Linda Mann

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https://hdl.handle.net/10587/1834
Dr. Linda Mann is an Associate Professor in Applied Human Nutrition at Mount Saint Vincent University. Dr. Mann's research interests include the impacts of parenting styles on healthy eating, the physical activity behaviours of young adults, the evaluation of food and nutrition standards, and the entrepreneurial aspects of nutrition and dietetic practice.

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    Determination of Chinese Canadians' Quality of Life with Nutrition-related Facets
    (2017) Kwok, Stephanie; Mann, Linda; Wong, Kwan; Blum, Ilya
    Purpose: The World Health Organization (WHO) defines Quality of Life (QOL) as satisfaction with physical health, psychological, social relationships and environment domains. The objective was to use the WHOQOL questionnaire, with the addition of nutrition-related facets, to assess Chinese Canadians and relate to relevant demographic, dietary and traditional health belief (THB) variables. Methods: Using probability sampling, 106 adult Chinese Canadians were recruited from community organizations. Telephone interviews, employing the tested questionnaire, were conducted in Cantonese or Mandarin.Data were analyzed through MSExcel and SPSS statistical software. Results: Overall participants were satisfied with QOL and general health, and had relatively better physical health and environmental domains compared to the other two domains. Longer residency in Canada and higher English proficiency corresponded to higher QOL, physical health and environmental domain scores. Those who had adapted their THB to Canadian practices had significantly higher QOL and environmental domain scores. Conclusions: The WHOQOL, with the addition of the nutrition-related facets, is a valid and reliable tool to assess cross-cultural groups. QOL of immigrants can be enhanced with English language supports and culturally appropriate nutrition resources. Future research should explore QOL with more recent, younger immigrants and those of lower socio-economic status
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    Herbal Remedies or Conventional Medicines: How do Students Choose?
    (2017) Wong, Kwan; Blum, Ilya; Mann, Linda
    Background: With the increasing popularity of herbal remedies, the objectives of this study are to investigate the interrelationships among knowledge, attitudes and usage; and to compare factors related to reliance on herbals versus conventional medicines by university students. Methods: University Ethics Review Board approved the study. The validated questionnaire was administered to a convenience sample of 318 students from randomly selected university classes in February 2001.Descriptive summaries of knowledge, attitude and usage were obtained and four indexes were compiled and inter-correlated. Characteristics of users and non-users of herbals were contrasted. Results: The participants were mostly female with an average age of 20.2 years. Most practiced a healthy lifestyle and were fairly satisfied with their present state of health. Both perceived and actual knowledge (modest to thorough) results were higher for conventional medicines than herbals. Ninety-eight percent of students use or have used conventional medicines as compared to 70% for herbals. Fifty-five percent of all respondents and 63% of current users of herbals indicated that they are more likely to use herbals in the future. Most supported integration of herbals with conventional medical care but 44% had no opinion on herbals having the same medical status as conventional medicines. Interpretation: A higher reliance on self-medication indicates students’ desire to take greater control of their own health care. A dramatic prediction for future use, along with an unwillingness to consult doctors and a low level of knowledge on herbal remedies, potentiates health hazards from dangerous side effects and adverse reactions.