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Biomedical subjects

Nancy Cotugna

Publications and source records attributed to Nancy Cotugna.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Complementary and alternative medicine education in dietetics programs: existent but not consistent.

This descriptive survey was undertaken to determine the inclusion of complementary and alternative medicine topics into undergraduate didactic dietetics education. The response rate was 34% (n=92) of all directors (N=273) of didactic and coordinated dietetics programs. Almost all programs (n=81; 88%) include complementary and alternative medicine instruction in some form in their curricula; the majority of content is integrated into already existing nutrition courses. The nutrition courses most often containing complementary and alternative medicine were medical nutrition therapy, advance nutrition, and community nutrition. Topics addressed were varied and included herbal supplements, functional foods, Native-American healing, and quackery in medicine. Most directors indicated that complementary and alternative medicine is an important component of dietetics education, yet many indicated that students are not being adequately prepared in this area. The mean familiarity of program directors with complementary and alternative medicine competencies for dietetics practice was 6 on a scale, with 10 being the most knowledgeable. Respondents also identified whether complementary and alternative medicine and dietary supplement competencies were being addressed at all in their curricula. Lack of time seemed to be the limiting factor to incorporation of complementary and alternative medicine topics into the curricula. Evidence from this study indicates that current curricula are providing some complementary and alternative medicine content, but a core of knowledge is lacking. The complementary and alternative medicine competencies for entry-level dietetics practice anticipated by 2006 will be useful in helping educators adequately meet the needs of future professionals in the area of complementary and alternative medicine.

Complementary Therapies↗
PubMed2005

Evaluation of literacy level of patient education pages in health-related journals.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reading level of patient education material from selected current health care journals. Ten patient education pages from a variety of health care journals were entered into a Microsoft Word program. Applying the Flesch-Kincaid readability formula available from Microsoft Word, a reading level for each page was established and compared to recommended standards. Only 2 of 10 patient education pages fell within the recommended reading levels for health-related materials, and 5 of 10 were above the estimated mean U.S. reading level of 8th grade. A 5th to 6th grade level is recommended for patient education materials. This study suggests that although it is known that low health literacy is a widespread problem, it is not always considered when patient-targeted materials are developed. Health care professionals need to become more active in addressing the literacy needs of the intended receiver of written health-related information.

Educational Status↗
PubMed2005

Incorporating human genetics into dietetics curricula remains a challenge.

This descriptive survey was undertaken to assess integration of genetics into undergraduate didactic dietetic education. The response rate was 35% (n=82) of all directors (N=232) of accredited or approved Didactic Programs in Dietetics. Although most directors (n=58 of 82) agreed that genetics is an important component of dietetics education, they expressed concerns about already-crowded curricula and lack of time, resources, and knowledge. Thirty-eight directors indicated that they had no familiarity with the core competencies in genetics for all health professionals. Genetics is included in some way in 69 of the 82 programs that responded. Courses in which genetics was most likely to be incorporated included nutrition, physiology, microbiology, and biochemistry. Only four directors reported a required course entirely devoted to genetics. Programs were most likely to meet the knowledge competency of the role of genetic factors in maintaining health and preventing disease and least likely to address the genetic counseling process and indications for referral to specialists. Applications of genetics in dietetics will continue to grow in importance. Evidence from this study indicates that current curricula provide little to no genetics content. Nutrition faculty must become more knowledgeable about genetics before being expected to increase genetics content in entry-level dietetics curricula.

Curriculum↗
PubMed2005

Vending machine policies and practices in Delaware.

Overweight has reached alarming proportions among America's youth. Although the cause of the rise in overweight rates in children and adolescents is certainly the result of the interaction of a variety of factors, the presence of vending machines in schools is one issue that has recently come to the forefront. Many states have passed or proposed legislation that limits student access to vending machines in schools or require that vending machines in schools offer healthier choices. The purposes of this study were (a) to assess the food and beverage vending machine offerings in the public school districts in the state of Delaware and (b) to determine whether there are any district vending policies in place other than the current U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations. The results of this study indicate the most commonly sold food and drink items in school vending machines are of minimal nutritional value. School administrators are most frequently in charge of the vending contract, as well as setting and enforcing vending machine policies. Suggestions are offered to assist school nurses, often the only health professional in the school, in becoming advocates for changes in school vending practices and policies that promote the health and well-being of children and adolescents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

The associations between blood lipids and the Food Guide Pyramid: findings from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

BACKGROUND: Dietary recommendations are based on nutrients, foods, and food groups, but the relationship between the Food Guide Pyramid (FGP) food groups and serum lipids has not been studied. METHODS: NHANES III data were obtained for US adults who met the following criteria: aged 20-59 years, reliable participant, and typical 24-h recall. We examined whether serum lipids (serum total cholesterol (STC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triacylglycerol) were related to FGP food group intake (dairy, fruit, grain, meat, and vegetable). RESULTS: A sample of 9111 participants qualified for this analysis. Fruit intakes were inversely related to STC, HDL-C, and LDL-C (P = 0.012, P = 0.001, and P = 0.014, respectively) and directly related to triacylglycerol levels (P = 0.003). Grain intake was inversely associated with both STC and HDL-C (P = 0.020 and P = 0.000). Dairy and meat intakes were directly related to LDL-C (P = 0.026 and P = 0.020). CONCLUSIONS: Food groups are related to serum lipids. Universal definitions for food groups are needed in research and nutrition education. Studying the relationships between food groups and serum lipids is important for future dietary recommendations related to serum lipids.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Health literacy education and training: a student-professional collaboration.

A Healthy People 2010 objective is to improve the health literacy of persons with inadequate or marginal literacy skills. We designed a nutrition education module for dietetics students that allowed learning about health literacy while teaching this information to interested practitioners. Students designed a workshop for nutritionists by conducting a learning needs assessment and then developing learning objectives, content/methods, and process/outcome objectives. Students presented interactive sessions on using literacy assessment tools and developing low-literacy education materials. Handout packets included a list of relevant literacy Web sites. Evaluations unanimously rated the workshop as excellent or good. By helping teach others, students' learning experience was enhanced.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Community health and nutrition screening for Special Olympics athletes.

Since 1961, Special Olympics has provided sports training and athletic competition for people with mental retardation. A recent addition to these Olympics has been the Healthy Athletes Program, designed to help the athletes improve their health and fitness, leading to enhanced sports experiences and well being. Original health services included dental and eye screening. In 2002, Special Olympics Delaware piloted a Wellness Park to add nutrition, blood pressure, and flexibility screening. Faculty from a university's health college trained discipline-specific students to conduct the screenings. Thirty nutrition and dietetics students measured height, weight, waist circumference, and calculated body mass index (BMI) for the athletes. Figures and risk-assessments were recorded on a "health report card." Two hundred ten athletes attended the nutrition screening. Ages ranged from 8 to 63 years; 81 percent males and 19 percent females. According to BMI standards, 32 percent of the athletes were overweight; 17 percent were obese. Twenty-five percent of adult males and 73 percent of adult females had a high risk waist circumference. Athletes at high risk for obesity-related diseases were referred to their primary physician for follow up. Nutrition education handouts included a simplified Food Guide Pyramid, tips for healthy eating in restaurants, 5 A Day information, and healthful hydration guides. Approximately 1,250 athletes participate in Special Olympics Delaware each year, providing a great opportunity to do some much needed health screening and improve access to health care for this often neglected population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Use of a web site to increase knowledge and awareness of hunger-related issues.

The purpose of this study was to determine the current level of knowledge and awareness of hunger-related issues among a convenience sample of Delawareans. We also assessed whether raising knowledge and awareness of the hunger problem through the FBD's newly designed web site would encourage participation in antihunger activities. Via e-mail, 1,719 individuals were invited to participate in a three-phase, online survey, and 392 agreed. Phase-I questions were answered prior to viewing the web site, phase II (n=217) immediately afterward, and phase III (n=61) six weeks later. Responses indicated a high level of awareness about general hunger issues but specific knowledge proved to be at a lower level. No statistically significant differences were noted when data were collapsed across gender, age, educational level, or work setting. In a six-week post-survey, 41% of subjects were motivated by the web site to engage in an antihunger activity; 34% had told others about the web site and indicated it may be a useful tool in antihunger outreach efforts for the FBD.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Should you recommend a low-carb, high-protein diet?

Despite the billions of dollars spent each year on weight-loss diets and products, few individuals maintain their weight loss after initiating popular diet programs. One diet that has raised safety concerns among the scientific community is the low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet. This article evaluates the scientific validity of this diet so that clinicians can appropriately advise patients.

Diet, Reducing↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The Kids Café: a program to reduce child hunger.

Hunger and food insecurity affect nearly 12 million children in the United States. Poverty is the foremost reason for hunger and food insecurity, but even the working poor sometimes have difficulty providing enough food for their household. Undernourished children may not present with severe clinical symptoms, but their ability to learn and psychosocial behavior can be affected. Feeding programs such as Kids Café can help decrease child hunger while improving learning and overall health. Kids Café's are operated by local food banks and sponsored by America's Second Harvest in partnership with ConAgra Foods, Inc. This article reviews the problem of child hunger and describes the Kids Café Program.

Adolescent↗