Applied Human Nutrition -- Graduate Theses

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Completed Graduate theses from the Master of Science in Applied Human Nutrition program.

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Browsing Applied Human Nutrition -- Graduate Theses by Subject "Adolescence"

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    Body esteem, eating attitudes, and adherence in adolescents with cystic fibrosis from Atlantic Canada.
    (2009-04-21T13:58:20Z) Faulkner, Colleen; Taper, Janette
    A study was conducted to investigate the influence of body esteem, nutritional status, nutritional intake, and eating attitudes on adherence to dietary therapy and enzymes in adolescents and young adults with cystic fibrosis. Nine adolescents aged 12.5 to 18 years from the CF clinics at the IWK (Halifax, NS) and the Janeway (St. John’s, NL) participated in the study. The participants completed the following surveys/tools: a Three-Day Food Diary, The Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26), The Body Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults (BES), and The Adherence Survey. Nutritional analysis determined that study participants had an average caloric intake of 2174 Cal. Only one participant met the adjusted Estimated Energy Requirement (EER + 20%), and was classified as being adherent to dietary therapy. The average Body Mass Index (BMIp) was at the 52nd percentile, and the average percent Ideal Body Weight (%IBW) was 100. None of the participants were classified as stunted, according to their height-for-age, but one was classified as wasted, according to his/her BMIp value. BES scores determined that participants have a relatively positive body esteem, with a mean score of 52.67, 57.25% of the highest possible score. Eating attitudes were also positive, for the most part. However, EAT-26 scores did reveal that one participant was at risk of developing an eating disorder, having a score over 20. In the study, adherence was defined as taking the same dose, or more, of a treatment as prescribed by a doctor and/or dietitian. Adherence to vitamins and nutritional supplements, when prescribed, was extremely poor, at 0%. Adherence to enzymes taken with meals and snacks was similar to rates in the literature, with 56% being adherent. Common reasons cited for non-adherence included forgetfulness, an absence of positive results, time and effort consuming, and a dislike of taking the treatment in front of others. Due to the small sample size, two-tailed independent sample t-tests revealed no statistical significance between adherence, body esteem, eating attitudes, caloric intake, BMIp, and %IBW. Therefore, results of the study indicate that in the population of all adolescents with CF, based on the results of this study, one cannot predict differences in BES, EAT-26, EER, BMIp, or %IBW based on the individuals’s adherence category.
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    A Father's Influence of His Daughter's Perception of Her Body Image and Dieting Practices
    (2007-10) Andrews, Denika; Taper, Janette
    Body image and diet have been an area of concern in young females for a number Body image and diet have been an area of concern in young females for a number of years. In 2000, it was reported that 50% of adolescent girls had dieted and that an even higher percentage wished that they were thinner 1. Body image, as defined by Stokes et al., is the concept of one's body that is formed as one begins to observe and compare the self to others. Based on an increase in media awareness and other societal pressures to be thin, it can be speculated that in the future an even higher percentage of adolescent females will have dieted. In today's society there is a constant pressure to achieve the cultural ideal of a thin, pre-pubertal type body. Society portrays this ideal in television shows, music videos and magazines. Unfortunately, young girls are striving to attain this ideal body and will often go to extreme measures.Family relationships are one of the main influences on an adolescent girl's development of self-image including body image perception and dieting habits. The family is the primary agency for socialization7,8. Parents provide information to their children as well as act as role models. The literature reports the results of investigations on both maternal and paternal influences on a daughter's body image and diet; however, there is more emphasis on the same-sex parent-child relationship. Ample research has been conducted regarding a mother's influence on her daughter's body image and diet, while the strength of a father-son relationship has also been studied in detail. It is important to determine if a daughter feels that her father is influential in her self-image development as he is the primary male role model in her life and adolescence is when a daughter needs her father's parenting the most. The purpose of this study was to determine how adolescent females feel about their bodies, and what factors influence their body image development. This study assessed the father-daughter relationship and determined if its influence, if any, on the development of body image and safe diet habits in young adolescent females.With ethics approval, ten adolescent females were recruited from Exploits Valley High School via purposive sampling. The researcher gave a brief presentation to random classes, with participants volunteering at their leisure. Once ten participants had volunteered, and parental consent was obtained, the study began. Each female participated in an in-depth semi-structured interview which allowed participants to share their experiences in an unbiased setting.Thematic analysis of the transcribed interviews organized the data into five major themes: body image, dieting practices, relationships, influences and pressures andc ommunication. These themes were further broken down into a variety of sub-themes. The data indicated that overall these young females have a positive sense of self with minor episodes of body dissatisfaction. Participants identified three major influences on their body image and diet: peers, parents and the media. This study also indicated that the majority of participants felt a closer relationship with their father, than with their mother. The felt a sense of closeness, playfulness and trustworthiness all which lead to their father's having a positive impact on their lives in various ways. This research provides a good initial understanding of the father-daughter relationship and its effect on the daughter's development of body image and dieting habits. Although this was a small study, results provide solid information which can help guide Dietitians in their counseling of young females on weight related issues, such as weight management and eating disorders. It is essential to include both parents in dietetic counseling with regards to weight management, healthy eating and eating disorders, as it was determined that both the mother, and the father, have an impact on the overall eating habits and nutrition knowledge of these young females. of years. In 2000, it was reported that 50% of adolescent girls had dieted and that an even higher percentage wished that they were thinner 1. Body image, as defined by Stokes et al.2, is the concept of oneâ s body that is formed as one begins to observe and compare the self to others. Based on an increase in media awareness and other societal pressures to be thin, it can be speculated that in the future an even higher percentage of adolescent females will have dieted. In todayâ s society there is a constant pressure to achieve the cultural ideal of a thin, pre-pubertal type body. Society portrays this ideal in television shows, music videos and magazines. Unfortunately, young girls are striving to attain this ideal body and will often go to extreme measures2,3. Family relationships are one of the main influences on an adolescent girlâ s development of self-image including body image perception and dieting habits4,5,6. The family is the primary agency for socialization7,8. Parents provide information to their children as well as act as role models. The literature reports the results of investigations on both maternal and paternal influences on a daughterâ s body image and diet; however, there is more emphasis on the same-sex parent-child relationship. Ample research has been conducted regarding a motherâ s influence on her daughterâ s body image and diet, while the strength of a father-son relationship has also been studied in detail. It is important to determine if a daughter feels that her father is influential in her self-image development as he is the primary male role model in her life and adolescence is when a daughter needs her fatherâ s parenting the most The purpose of this study was to determine how adolescent females feel about their bodies, and what factors influence their body image development. This study assessed the father-daughter relationship and determined if its influence, if any, on the development of body image and safe diet habits in young adolescent females. With ethics approval, ten adolescent females were recruited from Exploits Valley High School via purposive sampling. The researcher gave a brief presentation to random classes, with participants volunteering at their leisure. Once ten participants had volunteered, and parental consent was obtained, the study began. Each female participated in an in-depth semi-structured interview which allowed participants to share their experiences in an unbiased setting. Thematic analysis of the transcribed interviews organized the data into five major themes: body image, dieting practices, relationships, influences and pressures and communication. These themes were further broken down into a variety of sub-themes. The data indicated that overall these young females have a positive sense of self with minor episodes of body dissatisfaction. Participants identified three major influences on their body image and diet: peers, parents and the media. This study also indicated that the majority of participants felt a closer relationship with their father, than with their mother. The felt a sense of closeness, playfulness and trustworthiness all which lead to their fatherâ s having a positive impact on their lives in various ways. This research provides a good initial understanding of the father-daughter relationship and its effect on the daughterâ s development of body image and dieting habits. Although this was a small study, results provide solid information which can help guide Dietitians in their counseling of young females on weight related issues, such as weight management and eating disorders. It is essential to include both parents in dietetic counseling with regards to weight management, healthy eating and eating disorders, as it was determined that both the mother, and the father, have an impact on the overall eating habits and nutrition knowledge of these young females.