RELATED ABSTRACTS

• Addressing Increasing Rates of Food Insecurity Among College Students in the US, Carcione, Maxwell D., UMass Amherst, Poster Session 5, 3:15 PM - 4:00 PM, 163, C5
• How Heat Stress Impacts Seed Shape Gene Expression in Oryza sativa, Fawcett, Jayna, UMass Boston, Poster Session 3, 1:15 PM - 2:00 PM, Auditorium, A35
• From Crib to Cognition: Linking Infant Temperament and Socio-Emotional Development to Sleep Architecture, Gogia, Sehar, UMass Amherst, Poster Session 1, 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM, 163, C14
• The Dangers of Adolescent Gambling, Ryan, John Patrick, Northern Essex Community College, Poster Session 3, 1:15 PM - 2:00 PM, Auditorium, A70
• Characterizing ROS Detection in Larval Zebrafish Developmentally Exposed to PFOS, Calderone, Kari Renee, UMass Amherst, Poster Session 5, 3:15 PM - 4:00 PM, Auditorium, A22

Problem Statement/Purpose:

Food insecurity is associated with poor health and academic outcomes in many populations. College students face unique financial challenges, including paying for tuition, housing, and other living expenses while attending school. It is important to understand how access to food may influence academic performance among college students.

Methods:

Two secondary research articles, three primary studies, and two non-scientific websites were analyzed to understand how food insecurity affects academic performance among college students. Additionally, a survey examined the food insecurity experiences of 15 college students.

Results:

Students who do not have consistent access to food reported feeling more tired, stressed, and distracted, which negatively affected their academic performance. The most common contributing factors were financial limitations, high food prices, and stigma surrounding food assistance. Food insecurity was associated with lower GPA, difficulty concentrating, stress, and exhaustion. Some students reported skipping meals or rationing food, which contributed to decreased academic performance. Among the students surveyed, many reported struggling to afford groceries, and Mel skipping was common.

Conclusion and Significance:

The relationship between food access and educational success suggests that food insecurity should be viewed as both a public health concern and an academic equity issue. Future efforts should focus on expanding awareness of campus food resources, reducing stigma, and improving access to affordable food options so students can succeed both inside and outside the classroom.

Problem Statement/Purpose: Food insecurity is the lack of access to healthy, affordable, culturally-appropriate food. Some Massachusetts-based hunger advocacy groups estimate that food insecurity may affect up to 37% of households in the U.S. Rising food inflation will likely increase the number of people affected. Because food is so important to health, it is important to understand how limited access may influence health. This study investigated how food insecurity affects physical and mental health and how people with limited access to food interpret health risks for themselves.

Methods:.We reviewed six primary and secondary research articles to understand how food insecurity can affect human health. We also surveyed 23 people about their food security patterns of experience, health symptoms, and knowledge of food insecurity.

Results: The articles demonstrated that food insecurity was consistently linked to cardiometabolic disease and other health risks. Our survey data and results have been highly supportive of the data also collected in the articles. Over half of the people who participated said they had worries of not having enough food, and half had skipped meals because of a lack of money or food. Most also believed that food insecurity leads to CVD diseases and depression.

Conclusion and Significance: Food insecurity heavily affects health outcomes through poor nutrition, chronic stress, and limited food access. Programs that support food security can also support health.

Hypothyroidism (HT) is a condition in the endocrine system in which the thyroid gland is underactive and does not produce enough thyroid hormone, which affects cellular metabolism, resulting in difficulty in weight management, and more specifically fat loss. To individuals suffering from hypothyroidism, struggling with weight management is incredibly discouraging and can lead to lack of motivation to test out different diet and exercise plans. The relationship between metabolism in individuals with hypothyroidism and exercise and nutrition is a highly understudied and inaccessible to the 4-10 % of the population who are diagnosed with the condition. This paper aims to synthesize the knowledge that endocrinologists and nutritionists have to offer to their patients and develop a preferable diet and exercise plan for them. An examination of case studies, journals, and articles will help determine if an anti-inflammatory diet and exercise plan influences metabolism in individuals with hypothyroidism and has a positive effect on their health and enhance their metabolism to aid in weight management and fat loss.

Adequate nutrition is essential for enhancing performance, recovery and long term health in collegiate athletes.  Nutrition related issues can negatively impact student-athletes' health and peak physical condition. Most sports nutrition research focuses on NCAA Division I and II, while limited research exists in Division III populations. This cross-sectional study examined sports nutrition knowledge and dietary habits among Division III soccer players at Worcester State University (N=24), across all class years (64% male, 32% female, 4% transgender), ages 18-22, with 71% primarily residing on campus. Participants completed a nutrition knowledge survey and a female subgroup completed a three-day food record. While 87.5% of respondents indicated they felt confident in making healthy food choices, key soccer-specific nutrition topics, particularly hydration and carbohydrate intake, were among the least understood concepts. Correct answers on hydration topics were identified by 38% of participants. Carbohydrate knowledge was accurately determined by 61% of participants. Carbohydrates were inconsistently identified as the primary source of energy. Sufficient intake of antioxidants affects athletic performance, only 20% of participants knew that the recommendation for fruits and vegetables was 5 servings per day. These findings indicate discrepancies between perceived and actual nutrition knowledge, highlighting the need for targeted intervention for soccer players. Preliminary data from food records indicate that participants consumed approximately 32% less carbohydrates than recommended per day, based on body weight. Strong levels of motivation to improve and openness to nutrition education were indicated by 100% interest response in receiving personalized nutrition reports.

Background: Preparing a workforce-ready generation is an urgent priority in the growing field of health and human services. The situation is further exacerbated by 75% of companies rate recent graduates as lacking motivation, leading to termination for more than half of these hires. Traditional higher education often emphasizes technical knowledge without always reinforcing the essential workplace skills critical for entry-level employees. To address this challenge, we design experiential learning (EL) as a model to better prepare undergraduate students for the workforce.

Methods: This model is grounded in the work of Dewey, Lewin, Piaget, and Kolb, each emphasizing the value of real-life experiences in the learning process. Our EL Lab mirrors real-world work environments through strategic partnerships with departments and non-profits, integrating hands-on experiences, mentorship, and leadership development. We build the structure as a multi-tiered team, including a faculty member, a doctoral student coordinator, and undergraduate students. Students undergo a competitive interview, and senior students are promoted to team leader roles. All students earn a living wage and receive two independent study credits.

Results: The EL curriculum emphasizes transferable skills such as communication, public speaking, and networking, reinforced through discussions, site visits, internships, and nonprofit collaborations. Since piloting in 2023, students have reported increased confidence and self-efficacy. 

Conclusion: The EL Model complements academic learning and strengthens workforce readiness. We highlight the structure, implementation, and measurable impact on student professional development.

RELATED ABSTRACTS

• From Classroom to Community: Developing an Experiential Food Recovery Course at UMass Amherst, Jabbour, Sharon Antoine, UMass Amherst, Poster Session 1, 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM, 163, C13
• First-Year Undergraduates: Differential Mediation of the Threat- Stress Relationship by Gender and Generational Status, Obrycki, Julia , Worcester State University, Poster Session 2, 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM, 163, C9
• Pre-COVID-19 Pandemic vs. During the Pandemic and First vs. Continuing Generation College Students: Perseverative Negative Thinking and Mindful Nonjudging Differentially Mediated the Threat - Depression Relationship, Gage, Ethan Thomas, Worcester State University, Poster Session 2, 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM, 163, C10