past few years at Arizona State, we recognize the issues that students may face when moving into a dorm. It was our goal to use our own experience and knowledge combined with research of those people who have also gone through this process, to create a book that we feel would have tremendously helped us navigate through our freshman year of college.
For our Thesis Project we wanted to create a cookbook that was designed specifically for college students who are living in the dorms. Our cookbook includes recipes that are low cost and easy to make for beginners. To be sure to capture our target audience, our cookbook will only included recipes which can be created using the given appliances in most standard dorms, which are limited to a microwave, blender, refrigerator and small freezer.
For the recipes specifically, we used a lot of family recipes and recipes from peers and colleagues. A great deal of time was spent actually testing out the potential recipes so we could narrow down which would be best for our book.
As two seniors who have grown immensely over the past few years at Arizona State, we recognize the issues that students may face when moving into a dorm. It was our goal to use our own experience and knowledge combined with research of those people who have also gone through this process, to create a book that we feel would have tremendously helped us navigate through our freshman year of college.
ContributorsGeorge, Grace Meredith (Co-author) / Ickes, Kamrie (Co-author) / Grgich, Traci (Thesis director) / McCoy, Maureen (Committee member) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
Description
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine-metabolic disorder found in 5-10% of reproductive-aged women, and is characterized by symptoms such as increased blood-sugar levels and increased androgen production, which can cause a multitude of complications, including obesity, high blood-pressure, type-2 diabetes, infertility, acne, hirsutism, and much more. All of this is predicted to be the outcome of genetics, excess insulin production, low-grade inflammation, and/or hyperandrogenaemia. In attempt to reduce these experienced symptoms/causes, it is suggested that women with PCOS adopt healthy and balanced diets that incorporate foods low on the glycemic index, high in fiber, and low in anti-inflammatory properties, to help reduce insulin levels and low-grade inflammation. This dietary alteration should also be coupled with other lifestyle changes such as exercise, stress-reduction techniques, and, if needed, medications such as oral contraceptive pills and/or metformin to help regulate hormones and insulin levels. While further research needs to be conducted, these dietary considerations may help to alleviate the symptoms experienced by women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
ContributorsAshby, Jillian Taylor (Author) / Grgich, Traci (Thesis director) / McCoy, Maureen (Committee member) / Hugh Downs School of Human Communication (Contributor) / College of Health Solutions (Contributor) / School of Human Evolution & Social Change (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
People have become increasingly perceptive in their health and well being. As a result, people are directing their attention to unconventional diet choices. A number of individuals are turning to a veganism. In 2017, six percent of Americans identified as vegan, up from only one percent in 2014. A vegan diet has been scientifically shown to have many health benefits when compared to the average western diet, which is typically inadequate in fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and contains excessive amounts of processed foods, alcohol, salt, red meat, and sugar. With its gain in popularity, and more people adopting the diet, comes a lot of controversies. There are many who support and advocate for it, including a number of celebrities, and health organizations like the American Diabetes Association and USDA. However, many people remain skeptical about its purpose and proposed benefits. There is a general lack of knowledge when it comes to veganism. The purpose of this study was to assess the attitudes and beliefs held by college students at Arizona State University about a vegan diet. A survey was prepared and later distributed to students of different majors across Arizona State University. A total of 100 students completed the survey. The results revealed that ASU students had varying beliefs in regard to a vegan diet, some accurate beliefs, and other inaccurate beliefs. In general, the vegan participants tend to be more accurate in their knowledge of a vegan diet, however, no statistical differences were found among the vegan and non-vegan (includes vegetarian, pescatarian and omnivorous) participants. Supplemental research should include a larger sample of vegan participants and should examine behavioral differences among vegans and non-vegans.
ContributorsZwinger-Nathanson, Gidette Michelene (Author) / Levinson, Simin (Thesis director) / McCoy, Maureen (Committee member) / School of Nutrition and Health Promotion (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-12
Description
One of the great difficulties in leading America to become a healthier nation involves overcoming the socioeconomic disparity that exists between income and health literacy. Impoverished communities consistently lack the proper health education to make quality food purchases and healthy lifestyle choices, leading to higher rates of obesity. Through FitPHX Energy Zones, an after-school program designed to encourage Phoenix youths to lead healthier lifestyles through an innovative use of library spaces, I provided health education and opportunities for physical activity for 8 to 14-year-olds in underserved Phoenix communities. However, although this intervention made significant progress with the kids' health literacy development over the course of the program, it is difficult for community-based intervention programs to continue in the long run due to budget or other extraneous circumstances. Once the program ends, there needed to be a way to continue to reach the kids beyond the scope of the program such that they can continue to experience the lessons taught during the program. Following the conclusion of FitPHX, I created an interactive book for the kids I worked with to help them retain the health and nutrition knowledge taught during the program.
ContributorsBejarano, Michael Carlos (Author) / McCoy, Maureen (Thesis director) / Williams, Deborah (Committee member) / Harrington Bioengineering Program (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
Description
Background While extensive research has been conducted among college students consuming alcohol with energy drinks, there is limited research exploring how extracurricular activities could have an impact on energy drink consumption and sleep. Understanding the association between student involvement and the impact it could have on sleep and energy drink consumption among college freshmen is essential in promoting healthy behaviors while in college. Objectives The purpose of this study was to understand the relationship between student involvement, average hours of sleep, and predicted prevalence of energy drink and coffee consumption amongst college freshmen living in residence halls at a large, public university in the Southwest. Student involvement and fewer hours of sleep hypothesized to observe higher energy drink consumption. Methods This study was a secondary data analysis of the second wave of the longitudinal SPARC (Social impact of Physical Activity and nutRition in College) study assessing college freshmen (n=599; 70.6% female; 50.9% non-white) living on campus. Students were enrolled in this study during the 2015\u20142016 school year. Mutually adjusted generalized estimating equation (GEE) binomial models examined the relationship between involvement (academic clubs, sport clubs, honors, taking 16 or more credit hours, and having a job) and sleep with energy drink and coffee consumption, controlling for gender, race/ethnicity, Pell grant status, ever having tried alcohol, and clustering of students in residence halls. Results On average, students were enrolled in 15 credits, slept an average 8 hours per night, those who had a job worked 14 hours for pay per week, 35% reported consuming energy drinks in the past week, and about 29% of students reported coffee consumption. Males showed a higher predicted prevalence of energy drink consumption compared to females (p<0.001), where females showed a higher predicted prevalence of coffee consumption compared to males (<0.001); energy drink consumption was less prevalent amongst Hispanic students compared to white students (p=0.018), but more prevalent amongst black students compared to white students (p=0.002); no associations between race were found in predicted prevalence of coffee consumption. Average hours of sleep per night was inversely associated with energy drink consumption predicted prevalence (p<0.001). There was a lower predicted prevalence of energy drink and coffee consumption in honors student status (p<0.001) compared to non-honors students. Students taking 16 or more class credit hours showed a higher predicted prevalence in both energy drink (p=0.050) and coffee consumption (p=0.023) compared to students taking less than 16 class credit hours. Students involved in physically active clubs showed a greater predicted prevalence of coffee consumption (p<0.001) compared to students not in physically active clubs. There was no difference in the predicted prevalence in energy drink consumption amongst students involved in physically active clubs (p=0.710), non-physically active clubs (p=0.493), and having a job (p=0.146). Coffee consumption predicted prevalence showed no significant prevalence amongst students of different race and ethnicity [Black (p=0.507), Hispanic (p=103), Other (p=116)] as well as students involved in non-physically active (p=0.839) clubs and who had a paid job (p=0.088). Conclusion Associations observed between average hours of sleep, the different types of involvement of student activities, and energy drink and coffee consumption, were interesting in that a few findings were found to be contrary to the hypotheses. Future research should delve deeper into student involvement within honors programs to understand the contextual factors of why these students showed a significant inverse association in energy drink consumption. Contrary to hypothesis, sleep and energy drink consumption prevalence were indirectly related leading future research to examine and understand why students are consuming energy drinks since on average participants were meeting recommended sleep guidelines. Nutrition interventions are needed for the groups at consuming energy drinks and alcohol in combination due to the study finding increased predicted prevalence amongst these groups as well as the increased risky health behavior associated with the combination found in the literature. Support or Funding Information This study was supported by the NIH Common Fund from the Office of the Director and the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research, grant number 1DP5OD017910-01 (PI: M. Bruening). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
ContributorsBender, Rebecca Leigh (Author) / Bruening, Meg (Thesis director) / McCoy, Maureen (Committee member) / Brennhofer, Stephanie (Committee member) / School of Sustainability (Contributor) / School of Nutrition and Health Promotion (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
Description
The purpose of this study was to gain greater insight on the educational growth and experience of children who visit the Halle Heart Children's Museum, by analyzing and exploring student thank you letters received from 2011-2016. Of the major contributors of cardiovascular disease taught in the museum, nutrition was discussed about most in the letters (42.6%). Children are able to learn about health related topics in museums, as evidenced by recall of topics and facts in student letters. Museums can be an influential and education experience for children, especially museums teaching about health related topics.
ContributorsRobertson, Kara Christie (Author) / Bruening, Meredith (Thesis director) / McCoy, Maureen (Committee member) / School of Nutrition and Health Promotion (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-12
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
Objectives. The role of parents and caregivers is vital in promoting healthy eating habits among Hispanic adolescents. However, there are inconsistent findings on whether parental feeding practices are beneficial to their diet quality. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of parental feeding practices on adolescent dietary outcomes post-parenting intervention among Hispanic dyads. The present study is a secondary analysis using data from a randomized controlled trial testing the effect of a parenting intervention, Families Preparing the New Generation Plus (FPNG+), on adolescent dietary and substance use outcomes among sixth to seventh grade Hispanic students. Methods. A subsample of dyads (n=78) completed surveys to collect information on parental feeding practices and adolescent dietary outcomes at baseline (T1) and immediately post-FPNG+ intervention (T2). Parents (mean age of 39.7 years; 84.6% female) self-reported their use of parental control, pressure to eat, and food restriction parenting practices at T1. Adolescents (mean age of 12.3 years; 68.2% male) self-reported their consumption of fruits, vegetables, and sugar sweetened beverage (SSB) intake at both T1 and T2. Repeated measures ANOVA were employed to compare changes in adolescent dietary outcomes by each of the three parental feeding practices assessed. Results. Findings showed significant differences in changes in vegetable consumption between adolescents of parents who reported use of control (-0.69 cup equivalents/day; p = 0.018), compared to virtually unchanged vegetable intake among those of parents who reported not using control. There were also significant differences in vegetable intake by food restriction, with a decrease in intake among adolescents whose parents reported not using restriction (-0.65 cup equivalents per day; p = 0.021), compared to a virtually unchanged vegetable intake among the use of restriction group. Dietary outcomes of fruit and sugar from SSB intake were not statistically significant by use of any of the parental feeding practices studied. Conclusion. Findings showed that adolescents whose parents used control and food restriction did not have less favorable changes in vegetable intake compared to those of parents who did not use these practices. More research is needed to determine whether the use of parental feeding practices may be advantageous on the intake of fruits, vegetables, and SSBs among adolescents to advise effective parenting interventions and establish lasting healthy eating habits of Hispanic youth.
ContributorsHannoona, Oryana (Author) / Vega-Lopez, Sonia (Thesis advisor) / Campos, Ana P (Committee member) / McCoy, Maureen (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2023
Description
The purpose of this study was to conduct a qualitative investigation to provide a baseline understanding of the typical experiences of food insecure college students and their understanding of what it means to be food insecure. Because of the stigma that is associated with food insecurity and emergency food resources, it may be difficult for students to discuss these topics openly with university administration or even with each other. For this reason, an asynchronous remote community allowed students to share their experiences anonymously. The narrative data collected in this study is meant to share the stories of students who live with the reality of food insecurity every day.
ContributorsPacheco, Lindsay (Author) / Vemuri, Renuka (Co-author) / Stabile, Diana (Co-author) / McCoy, Maureen (Thesis director) / Pine, Kathleen (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / College of Health Solutions (Contributor)
Created2022-05