Browsing by Author "Dr. David Mustian, Committee Chair"

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Childcare Providers' Perceptions of Their Influence on Obesity in Early Childhood
(2007-01-21) Holland, Marna Marae; Dr. Davia Massey, Committee Member; Dr. David Mustian, Committee Chair; Dr. David Jenkins, Committee Member; Dr. Richard Liles, Committee Member; Dr. Ron Shearon, Committee Member
The purpose of this study was to investigate childcare providers' perceptions of their influence on young children (defined as infants, toddlers, and preschoolers) being or becoming overweight. Specifically, this research examined childcare providers' roles in providing appropriate meals and snacks, nutrition education, and physical activity, and also modeling behaviors that promote healthy weight, and how and to what extent providers perceived those roles affected the weight of the children in their care. Data for this study were collected by surveying childcare providers who were enrolled in child development courses at five community colleges in western North Carolina. The research was guided by the following questions. (1) How do socio-demographic, physical, psychological, and organizational factors of providers affect their perceptions of their influence on obesity in early childhood? (2) What are childcare providers' perceptions of their role in the prevention of obesity in early childhood, in regards to providing healthy meals and snacks, promoting appropriate nutrition education, promoting physical activity, and serving as a role model for children in regards to nutrition and physical activity? (3) How much influence do providers perceive that they have in regards to influencing children's weight? The majority of the 120 respondents were female and Caucasian. The largest percentage of participants were 20 to 29 years of age and had a GED, high school diploma, or some college coursework. Over 90 percent had an annual income of $30,000 or less. Data analysis revealed that several variables of providers affect their perceptions of their influence on children's weight. These include ethnic background and attitudes toward the childcare profession (affected perceptions of influence on meals and snacks), self-concept, quality of life, and class size (affected perceptions of influence on nutrition education), and provider activities and tasks during children's outdoor play (affected perceptions of influence on children's physical activity). Physical characteristics of providers, including weight, eating habits, and physical activity patterns did not affect their perceived influence on children's weight, and a majority of the participants were healthy role models in regards to eating and physical activity habits. Analysis also revealed that providers place greater emphasis on guiding meals and snacks and physical activity than on nutrition education and that providers perceived their influence to be greatest in the area of physical activity.
Determining Needs in a Rural County: The Case Of Greene County
(2003-07-15) Dixon, William Stanley; Dr. Dalton Proctor, Committee Member; Dr. David Mustian, Committee Chair; Dr. David Jenkins, Committee Member; Dr. Ron Shearon, Committee Member
The purpose of the study was to identify the relationship between perceived needs of Greene County citizens in regard to socio-demographic factors, community factors, and socio-psychological factors. A survey instrument was mailed to 400 county residents, who were selected randomly from the 911 mailing list. Positional leaders (45) in the county were surveyed, from various agencies and local boards. One hundred and ninety-two usable questionnaires were returned, for a 48% response rate. Description of variables was obtained by determining frequency distribution, perception of need by local citizens, and three sets of independent variables. The independent variables were socio-demographic factors (age, gender, employment status, employment location, ethnic background, income, education and marital status), community factors (county native, non-native and leadership role) and socio-psychological factor (locus of control). The findings revealed that Greene County citizens and leaders are satisfied with the county services received from the existing departments. The primary needs of Greene County as expressed by study respondents are available quality water, advanced emergency management services and crime and safety protection. Socio-demographic factors did not influence respondents' perception of the three most important needs. But socio-demographic factors did influence respondents' perception of non-basic needs such as economic development and land use planning. Community factors, leadership role and county native or non-native did influence perception of need. The socio-psychological factor, locus of control influenced respondents' perception of need in Greene County. The majority of respondents were mixed oriented.
Evaluation of Nutritional Behavior Change: An Intervention Study of Rural Extension Clientele
(2005-01-27) Williams, Jo Ann Yost; Dr. Ronald Shearon, Committee Member; Dr. David Mustian, Committee Chair; Dr. David Jenkins, Committee Member; Dr. Jacquelyn McClelland, Committee Member
The primary purpose of this study was to determine the impact of an Extension program. The goal was to explore whether the intervention of an Extension program impacts health behavior change in program participants to a greater extent than in a control group. A fifteen-week intervention study was used with quantitative methods to investigate health behavior change. The population for this study consisted of adults living in a rural southeastern North Carolina county. Participants were purposefully recruited and referred by a local family physician practice to participate in the intervention study and control groups. The intervention group entailed twenty-seven participants and the control group consisted of twenty-one participants. The sample was identified with previous 'at risk' conditions of nutrition-related diseases or potential risk. Intervention and control groups were selected with variance in age, gender and ethnicity based on voluntary participation in the program. Comparison of means, distributions, and standard deviations and the student t-test distribution were the primary statistical procedures. Major conclusions that emerged from the findings were: (1) Results from a nutrition education intervention to produce a change in program participants' health behavior were found to be inconclusive due to limitations within the study. (2) Program participants' health behaviors differing from non-program participants were inconclusive due to dosage levels. (3) Demographic variables do not influence behavior change. (4) Familial factors do not contribute to adoption of practices. Recommendations for the teaching profession and for further research are presented in the final chapter.