Purpose: To assess whether an increase in time management, organization and goal setting skills, and perceived level of self-efficacy facilitated meal planning and preparation of homecooked meals. Design: Quasi-experimental design, pre- and post- surveys, and online education sessions. Setting: Private nutrition practice (Rural Roots PLLC). Participants: Clients of a private nutrition practice (Rural Roots PLLC). Measures: Pre- and post-education surveys administered in an online platform were used to assess changes related to time management, organization, and goal setting skills and whether such changes led to a higher frequency of home-cooked meals. Analysis: Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test. Results: The contrast in pre- and post-test survey scores determined that the online education videos on time management and meal planning/preparation techniques did not elicit a statistically significant (P<0.05) change in increasing meal planning and preparation of whole-food meals at home and less intake of take-out, processed foods. Conclusion: Although this study did not show a statistically significant correlation in this matter, similar studies show a correlation between time management/organization skills and increased engagement in positive health habits. Additional research is needed in the topic.

A survey of fish parasites was conducted in the Everglades, Florida and examined 31 species of fish from 15 locations across Lake Okeechobee, Stormwater Treatment Area 3/4 (STA-3/4) and Water Conservation Areas (WCA) 3A and 3B. We documented 30 species of parasites, 19 of which were found as adults from the intestines of fishes. We collected 15 of the fish species and 16 of the parasite species that were examined/documented in Bangham’s 1938 survey. Thirteen established non-native fish species were examined and were found to host 14 species of parasites. There was 1 new species, 19 new host records for 5 species of parasites, and 4 new locality records documented. These new records demonstrate the need for parasite surveys in understudied areas of North America (like the southeastern region) to better understand what species are present and what species are utilized as hosts. The changes in the parasite communities in the area demonstrate the extensive environmental changes of the region. A new species of Neoechinorhynchus was discovered in Largemouth Bass in Florida and is described here. A previously known species, Neoechinorhynchus doryphorus, was re-encountered in the Florida Everglades and redescribed here as well.

Objective: Assess the effect of nutrition education on the knowledge and habits of elementary students in order to determine effective ways to improve healthy habits Design: Quasi experimental design Setting: Ossining Elementary School, in person Participants: Elementary students (n=18) ages from 9 to 10 Intervention: A one day nutrition education PowerPoint lesson on the five food groups/ vitamins and an activity. The effects were measure using a pre- and post- exam taken by each participant. Hypothesis: The implementation of the intervention will improve the student's nutritional knowledge as well as excite the students to continue to learn about nutrition among elementary school children at Ossining Elementary school. Results: The primary finding resulted the implementation did impact the student’s nutrition knowledge positively. Conclusion: The study can conclude the implementation of nutrition education did increase the elementary student’s knowledge of the five food groups and vitamins.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of joining a four-week self-paced nutrition and lifestyle program with weekly meetings led by nutrition experts alongside other adults seeking a comprehensive approach to developing substantial healthy habits. Methods: The effectiveness of the program was assessed via pre- and post-survey and analyzed using the Wilcoxon test via SPSS Statistics software. Setting: Virtual (synchronous and asynchronous) Participants: In March of 2024, 4 adults enrolled in the program. Intervention: The participants completed the virtual program over 4 weeks in 2024. Results: The primary findings of this study were that a 4-week virtual nutrition and lifestyle program did not elicit a statistically significant change in the nutrition confidence in individuals Conclusion: In conclusion, results from the present study indicated the 4-week self-paced nutrition and lifestyle program impacted participants' behavioral confidence but not significantly enough to know if changes in sustainable habits will follow.

Background: Dehydration is one of the most common causes of hospitalizations in the older adult population. As we age our thirst sensation decreases, increasing our risk for dehydration. Older adults are at a greater risk of dehydration due to body composition changes. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of an education session on increasing the awareness and importance of maintaining proper hydration and the possible implications associated with decreased hydrations status. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a lesson on hydration importance in the older adult population. Methods: Twenty-five participants were provided an education lesson on hydration needs and importance of hydration in the older adult population. The participants were given a pre and post-test to complete before and after the lesson. The total score of the pre-test and post-test were compared. Confidence in hydration knowledge was also captured on the post-test. The quantitative data collected from the pre and post-tests and were compared using paired t-tests with a p value of <0.05 as statistically significant. Participants: 25 older adults (ages 65 or older) participated in the study. Intervention: A 30-minute lesson plan which explained the importance of hydration in the older adult population was given at the St. Barts facility. Results: From the intervention education session, there is statistical significance between the education session and the knowledge of the older adults based on the mean of the total scores increasing from the pre and post-test. The data proved to be statistically significant, that after the education session the 25 participants felt more confident in their ability to meet their hydration requirements each day. The participants also were able to understand how important hydration status is and what some of the common signs and symptoms are to help prevent becoming dehydrated. For this study specifically it was important to determine the increase in knowledge and understanding of how important hydration is to the participants overall health. Conclusion: The hydration education session was effective in teaching the older adults the importance of hydration in this population. It is imperative to continue to provide hydration education to this vulnerable population to help eliminate unnecessary hospitalizations and shorten the length of stay while in the hospital.

Background: Enteral nutrition (EN) is the preferred feeding route for critically ill patients who are unable to maintain volitional intake due to intubation with mechanical ventilation, as it attenuates the metabolic response to critical illness. Established guidelines support early EN (EEN) initiation within the first 24-48 hours of intubation to improve various clinical outcomes. Objectives: To determine if implementation of an EEN protocol increases the number of patients that receive EEN within 48 hours of intubation, as well as to assess the effect of EN timing on certain nutritional and clinical patient outcomes. Methods: A quasi-experimental, single-center, retrospective study involving analysis of electronic medical record (EMR) data of critically ill, intubated and mechanically ventilated, adult patients admitted to two ICUs of a community hospital was performed before (control group) and following implementation of the protocol (intervention group). The EEN protocol involved a flowchart and education sessions for staff. Demographic, clinical, and nutrition data were collected and analyzed. Results: The EEN protocol resulted in a statistically significant increase the number of patients that received early EN (p = <0.001), from 33.3% to 74.1% of patients, but this did not translate into a reduction in the primary nutrition endpoints of constipation and pressure injury progression or development, nor other clinical patient outcomes of reduced mechanical ventilation duration, mortality, or ICU and hospital length of stay (LOS). Conclusions: Implementation of an EEN protocol successfully increased the number of patients that received EEN within the recommended 48 hours of intubation, however, patient outcomes did not improve as intended. A larger study of longer duration may have been more efficacious.

Background: The rapid growth of the aging population presents challenges for the healthcare industry. Increased longevity is often accompanied by higher risk of chronic disease, functional impairment, and food insecurity. Programs offered by Offices of the Aging seek to combat these issues through the provision of meals, nutrition education, physical activities, social activities, and health screenings. A needs assessment conducted at Schenectady County congregate meal sites revealed a high prevalence of cardiovascular disease and, despite educational offerings, significant nutrition knowledge deficits. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of multiple sessions of heart-healthy nutrition education on congregate meal site participants’ nutrition knowledge, dietary habits, and blood pressures. Methods: 16 participants were recruited at the Glenville meal site. Changes in dietary habits and nutrition knowledge were evaluated by comparing FFQ and nutrition knowledge assessment data collected during the needs assessment to post-intervention results. Changes in blood pressure were evaluated by comparing pre- to post-intervention measurements. Results: There were non-significant increases in overall nutrition knowledge assessment scores, as well as the scores for questions pertaining to the salt and fat content of foods. There were no significant changes in dietary habits or blood pressure measurements as compared to baseline. Conclusions: Further research is needed to evaluate whether more educational sessions over a longer duration of time might be more effective at impacting changes in nutrition knowledge, dietary behaviors and health outcomes.

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the effectives of nutritional interventions in a food bank setting aimed to improve the perception of the availability of nutritious food items. Design: Quasi-experimental design study and pre/post-intervention assessments Methods: Food Bank participant nutritional knowledge and confidence levels in their ability to produce nutritious meals with food received from the food bank was evaluated pre and post nutritional intervention. Setting: Delaware Opportunities, Hamden NY Participants: Ten people who were utilizing the Delaware Opportunities Food Bank Intervention: Participants were provided a recipe based on ingredients available at the food bank, a food demonstration of said recipe and a traffic light labeling system accompanied by education and explanation of the categorization. Results: Nutritional knowledge significantly increased post intervention, however participant confidence in their ability to produce nutritious meals based on food items received from the food bank did not significantly increase. Conclusion and Implications: traffic light labeling, recipe development, and food demonstration provided at the Delaware Opportunities Food Bank significantly improved participant nutritional knowledge related to the food available but did not significantly increase participant confidence to create nutritious meals moving forward. The results as well as relevant literature suggest that more long-term interventions are needed to improve confidence in a meaningful way.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of providing sugar-free, salt-free spice blends on vegetable intake among adolescents Design: Quasi-experimental, case-control Methods: Subject selection, consumption, and enjoyment of vegetables served in school-offered meals was measured prior to the intervention period and again following 4 weeks of providing spice blends. Measurements were made using numerical and Likert scales along with open-ended solicitation of feedback. Setting: South Jefferson High School, Adams, New York Participants: High school students enrolled in health classes in the 2023-2024 school year (n=13). Intervention: Following a pre-test assessment, students were provided with optional spice blends in the lunch lines for 4 weeks. After the 4 weeks, a post-test was administered to measure the effect of the spices on vegetable selection, consumption, and enjoyment. Results: After 4 weeks, the spice blends did not produce significant changes in vegetable selection, consumption, or enjoyment among subjects. Conclusions and Implications: Herbs and spices have been demonstrated elsewhere to be effective methods for improving vegetable intake in the adolescent population.22,23 This study’s results suggest the need for further, more rigorous testing in the population.

Walleye (Sander vitreus) are recreationally and ecologically important throughout New York State waterbodies. The species has been stocked throughout the state for purposes of establishing and enhancing recreational fisheries and biological control of landlocked alewife populations and milfoil management in the state. In populations supported by large-scale stocking efforts, we rarely collect information about natural reproduction. Walleye were stocked from 2000-2014 in Otsego Lake, New York for biological control of alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) with a secondary purpose of re-establishing a recreational fishery. Following the functional elimination of alewife from the lake, walleye stocking ceased and their population has been supported only by natural reproduction. With the collapse of the alewife population and the increased popularity of a harvest-orientation for walleye, the status of the population and the ability to sustain a fishery into the future is currently uncertain. The purpose of this thesis was to characterize baseline population dynamics of spawning walleye in Otsego Lake, NY following successful re-introduction of the species and establishment of wild reproduction. To achieve this, the specific objectives of my thesis were to: 1) characterize spawning walleye demographics (age, growth, sex ratio, and size distribution), 2) estimate annual survival and population abundance of stream-spawning walleye in the lake, and 3) quantify variability in reproductive phenology as related to environmental cues to inform future sampling efforts. Sex ratios of spawning fish were heavily skewed toward males, but the proportion of females in spawning tributaries has increased in recent years. We found that mean size and age of spawning walleye varied between males and females but increased across sexes during the study period. Additionally, estimated population abundance decreased markedly from about 6,428 individuals in 2008 to 1,724 individuals in 2017 before stabilizing at about 868 individuals in 2018 and 748 individuals in 2019. Taken as a whole, these changes suggest that the naturally reproducing walleye population may be stabilizing at numbers lower than were sustained during years of active stocking, which may affect how harvest influences the population in the future. Finally, I was able to create predictive relationships between environmental variables of interest (date, photoperiod, and degree days) that were useful for predicting the initiation of spawning accurately and, with a precision of about one week, to facilitate more efficient sampling of this population in the future. The information provided by this study will facilitate future management of Otsego Lake. Continued monitoring of this population will help resolve or confirm some of the outstanding uncertainties related to current stock status and trends observed.