Nutrition & Food Science
Permanent URI for this communityhttp://hdl.handle.net/1903/2267
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Item Determinants of Food Insecurity in the League of Arab States(2022) Sheikomar, Olfat Bakur; Sahyoun, Nadine R; Nutrition; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Background Food insecurity (FI) is widespread in the League of Arab States (LAS) due to factors including gender inequality, conflict, and political turmoil. However, limited data are available on its prevalence and determinants in that region. This dissertation aims to 1) validate the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES), developed by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, and assess the prevalence of FI in that region; 2) examine the association between FI, physical health, and mental well-being by sex and whether social support modifies this association in women; 3) examine the relationship between Palestinian live-in grandparents (GP) and the health and well-being of their grandchildren.Methods Rasch modeling was applied to the Gallup World Poll data to validate FIES in 19 countries of the region. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were applied to data from 62,261 respondents aged 19 and over to examine determinants of FI. Logistic regression was also used to analyze the data of 2707 households and 8,034 children ages 0-17 from two surveys of Palestinian refugees. Results FIES met the Rasch assumptions indicating good internal validity. The prevalence of severe FI was 15.7% and women were at highest risk compared to men (17.6% vs. 14.1%, respectively, p<0.0001). Older age, living in rural areas, and high dependency ratio were associated with severe FI in women. High negative experience and low income were associated with severe FI, but good physical health and high positive experience with lower prevalence of severe FI. Having a live-in GP in the household was associated with grandchildren’s lower odds of experiencing an acute disease and higher odds of attending school. Conclusion FIES is a valid tool; however, cognitive testing of some items and omission of correlated ones may improve the scale. FI is highly prevalent and should be monitored to develop multi-sectoral intervention strategies. Mixed method studies are needed to better understand the relationship between grandparents and their grandchildren.Item Formative research regarding social support programs and young adults living with type one diabetes(2015) Brady, Patrick James; Song, Hee-Jung; Nutrition; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Little research has been conducted regarding social support programs (SSPs) for young adults with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM). Formative research was conducted including: in-depth interviews with individuals who have organized or lead SSPs, a survey of young adults with T1DM, and forming a community advisory board to develop themes and discussion points for a SSP. Eight interviews were conducted. The perceived benefits of and barriers to attending a SSP, the perceived barriers to managing a SSP, and topics important for young adults were described. 38 individuals completed the survey and were included in the analysis. The survey identified ever attended a SSP as significant in the perception of tangible and affectionate support. Two CAB meetings resulted in six themes and discussion points to be used as a framework for a proposed SSP. This study suggests the benefit of SSPs for young adults and provides insight into the role of SSPs in managing T1DM.