Applied Human Nutrition -- Graduate Theses

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https://hdl.handle.net/10587/590
Completed Graduate theses from the Master of Science in Applied Human Nutrition program.

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    Exploring the Experiences of People with ‘High-Risk’ Pregnancy and Prenatal Education in Nova Scotia
    (Mount Saint Vincent University, 2024-09) Churchill, Megan
    Prenatal education provides important information to pregnant people, preparing them for birthing and postpartum. People with high-risk pregnancies may require additional information to ensure that both the parent and infant are healthy/safe. Currently, facilitated prenatal education in Nova Scotia is only widely available through privately owned businesses.
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    Perceptions, knowledge, and use of plant-based dietary interventions among healthcare providers in Nova Scotia (Veg-HP Study)
    (Mount Saint Vincent University, 2024-04) Bockus, Laura
    Plant-based diets, including vegetarian diets, have been studied extensively for utility in chronic disease management. Recent public health initiatives, including the revision of the Canada’s Food Guide (CFG, 2019), reflect favourable health and wellness outcomes. Research investigating public perception of plant-based diets has identified several biases that may impact perceived and actual utility. Limited research exists on Healthcare Professionals’ (HCPs) perceptions, knowledge, or use of plant-based diets in practice, all well established outcomes that impact whether or not HCPs use an intervention. Aim: To capture and describe perceptions, knowledge, and practice behaviours of HCPs in Nova Scotia (NS), in relation to vegetarian diet usage in chronic disease management (prevention and treatment). Outcomes: Guided by our study aim, we collected data under four outcome categories, from registered and regulated physicians, dietitians, nurses, and pharmacists, practicing in NS 1) Demographics, 2) Perceptions 3) Knowledge 4) Use/Application. Methods: This cross-sectional survey study included development and implementation of a 60-item close-ended questionnaire which was distributed via LimeSurvey (October 2021-April 2022) to physicians, dietitians, nurses, and pharmacists in NS. Data was subjected to descriptive statistical analysis and described in text, tabular and figure format. Results: Of 53 respondents, 94% identified as female and 49% as registered dietitians (RDs). The sample was composed of people who consumed primarily omnivore (49%, n=23/47) or plant-based diets (49%, n=23/47). HCPs described vegetarian diets as a lifestyle choice (86%, n=43/50), legitimate medical practice (58%, n=29/50), and complimentary medicine (44%, n=22/50). Knowledge questions were correctly answered by most (85% or more), excluding one. Thirty-eight percent (n=31/50) of respondents did not know CFG no longer contains a meat and alternatives food group. Respondents identified cardiovascular disease (90%, n=45/50), diabetes (80%, n=40/50), cancers (74%, n=37/50), and mental health disorders (26%, n=13/50) could be beneficially impacted with plant-based diets, with no negative impacts (66%, n=33/50). Respondents (26%, n=13/50) expressed some concern for mental health impacts with vegetarian diets specifically, patients living with eating disorders (5%, n=2/43). Vegetarian diets were recommended by 68% (n=34/50) of HCPs, not recommended by 32% (n=16/50), and 58% (n=29/50) reported waiting for patient interest before discussing vegetarian diets. Conclusions: A large percentage of respondents recognized vegetarian diets could beneficially impact disease states and clinical outcomes, a similar percentage of respondents reported not introducing this dietary pattern without prompting from their patient. NS HCPs had better knowledge scores than previous peer-reviewed and published literature, although evaluations/ knowledge evaluation tools differ across studies. This is likely due to the increased representation of RDs in our sample.
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    Exploring food insecurity among gay men in India: an interpretative phenomenological study
    (Mount Saint Vincent University, 2023-12) Yeminedi, Sainath
    Accepting same-sex sexual orientation and queer identities has become more prevalent among Indian youth. However, within the framework of family, home, and school, taking sexuality and being free to express their gender choices remain significant challenges for members of the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) community (Patel, 2016). For gay men, in particular, there is a lack of adequate health care and nutrition. For example, Gay men face discrimination at work and in school, which causes many to commit suicide or live by themselves away from society. This study aims to identify and bring to the world's attention the food culture among gay men in India. The study will also focus on discrimination as a determinant of food access and nutrition faced by gay men in India. This chapter discusses the background and context of the study, followed by the research question, the research goals, and finally, the limitations.
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    Remembering our Past to Influence the Future: A Photovoice Project on Access to Food with Indigenous Peoples Living with HIV/AIDS in Mi’kma’ki
    (Mount Saint Vincent University, 2023) Purdy, Chelsey
    Introduction: Food systems shape the ways we access and understand food. For Indigenous peoples, access to food and knowledge associated with food continues to be interrupted by colonialism. Those with identities that oppose colonial values and power structures have been impacted most. Namely two-spirit (queer) people and women bear the brunt of impacts, influencing vulnerability to HIV infection and food insecurity (among other outcomes, including violence). The impacts of colonialism have led to various social issues and barriers that impact Indigenous access, control, and values and food systems. The long history of colonization (e.g. since contact) in Mi’kma’ki (the Atlantic provinces and parts of Quebec) has been especially damaging to the land and to local Mi’kmaw food systems. Aim: This project aims to use art (photographs) to generate meaning associated with past, present, and future access to food for Indigenous peoples living with HIV/AIDS in Mi’kma’ki. Methods: Two groups of participantswere recruited: 1) Photovoice participants were Indigenous people living with HIV/AIDS in Mi’kma’ki; 2) Service providers participants worked for an Indigenous-led organization serving Indigenous people living with HIV/AIDS in Mi’kma’ki. Photovoice participants were invited to take photos representing past, present, and future access to food. They were then invited to a group sharing session where they shared the meaning or story behind their photos with other participants (including service provider participants). The medicine wheel was used as a guide for contextualizing photos and prompting discussion among the group to generate/share meaning. One on one sharing sessions were also offered for photovoice participants who wished to remain anonymous. Storytelling Results/Conclusion: Two Photovoice participants and three service provider participants were included. Participants (photovoice and service provider) identified and discussed various topics, experiences, and meanings that were generated from photos representing past, present, and future access to food. Decolonization (returning to the values of our past to reclaim our future) was a consistent theme that emerged from discussion and story sharing prompted by participant photos, using the medicine wheel as a prompt. In addition, reflections on the role of an Indigenous research paradigm are shared, contributing to the growth of Indigenous arts-based research methods.