Course Goals
(As provided by American University course HLTH 625 Nutrition Epidemiology)
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Provide students with a foundation of the statistical methods used in nutrition research and a basic understanding of appropriate use.
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Develop an understanding of dietary assessment methods, collection and use in estimating intakes.
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Promote familiarity with biomarkers as assessment tools, and expand upon the important considerations when using biomarker.
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Encourage an understanding of anthropometric and physical assessment methods.
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Help students understand nutrition surveillance, and how nutrition research is translated into policy and practice.
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Provide opportunities for collaboration and investigation in an online environment.
Artifacts
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Discussion-Abstract on Biomarker Use
Research Proposal-Fruit and Vegetable Consumption in Adolescents and Impact on Obesity as an Adult
Reflection
This was an abstract pertaining to anthropometric measures, the reflection follows the abstract.
Abstract
Ridder, M.A.M., Koning, M., Visscher, T.L.S., Hirasing, R.A., Seidell, J.C., and Renders, C.M. (2018). Energy balance-related behavior and anthropometric measures among adolescents across three educational levels: A cross-sectional study in dutch schools. Health, Education & Behavior, 45(3):349-358. doi: 10.1177/1090198117715666
Students at various levels of education in the Netherlands (prevocational, senior general and pre-university) were surveyed to determine the effectiveness of current health education programs in order to determine if educational age, sex and body mass index (BMI) were factors to encourage positive eating and exercise habits or deter them. In this cross-sectional study, there were 1, 084 participants, whom had anthropometric measurements (height and weight) recorded by a school health official. These measures were used to create gender-specific categories for measuring many health variables, for instance, BMI with a Likert type scale. The survey (Check Teen) consisted of seventy-two digital questions about (BMI), perception of weight, dietary habits, physical activity, sedentary behaviors as well as the lessons offered at school about healthy eating and physical education. From the survey it was found that girls (48.1%) perceived their dietary behavior as healthier than other students. Boys and girls combined, reported that they consumed breakfast, fruits and vegetables more frequently, and this increased as the educational level increased. Ninety percent of students reported biking to school and those involved in organized sports were at the pre-university level. Prevocational students were more likely to have outside play time, but also more screen time. Going on to review the data on beliefs about school-based health interventions, girls (51.5%) versus 42.6% of boys, disagreed that there were sufficient amounts of healthy eating education. Collectively, 57% of the participants feel that a healthy school canteen and offering more free fruit would be effective interventions. Physical Education (PE) interventions were enjoyed by 91.2% of boys and 80.8% of girls. Girls (43% and 47%) advocated for more choice and variation in PE where boys (63%), wanted more PE classes. Prevocational students were found to have a higher incidence of obesity than those in the senior general and pre-university levels. Obesogenic factors were determined to be results of non-breakfast eaters, lack of physical activity, increased amounts of screen time and absence of positive food influences from home. Continuing to instill positive eating habits and exercise through adolescence, allows them to be carried into adulthood.
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