Date of Award
2015
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.S. in Food and Nutrition Services
Department
Nutrition and Hospitality Management
First Advisor
Mary G. Roseman
Second Advisor
Hyun-Woo Joung
Third Advisor
Yunhee Chang
Relational Format
dissertation/thesis
Abstract
The present study was conducted to examine associations between demographics and socioeconomic status of parents and their use of functional foods in feeding their child(ren). Using a quantitative, descriptive study design, surveys were disseminated through both email and take home flyer within the Tupelo and Lafayette County Public School Districts in North Mississippi. A total of 187 parents met the inclusion criteria and completed the survey. This study found that parental education, race, marital status, self-reported overall health, and the age of children in their household significantly predicted use of functional foods by parents in feeding their child(ren). Implications from this research study stress the fact that children's dietary preferences and habits are formed during early childhood. Thus the implementation of school-based nutrition programs and the inclusion of parental figures may improve children's overall dietary practices, possibly reducing the risk of diet-related chronic disease in the future.
Recommended Citation
Deleon, Olivia, "A Study Of The Associations Between Demographics And Socioeconomic Status Of Parents And Use Of Functional Foods In Feeding Their Child(Ren)" (2015). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1005.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/1005