Gretchen George | San Francisco State University (original) (raw)
Papers by Gretchen George
Health Education Journal
Background: Weight stigma and bias are present in education, employment, and health care institut... more Background: Weight stigma and bias are present in education, employment, and health care institutions, and have increased in recent years. College students in pre-health majors have been documented to hold weight biases, and interventions to mitigate these beliefs have had varying results. Objectives: This study’s purpose was to assess the impact of a pedagogical intervention regarding weight stigma outcomes among first-year students. Method: Three instructors of lower-division health and social science courses implemented a 3-module lecture series on weight stigma, the environmental sources of weight variability, and body appreciation. Participants ( N = 81; 48 from intervention (INT) classrooms, 33 from comparison [COM] classrooms) completed an end-of-semester survey regarding their anti-fat biases, fat phobia, and body appreciation, and a subset ( n = 13) participated in a semi-structured interview about their experiences. Results: Results revealed no outcome differences between ...
Trends in Higher Education
Undergraduate learners are ideal candidates for participation in service-learning projects, which... more Undergraduate learners are ideal candidates for participation in service-learning projects, which allow learners to apply course concepts in a community setting where both the university and community benefit. In pre-health fields, undergraduate students can serve as teachers for concepts such as food literacy. This study examined whether a rigorous virtual professional development model would improve self-efficacy of undergraduate participants to teach food literacy to adolescents. A purposive sampling of participants (n = 12) from two universities participated in a yearlong virtual service-learning project and a community of practice professional development model. Tasks included virtual lesson modeling and virtual development of short, learner-centered activities for an adolescent food literacy curriculum. Informal interviews were conducted at the end of the academic year. Participants reported that the virtual service-learning project connected to their coursework, improved thei...
World Futures, 2021
In a women’s life, the universal sign of aging is menopause. This biological experience can be vi... more In a women’s life, the universal sign of aging is menopause. This biological experience can be viewed as a women’s rite of passage into the next chapter of life. This change affects each person differently, due to a number of adverse symptoms that are felt, creating a stigma. Further, numerous women experience poor body image, which can overall affect their livelihood. However, women with a positive body image, are more likely to view menopause as a positive experience. With that said, it is clear that the healthcare field needs to create a way to support a women’s journey into aging.
Current Developments in Nutrition
Objectives To determine the effectiveness of a comprehensive professional development model (CPDM... more Objectives To determine the effectiveness of a comprehensive professional development model (CPDM) adapted for virtual instruction in its ability to improve self-efficacy related to food literacy and development of remote food literacy education. Methods Undergraduate students (n = 12) from two universities participate in a yearlong CPDM. In the first semester, undergraduates attend weekly meetings focused on online learning platforms; building community of practice; reviewing learning models, theories, and pedagogy; and building skills to support social and emotional learning. Undergraduates participate in reflective practice throughout the CPDM to advance their teaching skills. In the second semester, undergraduates develop online modules supporting remote instruction for the learner-centered curriculum Teens CAN: Comprehensive Food Literacy in Cooking, Agriculture, and Nutrition. Undergraduates develop virtual lesson procedures and content to be pilot tested with the community of...
Journal of Family & Consumer Sciences
This cross-sectional study examined the association between added sugar consumption and levels of... more This cross-sectional study examined the association between added sugar consumption and levels of depression in adult women (N = 74). The 97-item online survey included Patient Health Questionnaire-9 depression scale, Block Fat/Sugar/Fruit/Vegetable Screener, added sugar knowledge questions, and a question regarding nutrition education referral during mental health treatment. A weak positive association between added sugar consumption and levels of depression was identified, r = .389, p < .05. A majority of participants (67.5%) who sought mental health treatment were not referred to a nutrition professional. These findings underscore a need for nutrition educators and mental health professionals to work collaboratively for impactful patient well-being.
Current Developments in Nutrition
Objectives Food insecurity is prevalent on college campuses. Many campuses have food assistance p... more Objectives Food insecurity is prevalent on college campuses. Many campuses have food assistance programs (e.g., food pantries, cooking classes, government support) to provide resources and education but research has identified that knowledge related healthy food selection, meal planning, food budgeting, and safe food preparation skills are suboptimal. The objective of this pilot study was to determine the most effective nutrition education model to increase self-efficacy, skill, knowledge, and food choice awareness in the food insecure college student. Methods Eligible university students (N = 54) were recruited and randomized to a three-arm four-week intervention. All participants received weekly food pantry items and pilot nutrition education curriculum through different application models; food demonstration and handout (FD, n = 20), cooking class and handout (CC, n = 14), or handout only (H, n = 20). The weekly one-hour CC was hands-on with tasting at the end. The weekly 20-minu...
Journal of Family & Consumer Sciences
Journal of Family & Consumer Sciences
Californian Journal of Health Promotion
Stereotypical and prejudicial attitudes towards people considered overweight or obese are documen... more Stereotypical and prejudicial attitudes towards people considered overweight or obese are documented in professionals ranging from physicians, nurses, fitness and general nutrition professionals, and registered dietitian nutritionists (RDN) and may introduce barriers to equitable care. To identify the prevalence of anti-fat attitudes (AFA); fat phobia (FPS); and body appreciation scores (BA) in nutrition and dietetics’ students (ND) and non-nutrition and dietetics’ students (NND) through a cross-sectional design. During 2018, students (n=297) from two California State Universities completed a survey including three validated instruments. Additionally, height, weight, and waist circumference were collected using NHANES procedures. A series of ANCOVA’s and correlation coefficients were computed. Significant differences existed in BA between ND (M=3.61, SD=0.66) and NND students (M=3.81, SD=0.70); t(288) = 2.49, p=0.013. Scores indicated existing anti-fat attitudes and fat phobia. Sign...
The Faseb Journal, Apr 1, 2012
Book Chapter: Pérez-Escamilla, R., & Melgar-Quiñonez, H. (2011). At risk: Latino children's hea... more Book Chapter: Pérez-Escamilla, R., & Melgar-Quiñonez, H. (2011). At risk: Latino children's health. Houston, TX: Arte Publico Press.
We describe the development and application of a teacher-administered tool for routine program ev... more We describe the development and application of a teacher-administered tool for routine
program evaluation of food-tasting activities among low-income children and adolescents
in a classroom or afterschool setting. This six-item evaluation tool is intended to
capture student willingness to try new foods and ask for them at home. Phase 1 involved
one-on-one interviews to determine the feasibility of the taste test tool among nine
elementary school teachers in 2009 (168 students) and a validation pilot study in 2010
among 114 school-aged students participating in a University of California Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program Nutrition Education (UC SNAP-Ed) summer program.
Phase 2 determined instrument reliability and compared student response by grade
level and food category in a convenience sample of 514 UC SNAP-Ed classrooms in
2010-2011. The mean proportion of the classroom ever having tried the foods before
was 0.620.33, and 0.770.27 were willing to ask for the foods at home (P0.0001).
Compared with younger students (preschool through sixth grade), older students (seventh
through 12th grade) were less likely to try the foods in class and less willing to try
them again or ask for them at home (P0.05). Students reported significantly greater
previous exposure and willingness to try the food again for fruits than for vegetables
(P0.0001). A teacher-administered taste test tool is feasible to use in a group setting
and capable of yielding valid, reliable information to evaluate student response and to
guide SNAP-Ed program delivery.
J A
Nutrition Research, 2004
This study examined whether blueberries or vitamin C consumed for 7 days in a randomized, double-... more This study examined whether blueberries or vitamin C consumed for 7 days in a randomized,
double-blind, crossover design would attenuate oxidative stress and cytokine changes versus placebo.
Nine subjects ran at 70% VO2max in a hyperthermic environment (35°C, 70% relative humidity [RH])
until a core temperature of 39.5°C was reached, and for an equivalent time and intensity in the two
remaining treatments. Blood samples were drawn before exercise and immediately, 15 minutes, and
30 minutes after exercise. Plasma samples were analyzed for F2-isoprostanes, lipid hydroperoxides,
vitamin C, ferric reducing antioxidant potential, urate, interleukin-1ra, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and
interleukin-10. The pattern of change between treatments was significant for lipid hydroperoxides but
not for any other marker. Significant correlations were found between F2-isoprostanes, lipid hydroperoxides,
ferric reducing antioxidant potential, and urate. This study indicates that blueberry supplementation
may be beneficial for athletes exercising in hot environments.
Health Education Journal
Background: Weight stigma and bias are present in education, employment, and health care institut... more Background: Weight stigma and bias are present in education, employment, and health care institutions, and have increased in recent years. College students in pre-health majors have been documented to hold weight biases, and interventions to mitigate these beliefs have had varying results. Objectives: This study’s purpose was to assess the impact of a pedagogical intervention regarding weight stigma outcomes among first-year students. Method: Three instructors of lower-division health and social science courses implemented a 3-module lecture series on weight stigma, the environmental sources of weight variability, and body appreciation. Participants ( N = 81; 48 from intervention (INT) classrooms, 33 from comparison [COM] classrooms) completed an end-of-semester survey regarding their anti-fat biases, fat phobia, and body appreciation, and a subset ( n = 13) participated in a semi-structured interview about their experiences. Results: Results revealed no outcome differences between ...
Trends in Higher Education
Undergraduate learners are ideal candidates for participation in service-learning projects, which... more Undergraduate learners are ideal candidates for participation in service-learning projects, which allow learners to apply course concepts in a community setting where both the university and community benefit. In pre-health fields, undergraduate students can serve as teachers for concepts such as food literacy. This study examined whether a rigorous virtual professional development model would improve self-efficacy of undergraduate participants to teach food literacy to adolescents. A purposive sampling of participants (n = 12) from two universities participated in a yearlong virtual service-learning project and a community of practice professional development model. Tasks included virtual lesson modeling and virtual development of short, learner-centered activities for an adolescent food literacy curriculum. Informal interviews were conducted at the end of the academic year. Participants reported that the virtual service-learning project connected to their coursework, improved thei...
World Futures, 2021
In a women’s life, the universal sign of aging is menopause. This biological experience can be vi... more In a women’s life, the universal sign of aging is menopause. This biological experience can be viewed as a women’s rite of passage into the next chapter of life. This change affects each person differently, due to a number of adverse symptoms that are felt, creating a stigma. Further, numerous women experience poor body image, which can overall affect their livelihood. However, women with a positive body image, are more likely to view menopause as a positive experience. With that said, it is clear that the healthcare field needs to create a way to support a women’s journey into aging.
Current Developments in Nutrition
Objectives To determine the effectiveness of a comprehensive professional development model (CPDM... more Objectives To determine the effectiveness of a comprehensive professional development model (CPDM) adapted for virtual instruction in its ability to improve self-efficacy related to food literacy and development of remote food literacy education. Methods Undergraduate students (n = 12) from two universities participate in a yearlong CPDM. In the first semester, undergraduates attend weekly meetings focused on online learning platforms; building community of practice; reviewing learning models, theories, and pedagogy; and building skills to support social and emotional learning. Undergraduates participate in reflective practice throughout the CPDM to advance their teaching skills. In the second semester, undergraduates develop online modules supporting remote instruction for the learner-centered curriculum Teens CAN: Comprehensive Food Literacy in Cooking, Agriculture, and Nutrition. Undergraduates develop virtual lesson procedures and content to be pilot tested with the community of...
Journal of Family & Consumer Sciences
This cross-sectional study examined the association between added sugar consumption and levels of... more This cross-sectional study examined the association between added sugar consumption and levels of depression in adult women (N = 74). The 97-item online survey included Patient Health Questionnaire-9 depression scale, Block Fat/Sugar/Fruit/Vegetable Screener, added sugar knowledge questions, and a question regarding nutrition education referral during mental health treatment. A weak positive association between added sugar consumption and levels of depression was identified, r = .389, p < .05. A majority of participants (67.5%) who sought mental health treatment were not referred to a nutrition professional. These findings underscore a need for nutrition educators and mental health professionals to work collaboratively for impactful patient well-being.
Current Developments in Nutrition
Objectives Food insecurity is prevalent on college campuses. Many campuses have food assistance p... more Objectives Food insecurity is prevalent on college campuses. Many campuses have food assistance programs (e.g., food pantries, cooking classes, government support) to provide resources and education but research has identified that knowledge related healthy food selection, meal planning, food budgeting, and safe food preparation skills are suboptimal. The objective of this pilot study was to determine the most effective nutrition education model to increase self-efficacy, skill, knowledge, and food choice awareness in the food insecure college student. Methods Eligible university students (N = 54) were recruited and randomized to a three-arm four-week intervention. All participants received weekly food pantry items and pilot nutrition education curriculum through different application models; food demonstration and handout (FD, n = 20), cooking class and handout (CC, n = 14), or handout only (H, n = 20). The weekly one-hour CC was hands-on with tasting at the end. The weekly 20-minu...
Journal of Family & Consumer Sciences
Journal of Family & Consumer Sciences
Californian Journal of Health Promotion
Stereotypical and prejudicial attitudes towards people considered overweight or obese are documen... more Stereotypical and prejudicial attitudes towards people considered overweight or obese are documented in professionals ranging from physicians, nurses, fitness and general nutrition professionals, and registered dietitian nutritionists (RDN) and may introduce barriers to equitable care. To identify the prevalence of anti-fat attitudes (AFA); fat phobia (FPS); and body appreciation scores (BA) in nutrition and dietetics’ students (ND) and non-nutrition and dietetics’ students (NND) through a cross-sectional design. During 2018, students (n=297) from two California State Universities completed a survey including three validated instruments. Additionally, height, weight, and waist circumference were collected using NHANES procedures. A series of ANCOVA’s and correlation coefficients were computed. Significant differences existed in BA between ND (M=3.61, SD=0.66) and NND students (M=3.81, SD=0.70); t(288) = 2.49, p=0.013. Scores indicated existing anti-fat attitudes and fat phobia. Sign...
The Faseb Journal, Apr 1, 2012
Book Chapter: Pérez-Escamilla, R., & Melgar-Quiñonez, H. (2011). At risk: Latino children's hea... more Book Chapter: Pérez-Escamilla, R., & Melgar-Quiñonez, H. (2011). At risk: Latino children's health. Houston, TX: Arte Publico Press.
We describe the development and application of a teacher-administered tool for routine program ev... more We describe the development and application of a teacher-administered tool for routine
program evaluation of food-tasting activities among low-income children and adolescents
in a classroom or afterschool setting. This six-item evaluation tool is intended to
capture student willingness to try new foods and ask for them at home. Phase 1 involved
one-on-one interviews to determine the feasibility of the taste test tool among nine
elementary school teachers in 2009 (168 students) and a validation pilot study in 2010
among 114 school-aged students participating in a University of California Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program Nutrition Education (UC SNAP-Ed) summer program.
Phase 2 determined instrument reliability and compared student response by grade
level and food category in a convenience sample of 514 UC SNAP-Ed classrooms in
2010-2011. The mean proportion of the classroom ever having tried the foods before
was 0.620.33, and 0.770.27 were willing to ask for the foods at home (P0.0001).
Compared with younger students (preschool through sixth grade), older students (seventh
through 12th grade) were less likely to try the foods in class and less willing to try
them again or ask for them at home (P0.05). Students reported significantly greater
previous exposure and willingness to try the food again for fruits than for vegetables
(P0.0001). A teacher-administered taste test tool is feasible to use in a group setting
and capable of yielding valid, reliable information to evaluate student response and to
guide SNAP-Ed program delivery.
J A
Nutrition Research, 2004
This study examined whether blueberries or vitamin C consumed for 7 days in a randomized, double-... more This study examined whether blueberries or vitamin C consumed for 7 days in a randomized,
double-blind, crossover design would attenuate oxidative stress and cytokine changes versus placebo.
Nine subjects ran at 70% VO2max in a hyperthermic environment (35°C, 70% relative humidity [RH])
until a core temperature of 39.5°C was reached, and for an equivalent time and intensity in the two
remaining treatments. Blood samples were drawn before exercise and immediately, 15 minutes, and
30 minutes after exercise. Plasma samples were analyzed for F2-isoprostanes, lipid hydroperoxides,
vitamin C, ferric reducing antioxidant potential, urate, interleukin-1ra, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and
interleukin-10. The pattern of change between treatments was significant for lipid hydroperoxides but
not for any other marker. Significant correlations were found between F2-isoprostanes, lipid hydroperoxides,
ferric reducing antioxidant potential, and urate. This study indicates that blueberry supplementation
may be beneficial for athletes exercising in hot environments.