Browsing by Author "O'Palka, Jacquelynn M."

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Effect of Learning Preference on Performance in an Online Learning Environment among Nutrition Professionals
    (2014) Myatt, Emily Laura; Contino, Lisa; Ernst, Judith A.; O'Palka, Jacquelynn M.
    Background: Online courses in healthcare programs like Dietetics have increased in availability and popularity. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the connections between online learning environments and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) dimensions among Nutrition Professionals. This research will add to the knowledge base of educators responsible for the design and development of online nutrition courses and will enhance Nutrition Professionals’ academic and professional outcomes. Design: Semi-experimental study design. Subjects/Setting: Thirty-one Nutrition Professionals with mean age of 29 years old. All elements of the study were done online. Statistical Analysis: MBTI dimension summaries were done for descriptive statistics. Fisher’s Exact Test was used to compare frequency of MBTI dimensions in the learning modules (LM) and to analyze learning modality preference based on MBTI dimensions. Two-Sample T-Tests compared test scores for LM groups and test scores for extraverts and introverts. Paired T-Test assessed improvement in test scores related to LM preference. Chi-Square Test compared preferences for the second learning module for both LM groups. Results: The majority of participants’ MBTIs were ESFJ at 35% or ISFJ at 19%. There were more extraverts (71%) compared to introverts (29%). Both LM groups had similar MBTI dimensions. Extraverts and introverts had similar improvements in scores and LM preferences. LM groups performed similarly and in general participants preferred the second learning module they were assigned. Preference for the second LM could be because participants enjoyed the first LM and wanted to learn more information. Both LM groups significantly improved their scores (P=<.0001) in their first and second learning modules regardless of learning module design. Participants were highly motivated to learn as evidenced by their enrollment in this study and completion of 10 hours of learning modules. Motivation to learn may have been the strongest reason performance significantly improved. Conclusion: LM groups significantly improved their LM scores and learned similar amounts. MBTI dimensions extravert and introvert and preferred learning modality had limited impact on performance for this sample of Nutrition Professionals. These results indicate that motivation may be the key to increasing performance in online nutrition courses.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Evaluating the Burmese Population and their Use of the Women, Infants, and Children Program
    (2020-10) Schultz, Lisa Klenk; O'Palka, Jacquelynn M.; Blackburn, Sara; Bigatti, Silvia M.
    This pilot study examines the use of the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program by the Burmese population in Indianapolis, Indiana. A significant number of Burmese people migrated to the Indianapolis area starting in 2004. Many of them are families with young children and are enrolled in the WIC program. Language barriers and cultural differences make it more difficult for the WIC program to meet the needs of these families. To what extent is the WIC program meeting their needs? To answer this question, Burmese WIC participants enrolled in the Marion County WIC program were invited to participate in this study. Study participants received a survey at the time of their appointment at the WIC office. The survey included questions that focus on how the Burmese people feel about the foods provided and the nutrition education they receive on the program. Of the 30 study participants, 28 of them or 93.3% reported WIC as being very helpful. Some foods were reported as not being utilized as frequently by the Burmese population on the WIC program, including tortillas, brown rice, and whole wheat pasta. In addition, twenty six of the 30 participants or 86.7% reported the nutrition education they receive on WIC as being very helpful. Participants reported learning many new things through WIC nutrition education including how best to feed their infants and children, as well as breastfeeding being the best for their babies.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Mid-upper arm circumference and nutritional risk in macrocephalic pediatric patients
    (2022-06) Wadelton, Christina Ann; O'Palka, Jacquelynn M.; Christensen, Celanie; Blackburn, Sara A.
    Objective: Nutritional assessment and diagnosis of malnutrition in pediatric patients is dependent on anthropometric measurements. In macrocephalic children, current anthropometric measures may fail to correctly diagnose malnutrition. The purpose of this study is to determine if the measurement of mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) in pediatric patients with macrocephaly better identifies children at nutritional risk as compared to weight-for-length (WFL) or body mass index (BMI). Methods: A cross-sectional pilot study of children aged 6-36 months with a head circumference 2 SD above the mean was performed. Visual assessment was used as the clinical “gold standard” for presence of malnutrition. MUAC was compared to the WFL or BMI for each child to determine which anthropometric measurement better identified presence of malnutrition. Statistics: Two-way contingency tables were used to summarize the relationships between each pair of assessments of whether a child is malnourished. Agreement between the methods was evaluated using kappa statistics and percent agreement. Analyses were performed using SAS version 9.4 ™ statistical software. Results: Twenty patients were included who met study criteria. The mean head circumference z-score was 2.6. The mean BMI/WFL z-score was 0.9, which would qualify the child as “nourished.” Of the 20 children included in the study, 20% (n=4) appeared visually malnourished on physical exam. BMI/WFL confirmed diagnosis of malnutrition in 75% (n=3) of children. MUAC confirmed diagnosis of malnutrition in 75% (n=3) of children. Diagnosis of malnutrition using BMI/WFL as compared to visual assessment had a non-significant p-value of 0.317. Diagnosis of malnutrition using MUAC as compared to visual assessment had a non-significant p-value of 0.317. With a p-value of >0.5, there is no statistically significant difference between BMI/WFL and MUAC in diagnosis of malnutrition. Conclusion: MUAC did not perform better than BMI/WFL at identifying malnutrition in pediatric macrocephalic patients.