‹ Nutrition & Dietetics

Health Promotion and Wellness in Action

Nutrition & Dietetics Research

Iron Fortification of Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) to Address Iron Deficiency
2017

Rajib Podder, Bunyamin Tar’an, Robert T. Tyler, Carol J. Henry, Diane M. DellaValle, and Albert Vandenberg


Effect of iron deficiency on simultaneous measures of behavior, brain activity, and energy expenditure in the performance of a cognitive task

Nutritional Neuroscience: 2017

Michael J. Wenger, Diane M. DellaValle, Laura E. Murray-Kolb & Jere D. Haas


What Is the Relationship Between Dairy Intake and Blood Pressure in Black and White Children and Adolescents Enrolled in a Weight Management Program?

Journal of the American Heart Association: 2017

Diane M. DellaValle, PhD, RDN, LDN; Janet Carter, MS, RD, LD, CLS; Molly Jones, RD, LD; Melissa Howard Henshaw, MD, MSCR


Does Long-term Equine Assisted Learning have an Effect on Childhood Weight Management?

Journal of Obesity & Weight Loss Therapy: 2017

Battisti HE, Battisti FL and McAbee R


2015 Evidence Analysis Library Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice Guideline for the Management of Hypertension in Adults

Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: 2017

Lennon SL, DellaValle DM, Rodder SG, Prest M, Sinley RC, Hoy MK, Papoutsakis C


Supporting Faculty in Transforming the Online Environment to Accommodate the Needs of Students with Disabilities
2016

Hutchings BL, O’Hora E, Peters T, Richards P, Fryer C, and Battisti H.


The Impact of Training on Faculty Awareness of Online Instructional Needs of Students with Disabilities
2016

Helen Battisti, Ph.D.; Christine S. Fryer, Ed.D.; B. Lynn Hutchings, Ph.D., MFA3; Erin O’Hora, DHSc.; Terri Peters, Ph.D.; Patricia Richards, ABD


Change in Resident Weight Status Post Admission to Long-Term Care Facilities: A Population-Based Study

Jacobs Journal of Gerontology: 2015

Heleen E. Battisti, Lee Harrison, Alan M. Levine, Geraldine T. Dawson

Health & Wellness Activities

Build a Better Breakfast

Students participated in a Build a Better Breakfast Food Demo to prepare for professional practice in Community Nutrition. Students chose a few nutritious and balanced breakfast recipes to prepare and serve to their audience, The Lifelong Learners Club. The audience was pleased with how the recipes tasted and were interested in preparing some on their own! One member even complimented the students on their teamwork!

Guatemala Medical Mission and Research

Clinical Assistant Professor Jessica Bodzio and graduate student Emma Shank recently traveled to San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala on November 8, 2016, to continue their research and mission work with the Health Promoters of San Lucas Toliman. They set up the Health Promoters’ (HP) electronic tablets with the REDCap mobile application that included a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) that was piloted and custom designed by Jessica Bodzio and Emma Shank for this population. During their time there, they conducted day-long, group, hands-on training sessions with several of the HPs to orient them to the REDCap app, the FFQ, and the food models used to demonstrate typical portion sizes. Their following days there, they observed several of the HPs train other HPs in a train-the-trainer fashion. They also witnessed the HPs administer the FFQ to mothers who have malnourished children in the Child Health and Nutrition Program coordinated through Stanford University.

The data garnered through the customized FFQ will allow them to determine the dietary habits of these mothers. This, in turn, will allow them to identify areas of nutritional deficit in the mothers, particularly those that have the potential to affect the quality of life of their offspring (e.g. iron, B12, and folate). They hope to use these findings to garner additional funding to initiate the development of sustainable programs that empower Guatemalan mothers by continuing to utilize the train-the-trainer model with the HPs.

The Nutrition and Dietetics Department had a strong presence at FNCE 2016. Multiple members of the department presented their research at the poster sessions. Alumni Despina Bubaris, RDN, presented her undergraduate research: Relationship Between Nutrition Education and Dietetics Students' Disordered Eating Attitudes and Behaviors. Professor Diane DellaValle, PhD, RDN, LDN presented her research: What is the relationship between dietary intake, vitamin D status and systolic blood pressure in a cohort of children with metabolic syndrome? Lastly, alumni Lauren Razawich, MS, RDN, LDN presented her graduate research: Assessment of Dietary Intake of Individuals with Celiac Disease on a Gluten-Free Diet.

Marywood University Student Spotlight

Nutrition and Dietetics major Cassandra Stockwell was featured on Marywood University's website in response to her excellence as a student and an athlete.

Order of Mother Germaine O'Neil Honors Society

Dessy Bubaris was inducted into the Order of Mother Germaine O'Neil Honors Society. She will be graduating with a Citation in Honors.

Community Health Fair

Students from the Social and Cultural Aspects of Food course presented at a Community Health Fair held at Marywood University. They prepared a lentil recipe and talked about MyPlate, portion size, and the importance of measuring ingredients such as salt and oil when cooking for both children and adults.

Undergraduate Research Forum

Senior Nutrition and Dietetics student, Despina Bubaris, presented her research titled "Relationship Between Nutrition Education and Dietetics Students' Disordered Eating Attitude Eating and Behaviors" at the Undergraduate Research Forum at Marywood University.

Graduate Research Symposium

Graduate students from the MS in Nutrition and the MS in Sports Nutrition and Exercise Science programs presented their research at the Graduate Research Symposium held at Marywood University. Emma Shank presented her research titled "Determining Dietary Habits and Nutritional Deficits of Guatemalan Mothers of the Child Health and Nutrition Program of San Lucas, Toliman, Guatemala: Pilot Study", Lindsay Howard presented her research titled "Influence of Hydration Status on Cognitive Function and Skill Performance in Division III Collegiate Female Basketball Players", and Stacie Smith presented her research titled "Barriers to Participation in a Weight Management Program for College Freshman".

Kappa Omicron Nu Honor Society

Congratulations to the 2015-2016 Kappa Omicron Nu Honor Society inductees. Kappa Omicron Nu acknowledges undergraduate and graduate students who have shown outstanding dedication to their Nutrition and Dietetics course work.

Pennsylvania Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Annual Meeting and Exhibition

Graduate student Stacie Smith presented her research titled "Barriers to Participation in a Weight Management Program for College Freshman" at the 2016 Pennsylvania Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Annual Meeting and Exhibition.

Guatemala Medical Mission Trip

On March 6, 2016, along with an interprofessional team of students, Emma Shank (graduate student in the Nutrition & Dietetics Department) and Mrs. Jessica Bodzio (Clinical Assistant Professor in the Nutrition & Dietetics Department and faculty adviser) traveled to San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala for a medical mission. During the week, Emma trained a team of community Health Promoters to administer a customized Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) with Guatemalan mothers for the first stage of their research. After the training, Emma and Jessica visited with Guatemalan mothers to test the questionnaire. The purpose of this phase of the research was to assess and improve the questionnaire's effectiveness. The Health Promoters did an excellent job and provided much helpful feedback. Emma and Jessica are looking forward to furthering their research and continuing their work in the upcoming months.

MetLife's Nutrition and Wellness Fair

For National Nutrition Month, Marywood Nutrition and Dietetic DPD students presented at MetLife's Nutrition and Wellness Fair. The students provided samples, games, and information on five major food groups. The fair also consisted of Marywood Nursing students, who took blood pressure for the employees, Terra Preta, WOW, MetLife's Community Health Promotion Intern, and MetLife's corporate RDN.

DPD/Spanish Emphasis Study Abroad in Costa Rica

Senior Spanish DPD student, Austin Fernandez, is currently in Costa Rica sharing his wealth of knowledge in nutrition with local residents. Austin conducted a nutrition education program at a senior center and focused on portion control of common Costa Rican vegetables, fruits, and grains. He has also been taking cooking lessons and has learned to make piacadillo de papas, zanahorias, and hand made tortillas.

PA Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics March 2016 Newsletter

Graduate Nutrition and Dietetics student, Stacie Smith, was featured in the PA Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Newsletter as the March Student Spotlight. The article can be found at: http://eatrightpa.org/marbe.cfm.

Nutrition Focused Physical Exam Workshop, Fall 2015

On September 19th, senior CP and DPD students, DI interns, and PA students in their didactic year participated in an interprofessional Nutrition Focused Physical Exam workshop. The workshop was facilitated by PA program faculty member Mr. David Isgan, MHS, PA-C with three Nutrition and Dietetics faculty members in attendance. Students and interns attended an interactive lecture in the morning and gained hands on practice in the afternoon.

New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station

Current DPD student, Rebecca Huber, has recently published an article produced by Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. The article provides great advice for students who want to avoid unwanted weight gain in college. Her article can be found at: https://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/fs1243/.

2016 DPD Program Students

Senior DPD students volunteered at Tobyhanna Army Depot for the Sept.16th Prevention Fair. The theme of the table and nutrition education provided was "Healthy Eating on the Go" which included informational handouts as well as recipe cards for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Salad shakers and samples of healthy snacks were given to Tobyhanna employees to enjoy.

Health Promotion and Wellness Activities

Student Involvement

2015 Coordinated Program Class

Congratulations to our 2015 Coordinated Program class! on May 6th they took their last final exam, completing all of their CP requirements!

Phi Sigma Iota Induction

Austin FernandezKeira Logue

Austin Fernandez and Keira Logue were inducted into the Phi Sigma Iota honor society, an international foreign language honor society, at Marywood University. Austin is a junior in the Spanish emphasis DPD and Keira Logue a senior in the Spanish emphasis DPD.

PA Family and Consumer Sciences Conference

PAFCS conference

On May 1st students and Faculty attended the PA Family and Consumer Sciences Conference at the Inn at Pocono Manor. Pictured are Nutrition and Dietetics Assistant Professor Dr. Erin O'Hora, Family and Consumer Sciences student Kristen Dougherty, and Director of Family and Consumer Sciences Mrs. Sandi Graham. Mrs. Graham was the PAFCS Program Chair and Dr. O'Hora gave a talk on the updated Nutrition Facts Label.

Senior Honors Thesis

Ariel Muirhead

Ariel Muirhead presented her honors thesis at Marywood University's Honors Program 2015 senior reception on May 1st. Mrs Jessica Bodzio was her advisor. Ms. Amy Tomasko and Mrs. Alice Reyes were her committee members. Pictured are Ms. Tomasko, Ariel, and Mrs. Bodzio.

NEW Leadership Pennsylvania

Student: Maria Temples

Congratulations to Nutrition and Dietetics student, Maria Temples, for being accepted to the National Education for Women's (NEW) Leadership Pennsylvania institute this summer! Maria was a Team Leader on the Medical Mission Trip to Guatemala this year and she spoke as a Student Representative at the Annual Meeting of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities Conference in Washington D.C. in February 2015.

Bhutanese Health Fair 2015

Students in the Nutrition and Dietetics Department participated in an interprofessional Health Fair for the Bhutanese community in South Scranton on April 18, 2015. Dessy Bubaris (pictured) is a junior CP student and functioned as the lead Nutrition and Dietetics student who coordinated the department’s involvement in this project.

Food and Nutrition Magazine

Colleen Sideck, a current CP senior, was mentioned in the 'Join the Conversation' section of the March/April 2015 issue of Food and Nutrition Magazine. This section can be found at http://www.foodnutrimag-digital.com/foodnutrimag/march_april_2015/?pg=9&pm=1&u1=friend#pg9.

Marywood Nutrition Students take part in AHA's 'Go Red for Women Day' at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center - 2/2015

Marywood University Dietetic Interns

Marywood University dietetic interns Rose DeLuccia, right, and Rebecca Reed listen to questions while preparing BBQ-glazed chicken tenders during a women's healthy cooking demonstration in celebration of the American Heart Association's 'Go Red for Women Day' at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Plains Township.

Students in the DPD/Spanish Emphasis option are currently studying in Costa Rica

Ariel and Keira are currently completing their final semester of the Didactic Program in Dietetics: Spanish Emphasis Curriculum Option (DPD-Spanish). Both students are immersed in the culture of Costa Rica while studying Spanish at CPI. Both students will be volunteering their time in nutrition-related activities while in Costa Rica.

Media Involvement

Faculty and students discuss the Top 25 Diets with Ryan Leckey from WNEP.

Nutrition Students withe Ryan Leckey of WNEP

To view the news clips - scroll across the horizontal video bar at the linked topic at Ryan Leckey during National Nutrition Month 2013