Field Experience Report in Public Health Nutrition

Master of Public HealthPublic Health Interdepartmental ProgramMark D. HaubThis field experience objective was to provide public health experience outside academia in order to apply the skills and knowledge acquired during the public health courses as well as emphasis courses. Meadowlark Hills (MLH) Retirement Community, a not-for-profit organization located in Manhattan, Kansas, served as the agency to complete my field experience. MLH has an innovative senior living approach that embraces a person-centered philosophy. The specific objectives of this field experience were to integrate public health nutrition knowledge in a practice setting; experience organizational structure, program administration, coordination, and community relationships; create nutrition education handouts for residents and staff of MLH; and demonstrate creativity and teamwork in the development of public health activities. This field experience consisted of nine weeks of rotations in the following departments: administration, home health, finance, social work, resident services (transportation), Parkinson's program, memory program, and dietetics. My main project at MLH was to develop educational materials for staff and residents about hydration, constipation, bone health, and possible dietary protein-drug interactions

Diseño del proceso constructivo del proyecto emisario submarino de la ciudad de Limón.

Proyecto de Graduación (Licenciatura en Ingeniería en Construcción). Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica. Escuela de Ingeniería en Construcción, 2002.El tema de este proyecto es la construcción del emisario submarino de la ciudad de Limón, la cual dará inicio en julio del presente año. El objetivo general de este trabajo es diseñar su proceso constructivo tanto en la parte terrestre como en la parte marítima y sus objetivos específicos para la parte terrestre consisten en la evaluación de las alternativas constructivas por medio de cuatro factores: costos, duración, factibilidad y seguridad, y de acuerdo con esta evaluación proponer un programa de trabajo. En cuanto a la parte marítima se deberán diseñar los procesos constructivos para la excavación en el lecho rocoso y el lanzamiento del emisario al mar. En ambos casos se diseñará un programa de control de calidad que cumpla con las normas vigentes. El método empleado en la escogencia de las alternativas constructivas fue el de ponderación de puntajes obtenidos por cada opción en los factores mencionados anteriormente. El resultado de esta escogencia es el proceso constructivo del proyecto, que incluirá los recursos y tiempos empleados en cada una de las actividades, así como los posibles inconvenientes que se pueden presentar, en cuyo caso se incluirá un pequeño plan de contingencia que pueda dar solución a algún imprevisto. Las palabras claves con las que este documento va a ser identificado son: - Diseño de procesos constructivos - Emisario submarin

Virtual nutrition education for people affected by Parkinson’s disease

Doctor of PhilosophyDepartment of Food, Nutrition, Dietetics and HealthMark D. HaubParkinson's disease is a progressive movement condition and, after Alzheimer's disease, the second most common neurodegenerative disease. Parkinson's disease has no proven cure. However, efforts are being made to improve the quality of life of people with Parkinson’s. Quality of life encompasses a variety of domains, including nutritional health. The progression and severity of Parkinson's disease is linked to nutrient intake and nutrition status. The period and severity of Parkinson's disease are linked to nutrient intake and nutrition status. Malnutrition, digestive problems, and eating problems impair muscle strength, mass, and cramps, reducing equilibrium and speeding up the progression of Parkinson's disease. A lack of nutrition can increase one's dependency on everyday activities, lowering the person's quality of life. Scientific publications on the basic benefits of nutrition education services in this population are scarce. Self-management services, which seek to enhance quality of life, assist participants in coping with Parkinson's disease diagnosis while also improving communication and mental health. Some of these initiatives can provide nutrition; however, there is insufficient data to report on the effects. It is essential to consider what knowledge people with Parkinson's disease are interested in and their needs before developing a nutrition self-management education program. Focus groups can assist with gathering this knowledge to create an effective program. This study aimed to increase nutrition knowledge and improve quality of life through virtual nutrition education to people with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners. This experimental design was a mixed-methods approach, using focus groups to determine topics of interest and pre- and post-self-report data to assess program effectiveness and quality of life. The study’s nutrition education portion was divided into six modules and was eight weeks in duration. Weeks one and eight were for data collection. A total of 28 people enrolled in the virtual program, and fifteen participants completed the pre-and post-surveys (54% completion rate). Participants were at risk of malnutrition. However, according to their intake report, their total consumption of macro-and micronutrients increased. Additionally, even though quality of life did not have a statistically significant change, six out of 12 participants improved their quality of life scores. Additionally, participants expressed how the program led them to be more aware of healthy eating, gut health, hydration, food-medication interaction, and constipation. In conclusion, this program was tailored specifically to the knowledge needs of the participants and this population. This virtual program was useful, worthwhile, engaging, and helpful for the participants. Additionally, the program was a resource that helped improve quality of life by providing support through nutrition knowledge

Evaluation of a printed newsletter tailored to grandparent caregivers in Kansas

Master of Public HealthPublic Health Interdepartmental ProgramMark D. HaubMillions of U.S. grandparents are responsible for providing parental care, in the absence of the biological parent, for at least one grandchild under the age of 18 years. These caregivers may base their wellness and nutrition practices with their grandchildren on outdated advice. In 2010, Kansas State University Human Nutrition Cooperative Extension Service faculty launched a theory-based newsletter, entitled Nourishing the Next Generation, that was mailed six times per year to low-income grandparent caregivers, and posted on a public website (at http://www.k-state.edu/humannutrition/newsletters/nourishing-the-next-generation/index.html). Each issue disseminated small amounts of practical, specific, “how-to” nutrition- and wellness-related information that addressed topics identified as being of concern to this population and that used recommended word choice, format, and design principles. After five years of Nourishing the Next Generation being in circulation, we surveyed readers who had received it from one to five years in order to assess the impact it had and to highlight its strengths. This study combined qualitative and quantitative approaches by using written surveys with both open- and closed-ended questions. Two different types of participants who had received the newsletter, grandparent caregivers and community educators, received surveys. A total of 54 valid surveys were returned from the 492 that were sent to grandparent caregivers, while 30 out of 175 community educators completed surveys. The newsletter was perceived by responding grandparent caregivers to be very effective in improving their awareness, knowledge, motivation, and confidence to follow recommendations about healthy eating and physical activity. Also, reading it led to many self-reported positive changes in various nutrition, physical activity, and other wellness practices among 91 percent of the responding grandparent caregivers and their families. In addition, 70 percent of responding community educators used its contents extensively to disseminate information to wider audiences. In conclusion, including grandparent caregivers in wellness-related educational programs could be a good approach to target healthy lifestyle practices of both older and younger generations. An appropriately designed newsletter can effectively improve the health of a large number of people, yet has limited costs, and thus, is an excellent public health method

Propuesta de plan de mercadeo para un centro de tutorías y recreación después de la escuela, en la provincia de Cartago

Proyecto de Graduación (Maestría en Administración de Empresas) Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica, Escuela de Administración de Empresas, 2018.In the present project the main objective was to developed a proposal for a marketing plan based on the Retailing Mix, for an after school tutoring and recreation center in Cartago ́s eastern district, with the title Do & Play After School. The area has a high academic offer with nine private primary schools, with a student population that ranges from 300 to 600 children per center. This is key since it presents a market opportunity. Regarding the potential consumers, it was determined that the target market were parents with school-age children in private schools located in Cartago and would be middle-upper class, middle class, and lower middle class. Currently there is no direct competition in the area. In the analysis for the indirect competition, it was determined that no institution or care center has a specialized focus on school-age children and does not meet the full offer as proposed in Do & Play After School. A market research was conducted through a probe of 69 effective surveys and it was determined that there is a need for the center and that it should be focused on helping children with their homework and provide tutoring. In addition, clubs are considered an added value, as well as the option of lunch and transportation. Once the technical, organizational, legal, environmental, financial and market studies were carried out, the proposal was developed and a communication and sales objectives were established. The necessary strategies for the application of the marketing plan were determined, to detail: As a service strategy, a value proposal was defined in which the trained personnel are highlighted as well as the help with homework, tutoring, clubs, food and transport. The price was determined according to a regular price strategy, fixed to the public based on the market research and the amount paid monthly in the two schools that were used for the research. For the promotion, advertising (open house and a stand at school festivals), direct marketing through email and interactive marketing, on Facebook and Instagram social networks would be applied. In terms of sales, a personalized strategy would be used, the client is known through the activities described in the CMI strategies and through inbound marketing. The characteristics of the employees are detailed according to the needs of the center, with trained personnel in the main areas of study that are taught in private schools. For the presentation of the service, the facilities and characteristics of the center are detailed. The meaning of the name, logo and colors of the center, are related to each other, seeking a unique purpose that is the welfare of the children who attend the center

The impact of replacing breakfast grains with meat/meat alternatives: an evaluation of child nutrition policy

Objective: To evaluate the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) rule that allows a meat/meat alternative to replace the breakfast grain requirement three times per week. Design: A 5-week menu including breakfast, lunch and snack was developed with meat/meat alternative replacing the breakfast grain requirement three times per week. Menu nutrients based on the minimum requirements were compared with reference values representing the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range for fat and a range of reference values representing two-thirds the Dietary Reference Intake for 3-year-olds and 4–5-year-olds. The meal pattern minimum requirements were compared with two-thirds of those recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). Setting: Evaluation took place between April and June 2019. Participants: Human subjects were not utilized. Results: The CACFP minimum grain requirement is well below the DGA reference value (0·5–1·5 v. 3·33 ounce-equivalents). Energy (2208·52 kJ) was below the reference values (3126·83–4362·53 kJ). Protein (34·43 g) was above the reference values (9·87–10·81 g). Carbohydrate (76·65 g), fibre (7·46 g) and vitamin E (1·69 mg) were below their reference values of 86·67 g, 10·46–14·60 g and 4–4·76 mg, respectively. Fat (22·57 %) was below the reference range (25–40 %). Conclusions: The CACFP rule which allows a meat/meat alternative to replace the breakfast grain requirement three times per week may result in meal patterns low in energy, carbohydrate, fat, fibre and vitamin E, while providing an excessive amount of protein

Modelo de educación a distancia para la enseñanza de la Ingeniería Agronómica en Costa Rica

Teaching in science is usually systematic, currently constructivist and, sometimes, to some extent pragmatic. To be more objective, models of science education are increasingly integrated, agronomy does not escape this condition. In Costa Rica, education in Agronomic Engineering or Agricultural Sciences is represented mostly in public universities, its model is "face-to-face" and is justified by the practical nature of learning, but its way of approaching the sector differs between them. The teaching of this discipline under the model of "Distance Education" also considers the theoretical foundations of Agronomy in the country but uses the different technological tools to achieve its learning objectives. The teacher gets to develop skills and abilities, as many as the same student who learns from him. As an educational model strategy, the Agronomic Engineering degree teaches with an expanded agriculture approach, which is competitive, equitable and sustainable, it is a more active participation; It also seeks the implementation of good educational practices, through Socratic methods that promote independent and critical thinking. The distance model in Agronomic Engineering does not mean learning only online, it also involves the presence and practice of the field, the teacher is a mediator of the learning and the student is responsible for their progress, in addition there is greater coordination and commitment in all academic activities during their professional training.La enseñanza en las ciencias suele ser sistemática, actualmente constructivista y, en ocasiones, hasta en cierta forma pragmática. Para ser más objetivos, los modelos de las enseñanzas en las ciencias cada vez se integran más, no escapa a esta condición la agronomía. En Costa Rica, la educación en Ingeniería Agronómica o en las Ciencias Agropecuarias se ve representada mayoritariamente en las universidades públicas, su modelo es "presencial" y se justifica por la naturaleza práctica en el aprendizaje, pero su forma de enfocar el sector difiere entre ellas. La enseñanza de esta disciplina bajo el modelo de "Educación a distancia" también toma en cuenta los fundamentos teóricos de la agronomía en el país, pero utiliza diferentes herramientas tecnológicas para lograr sus objetivos de aprendizaje. El profesorado llega a desarrollar habilidades y destrezas, tantas como el mismo estudiantado que aprende de este. Como estrategia del modelo educativo, la carrera de Ingeniería Agronómica enseña con un enfoque de agricultura ampliada, el cual es competitivo, equitativo y sostenible, es una participación más activa; también busca la implementación de buenas prácticas educativas, a través de métodos socráticos que promuevan el pensamiento independiente y crítico. El modelo a distancia en Ingeniería Agronómica no significa un aprendizaje solo en línea, implica también la presencialidad y práctica de campo, cada docente es mediador/a de los aprendizajes y cada estudiante responsable de sus avances, además de que hay mayor coordinación y compromiso en todas las actividades académicas durante su formación profesional

Designing Educational Newsletter Interventions: An Example That Supported Grandfamilies’ Physical Wellness Needs

Effective newsletters have theory-based content and designs tailored to their readers and offer limited-cost community-level approaches to providing helpful, relevant, and engaging information. In accordance with this, we offer an example of a newsletter intervention that supported grandfamilies’ physical wellness needs. Six issues of a brief mail-delivered newsletter were sent yearly for up to 5 years to low-income custodial grandparents. In evaluating the newsletter, most respondents reported reading it, discussing its information, and having greater awareness, knowledge, and motivation or confidence regarding wellness recommendations. Furthermore, 91% described improving 1 or more of their grandfamilies’ cooking, eating, or physical activity practices

Análisis de la producción de vino de piña como estrategia de innovación y de generación de valor agregado. Estudio de caso Coopepiña (Costa Rica)

La producción de vino de piña representa una oportunidad para innovar y generar valor agregado en la industria agroalimentaria. El objetivo de esta tesis es analizar la producción de vino de piña como una estrategia de innovación y de generación de valor agregado en el caso de Coopepiña, una cooperativa agrícola ubicada en Pital de San Carlos en la provincia de Alajuela, en la región Huetar Norte de Costa Rica. Para esto,se realiza un estudio de caso en el que se analiza el proceso de producción de vino de piña de la cooperativa. Asimismo, se evalúa el posible resultado que puede tener esta estrategia de innovación en la competitividad de la cooperativa y en la generación de valor para sus socios y la comunidad en general. El estudio se basa en una metodología mixta que combina técnicas cuantitativas y cualitativas para recopilar y analizar datos. Se realizaron entrevistas a los socios de la cooperativa, así como a expertos en la industria del vino y a consumidores del producto final. Además, se realizó un análisis financiero para evaluar la rentabilidad de la producción de vino de piña. El documento se encuentra conformado por cuatro capítulos: en el Capítulo I se encuentran las secciones siguientes: los antecedentes de la producción de piña en el país, justificación del proyecto, el problema de que exista fruta de descarte sin generar un producto final y los objetivos generales y específicos. El Capítulo II está compuesto por el marco teórico, que corresponde a los referentes teóricos de medios de vida, estrategias competitivas de Porter, cadenas de valor y de los encadenamientos productivos. En el Capítulo III se describe el marco metodológico en el cual se detalla cómo se aborda la investigación, variables y métodos que se utilizan. En el último capítulo se desarrolla el análisis de medios de vida de la cooperativa, rentabilidad del proyecto, estrategias competitivas de Porter y la cadena de valor de la piña. Los resultados de esta investigación pueden ser útiles para otras cooperativas agrícolas y empresas en el sector agroalimentario que estén interesadas en diversificar sus productos y generar valor agregado a través de la innovación. Asimismo,se espera contribuir con el desarrollo de la industria del vino de piña en Costa Rica y en la región en general.Pineapple wine production represents an opportunity to innovate and generate added value in the agri-food industry. The objective of this thesis is to analyze the production of pineapple wine as a strategy of innovation and generation of added value in the case of Coopepiña, an agricultural cooperative located in Pital de San Carlos in the province of Alajuela, in the region Huetar North of Costa Rica. For this, a case study is carried out in which the process is analyzed. of pineapple wine production of the cooperative. Likewise, the possible result that This innovation strategy can have on the competitiveness of the cooperative and on the generation of value for its partners and the community in general. The study is based on a mixed methodology that combines quantitative and qualitative techniques. to collect and analyze data. Interviews were conducted with the members of the cooperative, as well as experts in the wine industry and consumers of the final product. In addition, there was a financial analysis to assess the profitability of pineapple wine production. The document is made up of four chapters: Chapter I contains the following sections: the history of pineapple production in the country, justification of the project, the problem that there is discarded fruit without generating a final product and the objectives general and specific. Chapter II is made up of the theoretical framework, which corresponds to the theoretical referents of livelihoods, Porter's competitive strategies, value chains and linkages productive. Chapter III describes the methodological framework in which it details how to addresses the research, variables and methods used. The last chapter develops the analysis of livelihoods of the cooperative, profitability of the project, Porter's competitive strategies and the pineapple value chain. The results of this research may be useful for other agricultural cooperatives and companies in the agri-food sector that are interested in diversifying their products and generate added value through innovation. It is also expected to contribute to the development of the pineapple wine industry in Costa Rica and in the region in general.Universidad Nacional, Costa RicaEscuela de Economí

L’acquisition du français langue etrangère (FLE) pendant la petite enfance en milieu hétéroglotte

Esta investigación plantea como objetivo describir los mecanismos del inicio de la adquisición de habilidades orales del francés como lengua extranjera (FLE) en estudiantes de dos a cuatro años a través de un dispositivo digital para el aprendizaje virtual acompañado de los padres, asegura, los procedimientos para obtener el consentimiento de los padres para la participación de los menores y la prueba del estado de las capacidades lingüísticas de estos últimos; para luego describir el desarrollo e implementación de las doce fichas pedagógicas, inspiradas en el programa de estudio del MEP (Ministerio de Educación Pública) para los niveles de preescolar. Los resultados preliminares del post test presentan los diferentes aspectos que favorecen el aprendizaje de la lengua francesa en la primera infancia como los mecanismos por imitación, repetición y además la importancia de la fase de adquisición y retención. Las interpretaciones y análisis permiten conocer, por ejemplo, el mecanismo de la práctica individual y el compromiso de los padres para que sus hijos lleguen al final de la formación, para resaltar la versatilidad de su entorno en el apoyo a su formación y la disponibilidad de estos niños para adquirir lenguas extranjeras a una edad temprana.This research aims to describe the mechanisms of the beginning of the acquisition of oral skills of French as a foreign language (FLE) in students aged two to four years through a digital device for virtual learning accompanied by parents, ensures, the procedures for obtaining parental consent for the participation of children and testing the state of language skills of the latter; then describe the development and implementation of the twelve pedagogical cards, inspired by the curriculum of the MEP (Ministry of Public Education) for preschool levels. The preliminary results of the post-test present the different aspects that favor the learning of the French language in early childhood, such as the mechanisms of imitation, repetition and the importance of the acquisition and retention phase. The interpretations and analyses reveal, for example, the mechanism of individual practice and the commitment of parents to see their children through to the end of their training, to highlight the versatility of their environment in supporting their training and the readiness of these children to acquire foreign languages at an early age.Cette recherche vise à décrire les mécanismes du début de l'acquisition des compétences orales du français langue étrangère (FLE) chez des élèves âgés de deux à quatre ans à travers un dispositif numérique d'apprentissage virtuel accompagné par les parents, assure, les procédures d'obtention du consentement parental pour la participation des enfants et le test de l'état des compétences langagières de ces derniers ; puis décrit l'élaboration et la mise en œuvre des douze fiches pédagogiques, inspirées du curriculum du MEP (Ministère de l'Education Publique) pour les niveaux préscolaires. Les résultats préliminaires du post-test présentent les différents aspects qui favorisent l'apprentissage de la langue française dans la petite enfance, tels que les mécanismes d'imitation, de répétition et l'importance de la phase d'acquisition et de rétention. Les interprétations et les analyses révèlent, par exemple, le mécanisme de la pratique individuelle et l'engagement des parents à accompagner leurs enfants jusqu'au bout de leur formation, à mettre en évidence la polyvalence de leur environnement pour soutenir leur formation et la disponibilité de ces enfants à acquérir des langues étrangères dès leur plus jeune âge.Escuela de Literatura y Ciencias del Lenguaj