Browsing by Author "Murimi, Mary W."
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Item Adopting higher ground mentality: Be a voice(Daystar University, 2018-07-07) Murimi, Mary W.Item Conference on ‘Nutrition dynamics in Africa: opportunities and challenges for meeting the sustainable development goals(Cambridge University Press, 2017) Murimi, Mary W.; Moyeda-Carabaza, Ana FlorenciaMaternal and child health (MCH) consists of an interdependent reproductive system that collectively determines the survival of the mother during childbirth, and determines the health and survival of the child. This interdependency underscores the importance of appropriate and timely interventions during pregnancy through the first 1000 d at the minimum. The Millennium Development Goals (MDG) recommended the use of the continuum of care for the development of interventions by addressing all the stages of MCH. The purpose of the present paper is to review the factors that contributed to the attainment of the MDG 4 and MDG 5 by analysing the interventions conducted by the countries that achieved at least 5·0 and 5·5 %, respectively, and determine the level of their intervention based on the MCH conceptual framework. Out of the eighteen selected countries discussed, fifteen countries achieved their target for either MDG 4 or MDG 5 or both, while three countries did not achieve their target. The countries that were more likely to achieve their targets addressed the societal, underlying and direct causes, and implemented country wide policies. In contrast, the countries that did not succeed were more likely to address the direct causes with poor policy implementation. Understanding the motivation and limitations of the target population, including nutrition education and targeting behaviour change has the potential to result in sustainable MCH. This information has the potential to enlighten the policymakers as we progress to the sustainable development goals, specifically goals 2 and 3.Item Factors Influencing Efficacy of Nutrition Education Interventions: A Systematic Review(Journal of Education Nutrition and Behavior, 2016-09-03) Murimi, Mary W.; Kanyi, Michael G.; Mupfudze, Tatenda; Amin, M. R.; Mbogori, Teresia N.; Aldubayan, K.To examine systematically factors that contribute to the efficacy of nutrition education interventions in promoting behavior change for good health based on their stated objective. In a departure from previous reviews, the researchers investigated factors that lead to success of various types of interventions. Critical analysis of these factors constituted the outcome of this review.Item Factors that contribute to effective nutrition education interventions in children: a systematic review(Nutrition Reviews, 2018-05-24) Murimi, Mary W.; Moyeda-Carabaza, Ana Florencia; Nguyen, Bong; Saha, SanjoyAbstract Context Establishing healthy dietary practices at an early age is crucial, as dietary behaviors in childhood track to adulthood. Objective The purpose of this systematic review was to identify factors associated with successful nutrition education interventions conducted in children and published between 2009 and 2016. Data Sources Using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis) guidelines, relevant studies were identified through the PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center) databases. Study Selection Studies published in English between 2009 and 2016 that included a nutrition education intervention among children aged 2 to 19 years were included. Review articles, abstracts, qualitative or cross-sectional studies, and studies targeting children with special nutritional needs were excluded. Data Extraction Four authors screened and determined the quality of the studies using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) system and extracted the data from the articles. Data Analysis Forty-one studies were included: 7 targeted preschool children, 26 targeted elementary school children, and 8 targeted secondary school children. A total of 46% met their primary objectives of nutrition education intervention, while the rest either partially achieved or did not achieve their stated objectives. Results Successful interventions targeting school children engaged parents by means of face-to-face sessions, identified specific behaviors to be modified, and assured fidelity by training teachers or recruiting trained experts to deliver the intervention. In addition, they allowed adequate dosage, with an intervention duration of at least 6 months, and used age-appropriate activities. Conclusions Interventions with a multicomponent approach that were age appropriate and of adequate duration (≥ 6 months), that engaged parents, and that ensured fidelity and proper alignment between the stated objectives, the intervention, and the desired outcomes were more likely to succeed.Item Fostering healthy lifestyles in the African American population.(Health Education & Behavior, 2015) Murimi, Mary W.; Chrisman, Matthew S.; McAllister, Tiffany; McDonald, Olevia D.Approximately 8.3% of the U.S. population (25.8 million people) is affected by type 2 diabetes. The burden of diabetes is disproportionately greater in the African American community. Compared with non-Hispanic Caucasian adults, the risk of diagnosed type 2 diabetes was 77% higher among non-Hispanic Blacks, who are 27% more likely to die of diabetes complications than either Caucasians or Hispanics. The purpose of this longitudinal community intervention was to promote healthy lifestyles among African American participants through multiple channels, including individualized point-of-testing counseling, and weekly exercise and nutrition classes led by trained community health mentors. Data collection procedures were guided by the World Health Organization’s STEPS approach, which includes gathering demographic and health information, collecting anthropometric measurements, and analyzing biochemical blood work. Changes in body mass index were assessed from in-person measurements and changes in blood lipids and glucose were examined by biochemical analyses. A total of 157 individuals participated in this study. Results showed that weight gain during the intervention was prevented, glucose levels decreased (−10.88 mg/dL), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased (−8.8 mg/dL), while high-density lipoprotein increased (+3.2 mg/dL). Lifestyle interventions and point-of-testing counseling can be successful in reducing risk factors for type 2 diabetes among the African American population. The results of this intervention indicate that the use of community health mentors and point-of-testing counseling may be effective in fostering healthy lifestyle changes, which can halt the progression of type 2 diabetes among non-Hispanic Black populations.Item Let's Cook, Eat, and Talk: Encouraging Healthy Eating Behaviors and Interactive Family Mealtime for an Underserved Neighborhood in Texas.(Nutr Educ Behav, 2018-07-23) Park, O H; Brown, R; Murimi, Mary W.; Hoover, LFamily meals are associated with significant benefits including increased dietary quality,1 4 reduced risk behavior for substance abuse3 5 and disordered eating behaviors,3,4 improved cognitive performance among children,3 5 and strengthened family connectedness.4,5 Promoting healthy eating through family meals is suggested to be an important public health strategy, but family mealfocused interventions that educate entire families are lacking.6 Furthermore, family programs that promote healthful family mealtimes through an experiential and observational learning environment for underserved families within a community setting are limited or not widely reported. The objective of Let’s Cook, Eat, and Talk (LCET) was twofold: to promote healthy eating behaviors by providing combined nutrition education and cooking classes to underserved families in the community setting and to facilitate family mealtime communication to strengthen family relationships among participants in East Lubbock, TX.Item Prevalence of Food Insecurity in Low-Income Neighborhoods in West Texas(Journal of Education Nutrition and Behavior, 2016-07-03) Murimi, Mary W.; Kanyi, Michael G.; Mupfudze, Tatenda; Mbogori, Teresia N.; Amin, M. R.To determine the prevalence of food insecurity and the coping strategies and to investigate the role of safety nets among low-income households in urban and rural west Texas.Item Prevalence of Food Insecurity in Low-Income Neighborhoods in West Texas(Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 2016) Murimi, Mary W.; Mupfudze, Tatenda; Mbogori, Teresia N.; Amin, M. R.Abstract Objective To determine the prevalence of food insecurity and the coping strategies and to investigate the role of safety nets among low-income households in urban and rural west Texas. Design The Core Food Security Module, an 18-item scale, was used in a cross-sectional purposeful convenience sample comparing rural and urban households, whereas the demographic survey assessed participation in food assistance/safety net programs. Setting Rural and urban neighborhoods in west Texas. Participants Sample size of 191 participants from low-income households, predominantly African American and Hispanic people. Main Outcomes Measures Levels of food insecurity and use of safety nets. Analyses Comparisons between rural and urban households and between food-secure and food-insecure households were analyzed using the chi-square test of independence for categorical variables. Fisher's exact test was used whenever the number in each cell was < 5 in 2 × 2 contingency tables. Results Prevalence of household and child food insecurity in west Texas was 63% and 43%, respectively. Forgoing balanced meals was a common coping strategy. There was high intake of affordable energy-intense foods. Conclusions and Implications The high prevalence of food insecurity in low-income households in west Texas led to high intake of energy-intense food with low nutrients, resulting in higher prevalence of anemia, obesity, and other chronic diseases. There was low participation in safety net programs. Educational interventions on food choices are recommended.Item Targeting Influencers of Behavior in Nutrition Education.(Journal of Education nutrition and Behavior, 2017-07-01) Murimi, Mary W.Item Voices and perspectives of rural Hispanic households on food insecurity in west Texas: a qualitative study(Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition, 2018-03-01) Murimi, Mary W.; Kanyi, Michael G.; Mbogori, Teresia N.; Amin, Ruhul; Rana, Ziaul H.; Nguyen, Bong; Moyeda-Carabaza, Ana FlorenciaThis qualitative study explored factors associated with causes of food insecurity including cultural factors and coping strategies among rural Hispanic population in west Texas. A sample of 20 participants from low-income households participated. Coding and analysis of the key themes were done by four independent coders. Four overarching themes emerged: (1) food insecurity is a well-kept secret and is a cultural aspect, (2) behavioral and environmental elements are major causes of food insecurity, (3) coping strategies and the price of staying food secure, and (4) strategies for plausible interventions to food insecurity. Positive coping strategies included buying in bulk, buying when items are on sale, and cooking and eating at home, while increasing the volume of food by making food soupy, buying starchy inexpensive food and only eating beans and rice might compromise the nutritional value of the diet. This study underscores the importance of studying the cultural aspect of food to inform interventions addressing food insecurity.Item Volunteerism: A Win-Win Undertaking(Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 2016-12-09) Murimi, Mary W.Volunteerism in America could be considered a national pastime with nearly 1 in 4 Americans, an estimated 62.6 million people, serving as volunteers according to the National and Community Service report.1 Volunteerism includes a wide range of activities undertaken to serve others or contribute to a cause of common good for the general public where monetary reward is not the driving factor, according to the general assembly of the United Nations.2 The Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior (SNEB) as an organization would never achieve its stated goals without the many hours and skills provided by its member volunteers.