Predictors of Plant-Based Alternatives to Meat Consumption in Midwest University Students

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prevalence of plant-based alternatives to meat consumption in students at a Midwest university, describe associations between demographics, environmental concern attitudes, and consumption, and determine variables statistically associated with trying the plant-based alternatives.

DESIGN

Descriptive cross-sectional convenience sample; self-administered online surveys.

SETTING

College students at a Midwest university.

PARTICIPANTS

Currently enrolled students aged 18-30 taking courses on campus as of March 2020.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Plant-based alternative consumption; demographics; vegetarian status; environmental attitudes; influences on food choices; and trusted sources of food information.

ANALYSIS

Bivariate comparisons for consumption of plant-based alternatives; logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Fifty-five percent had tried a plant-based meat alternative. Top reasons were enjoying new foods and curiosity about the products. Out-of-state residency, vegetarian status, and 10 of 11 environmental attitude statements were significantly associated with plant-based alternative consumption (P < 0.05). About 30% of consumers indicated they wanted to eat less meat and that plant alternatives were better for the environment. Nonconsumers had less favorable views of meatless meals.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

This study supports that positive environmental attitudes were predictive of plant-based alternative consumption among college students. Increased awareness and familiarity could encourage consumption among this population.

Effects of COVID-19 on University Student Food Security

During COVID-19 restrictions in spring 2020, college students experienced closed dormitories and increased unemployment and many students moved in with their families. College students were vulnerable to food insecurity pre-pandemic and this study examined how the living situations and food security status changed for Midwestern university students due to COVID-19 restrictions. An email survey administered to Iowa State University students between the ages of 18 and 30 who physically attended campus prior to its closure produced 1434 responses. Students living with a parent or guardian increased by 44% and were less likely to experience food insecurity or less likely to work. They had lower stress and ate more home-cooked meals. Students living on their own had higher rates of food insecurity, greater stress, poorer health status, higher cooking self-efficacy, and worked more hours. Seventeen percent of all students were food insecure; related factors were non-White ethnicity, lower cooking self-efficacy, undergraduate status, receipt of financial aid, employment, stress, living in the same situation as before the campus closure, and consumption of more take-out or fast food. These individuals had more barriers to food access. Knowledge of these factors provide useful information to inform future support services for this population in similar conditions.

Food Security Characteristics Vary for Undergraduate and Graduate Students at a Midwest University

The study objective was to determine prevalence of food insecurity and its associations with socioecological model (SEM) characteristics for undergraduate and graduate students. An online questionnaire was distributed to a convenience sample of students aged 18-34 at a Midwestern university. Of the 938 responses, 675 were complete for analysis. Outcome measures included demographics, food security level, housing, food access barriers, coping strategies, and food assistance program usage. Results found that predictors associated with undergraduate food insecurity included non-White race, receipt of financial aid, lower self-reported health status, living off-campus, employment, and food cost (p < 0.001). Graduate student food insecurity was associated with Asian self-identification, employment, food cost, no time to prepare foods, and lack of foods for dietary needs (p < 0.001). Students with food insecurity were more likely to buy cheap food (p < 0.001). Almost 50% of food-insecure undergraduates asked friends or family to help buy food. Food-insecure students were more likely to want information on meal preparation and budgeting. More graduate students were likely to know of and use food pantries. Overall, food insecurity was higher among undergraduate than graduate students. Universities should consider institutional and policy changes tailored to the separate populations to mitigate the prevalence of campus food insecurity.

Factors Influencing Dietary Intake Frequencies and Nutritional Risk among Community-Residing Older Adults

Older adult (OA) dietary practices may be placing them at nutritional risk. This cross-sectional study examined the dietary intake frequencies (DIF) and nutritional risk (NR) using the Dietary Screening Tool (DST) of OA attending community-based nutrition education and physical activity programs. Most were white females aged 60-80 years. The majority (80.1%) were classified as "at NR" or "at possible NR." Participants had "low" lean protein, dairy, and processed meat DIF and "moderate" whole fruit and juice, total and whole grains, vegetables and added fats, sugars, and sweets DIF. State influenced whole fruit and juice (p ≤ .001) and vegetable (p = .021) DIF, age influenced processed meat DIF (p = .001), and gender influenced NR (p = .006), vegetable (p = .022), and processed meat (p = .033) DIF. Results indicate that OA participating in lifestyle interventions are at NR. When developing future nutrition education programs, educators should consider sociodemographic factors to promote dairy and protein-rich foods to OA at NR.

Health Behaviors among Low-income Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White Women

OBJECTIVES

We determined relationships between food behaviors and health-risk factors by acculturation among limited-income Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women.

METHODS

Women aged 18-49 years were recruited from income-based programs in metro-Phoenix, Arizona. Self-administered surveys in English or Spanish included demographics, a 10-item food behavior checklist, health-risk factors, food security, and acculturation. Differences by 4 acculturation/ethnicity categories were assessed with chi-square and analysis of variance (ANOVA). We created a food behavior scale.

RESULTS

Eighty-two percent self-identified as Hispanic (N = 358), with 45% Hispanic-dominant, 25% bicultural, 12% English-dominant, and 18% non-Hispanic white for acculturation status. Food behavior checklist results showed that English-dominant Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women were more likely to feed their children soon after waking, refrigerate meat/dairy promptly, not add salt to food, smoke cigarettes and be food insecure (p < .001). Education, not acculturation, was a significant predictor of the food behavior scale. BMI did not differ by acculturation, but 33% of Hispanic-dominant Latinas did not know their height and/or weight. These less acculturated Latinas had significantly greater food security, but lacked health insurance and years of education.

CONCLUSIONS

Program outreach tailored by acculturation that considers educational level is needed to emphasize existing positive behaviors and address knowledge gaps among low socioeconomic women to improve health and reduce disparities.

The Academic Environment and Faculty Well-Being: The Role of Psychological Needs

Recent research has examined the well-being of higher education faculty, but it has typically lacked a theoretical model. The present study used self-determination theory to model the well-being of 581 tenured and tenure-eligible faculty members at a large mid-Western university. Volitional autonomy, perceived competence, and perceived relatedness were hypothesized to partially mediate the relationships between several environmental factors (e.g., administrative support, research support, promotion and tenure support) and faculty well-being (i.e., teaching/service satisfaction and global satisfaction). Results of path analysis indicated that all relations between the environment and teaching/service satisfaction were fully mediated by volitional autonomy and perceived competence, whereas all relations between the environment and global satisfaction were partially mediated by perceived relatedness. These findings highlight the centrality of psychological needs in understanding the relations between the environment and faculty well-being. Additional implications and future directions for research are discussed.

Relationship among Risk Factors for Nephrolithiasis, Cardiovascular Disease, and Ethnicity

This cross-sectional study determined the prevalence of nephrolithiasis and common cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in a law enforcement officer (LEO) cohort and evaluated the relationship of nephrolithiasis with several CVD risk factors, including the possible effect of ethnicity. Self reported nephrolithiasis and CVD risk factors among currently employed male LEOs from nine states (n = 2,818) were compared to other men in the same states (n = 9,650). Of the LEOs, 6.2% (n = 174) self reported at least one kidney stone (range = 1 to 12, mean 2.3 6 2.1 stones). Twenty five percent of Native American LEOs (n = 7 of 28) self reported a history of stones. In LEOs with a history of nephrolithiasis, overweight defined as body mass index . 25 kg/m2 (odds ratio [OR] = 1.80, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.04, 3.11), hypercholesterolemia (OR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.09, 2.15), and hypertension (OR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.02, 2.11) were associated with the disease. These results suggest officers with common CVD risk factors are also at an increased risk for nephrolithiasis. Native American LEOs have a disproportionately higher prevalence of nephrolithiasis than do other ethnic groups.

Interaction of Beta-Hydroxy-Beta-Methylbutyrate Free Acid and Adenosine Triphosphate on Muscle Mass, Strength, and Power in Resistance Trained Individuals

Lowery, RP, Joy, JM, Rathmacher, JA, Baier, SM, Fuller, JC Jr, Shelley, MC II, Jäger, R, Purpura, M, Wilson, SMC, and Wilson, JM. Interaction of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate free acid and adenosine triphosphate on muscle mass, strength, and power in resistance trained individuals. J Strength Cond Res 30(7): 1843-1854, 2016-Adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) supplementation helps maintain performance under high fatiguing contractions and with greater fatigue recovery demands also increase. Current evidence suggests that the free acid form of β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB-FA) acts by speeding regenerative capacity of skeletal muscle after high-intensity or prolonged exercise. Therefore, we investigated the effects of 12 weeks of HMB-FA (3 g) and ATP (400 mg) administration on lean body mass (LBM), strength, and power in trained individuals. A 3-phase double-blind, placebo-, and diet-controlled study was conducted. Phases consisted of an 8-week periodized resistance training program (phase 1), followed by a 2-week overreaching cycle (phase 2), and a 2-week taper (phase 3). Lean body mass was increased by a combination of HMB-FA/ATP by 12.7% (p < 0.001). In a similar fashion, strength gains after training were increased in HMB-FA/ATP-supplemented subjects by 23.5% (p < 0.001). Vertical jump and Wingate power were increased in the HMB-FA/ATP-supplemented group compared with the placebo-supplemented group, and the 12-week increases were 21.5 and 23.7%, respectively. During the overreaching cycle, strength and power declined in the placebo group (4.3-5.7%), whereas supplementation with HMB-FA/ATP resulted in continued strength gains (1.3%). In conclusion, HMB-FA and ATP in combination with resistance exercise training enhanced LBM, power, and strength. In addition, HMB-FA plus ATP blunted the typical response to overreaching, resulting in a further increase in strength during that period. It seems that the combination of HMB-FA/ATP could benefit those who continuously train at high levels such as elite athletes or military personnel.

The Mass Media and Public Opinion Polls in the 1988 Presidential Election

The authors examine the results of 48 national public opinion polls measuring support for George Bush and Michael Dukakis throughout the 1988 presidential campaign conducted or reported by five major media polling organizations. Polling trends are discussed, and the consistency of estimates across polls are assessed, across seven distinct time periods defined by key events during the 1988 election year, while accuracy is assessed by comparing final pre-election polls against election results. Time series transfer function methods are employed to assess the short-term and long-term effects of the two major national party conventions, the two Bush-Dukakis debates, and the Ouayle-Bentsen debate on candidate support. Statistically significant positive effects on Bush support are obtained for the Republican convention and for the second presidential debate, while support for Dukakis was affected significantly, and in opposite directions, by the two party conventions. The results are discussed in the context of recent research conducted by Crespi and others.

Adolescents' health behaviors and obesity: Does race affect this epidemic?

This study explores the influence of health behaviors and individual attributes on adolescent overweight and obesity using data from Wave II (Add Health). Structural equation model/path analysis using maximum likelihood estimation was utilized to analyze the relationships of health behaviors and attributes with obesity. Results of the model reveal that the causal paths (adolescents' attributes and health behaviors) for overweight and obesity were different for African American and Caucasian adolescents. Generally, African Americans were more susceptible to overweight and obesity than Caucasians. Although increasing levels of vigorous physical activities lowers the risk for obesity among African American and Caucasian adolescents alike, low family SES and being sedentary were associated with overweight and obesity among Caucasians. No significant associations were found among African Americans. Increased hours of sleep at night relate positively with obesity among African Americans. These findings suggest important elements in the consideration of race in developing effective intervention and prevention approaches for curbing the obesity epidemic among U.S. adolescents.

Personal, health, academic, and environmental predictors of stress for residence hall students

The authors studied contributors to stress among undergraduate residence hall students at a midwestern, land grant university using a 76-item survey consisting of personal, health, academic, and environmental questions and 1 qualitative question asking what thing stressed them the most. Of 964 students selected at random, 462 (48%) responded to the survey. The authors weighted data to reflect the overall university-wide undergraduate population (55% men, 12% minority or international, and 25% freshmen). Women and US citizens experienced greater stress than did men and non-US citizens, respectively. Frequency of experiencing chronic illness, depression, anxiety disorder, seasonal affective disorder, mononucleosis, and sleep difficulties were significant stress predictors. Although alcohol use was a positive predictor, drug use was a negative predictor of stress. Both a conflict and a satisfactory relationship with a roommate, as well as a conflict with a faculty or staff member, were also significant predictors of stress.

Comparing three measures of depressive symptoms among American Indian adolescents

This study examined the measurement of depressive symptoms among American Indian adolescents as assessed by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), Youth Self Report (YSR), and the Tri-Ethnic Center's for Prevention Research Depression Scale (TEDS). This analysis demonstrated that the TEDS had good internal consistency, demonstrated construct validity, and shared a commonality with the other two measures, but had limited predictive validity. The YSR had strong predictive validity but, like the CES-D, showed weakness in construct validity. Unexpectedly, the CES-D and YSR revealed enculturated youth were at risk of depressive symptoms. These findings do not generate unequivocal support for any one measure, but suggest that their strengths and potential shortcomings should be taken into account when assessing depressive symptoms among American Indian youth.

Relationship among risk factors for nephrolithiasis, cardiovascular disease, and ethnicity: focus on a law enforcement cohort

This cross-sectional study determined the prevalence of nephrolithiasis and common cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in a law enforcement officer (LEO) cohort and evaluated the relationship of nephrolithiasis with several CVD risk factors, including the possible effect of ethnicity. Self reported nephrolithiasis and CVD risk factors among currently employed male LEOs from nine states (n = 2,818) were compared to other men in the same states (n = 9,650). Of the LEOs, 6.2% (n = 174) self reported at least one kidney stone (range = 1 to 12, mean 2.3 6 2.1 stones). Twenty five percent of Native American LEOs (n = 7 of 28) self reported a history of stones. In LEOs with a history of nephrolithiasis, overweight defined as body mass index . 25 kg/m2 (odds ratio [OR] = 1.80, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.04, 3.11), hypercholesterolemia (OR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.09, 2.15), and hypertension (OR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.02, 2.11) were associated with the disease. These results suggest officers with common CVD risk factors are also at an increased risk for nephrolithiasis. Native American LEOs have a disproportionately higher prevalence of nephrolithiasis than do other ethnic groups.

Management practices as antecedents of safety culture within the trucking industry: similarities and differences by hierarchical level

PROBLEM

A homogeneous perception of safety is important for the achievement of a strong safety culture; however, employees may differ in their safety perceptions, depending on their position and/or hierarchical level within the organization. Moreover, there is limited information on the antecedents of safety culture. This study examines how safety training, driver scheduling autonomy, opportunity for safety input, and management commitment to safety influence individuals' perceptions of safety culture.

METHOD

Data for this study were drawn from 116 trucking firms, stratified by three safety performance levels. The data were collected from drivers (lowest hierarchical level), dispatchers (medium hierarchical level), and safety directors (highest hierarchical level), regarding their perceptions of their respective corporate safety cultures. Perceptions of safety culture were analyzed through a linear regression using dummy variables to differentiate among the three hierarchical groups. The resulting model allowed for examination of the specific antecedents of safety culture for the three employee groups and the extent to which the hierarchical groups were in agreement with each other.

RESULTS

Driver fatigue training, driver opportunity for safety input, and top management commitment to safety were perceived to be integral determinants of safety culture in all three groups.

IMPACT ON INDUSTRY

Trucking firms seeking to strengthen employees' perceptions of safety culture might begin by improving these safety management practices while appreciating that they may have a different impact depending on the employee's hierarchical position (e.g., drivers' perceptions of safety culture are more influenced by top management commitment and driver fatigue training). A fourth safety practice examined, driver scheduling autonomy, was not found to be instrumental in shaping safety culture for any of the three hierarchical levels. Consistent with previous research, implementation of stronger safety cultures should result in fewer accidents.

Relationship between cardiovascular disease morbidity, risk factors, and stress in a law enforcement cohort

It is unclear to what extent law enforcement officers (LEOs) experience increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD; defined as coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, angina, or stroke) and, if so, whether perceived stress affects this relationship. First, self-reported CVD risk factors among currently employed male LEOs from 9 states (n = 2818) were compared to CVD risk factors among similarly-aged males with similar incomes in the same states (n = 8046). Second, CVD prevalence was compared among LEOs (n = 1791) and similarly-aged males with similar incomes (n = 2575) from four of these states. Finally, among the LEOs only, the possible effect of perceived stress on the relationship between CVD prevalence and CVD risk factors was assessed. LEOs reported higher prevalence of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, tobacco use, and elevated body mass index. CVD prevalence did not differ significantly between the LEO group and the general population (2.3% +/- 15% versus 3.1% +/- 17%; P = 0.095). In the LEO-only group, the best predictors of CVD were: time in the profession (OR = 1.07; 95% CI = 1.03-1.11), perceived stress (OR = 1.05; 95% CI = 1.00-1.10), and hypertension (OR = 0.33; 95% CI = 0.18-0.62). In the LEO-only group, perceived stress was associated with CVD (P = 0.008), and three CVD risk factors were significantly affected by perceived stress: cholesterol, hypertension, and physical activity. Perceived stress was affected by duration of time in the profession (P = 0.004), independent of an age effect (P = 0.353). Among susceptible officers, perceived stress may contribute to CVD directly and through potentiating several CVD risk factors.

Clinical dietetics changes due to cost-reduction activities in healthcare systems

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to assess changes in clinical dietetics due to cost-reduction activities in healthcare systems.

SUBJECTS

1,200 ADA members who indicated that they were employed by acute care hospitals in ADA Area 2 states.

DESIGN

A questionnaire about changes in clinical dietetics staffing and clinical dietitians' activities and responsibilities was developed based on qualitative research. Descriptive statistics, t tests, analysis of variance, chi2 tests, and correlations were calculated.

RESULTS

A total of 342 usable questionnaires (28.5%) were returned. More than one third (37.9%) of respondents reported reductions in the number of clinical dietitians, and 32.2% reported increases in the number of part-time clinical dietitians. Most respondents indicated that they were more involved with high-risk patient interventions, had limited time for inpatient instruction, and experienced an increased patient caseload. Although 45.4% of respondents reported diminished job satisfaction due to recent changes in healthcare systems, some changes, such as increased high-risk patient intervention and referrals, were positively correlated with perceived job satisfaction.

DISCUSSION

Thorough review of current clinical dietetics activities/responsibilities and planning before cost-reduction, restructuring activities may maximize staff utilization without decreased job satisfaction of clinical dietetics staff.

A prospective study of adolescent pregnancy

This study examined prospectively the characteristics contributing to adolescent pregnancy in a pregnant (n=452) and comparison (n=373) group of adolescents. The participants were 15-19-year-old Black and White females in the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth. The variables included race, self-esteem, age-related risks, delinquency history, aspirations and expectations Using regression analyses, adolescent pregnancy in Blacks was predicted by approval of delaying a family and pursuing a career, aspirations of working, and lower educational expectations. Pregnancy in White adolescents was predicted by higher educational wishes, lower educational expectations, desiring more children, and having sex younger. Implications and recommendations are discussed.

No consensus on fighting the drug war: differences between state policy elites and the mass public

This article explores implications for the implementation of drug policy in the United States, based on the findings from a 1990 survey of state drug policy coordinators in all 50 states and the responses to a national mass public survey. State drug policy elites' perceptions of the relative seriousness of nine different specific drugs are assessed, together with their evaluations of federal drug policy. Significant differences in state elites' attitudes are found for certain regional effects, for the relative degree of state urbanism, and for relative state income levels. These results are compared against the findings from a 1989 CBS News/New York Times mass opinion survey measuring citizen perceptions on drug misuse and the efficacy of Bush administration policy initiatives. This comparison reveals a wide disparity between elite and mass attitudes regarding appropriate funding of the drug war, the rating of federal drug policy initiatives, and federal drug policy strategies. Such mass/elite perceptual disparities accentuate the difficulties inherent in pursuing a "drug war" strategy.