The Degree Of Peer Influences On Children\u27s Food Choices At Summer Camp

Research has shown that peers influence each other in social situations. With childhood obesity becoming more prevalent in society, studying the influence peers have on their friends eating behaviors is important. National campaigns and laws have been promoted for the changing of food standards in schools but not recreation programs. Through direct observations of the foods children choose while amongst friends, the degree to which peers influence other children during a mealtime setting at camp is analyzed. When conducting research to test whether peers influenced children\u27s food choices, noting the societal reasons and atmospheres in which children choose meals with peers was also important. A mixed methods approach using qualitative tools and triangulation was used to assess the social interactions of children during summer camp dining meals. The importance of this study was to assess whether peer influences on food choices exist in summer camp settings. In order to understand children\u27s food choices and peer influences, open-ended interviews were conducted with each participant. The audio-recorded interviews were compiled, transcribed and stored in a password-protected document on the researcher\u27s personal computer. Upon completion of the transcribing process, the researcher coded the data by similar topic and themes. The analysis process was used to explore whether peer influences had taken place during the camp mealtime setting. Within the data, the researcher found that while there was a degree of positive and negative peer influences upon the participants, there was also autonomy in regards to their food choices. Though peers were the targets of the study, the participants acknowledged that their parents also served as influences. Finally, the data suggested that there is a need for easier access and formal introduction to the mealtime environment so that the participants could fully choose the foods they wanted. Data showed that although peers had both positive and negative influences on eating behaviors, the participants also expressed autonomous thinking concerning their food choices. However, parents also play an active role, as does access to and knowledge about availability of healthy foods

Trash Talk: The Effects of Plastic Pollution on Seabirds in Narragansett Bay

Plastic pollution in the ocean is a global concern with more than 8 million tons of plastic dumped into our oceans every year. This policy paper assesses plastic pollution in Narragansett Bay and the negative implications it holds on local seabird populations. Also, essential background information on plastic production and throwaway culture is provided. Moreover, the biological significance of seabirds is described, highlighting the vital role such populations play in local ecosystems such as Narragansett Bay. This paper contributes research to the global issue of plastic pollution by observing declining native wildlife life populations, such as seabirds, on a local scale in Narragansett Bay. Furthermore, domestic policy is examined in relation to plastic production and wildlife conservation. This paper examines the effects of the Rhode Island Task Force to Tackle Plastics, which focuses on the mitigation of single-use plastics in Rhode Island to preserve ecological integrity. In addition, The Narragansett Bay Estuary program is evaluated to ensure the productivity of scientific research that contributes to the restoration and preservation of Narragansett Bay. Lastly, the final policy scrutinized includes the Rhode Island Wildlife Action Plan that is utilized to analyze the quality of native habitats and the overall ecological health of Rhode Island. Scholarly articles, relevant research, and other secondary sources are further examined in tandem with previous knowledge of conservation biology in order to contribute to these findings. As a result, final recommendations are provided, calling for additional regulations and policy adoptions that aid in environmental efforts on a domestic scale. Some recommendations include initiating a statewide ban of single-use plastics, development of financial incentives that promote sustainable efforts, and instituting better waste management systems

Effects of ericoid mycorrhizal fungi on reproductive traits in Vaccinium corymbosum

Most angiosperms rely on animal pollination to reproduce and the majority of these also interact with mycorrhizal fungi. Although these interactions have been studied separately, few studies have examined their combined effects on host plants. Linking above and belowground interactions has become an exciting new field of study. Ericoid mycorrhizae (ericoids) are the relationship between certain taxa of fungi and plants in the Ericaceae, including Vaccinium corymbosum, the highbush blueberry. Here, I asked whether inoculation with ericoid mycorrhizal fungi altered resource allocation to floral buds and flowers of V. corymbosum. Different fungi may vary in their ability to assist their plant partners with nutrient uptake and to address this, I inoculated plants with either a commercial or local fungal inoculum. Inoculation with ericoids may change the number of V. corymbosum buds and flowers and/or affect floral traits, by enhancing nutrient uptake. If the floral traits that are affected are important to pollinators, mycorrhizae could indirectly affect the host plant’s interaction with pollinators. I hypothesized that inoculation with ericoid mycorrhizal fungi increases seed set in V. corymbosum, through its effects on floral traits and pollinator visitation, and responds more strongly to a local soil inoculum than to a commercial inoculum. To test my hypothesis, I inoculated 380, two-year old V. corymbosum plants in the spring of 2018 and randomly assigned them to one of five treatments: 1) commercial inoculum, in a peat base 2) local soil, 3) commercial inoculum and local soil, 4) a control group with no inoculum, and 5) peat base used for the commercial inoculum. Plants were then grown in a common garden. In the summer of 2019, I transported plants to blueberry farms known to differ in pollinator abundance and conducted pollinator observations throughout the flowering season. In addition, I conducted hand-pollination experiments to examine the degree of pollen limitation at each of these farms. My results show that inoculation with ericoids directly enhanced the chances of plants flowering but did not alter interactions with pollinators. My results elucidate the importance of ericoids for the development of reproductive traits

The Effects of a Parent-Child Communication Intervention on the Worries of Siblings of Children with Autism

This study was designed to assess the effects of parent-child activities on the siblings and parents of children with autism. Existing research suggests that the experience of having an autistic child in the family is highly variable and may have negative outcomes for the typical sibling. The difficulty in predicting sibling outcome may be caused by the lack of a theoretical framework organizing the factors hypothetically affecting sibling coping abilities, therefore a stress and coping model of siblings of children with autism is provided. Currently there has been only limited information reporting successful intervention efforts for this population. The current study attempted to correct many of the limitations of previous sibling intervention studies by including a larger sample size, objective measures, a control group, and parental involvement in the intervention. Participants were twenty-five siblings of children with autism and their parents. This study used a between groups design to evaluate the worries of sibling of children with autism after a brief one-time intervention. The experimental group of parent-child pairs completed a workbook focused on autism-specific worries, while the control group played games together. The results indicate that the workbook activity increased parental accuracy in reporting their typical child\u27s autism worries. Exploratory analyses also lend some support for the proposed model of sibling reaction to an autistic brother or sister

Bits & Pieces: Project Review

This project explores the impact of creative collaboration on social connections between participants and volunteers in a friendly visiting program to answer the following questions: What is the significance of a participatory based research process where older adults, staff, and volunteers are all primary contributors? How can we co-design programming to elevate a sense of meaning and connection for staff, participants, and volunteers

Prevention of child abuse and neglect through church and social service collaboration

been a historic disconnect between the two institutions concerning child abuse prevention efforts. All too often, criticisms and mistrust tend to characterize the way in which the two interact. This qualitative investigation examines the perceptions of both Christian leaders and social service providers on the church’s role in preventing and responding to child abuse and neglect. Researchers interviewed 36 church leaders and social service providers of varying Christian congregations and specialties. Interviews focused on both current and potential church programming and activities, as well as beliefs and values held by both parties concerning child protection and real or potential collaboration. Resulting themes are identified and examined, and recommendations for future collaborative child protection efforts proposed. The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul. (Psalm 23, KJV

Measurement of Physical Activity with Wrist-Worn ActiGraph GT3X+ in Older Women

International Journal of Exercise Science 15(7): 1538-1553, 2022. Higher wear compliance has been seen with wrist placed accelerometers versus hip placed. Performance of wrist placed ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer (GT3X+, ActiGraph LLC, Pensacola, FL) in assessing physical activity (PA) remains unclear. PURPOSE: This study examined GT3X+’s performance in measuring PA energy expenditure (PAEE) and classifying PA intensity in older women. METHODS: Women [n = 89, age = 65.6 (4.3)] wore GT3X+ and SenseWear Armband Mini (SWAM, BodyMedia Inc. Pittsburgh, PA) for 2 weeks. Concurrently, doubly labeled water (DLW) determined total daily energy expenditure (TDEE). Resting energy expenditure (REE) was determined by Indirect Calorimetry. Data was processed using manufacturer-provided software. Bivariate correlations, Intra Class Correlations, and Bland-Altman plots were performed to evaluate agreement between GT3X+ and criterion measures for sedentary time, light and moderate-to-vigorous PA (determined by SWAM) and PAEE (determined by SWAM and by DLW and REE). Epoch-by-epoch analysis evaluated discrepancy and agreement of PA intensity classification between GT3X+ and SWAM. RESULTS: For PAEE, GT3X+ showed moderate correlations with criterion measures (r = 0.413, 0.400 with SWAM; r = 0.564, 0.501 with DLW and REE), but Bland-Altman plots showed large variability. When estimating time spent in PA intensity, GT3X+ underestimated sedentary time and overestimated PA intensity compared to SWAM. During epoch-by-epoch analysis, GT3X+ misclassified light intensity PA as moderate-to-vigorous PA 72% of the time. Counts per minute showed strong correlations with criterion measures (r = 0.68, 0.625 for SWAM and DLW and REE respectively). CONCLUSION: Current equations and cut points do not provide accurate measures of PA with wrist-worn GT3X+ in older women

The Effects of Exercise Training on Glucose Homeostasis and Muscle Metabolism in Type 1 Diabetic Female Mice

Although exercise training is an important recommendation for the management of type 1 diabetes (T1D), most of the available research studies predominantly focus on male subjects. Given the importance of sex as a biological variable, additional studies are required to improve the knowledge gap regarding sex differences in T1D research. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the role of exercise training in mediating changes in glucose homeostasis and skeletal muscle metabolism in T1D female mice. Female mice were injected with streptozotocin (STZ) to induce T1D. Two weeks after STZ injection, control (CON) and STZ mice were exercise trained on a treadmill for 4 weeks. Aerobic exercise training failed to improve glucose tolerance, prevent the decrease in body weight and adipose tissue mass, or attenuate muscle atrophy in T1D female mice. However, insulin sensitivity was improved in T1D female mice after exercise training. Aerobic exercise training maintained skeletal muscle triglyceride content but did not prevent depletion of skeletal muscle or liver glycogen in T1D mice. Gene expression analysis suggested that T1D resulted in decreased glucose transport, decreased ketone body oxidation, and increased fatty acid metabolism in the skeletal muscle, which was not altered by exercise training. These data demonstrate that 4 weeks of aerobic exercise training of a moderate intensity is insufficient to counteract the negative effects of T1D in female mice, but does lead to an improvement in insulin sensitivity