Keywords
Whole-Foods Plant-Based Diet (WFPD); Childhood Obesity Epidemic; Nutrition; Pediatric Medicine; Diet Content; Public Health
Abstract
The obesity epidemic is widespread in American society, often affecting children who bear its consequences innocently. Due to a lack of nutrition knowledge, children rely on caregivers to meet their nutritional needs and instill healthy habits. This study examines parents' attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors, as well as perceived barriers to adopting a whole-foods plant-based diet (WFPD) for their children. Using a modified survey instrument by Morton et al., this study focused on parents and children regarding dietary choices. Participants were recruited from the waiting area of a pediatric clinic at the Medical College of Georgia between April and May 2023. They completed paper surveys assessing beliefs about whole-foods plant-based diet knowledge and suitability, and identifying barriers to adoption. Among the 48 participants, with children averaging 7.5 years old, 69% were familiar with WFPD health benefits, and 17% had past or current involvement with a whole-foods plant-based diet. Likert scale scores determined confidence intervals for opinions on whole-foods plant-based diet barriers, adoption, and nutritional knowledge. Kendall’s tau-b correlation tests uncovered significant connections between perceived barriers, demographics, and understanding of whole-foods plant-based diets. A Spearman’s rank-order test found no correlation between a parent's assessment of their child's health and whole-foods plant-based diet engagement. Many parents didn't perceive significant hurdles to WFPD adoption and expressed readiness to embrace its benefits for their children, pending guidance from healthcare professionals and assistance with shopping and meal preparation. Openings toward solutions to the childhood obesity epidemic exist if stakeholders would reach out and take advantage of the most impactful methods of educating the public in terms of the benefits and successes of a whole-foods plant-based diet.
Thesis Completion Year
2024
Thesis Completion Semester
Spring
Thesis Chair
Chiarelli, Tina
College
College of Medicine
Department
Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences
Thesis Discipline
Biomedical Sciences
Language
English
Access Status
Open Access
Length of Campus Access
None
Campus Location
Orlando (Main) Campus
STARS Citation
Luthra, Vijay R., "Understanding Guardian Perceptions of Whole-Foods Plant-Based Diets as Interventions in Pediatric Medicine" (2024). Honors Undergraduate Theses. 93.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hut2024/93
Included in
Biochemical Phenomena, Metabolism, and Nutrition Commons, Clinical Epidemiology Commons, Community Health Commons, Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons, Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Commons, Epidemiology Commons, Family Medicine Commons, Food Studies Commons, Internal Medicine Commons, Medical Nutrition Commons, Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Commons, Pediatrics Commons, Preventive Medicine Commons, Primary Care Commons, Public Health Education and Promotion Commons
Rights Statement
