Theses and Dissertations - Department of Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management

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An assessment of associations between functional ability, nutrition, and dentition in homebound older adults
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2010) DeSalvo, Denise M.; Lawrence, Jeannine C.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
The relationship between nutrition, oral health, and functional ability has not been well investigated. The purpose of this research was to examine the associations between functional ability, dentition status, and the intake of specific dietary components in a group of homebound older adults. This cross-sectional study was a secondary analysis of data from a longitudinal study investigating causes of under eating in homebound older adults. Descriptive statistics, correlation and linear regression analyses were conducted. Participants' baseline physical function summary score, a proxy measure for functional ability, was the dependent variable. Mean dietary intakes of energy, protein, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin K, and the mean oral health index summary score were the independent variables. Average age of the 230 participants was 79.1 ± 8.6 years. The study population was 79% female, 62% Caucasian, and 38% African American. Statistical analysis revealed that physical function was significantly (p < .05) correlated with participants' oral health score and vitamin K intake. The oral health score was a single number representing an assessment of multiple factors including chewing, swallowing, pain, dry mouth, denture use, and number of remaining natural teeth. A lower oral health summary score was indicative of better overall oral health. Therefore, the negative association between the physical function score and oral health score meant that as physical function improved oral health improved and vice versa. The oral health score and vitamin K intake were also the only variables to significantly predict physical function in the final linear regression. These results provide interesting insight into the impact of nutrition and dentition on homebound older adult functional ability and offer guidance for future research. This study highlights a need for additional research especially in the homebound segment of the older adult population to better understand the scope of their needs. There is also a need for consistency in defining, measuring, and researching older adult functional ability. Finally, future research must be carefully designed to provide useful results that address homebound older adult nutritional, dental, and functional needs, and their quality of life.
The association between serum vitamin d status, bone mineral density, and forced expiratory volume in 1 second in pediatric cystic fibrosis patients
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2016) Brantley, Caroline Michelle; Lawrence, Jeannine C.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Cystic fibrosis (CF) currently affects around 30,000 individuals in the United States. Mucus obstructing the pancreas affects the production of digestive pancreatic enzymes causing pancreatic insufficiency, which leads to malabsorption, specifically of fat-soluble vitamins. New complications such as CF-related bone disease have also increased. Poor bone health is associated with malnutrition, inflammation, and vitamin D deficiency. CF patients generally have inadequate levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Insufficient vitamin D status is linked with decreased bone mass, increased inflammation, decreased immunity, and is also believed to contribute to respiratory failure. The purpose of this research is to examine the associations between serum vitamin D, bone mineral density (BMD) and lung function within the pediatric CF population. It is hypothesized that there will be a positive association between serum vitamin D and bone mineral density. It is further hypothesized there will be a positive association between serum vitamin D and lung function. A retrospective chart review was conducted to evaluate the association of serum vitamin D by assessing pre and post serum vitamin D concentrations, BMD, and pulmonary function in 30 CF pediatric patients ages 8-18. Data was subjected to descriptive statistics, correlational analyses, and multiple linear regression to examine potential relationships between serum vitamin D levels with forced expiratory volume (FEV1) at baseline and with both BMD and FEV1 after 2 years of maximum dose supplementation. Independent t tests were ran to compare differences in groups regarding supplementation doses. No significant associations were found in serum vitamin D and BMD except in the baseline model. Furthermore, no significant associations were found between serum vitamin D and FEV1 values of lung function. Significant associations were seen in BMD and lean body mass at baseline and 2 years. Results also showed no significant differences between groups receiving either 2000 IU or 3000 IU vitamin D supplementation. While there were no consistent associations with serum vitamin D and BMD, baseline associations show a link between low serum levels and BMD. Future research should focus on interventions for preventative care of maintaining adequate vitamin D serum levels and diets rich in calcium for optimal bone health.
Demographic correlates of patients with head-and-neck cancer receiving radiotherapy
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2017) Willman, Alexis; Lawrence, Jeannine C.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Background: Patients with head-and-neck cancer (HNC) often require some form of enteral feeding during their treatment due either to the presence of the tumor or as a result of radiation treatment (RT). Because of the catabolic nature of the disease and severe consequences of the radiation treatment, many patients benefit from enteral nutrition (EN). This improves the nutritional status of the patient and allows the patient to continue with their treatments. Studies have identified clinical predictors associated with the decision to initiate EN, but there is a dearth of information regarding demographic correlates. Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify whether demographic variables, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, marital status, and ethnicity of patients with HNC are predictors of the decision to initiate EN feedings. Methods: A retrospective chart review of 123 patients with HNC was conducted. Patients were excluded if there was no information of RT, EN initiation prior to the start of RT, or no primary diagnosis of HNC. Demographic information, anthropometrics, and enteral feeding initiation date were recorded from the Registered Dietitian and oncologist’s notes. Percent body weight loss was calculated from the recorded weights at four points throughout the treatment. Results were analyzed with Spearman’s correlation, chi square tests, Mann-U Whitney Tests, and linear regression models. Results: Religious affiliation, weight change from diagnosis to RT completion, and weight change from the start to completion of RT were the only significant predictors of EN initiation (p=0.008; p=0.01; p=0.001). Age, ethnicity, and marital status were not related to EN initiation or the timing of EN initiation. Conclusions: Religious affiliation and weight loss were significant predictors of EN initiation. Because of an informal guideline internal to the cancer treatment center monitoring and recommending EN to patients with >5% weight loss, bias was reduced. Therefore, policies that are based on percent body weight loss may be helpful in reducing EN placement bias.
Dietary Interviews and Survey of Habits in Parkinson Disease: the Dish Mixed Methods Study
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2021) Ferguson, Christine C.; Ellis, Amy C.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Background: The pathophysiology of Parkinson disease (PD) may influence the ability of a person living with PD (PwP) to perform food-related activities (FRA) such as meal planning, food procurement, food preparation, eating and drinking. Their abilities may be further impacted by other internal and external factors, including the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.Purpose: The purpose of this mixed methods study was to explore personal, behavioral, and environmental factors that are associated with the ability of people living with PD (PwPs) to perform FRA as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their overall dietary patterns. Methods: Using a convergent parallel design, PwPs and their care-partners completed virtual dyadic qualitative interviews about their experiences with FRA during the COVID-19 pandemic. Semi-structured interviews were guided by the Social Cognitive Theory. PwPs completed a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) to quantify their dietary intake in the previous 12 months. Sociodemographic data, medical history, and symptom severity were also assessed among PwPs. Qualitative data were analyzed independently by two coders using both inductive and deductive techniques. Quantitative data from the FFQ were descriptively analyzed and utilized to calculate diet scores. Results: Eleven dyadic interviews were conducted to uncover the following subthemes by the personal, environmental, and behavioral levels of the SCT: perception of a healthy diet, perception of how nutrition influences PD symptoms and progression, confidence in following a healthy diet, barriers & perceived challenges to performing FRA, previous sources of nutrition information, willingness to changing their diet with a Registered Dietitian, modifications to FRA due to food-medication interactions, and skills necessary to maintain a healthy diet. Participants experienced changes in their typical FRA and routines due to COVID-19. Specifically, they cooked more at home, consumed fewer meals with non-household members, and altered their grocery shopping habits. These changes often led to an increase in the care-partners’ responsibilities and overall burden. The average diet scores among PwPs were 73.0+6.3 for the Healthy Eating Index 2015 (scale of 0-100), 29.2+6.6 for the Mediterranean diet (scale of 0-55), and 10.4+1.8 for the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet (scale 0-15). Conclusions/Implications: Although diet scores indicated healthy dietary patterns among PwPs, findings from this study highlight the need for tailored nutrition education for PwPs and care-partners, and the results provide talking points for healthcare providers to address with their PD patients. Results also point to the need for future nutrition intervention research to inform evidence-based guidelines for this patient population. Interviews with PwPs and their care-partners revealed the need for healthcare providers and researchers to address increases in caregiver burden that resulted from changes in FRA due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The influence of body mass index (BMI) on the protein needs of critically ill patients as evidenced by urinary urea nitrogen (UUN)
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2011) McMahon, Shannon Elizabeth; Lawrence, Jeannine C.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Recommendations for protein needs in critically ill obese individuals are controversial and insufficiently researched. Current guidelines suggest protein needs for the critically ill obese be calculated with predictive equations that are based on energy needs data and incorporate accepted body weight adjustment calculations. There are no known studies that evaluate the alterations in protein needs based on body mass index in acute care patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between BMI and dietary protein needs as measured by 24- hour urinary urea nitrogen (UUN) test to determine if body weight was significantly associated with measured protein needs. The relationship between measured protein needs and estimated protein needs in obese individuals using ideal body weight (IBW) or adjusted body weight (ABW) calculations was also examined. A retrospective chart review of 150 Veteran Affairs Medical Center patients who had a 24- hour UUN test during a previous admission in the last 5 years was conducted. Exclusion criteria included: less than 19 or greater than 85 years of age, patients receiving hemodialysis, a diagnosis of a gastrointestinal bleed or hepatic encephalopathy at time of urine collection, or insufficient urine volume collection. IBW was calculated using the Hamwi formula and ABW was calculated using the Amato formula. All statistical tests were two-tailed and performed using a significance level of 0.05 using SAS 9.2. Participants were 82 European Americans and 62 African Americans with a mean age 62 (±10.0) years and a mean BMI 26.9 (±7.7) kg/m². Subjects had a mean of UUN 96 (±35.4) gram of protein. In the total group, body weight was significantly (p=0.0012) associated with measured protein needs. In obese patients estimated protein needs based on either IBW or ABW calculations were significantly (p<0.0001) different from measured protein needs. The results of this study suggest that protein needs for critically ill patients are associated with actual body weight. Additionally, predicting protein needs in the obese, critically ill patient using IBW or ABW for may not be appropriate. In this population, protein requirements should be measured rather than estimated using predictive equations.
The relationship between parental feeding practices and the child's weight
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2016) Parker, Carson; Knol, Linda L.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Childhood obesity is a public health concern. It is problematic in the sense that not only does it have short-term consequences for the child, such as early onset of chronic disease and social repercussions due to the stigma of being overweight, but also can result in long-term health consequences. Parental feeding strategies are related to parental weight, parent eating behaviors, and parental perception of the child’s weight. Strategies such as restricting unhealthy foods, rewarding good behavior with unhealthy foods, and pressuring children to eat healthy foods are strategies that can lead to poor dietary habits in children and excessive weight gain. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to assess the relationships among parental mindful eating, child feeding strategies, and child weight status. Participants were 45 mothers of children, ages two to five, recruited from the family medicine clinic at The University Medical Center at the University of Alabama (UMC) with a mean age of 29.1 (±1.6). The mothers were given a brief survey comprised of previously validated scales used to measure demographics, mindful eating, and child feeding strategies. Weight status of the reference child was also obtained. It was found that there was no significant relationship between parental mindful eating and the child’s BMI status (p=0.66). However, a significant relationship was found between parental mindful eating and monitoring as a child feeding strategy (p=0.01). This shows that parents who are more mindful eaters practice more positive child feeding strategies than those who are less mindful. Therefore, educating parents on becoming mindful eaters could be an appropriate strategy to foster appropriate child feeding strategies in their preschool-aged children.
Sensory testing of protein-enhanced soups among older adults
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2013) Donahue, Elizabeth; Crowe-White, Kristi M.; Lawrence, Jeannine C.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Preference and acceptability of protein-enhanced soups among an older adult population has not been well investigated. The purpose of this research was to examine the sensory attributes of aroma, texture, taste, overall acceptability, and preference of protein-enhanced soups (TRIO® Chicken Noodle and TRIO® Cheddar Broccoli) compared to flavor-matched institutional equivalents among older adults living in assisted living facilities. Sensory attributes were evaluated using sensory questionnaires with a modified paired preference test and 5-point facial hedonic scale. Results are based on data collected through sensory questionnaires completed by forty-four older adults in assisted living facilities in Jefferson and Tuscaloosa counties. Data was subjected to descriptive statistics, multivariable linear regression, independent t tests, and paired t tests for the purpose of determining acceptability and preference of tested soups. The sample was comprised of 32 women and 12 men of an average age of 81.4 ± 8.0 years. Approximately 75% of the population were self-reported Caucasians, 20.4% were African American, and 4.5% were from other ethnic groups. No significant differences (P>.05) were noted between either of the TRIO® soups compared to its flavor-matched control soup for any of the sensory attributes evaluated. Statistically significant gender-specific differences were present for the acceptability (P=.009) of TRIO® Chicken Noodle as well as statistically significant age-related differences in aroma (P=.045), texture (P=.049), taste (P=.006), and acceptability (P=.0009) scores for the control chicken noodle. For TRIO® Cheddar Broccoli, statistically significant gender-specific differences were present for texture (P=0.009) and significant age-specific differences were found for both taste (P=.03) and acceptability (P=.03). Although no significant differences in preference were found between either protein-enhanced soup and its flavor-matched control, the majority of participants (61.36%) preferred TRIO® Chicken Noodle Soup over the control. In contrast, only 38.63% of participants preferred the TRIO® Cheddar Broccoli Soup product over the control. Although preference was greater for the control cheddar broccoli soup, it is important to emphasize that no significant differences (P>.05) existed between the two cheddar broccoli soups for any sensory attribute evaluated. Results of this research suggest that the TRIO® Chicken Noodle product was well accepted and preferred by older adults. Thus, the use of this product may assist in optimizing nutritional status of older adults by assisting with protein consumption. This study highlights the need for future research to examine if protein-enhanced soup products succeed in increasing protein intake among older adults.

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Browsing Theses and Dissertations - Department of Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management by Author "Lawrence, Jeannine C."

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