Research shows that low levels of social acceptance, body satisfaction, and athletic competence increase risks for depressive symptoms among both girls and boys (Harter, Marold, & Whitesell, 1992). Little is known, however, about factors that can mediate these risks. To better understand how sports involvement may mediate risks for depressive symptoms, this study uses a multivariate structural model to examine how the qualitative nature of team sports involvement operates to influence risks for depressive symptoms. Participants were 455 students from a high school in a moderately-sized city. Girls reported lower mean levels of body satisfaction and athletic engagement and tended have higher levels of depressive symptoms. No sex differences were observed in experiences of positive team sports involvement. Structural equation modeling showed that the mediating model fit the data well. Implications for community- and school-based sports programs are discussed.

The purposes of this project were to assess nutrition knowledge and dietary behavior of adolescents, and to determine what relationship, if any, exists between nutrition knowledge and dietary behavior. A newly-developed 25-question nutrition knowledge survey was used to measure general nutrition knowledge among 287 seventh grade students in Newburgh, Indiana. Dietary behavior scores were determined by rating choices purchased in the school cafeteria over one week as to whether or not they met the Indiana S.B. 0111's definition of a "better choice" food. Results indicated low levels of nutrition knowledge (mean score 48.5%). Girls score significantly higher on the nutrition knowledge survey than did boys (51% versus 48%). The average dietary behavior score of seventh grade students was 73.8% (an average of 7.8 `better choice' foods out of every 11.4 total foods purchased over one week period). No significant relationship was found between the score on the nutrition knowledge test and the dietary behavior score (r = .06, NS). When a linear regression analysis was performed, nutrition knowledge was a more important predictor of dietary behavior than either gender or race. / Department of Family and Consumer Sciences

published_or_final_version / Public Health / Master / Master of Public Health

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of restrained eating behavior on dietary calcium intake in adolescents. Research shows that female adolescents have lower calcium intake then males. Research also suggests that dieting has a negative impact on the dietary intake of several nutrients, including calcium.A random sample of adolescents from physical education and health classes at Muncie Central High School, a mid-western urban public school, participated in this study. Subjects completed one 24 hour food record, a modified three-factor eating questionnaire to assess dietary restraint, and demographic sheet.Of the 85 subjects (females n=60; males n=25) who participated in the study, 65% (n=56) did not meet the dietary calcium recommendations of 1300 mg/day. Among females, 75% (n=45) did not meet calcium recommendations. For males, 44% (n=11) did not meet the daily calcium recommendations. Mean calcium intake for females and males respectively was 1121 ± 939 mg/day and 1632 ±1242 mg/day.Seventy-five percent of all subjects had low to average dietary restraint. A greater percentage of females (17%, n=10; 15%, n=9) than males (4%, n=1; 4%, n=1) were found to have high and clinical levels of dietary restraint. Interestingly, the mean calcium intake for those males and females having clinical levels of dietary restraint did meet calcium recommendations (1403 mg/day and 1341 ± 829 mg/day). For females, the mean calcium intake for both low to average and high dietary restraint did not meet calcium requirements. For males, mean calcium intake among all levels of restraint met the recommendations. / Department of Family and Consumer Sciences

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 15-16). / vii, 20 leaves, bound ill. 29 cm

published_or_final_version / Community Medicine / Master / Master of Public Health

This descriptive study examines the relationship between nutritional practices and academic performance among school-age children as suggested in the literature review.

published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Medicine / Master / Doctor of Medicine

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 14-15). / vi, 15 leaves, bound ill. 29 cm

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 16-18). / vi, 18 leaves, bound ill. 29 cm