Online Master of Agricultural and Life Sciences

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https://hdl.handle.net/10919/51287

The Online Master of Agricultural and Life Sciences (OMALS), http://www.cals.vt.edu/online/, is uniquely positioned to meet the evolving and dynamic needs of today’s agricultural professionals. The program offers concentrations in the areas of agribusiness, applied animal behavior and welfare, applied nutrition and physical activity, education, environmental science, food safety and biosecurity, and leadership studies, as well as plant science and pest management. In addition to engaging classes, students benefit from the opportunity to work on-on-one with well-respected faculty in Virginia Tech's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences to complete a rigorous final project, using what they've learned and developing real-world research and communication skills. This collection showcases final projects completed by current and former OMALS students.

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A Review and Prospects on the Use of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) in Precision Agriculture for the Mid-Atlantic United States
Thompson, Aaron Scott (Virginia Tech, 2024-11-14)
This case study is a comprehensive evaluation of the level of adoption for precision agriculture Unmanned Aerial Systems, (UAS) in farming activities in the Mid-Atlantic United States. For context, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) defines Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) as an aircraft that is operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft. The term UAS encompasses the unmanned aircraft (UA) (commonly referred to as drones), the controller on the ground, and the communication link between them. This system allows for the operation and navigation of unmanned aircraft. Since the turn of the 19th Century, industrialized agriculture has advanced globally at a rate that is hard to imagine. This advancement has been highly accelerated since the dawn of the digital era. Part of that digital technology advancement has come in the form of UAS. UAS provide a scalable technology platform to accomplish improved efficiency for individual agricultural work functions such as crop/herd monitoring and precision spraying solutions. This case study assesses the integration levels of agricultural UAS operations, specifically within smaller farms, orchards, and vineyards, across the Mid-Atlantic compared to the rest of the United States. The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the extent to which UAS integration in the Mid-Atlantic United States has been effective, as well as to identify barriers that have caused Mid-Atlantic UAS implementation rates to be lower than those of the Western United States. Using qualitative in-field interviews and quantitative data analysis, the study examines the effect of UAS technology on crop/herd management, pest management, irrigation management, and overall farm productivity. Finally, this case study examines the financial impact of incorporating agricultural UAS into the average-sized Mid-Atlantic farm versus maintaining standard practices. The analysis compares outcomes when hiring a drone service versus purchasing and implementing a drone program internally. Economic implications of drones on net-profit and expenses for a representative 200-acre soybean farm are projected utilizing a University of Tennessee enterprise budget (Appendix A) and RStudio visualizations (Appendix B). The study also examines legal and regulatory components around drones utilized in agriculture, such as airspace restrictions, data/general privacy, and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) policy compliance. This case study revealed practical contributions of drone technology for Mid-Atlantic agriculture allowing farmers, policy makers and other stakeholders to make informed decisions about the uses and expansion of UAS in agricultural operations.
Sterilization Timing Effects on Lengths of Stay in Shelter Dogs and Cats with Positive Outcome
McDonald, Amita (Virginia Tech, 2024-08-09)
In 2023, an estimated 6.5 million pets entered one of the thousands of animal welfare organizations across the United States. Currently, animal shelters are experiencing a capacity crisis as an additional 900,000 animals have entered shelters since 2021 and have remained in care. Previous studies have attributed longer lengths of stay to many factors about the animal and shelter, including abnormal or problem behaviors, medical conditions and treatment, and available resources. Understanding how the timing of an animal’s sterilization surgery can affect its length of stay might aid in the development of evidence-based best practices regarding this procedure. The current study utilized records sourced by Shelter Animals Count, a nonprofit organization that maintains a centralized database of United States animal sheltering data, for the year 2023 to investigate what shelter and animal variables, including the timing of its sterilization surgery, affect dog and cat lengths of stay. Our analysis showed significant relationships between sterilization surgery timing and days in the shelter, such that adopted dogs and those that were transferred out for placement had the shortest lengths of stay when sterilized post-outcome, while adopted and transferred cats had the shortest lengths of stay when sterilized before their arrival to the shelter. Moreover, we uncovered relationships between an animal’s length of stay and how it arrived at the shelter and the animal’s positive outcome as well as the region in which the shelter was located and the type of positive outcome it experienced. In all, we found associations between sterilization surgery and length of stay, in addition to impacts of intake type and geographic region, that suggest the timing of this procedure could impact animal welfare and organizational resources, and warrants further investigation.
The economic and environmental impact of Biofuel on US farmers and the food market
Ishida, Yuki (Virginia Tech, 2024-08-19)
This project investigates the economic and environmental impacts of biofuel production on US farmers and the food market. With the rising importance of renewable energy, biofuels derived from corn and soybeans have gained prominence due to policies like the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). This study aims to (1) assess the economic effects on US farmers, including changes in income, crop prices, and land use, (2) evaluate the environmental impacts, focusing on greenhouse gas emissions, soil health, and water use, (3) identify the implications for the US food market, including food prices and availability, and (4) explore the policy implications for supporting sustainable biofuel production while ensuring food security. A comprehensive literature review was conducted, analyzing academic articles, policy reports, and empirical studies. The findings reveal that biofuel production has led to higher crop prices and increased farm revenues, particularly benefiting corn and soybean producers. However, these economic benefits are unevenly distributed, with smaller farms facing challenges. Environmentally, while biofuels can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the associated land-use changes can negate these benefits. Sustainable agricultural practices are essential to mitigate negative environmental impacts. The food market analysis indicates that biofuel production has contributed to higher food prices, raising concerns about food security. The study recommends policies supporting diverse farms, promoting sustainable practices, and balancing biofuel production with food security needs. Additionally, fostering industry-university partnerships and utilizing cooperative extension programs can enhance information dissemination and support sustainable biofuel production practices. This research underscores the need for a balanced approach to biofuel production that considers both economic and environmental sustainability.
Design and Implementation of a Pilot Collegiate Sleep Health Incentive Program
Anderson, Abigail (Virginia Tech, 2024-08-06)
This study examined collegiate sleep health habits and aimed to design a sleep health promotion program to support better quality sleep for college students. A variety of factors affect college students’ sleep health and affect the current state of campus wellness programming. Although various studies have examined sleep education incentive programs among college students, few utilized the Self-Determination theoretical framework to focus on students' psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. This current study focused on delivering sleep education activities to college students to foster long-lasting behavior change for sleep health rooted in Self-Determination Theory. A total of eight Virginia Tech Summer 1, online students completed the 5-week sleep intervention which delivered a module based asynchronous sleep education course through the CANVAS learning platform. As an incentive to participate in the program, they were offered extra credit points to be added to their final course grade. Participants engaged in a pre-program sleep hygiene index assessment to assess current sleep habits, then they engaged in several weeks of educational, social, and physical activities designed to help promote healthy sleep habits. After the program, participants filled out an additional sleep hygiene index survey to compare results as well as a post-program survey which assessed the success rate of the program. Post-program results showed a significant improvement in sleep hygiene (p < 0.001) with 87.5% of participants made positive habit changes to their sleep and 100% of participants would recommend the Goodnight Hokies sleep education program to other students. In addition, several of the weekly activities received a 50% positive relation to SDT. Even though 100% of participants would recommend this program to other students the study still had an overall attrition rate of 52.5% with only eight students completing the entire program.
Students’ Perceptions of Social Media Technology and its Use in Their Academic Journey
Johnson, Matthew (Virginia Tech, 2024-08-09)
Social media is a term used to describe digital platforms that connect and engage individuals worldwide. Such platforms can take the form of Instagram, X (formerly, Twitter), Canvas, LinkedIn, Discord, etc. Social media helps users “gain knowledge” of important topics “as well as others’ activities, thoughts, and stories” (Zhao & Zhou, 2020, p.1032). Since its creation, social media use has grown tremendously. So much so, that it has almost permeated every aspect of our lives. Educational spaces have especially shown evidence of an “increased use of social networking by students to perform academic activities” (Alamri, 2019, p.64). Social media is ever-present in classrooms, educational centers, and professional settings throughout the world. However, it was once stated that despite social media’s prevalence, teaching and learning “in colleges and universities” had “largely remained unchanged” (Tierney et al., 2014, p.2). Now, post the COVID-19 pandemic, many students have switched to online learning platforms to gain their education. Thus, this study was conducted to better understand and explore the changes that have come from social media’s presence in the classroom. The research from this study reveals that online master's students are reluctant to connect with their professors on social media. They also express skepticism of social media technology and its place within academia. Ultimately, this further suggests a need for continued research on other student populations to gather a more comprehensive understanding of how social media can be better used within such academic settings.
Why is Fido Stressed? Crossover of Employees’ Job Stress to their Pets
Mitropoulos, Tanya (Virginia Tech, 2024-08-07)
Job stress is an epidemic in the United States, with well-being consequences for the employee, their spouse, and their children. Pets, who most Americans view as family members, may also be susceptible to this crossover effect, or the transference of work-related stress and strains from an employee to their loved ones. Given prior support for cats and dogs’ abilities to perceive, interpret, and absorb a human’s emotions via emotional contagion, I expected that pet dogs and cats of owners with higher job stress would themselves be more stressed. I anticipated that work-related rumination, or the tendency to continue thinking about work during leisure time, would explain this relationship. All variables were measured using self-report scales administered in an online survey, and pets’ stress was captured in two ways: as owner-perceived pet stress and as behaviorally indicated pet stress via separate measures for cats and dogs created for this study. The sample included 107 employees, together owning 85 dogs and 22 cats. Controlling for home stress, I found that job stress related to behaviorally indicated stress in dogs but not cats. Work-related rumination explained this relationship. This study unites organizational research with companion animal welfare and pinpoints a potential contributor to impaired canine welfare. This study also supports the presence of crossover and emotional contagion in the dog-owner bond. Employed dog owners should take care to avoid ruminating about work-related issues when at home to protect the well-being of man’s best friend.
An Evaluation of the Career Game Plan Program at Virginia Tech
Tyson, Paige (Virginia Tech, 2024-08-16)
The purpose of this project was to gain a better understanding of the perspectives and experiences that student-athletes have with the Career Game Plan program at Virginia Tech. In addition, the project sought to identify areas of improvement so that the program can further benefit the future student-athletes who participate. This qualitative study consisted of semi-structured interviews to identify the development of the student-athletes’ career skills. Data was collected by interviewing ten student-athletes who had most recently completed all four events of the Career Game Plan program. After research and analysis of the data, common themes emerged for the aspects of the program that are most valued by student-athletes, highlighting meaningful connections, quality communication, opportunities, and preparation for post-graduate life. The student-athletes also noted inconsistencies with their experience throughout the program and provided some suggestions that they felt would further enhance the student-athlete experience through this program. Interviews revealed that student-athletes truly value this opportunity that Virginia Tech provides for them, and they believe that all student-athletes should take advantage of it.
Implementation of an Intuitive Eating Inspired Meal Planning Education Program in a Private Practice Setting
Bryski, Hailey; Volpe, Stella; Myers, Emily; Papillon, Carol (Virginia Tech, 2024-08-14)
It is common for adults to struggle with eating healthfully whether it is due to busy schedules, budget constraints, or lack of nutrition knowledge. Diet quality is extremely important because it plays a key role in disease prevention and overall quality of life. Clients of a registered dietitian’s private practice located in Blacksburg, Virginia have vocalized a desire to participate in healthier eating habits but feel unprepared to achieve their goals. A needs assessment distributed to individuals in the New River Valley area revealed that their most common barriers to eating healthfully included: lack of time, budget constraints, and absence of easy-to-prepare recipes that meet taste preferences. To address these needs, a live webinar educational program on meal planning and preparation was developed. The pilot program taught meal planning strategies through the lens of intuitive eating, specifically the principles of the satisfaction factor, body respect, and gentle nutrition. The program also covered topics such as food values, component cooking, the Rule of Three, and creating a supportive kitchen environment. Four out of the 11 program participants completed a post-session evaluation survey using a five-point Likert scale. Respondents felt that the topics covered were relevant to their concerns and they expressed an interest in learning more about intuitive eating. Lower scores illustrated that they did not feel as if they obtained a better understanding of certain concepts including component cooking and intuitive eating. Results revealed preliminary efficacy in the program’s outline and foundation, and indications for revisions to meet the program’s goals more effectively. Future program initiatives should elaborate on introduced topics to better educate the target population.
Examining the Feasibility and Implementation of a New Dietary Intake Documentation Method in a Hospital Setting
Gause, Allison (Virginia Tech, 2024-07-29)
Malnutrition affects one in three hospitalized patients in the United States (Sauer et al., 2019). One of the six diagnostic criteria for malnutrition is inadequate dietary intake, which can be tracked in several ways. In hospital settings, tracking and documenting dietary intake is primarily the responsibility of nursing staff or dietitians (Heighington-Wansbrough & Gemming, 2022). This project aimed to develop and present a staff training presentation on a new documentation method, utilizing the Welch Allyn Connex Spot Monitor, a point-of-care technology device. The training was presented to various clinical staff at Inova Alexandria Hospital at two meetings. The training presentation reviewed the importance of accurate meal documentation, the disadvantages of the current method, and instructions on how to follow the new method. Documentation frequency was collected from ten patient charts, with a length of stay greater than three days, from three hospital units before the training. Documentation frequency was measured again one week following the second training and four weeks following the second training. The baseline mean before the intervention was implemented was 4.33 meals per patient. The one-week post-intervention mean meals documented was 6.07 meals per patient and the four-week post-intervention mean was 4.1 meals per patient. The results indicated an increase in meal documentation frequency, across all units, one week following the second training session (p = 0.02). When assessing the maintenance of meal documentation four weeks after the training, the frequency was no longer significantly higher and returned close to the baseline value (p = 0.74). In conclusion, meal documentation frequency increased in the week following the training presentation. The adoption of the new method was not sustained over four weeks and highlighted the need for more regular training on the new documentation method.
Cyberbiosecurity Importance in Relation to Small Fermentation Businesses and How to Integrate it into Known Hazard Planning Tools
Knapp, Jordan; Strawn, Laura K.; Wiersema, Brian D.; Eifert, Joseph D.; Hamilton, Alexis M. (Virginia Tech, 2024-08-07)
Cyberbiosecurity threats are on the rise in many various industries (Drape et al., 2021). With attacks on water treatment plants, medical facilities and more, awareness for what cyberbiosecurity is, what it looks like, and how to implement countermeasures into known hazard planning tools is dire. This project set out to address these issues in the context of small fermentation businesses. A survey was conducted but, due to low response rate, there was no statistical nor quantitative analysis performed on the survey results. The information gleaned from the survey was used to better guide how a factsheet would be created and used to gauge, what the fermentation community in North Carolina and Virginia was aware of in relation to food safety, the Food Safety and Modernization Act, and cyberbiosecurity. A factsheet was designed to guide small fermentation businesses on how to identify cyberbiosecurity is, what hazards exist, how to implement control measures into known hazard planning tools, and what methods exist to better protect their businesses.
Evaluating Experiential Learning & Reflection within an Agricultural Education Setting
Nolen, Emily; Westfall-Rudd, Donna; Ferand, Natalie; Drape, Tiffany (Virginia Tech, 2024-08-05)
This study is focused on the utilization of experiential learning in the agricultural education setting and the importance of incorporating reflective practices within this educational theory. The Cognitive Constructivism Learning Theory provided the framework for this qualitative study. Six participants, including agriculture educators, a core subject educator, and a school administrator participated in this two-part study that included a questionnaire on reflective practices utilized in the classroom and feedback on an annotated student and educator reflective resource. After a thorough analysis of the provided data on experiential learning and reflection, it is noted that these instructional practices provide an array of opportunities and concrete learning experiences for students to actively engage in individualized reflection while gaining access to skill sets such as collaboration, communication, and management skills that can be utilized in future endeavors. In recognizing the various outcomes associated with experiential learning, educational resources were also provided to project participants to review and provide recommendations to enhance the reflective resource pool for educators in Virginia. Upon completion of this project, we were able to define the importance of experiential learning, the positive correlation of reflection as it plays a key role in the experiential process, and the vast array of opportunities and skills derived from the utilization of these methodologies from an educational perspective.
Incorporating Mindful Eating Education into a Culinary Nutrition Program for Adolescents in an Urban Food Desert
McClain, Elizabeth (Virginia Tech, 2024-08-08)
Culinary nutrition programs can shape children’s long-term eating behaviors. Mindful eating has also been an effective tool for nutritional behavior change in youth and adults by encouraging awareness of food choices, sensory experiences, and internal hunger cues. However, there is limited research on incorporating structured mindful eating education in youth culinary education programming. This study examined the development, implementation, and evaluation of a five-lesson mindful eating-focused curriculum at an after-school cooking program using an exploratory, sequential, mixed-methods design. Short-term outcomes were evaluated using baseline and post-intervention surveys, class recordings, and real-time feedback on mindful eating principles: sensory awareness, understanding the food system, and recognizing environmental distractions. The baseline and post-intervention surveys showed a 9.9% increase in willingness to try new vegetables, 12.3% increase in students' mindful attention, and a 1.8% increase in approach and persistence. Results from the midway survey showed 70% of students reported changes in their food choices. Qualitative results from the midway survey displayed the practical application of Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle by identifying mindful eating techniques outside of the classroom seven students reported identifying food sources, six used their senses, three limited distractions, and seven practiced awareness of hunger and fullness levels. In conclusion, incorporating mindful eating into cooking curricula is feasible and can positively influence students' awareness and application of healthy eating habits. The implications suggest educational programs incorporating mindful eating techniques can be beneficial in promoting nutrition education and helping students optimize their food choices, potentially addressing aspects of food insecurity. Future research should examine the long-term effects of mindful eating education and explore diverse teaching methods to enhance its effectiveness. Developing more sophisticated surveys and assessment tools will also be crucial for accurately measuring short-term outcomes and student learning objectives.
A Multicomponent Initiative to Increase Nutrition Outreach in the East End Neighborhood of Richmond, Virginia
Yancey, Grace; Misyak, Sarah; Myers, Emily; Papillon, Carol (Virginia Tech, 2024-07-22)
Access to healthy food is imperative to support the health of individuals and communities. However, structural inequities have resulted in reduced food access and higher rates of chronic disease in low-income communities. In the East End of Richmond, Virginia, a historically redlined area of the city, residents have reduced healthy food access and experience consequent health disparities. Multiple organizations, food pantries, and urban agriculture initiatives are working to mitigate these food access issues. Bon Secours Community Outreach is aiming to implement nutrition programming in the East End that complements these assets and promotes healthy food access. This project aimed to pilot various nutrition outreach approaches, initiate community engagement, and collect feedback from community members to inform future programming. Nutrition outreach initiatives were adapted to three food access sites including a food pantry, grocery store, and a mobile market to engage with East End residents. Feedback was collected to assess residents’ perceptions on healthy eating behaviors and their preferences around nutrition programming. Engagement levels and feedback collection were highest at the grocery store. Participants indicated preferences for receiving nutrition education from media sources, within community-based spaces, and from medical professionals. A pilot nutrition workshop was implemented that included nutrition education and a cooking demonstration. A Bon Secours dietitian and community health worker provided feedback to revise the workshop for future implementation. This project initiated the first step in community engagement and trialing outreach approaches to inform future nutrition programming.
Maximizing Food Budgets and Diet Quality: An Education Program for Parents and Caregivers of Head Start Children with the Northern Virginia Family Service
Vogt, Ainsley; Misyak, Sarah; Myers, Emily; LaFalce, Amy (Virginia Tech, 2024-07-23)
Given the rising costs of food and groceries from 2023 to 2024, knowledge on food resource management strategies is crucial, especially for low-income families. Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS) offers essential resources aimed at fostering stability and self-sufficiency among low-income families through various critical services. This project aims to investigate behavioral intentions related to food purchasing among NVFS parents and caregivers, identifying effective educational resources to encourage healthier food choices while optimizing budgets. An educational session was conducted with five NVFS families in Arlington, Virginia. The session covered topics in food resource management and implementing SNAP recommendations, such as shopping essentials, money-saving strategies, shopping by food group, and nutrition label interpretation. Following the session, participants completed a survey using a Likert scale to gauge their readiness to modify food shopping habits. Results indicated a strong inclination among participants to prioritize certain cost-saving strategies but showed less intent to prioritize other cost-saving strategies and less intent to prioritize nutritional quality. Future educational efforts should build on these cost-saving strategies and emphasize nutritional awareness during grocery shopping to promote the health and well-being of NVFS families and individuals.
The Effect of NIL on NCAA Men’s Basketball Recruitment Strategies
Johnson, Sterling (Virginia Tech, 2024-08-07)
Improving Healthcare Provider Knowledge on Recognition and Treatment of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
Bartels, Nicole (Virginia Tech, 2024-07-24)
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is a newly recognized feeding and eating disorder that is commonly mistaken as picky eating in youth or childhood. It is often difficult to diagnose, as it frequently co-occurs with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). First added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) in 2013, the definition of ARFID was updated in 2022 with clearer diagnostic criteria. Screening practices for ARFID remain limited, and healthcare professionals usually have minimal training on this topic. Due to ARFID being less familiar among healthcare providers, the diagnostic prevalence is low, and treatment options are scarce. This project discusses the importance of increasing the awareness of ARFID among healthcare professionals, which includes the identification and management of this disorder, and the importance of continuing research to understand this disorder better. The goal of this project was to pilot a virtual professional development program with Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for registered dietitians and licensed therapists to increase awareness of the various characteristics and effects of ARFID based on a comprehensive literature review. Participants of the program found it to be informative and valuable to their careers. Increasing education and awareness among providers is essential to improve the diagnosis and treatment options for ARFID.
Expansion of SNAP participation at Petersburg Public Library Market
Amand, Reagen (Virginia Tech, 2024-07-24)
Accessing healthy foods is a basic right for each individual, but in low-income neighborhoods, access and affordability create a barrier to achieving these needs. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides financial assistance for qualifying, low-income individuals and families when purchasing groceries. Providing financial assistance alone is not enough to reduce the food access gap for low-income households and neighborhoods. Farmers markets are a source of fresh fruits and vegetables and oftentimes provide incentives for purchasing these products using SNAP benefits such as discounts on fresh produce. This type of program, along with increased community involvement and outreach, has been effective in increasing SNAP participation amongst these markets. Despite the potential that SNAP has on farmers markets participation rates, levels still remain low. Through a comprehensive literature review, research showed financial incentives such as discounts and promotional methods increase the participation of SNAP customers amongst farmers markets. The purpose of this program was to test the efficacy of promotional materials in increasing the awareness of farmers markets and the benefits they provide to SNAP customers in Petersburg, VA. Findings showed no substantial success in overall SNAP redemption as SNAP sales and transactions between May 2023 and 2024 had a -9% change and a +9% change between June 2023 and 2024. This initial investigation provides helpful insight to community organizations looking to collaborate with farmer's markets to increase SNAP participation rates. Moving forward, continued collaboration between stakeholders will be essential to sustain motivation and determination when aiming to increase accessibility and affordability of healthy behaviors, such as purchasing and consuming fruits and vegetables.
Advancing Food as Medicine in the Retail Setting
Hollis, Sarah (Virginia Tech, 2024)
Over half of the American population, over 117 million individuals, have at least one or more preventable chronic diseases that are related to poor eating and exercise habits. This includes cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, and poor bone health (Schap, 2016). The expansion of Food as Medicine programming in grocery stores is predicted to impact consumer food choices. Food retailers are trailing nutrition-related programs to understand how they can provide solutions to change eating habits (FMI, 2019) as more consumers shift their dietary habits and mindsets to be more focused on how food choices can affect health status. This project aimed to evaluate whether placing nutrition educational materials in ten Food City pharmacies in southwest Virginia and eastern Tennessee would provide consumer guidance in making food choices in the grocery store, specifically for populations looking to follow a low-carbohydrate diet or a heart-healthy diet. A pilot passive quasi-experimental design was created to determine if there was a product lift of the promoted products on the nutrition educational materials. Stores with both the resource racks and bag stuffers at the counters saw a 13.38% increase in carbohydrate-aware items and 1.04% in heart-healthy items. Stores that had bag stuffers only at the pharmacy counters saw a 10.55% increase in carbohydrate-aware items and a -0.11% decrease in heart-healthy items. Comparison stores saw a 11.19% increase in carbohydrate-aware items and a -0.48% decrease in heart-healthy items. This intervention was successful as it provided real world significance in product lift as well as it provided insight into future program development and modifications for future resources.
A Review of Physical Activity Interventions in a Hispanic/Latino Population with Elevated Risk for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
John T Murie (Virginia Tech, 2024-06-23)
Context: Hispanic/Latino adults are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus compared to non-Hispanic white adults. Regular physical activity can help reduce the risk of developing chronic conditions such as diabetes mellitus and obesity. Standard prevention programs have not shown the same level of effectiveness in the Hispanic/Latino population. Objective: The purpose of this systematized review was to evaluate the recent literature of physical activity interventions in the Hispanic/Latino population that may lead to an increase in physical activity and reduce long-term health risks. Design: A systematized review of recent published articles utilizing physical activity interventions in the Hispanic/Latino community. This included seven articles that were published in the past five years. Eligibility Criteria: Hispanic/Latino adults who have not been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, but who may have certain risk factors such as pre-diabetes or obesity. Study Selection: Sources searched were PUBMED and CINAHL. These sources were searched between December 2023 and February 2024. The search yielded 1,298 citations without duplicates. The inclusion criteria included studies in which the populations were entirely Hispanic or Latino adults, with an intervention that included the promotion of physical activity and was conducted in Spanish. Main Outcome Measures: Increasing physical activity and decreasing risk factors, such as elevated hemoglobin A1c, body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, and body weight. Results: Most researchers reported an increased engagement in physical activity with their interventions. The approaches to engage participants and the end points varied in the individual studies. Researchers reported significant increases in “leisure walking” (p=0.46) or “brisk walking” (p=0.011), which also resulted in decreased sedentary time. Researchers also reported an increased likelihood of achieving Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) physical activity guideline goals of ≥150 minutes of moderate- to vigorous- physical activity per week. After 12 months of a web-based physical activity tool, those meeting the CDC physical activity guidelines logged on significantly more than those who did not meet the guidelines (p=0.002). In addition, some researchers reported significant decreases in mean body weight with increased physical activity (p=0.004). Conclusion: In those studies that were most effective in increasing physical activity, researchers implemented structured use of technology that were customized to the Hispanic/Latino community. Additional studies need to be conducted to evaluate the appropriate level of reach and engagement to increase physical activity in the Hispanic/Latino populations.
The Perceptions of the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) by Female Army Officers on Event Physical Effectiveness and Assessed Practicality of the Assessment’s Scoring System
Nostrant, Valerie (Virginia Tech, 2024-04-27)
During nine years of active-duty service in the United States Army as an Officer, it has always been abundantly clear that there are discernable differences between male and female soldiers, which is amplified when you compare their physical abilities and performances. With the development of the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT), set to replace the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), it was a concern from Congress to the US public what would the impacts of this test change would be on the careers of service members. The female US Army Officer population was underrepresented in both the beta testing and in the development of the ACFT events. This survey investigated the perceptions of these women on individual event effectiveness and the ongoing revisions of the scoring systems. Overwhelmingly, this survey showed the efficacy of many of the events in which the desired targeted skills were not being evaluated and that a gender based scale was required so as not to have a biased or unfair test of physical abilities.

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