Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, 2018, Clinical Psychology (Arts and Sciences)

Disordered eating behaviors, including binge eating, food restriction, self-induced vomiting, and laxative use are prevalent within undergraduate male and female students. Problematic alcohol use and related issues, including binge drinking and alcohol-related consequences, are also widespread and these two issues are often comorbid. The unique combination of these behaviors, termed alcohol-related compensatory behaviors (ARCB), has recently come to the attention of researchers. ARCB involve compensatory behaviors performed in response to or in preparation for alcohol use in order to counteract calories consumed from alcohol or to increase intoxication. However, research regarding ARCB is sparse. Specifically, there is a lack of knowledge concerning psychological correlates that may help to explain these behaviors and a lack of consensus regarding potential sex differences in ARCB. Emotion dysregulation is a transdiagnostic psychological correlate implicated in a multitude of psychopathology, including disordered eating and alcohol use. Therefore, the present thesis used a cross-sectional design to examine the association between emotion dysregulation and ARCB in a sample of male and female undergraduate students (N = 417). Further, sex differences in ARCB and in the association between emotion dysregulation and ARCB were also examined. While ARCB were positively associated with emotion dysregulation at the bivariate level, emotion dysregulation was not a correlate of ARCB after accounting for alcohol use and problems, disordered eating, and BMI. Finally, there were no sex differences in ARCB and the association between emotion dysregulation and ARCB did not vary among males and females. Findings provide the first study on emotion dysregulation and ARCB, and additional knowledge regarding psychological correlates of ARCB and their temporal relationship to these risky behaviors is needed.

Committee: Ryan Shorey Ph.D (Advisor); Sarah Racine Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Psychology

Master of Arts (MA), Bowling Green State University, 2024, Psychology/Clinical

Eating disorders are complex psychological conditions often exacerbated by comorbidities with anxiety disorders. In addition to general anxiety, there are specific anxieties, such as anxiety about food and body, that are related to various eating disordered behaviors. The aim of the present study was to assess general anxiety and specific anxieties in relation to eating disorder behaviors and body checking and avoidance behaviors. Undergraduate student participants (N = 151) completed an online survey assessing general anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), anxiety about eating (Fear of Food Measure), body anxiety (Physical Appearance State and Trait Anxiety Scale), eating behaviors (Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire), body checking (Body Checking Questionnaire), and body avoidance (Body Image Avoidance Questionnaire). Two hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to examine: (1) the unique relationship between anxiety about eating and eating disorder behaviors, after controlling for general anxiety and (2) the unique relationship between body anxiety with body checking and avoidance behaviors, after controlling for general anxiety. The hypotheses were: (1) that anxiety about eating would explain unique variance in eating disorder behavior, and (2) that body-related anxiety would explain unique variance in body checking and avoidance. General anxiety was no longer a significant predictor when anxiety about eating was included in the model for ED behavior, suggesting that anxiety about eating may be more predictive of ED behaviors compared to general anxiety. Both general anxiety and body-related anxiety were significant predictors for BCA behaviors, although the inclusion of body-related anxiety accounted for the greatest proportion of variance in BCA behaviors.

Committee: Dara Musher-Eizenman Ph.D. (Committee Chair); William O'Brien Ph.D. (Committee Member); Abby Braden Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Psychology

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Bowling Green State University, 2024, Psychology/Clinical

Body dissatisfaction and maladaptive eating behaviors are common and associated with poor outcomes in young women, whereas the reverse is true for positive body image. Women in sports report better body image and less disordered eating than their non- athletic peers (Chapa et al., 2022; Varnes et al., 2013), but the literature has noteworthy deficits regarding positive body image and adaptive outcomes. Furthermore, the current literature is marked by significant heterogeneity (Chapa et al., 2022; Smolak et al., 2000; Rice et al., 2016) indicating collegiate female athletes may be better understood as a collection of distinct groups rather than a homogenous population. Thus, the present study employed a person-centered approach to identify subpopulations of female athletes based on body image and eating behavior variables using cluster analysis. Undergraduate women (N = 175) on college and university athletic teams completed an online survey. A k-means clustering algorithm examined solutions ranging from two to five clusters. The selected and replicated solution revealed four groups: 1) low disordered eating and positive body image (n = 71), 2) low disordered eating and negative body image (n = 59), 3) restricting (n = 32), and 4) binge eating and purging (n = 11). One-way ANOVAs found that cluster 1 reported lower self-objectification, greater embodiment, and more intuitive eating compared to clusters 2, 3, and 4. Cluster 4 exhibited poorer outcomes than other clusters, including greater negative body talk, muscularity talk, and cognitive restraint. Engaging in, but not hearing, positive body talk was associated with positive outcomes.

Committee: Dara Musher-Eizenman Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Jessica Kiss Ph.D. (Other); Joshua Grubbs Ph.D. (Committee Member); Abby Braden Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Clinical Psychology

Master of Arts, University of Toledo, 2022, Psychology - Experimental

Children's obesity is associated with poor health outcomes, so it is important to understand the factors related to children's obesogenic eating (i.e., food approach behavior, unhealthy dietary intake, concern about child weight, perceived child weight). Parenting style (i.e., authoritative, authoritarian, permissive) has been associated with children's obesogenic eating. However, there is limited research on how coparenting (i.e., supportive, undermining) is associated with children's obesogenic eating. The purpose of this research was to 1) examine the associations between parenting style and children's obesogenic eating, 2) examine the associations between coparenting and children's obesogenic eating, and 3) examine whether coparenting moderated the associations between parenting style and children's obesogenic eating. Parents (n = 185) of three- to eight-year-old children were recruited from Amazon Mechanical Turk to complete a 30-minute questionnaire. Results showed that authoritative parenting was related to less children's obesogenic eating (i.e., food approach behavior, unhealthy dietary intake, concern about child weight), while authoritarian and permissive parenting were related to more children's obesogenic eating (i.e., food approach behavior, unhealthy dietary intake, concern about child weight, perceived child weight). Additionally, supportive coparenting was related to less children's obesogenic eating (i.e., food approach behavior, unhealthy dietary intake, concern about child weight), while undermining coparenting was related to more children's obesogenic eating (i.e., food approach behavior, unhealthy dietary intake, concern about child weight, perceived child weight). Findings from the current study partially supported the hypotheses that supportive coparenting would moderate the associations between parenting styles and children's obesogenic eating. First, linear regression analyses revealed that supportive coparenting moderated the assoc (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Cin Cin Tan (Committee Chair); Kamala London (Committee Member); Sarah Francis (Committee Member) Subjects: Developmental Psychology; Psychology

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, 2022, Clinical Psychology (Arts and Sciences)

Food and alcohol disturbance, or “FAD,” involves compensatory behaviors (e.g., food restriction, self-induced vomiting, laxative use, diuretic use, exercise) intended to compensate for the caloric value of alcohol and/or to increase the intoxication effects of alcohol. FAD is linked to dangerous health consequences, such as blackouts and injury, and appears prevalent in college populations. However, due to FAD's recent introduction into empirical literature, relatively little is known regarding these potentially dangerous behaviors. In particular, there is a lack of research examining the temporal antecedents and consequences associated with FAD, which is crucial for clarifying clinical significance and identifying treatment targets. The current project addressed existing limitations by examining the temporal antecedents associated with compensatory FAD, evaluating compensatory FAD's utility as an emotion regulation strategy, and investigating the psychological distress and impairment temporally linked to compensatory FAD. Specifically, this study investigated: 1) if increases in negative affect, body dissatisfaction, and impulsivity precede compensatory FAD and if compensatory FAD is associated with greater alcohol quantity; 2) whether compensatory FAD is an effective strategy to regulate negative affect and body dissatisfaction; and 3) if engagement in compensatory FAD is prospectively associated with subsequent psychological distress and impairment. Approximately 30 adult women who engage in compensatory FAD completed an ecological momentary assessment protocol for three weeks. Results demonstrated that negative affect, body dissatisfaction, and impulsivity did not increase in the hours prior to compensatory FAD, nor did negative affect and body dissatisfaction decrease in the hours following FAD. Alcohol quantity also did not significantly differ across days when compensatory FAD was endorsed, relative to drinking days when compensatory FAD was not endorsed. Fin (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: K. Jean Forney (Advisor); Brian Wymbs (Committee Member); Nicholas Allan (Committee Member); Kate Hibbard-Gibbons (Committee Member); Berkeley Franz (Committee Member) Subjects: Clinical Psychology; Psychology

BS, Kent State University, 2021, College of Education, Health and Human Services / School of Health Sciences

Studying abroad repeatedly portrays a positive and transformative experience that has lasting effects on students' lives (Hanna, 2016). Food is a key non-institutional factor that plays a role in a student's overall study abroad experience. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the experience of studying abroad in Florence, Italy on eating behaviors of university students and to determine if food impacts overall study abroad experience. Data for this study was obtained through an Informational Interview with an Italian Psychologist while in Florence, Italy as well as the Study Abroad and Food Experience (SAFE) Survey. The SAFE survey addressed demographics, food experience while in Florence, food experience upon returning home and the extent to which food impacted overall student abroad experience. Results showed that at the two month follow up, 40 participants reported some form of behavior change and after six months, 49 participants experienced behavior change. A mean of (M=7.5, SD=1.7) was found when students were asked to rate on a scale 1-10 the extent that food played a role in overall study abroad experience. In conclusion, the present study shows that studying abroad impacts student's eating behaviors upon returning home to some degree. Nutrition students should study abroad because the present study shows that it can change one's view on food and expand cultural competence.

Committee: Dr. Amy Miracle PhD, RD, CSSD, LD (Advisor); Emily Baker MS, RDN, LD (Committee Member); Dr. Amy Veney MSN, RN, PhD(c) (Committee Member); Dr. Maureen Blankemeyer PhD, CFLE (Committee Member) Subjects: Nutrition

Master of Arts, University of Toledo, 2019, Psychology - Clinical

Direct and indirect self-damaging behaviors are highly prevalent and associated with negative clinical and public health outcomes. Despite progress in understanding the expected consequences (expectancies) that motivate individuals to engage in these behaviors, less is known about the co-occurrence of, and expectancies for, a broader range of self-damaging behaviors that may occur in combination. The goal of this study was to develop a self-report measure to assess the frequency of, and individuals' expectancies for, nonsuicidal self-injury, eating disordered behavior, body-focused repetitive behaviors, and problematic exercise. An initial draft of the Expectancies for Body-Focused Coping Questionnaire (EBCQ) was developed and refined through expert feedback and pilot testing in a student sample (n = 11). The factor structure of the EBCQ was examined through exploratory factor analysis in a student sample (n = 353) and confirmatory factor analysis in a community sample (n = 443). The measure demonstrated good internal consistency and convergent and divergent validity. The EBCQ offers a flexible tool for assessment and treatment planning for researchers and clinicians working with individuals with a variety of self-damaging behaviors.

Committee: Matthew Tull PhD (Committee Chair); Kim Gratz PhD (Committee Member); Jason Levine PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Psychological Tests; Psychology

MS, Kent State University, 2018, College of Education, Health and Human Services / School of Health Sciences

This descriptive non-experimental study was to describe the changes in eating behaviors, home cooking, and language barriers in Northeastern Ohio University. An online survey was completed by 31 Chinese and Indian undergraduate and graduate international students aged 18-30 with F-1 student visa and maintain minimum course load of full-time at Kent State's main campus. Means and standard deviations were utilized to determine the home cooking. The data collected from food intakes, type of meals, eating behaviors, and language barriers questions were presented as percentages, showing Chinese international students increased the intake of protein and decreased the consumption of vegetables and fruits, while the Indian international students increased the intake of protein, fat, and sweet, and daily calories, and decreased the consumption of vegetables and fruits. In addition, Chinese and Indian international students had similar mean scores in home cooking. Moreover, Chinese international students experienced more language barriers than Indian international students. Overall, the results of this study might have benefit for promoting international students healthy eating.

Committee: Natalie Caine-Bish (Advisor); Karen Lowry Gordon (Committee Member); Jamie Matthews (Committee Member) Subjects: Nutrition

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), Wright State University, 2019, School of Professional Psychology

Eating disorders are a common psychological disorder with athletes being at a higher risk. The rates of clinical and subclinical (i.e. subthreshold, partial diagnosis, or other specified feeding and eating disorder in DSM-5). There are several sport-specific risk factors that increase the prevalence rate of clinical and subclinical eating disorders and body image concerns. Several eating disorder development models exist for the general population, but one specific sport specific factor: coaches, has been left out, despite their significant impact on athletes. This study examined the relationship between coaching behaviors, eating disorder symptomology, and body image concerns. Potential moderators of teammate pressures, self-esteem, and performance pressures were also examined. 160 NCAA Division 1 student-athletes completed the survey. Results demonstrated a significant relationship between coaching behavior and eating disorder symptomology and body dissatisfaction. Additionally, teammate pressures were found to moderate the relationship between coaching behaviors and eating disorder symptomology. Clinical implications, limitations, and future research directions were discussed.

Committee: Julie Williams Psy.D., ABPP (Committee Chair); Larry James Ph.D., ABPP (Committee Member); Chelsi Day Psy.D., HSPP (Committee Member); Christopher Modica Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Clinical Psychology; Health; Health Education; Health Sciences; Higher Education; Physiological Psychology; Psychology; Recreation; Social Psychology; Sports Medicine; Therapy

MS, University of Cincinnati, 2018, Medicine: Clinical and Translational Research

Introduction: Feeding styles, the attitudes and behaviors parents use to direct a child's eating, shape a child's ability to self-regulate food intake and affects future obesity risk. This study sought to examine how parental intuitive eating, parents who follow their own hunger and satiety cues, relates to infant feeding styles in a predominately low-income Black population. Methods: Parents of healthy infants aged 5.5–12.5 months were recruited during well-child visits at two urban primary-care clinics. Parent's intuitive eating behaviors and infant feeding styles were measured using the Intuitive Eating Scale-2 (IES-2) and the Infant Feeding Style Questionnaire (IFSQ), respectively. Hierarchical regression analysis, controlling for maternal and child demographic variables, was conducted to determine the relationship between parent intuitive eating behaviors and five infant feeding styles: pressuring, restrictive, responsive, indulgent and laissez-faire. Results: 201 parents completed the study, 90% were mothers and 68% were non-Hispanic Black. Average infant age was 8.8 [SD 2.0] months. Parents who relied on their hunger and satiety cues fed their infant in a responsive style (ß 0.10 ± 0.04, p<0.05). Parents who ate unconditionally, not labeling foods as forbidden, were more likely to feed their infant in a laissez-faire style (ß 0.16 ± 0.06, p<0.05) and more likely to feed high-energy foods (ß 0.17 ± 0.08, p<0.05). Conclusions: Parental intuitive eating behaviors are associated with infant feeding styles. Future studies should examine how parental intuitive eating and infant feeding styles affect infant growth trajectories.

Committee: Erin Haynes Dr.P.H. (Committee Chair); Kristen Copeland (Committee Member); Jessica Woo PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Nutrition

Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.), Xavier University, 2017, Psychology

Obesity in children and adolescents has risen precipitously over the past several decades, especially among underserved populations, due largely to unhealthy diet and insufficient physical activity. Theory and research suggest a link between health beliefs and health behaviors across populations, and current research aims to identify factors that influence and account for this link. The present study explored whether psychological flexibility/inflexibility mediates associations between eating attitudes and both food and physical activity habits in a sample of urban underserved youth. Results indicate that psychological flexibility/inflexibility did not mediate either of the proposed models for the full sample or when sex or age groups were examined separately. Associations were found between eating attitudes and both food habits and physical activity, as well as between psychological flexibility/inflexibility and eating attitudes, food habits, and physical activity, although findings were mixed across the full sample and subsamples examined. It is recommended that future research examine links between psychological flexibility/inflexibility and health beliefs and behaviors more broadly, and that differences by sex and age be more thoroughly studied.

Committee: Abbie Beacham Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Jennifer Gibson Ph.D. (Committee Member); Janet Schultz Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Psychology; Public Health

PHD, Kent State University, 2016, College of Communication and Information / School of Communication Studies

This study examined how parents communicate with their preschool-aged children (aged 2 to 5) about nutrition and how such parent-child interactions can shape the way preschoolers think about and approach eating. Parents (N=202) reported on their typical nutritional communication with their preschoolers and their perceptions of preschoolers' eating-related attitudes and behaviors. Exploratory factor analysis revealed that parents exchange both verbal nutritional messages (i.e., explanatory, punishing contingency, rewarding contingency, and restrictive) and nonverbal nutritional messages (i.e., healthy modeling, unhealthy modeling, and monitoring) with their preschool-aged children. Findings contribute to a more specific and comprehensive understanding of nutritional communication processes among parents and preschoolers and provide a new instrument for measuring parental nutritional communication. In addition, multiple regression analysis suggested that parental nutritional messages can influence parental perceptions of preschoolers' eating-related attitudes and behaviors in both productive and maladaptive fashions. According to their parents' perspectives, preschoolers were more likely to know that healthy eating is important and were more likely to care about the benefits of proper nutrition when their parents communicated using explanatory messages and healthy modeling messages. Preschoolers whose parents said that their children had these positive attitudes toward nutrition also were perceived to be more apt to engage in healthy eating patterns. Furthermore, parents' healthy modeling messages were found to predict their perceptions of preschoolers' healthy eating patterns, and parents' unhealthy modeling messages predicted parental perceptions of preschoolers' unhealthy eating patterns. Results add to theoretical and practical knowledge of the connections between parental nutritional communication and parental perceptions of preschoolers' eating-related a (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Nichole Egbert Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Natalie Caine-Bish Ph.D. (Committee Member); Jeffrey Child Ph.D. (Committee Member); Catherine Goodall Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Communication

PHD, Kent State University, 2015, College of Public Health

The traditional approach to weight management that encourages individuals to restrict calories, specific nutrients, or dietary intake is rarely effective, often results in additional weight gain, and can lead to eating disorders. Researchers have raised ethical issues with continuing to promote this approach. Support is growing for an alternative approach to address all weight- and eating-related issues. Intuitive eating is a non-diet, health-centered approach characterized by a strong connection with hunger and fullness and a healthy relationship with food and the body. The purpose of this dissertation was to expand the research and describe the state of practice regarding intuitive eating through three specific aims. The first aim was to examine the effects of an intuitive eating intervention delivered via college curriculum. Students in the course increased total intuitive eating (p=.0036), unconditional permission to eat (p<.0001), and eating based on internal cues (p=.0175). No changes were observed in disordered eating, body dissatisfaction, thin-ideal internalization, or physical activity. This study provides evidence that an intervention delivered via college curriculum is effective in increasing adaptive eating attitudes and behavior in young adults. The second aim was to develop and validate an instrument to measure registered dietitian/nutritionists (RD/Ns) knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding intuitive eating. An instrument was developed and distributed to a 10% random sample of all RD/Ns in the United States (U.S.). More than 22% completed the survey (n=1,897). Analysis revealed that instrument represented four factors: knowledge of intuitive eating, attitudes towards intuitive eating, use of traditional/restrictive practices, and use of non-restrictive/intuitive eating practices. The survey was then distributed to the remaining 90% of RD/Ns. Nearly 25% completed the survey (n=18,622). Results confirmed the four-factor solution of the survey. T (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Melissa Zullo PhD, MPH (Committee Co-Chair); Eric Jefferis PhD (Committee Co-Chair) Subjects: Health Education; Nutrition; Public Health

Master of Arts, The Ohio State University, 2014, Communication

This study extends previous research on motivated uses and gratifications associated with media use to include dietary behavior. It specifies dynamic uses and gratifications for media use and diet based on emotional needs using experience sampling data across 4 weeks. The study tests and quantifies moderation effects of emotional eating on the interaction between emotional needs and media use on predicting diet, on the interaction between emotional needs, media use, and diet on predicting emotional gratifications, and then on emotional gratifications predicting future emotional needs. The moderation effects of emotional eating in the first two cases were found to be significant, but not in the last. These findings have implications for the role of media in health life style intervention.

Committee: Zheng Joyce Wang PhD (Advisor); Michael Slater PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Communication

Bachelor of Science, Wittenberg University, 2010, Psychology

Perceived taste sensitivity is important because it significantly influences food preferences, and it may help predict dietary habits and other eating behaviors that influence body weight. Because supertasters are more sensitive to bitter taste, they may have a reduced preference for bitter, but beneficial, phytonutrients that are common in fruits and vegetables. The present study examined taster status, BMI, food preferences and eating behaviors for 63 Wittenberg University students. Results from this study have shown that taster status, indicated by PTC intensity scores and fungiform papillae densities, explains heightened taste sensitivity and therefore influences food preferences. This relationship between taste anatomy and food choice provides important evidence that individuals may be biologically prone to liking and therefore consuming specific foods.

Committee: Josephine Wilson PhD (Advisor); Michael Anes PhD (Committee Member); Matthew Collier PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Nutrition; Psychology

Master of Arts (MA), Wright State University, 2008, Health, Physical Education and Recreation

Ricker, Kimberly L. M.A., Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, Wright State University, 2008. Influences of Eating Disorders and Behaviors on College Cross Country and Track Runners.Outside sources can be a large influence on athlete's perceptions of themselves, including their body image. Men and women face the same issues and influences from outside sources. The SCOFF questionnaire was used to determine if an athlete has the possibility of developing or already has an eating disorder. An eight question survey was also used to see what outside sources influence the eating behaviors of college cross country and track runners.

Committee: Drew Pringle Ed.D. (Committee Chair); L. Tony Ortiz (Committee Member); Rebekah Bower (Committee Member) Subjects: Sports Medicine

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2009, Allied Medicine

Objective: Resistant eating behaviors in children with ASD are a significant stress factor that affects not only the parents but the entire family. The objective of this study was to enhance our understanding of the experiences these families go through on a daily basis. Method: Seven families with a child of a self-reported diagnosis of ASD, 4-8 years of age, and who met the criteria for resistant eating participated in the study. Each completed the Sensory Profile and a three-day food journal. The researcher interviewed each mother and observed the child eating a meal/snack. The open ended interviews with probes were recorded and transcribed verbatim. A follow-up phone call was used to verify critical issues to determine if the parents agreed with the interpretations. The transcripts were then used to obtain common themes among the families and their children. Results: Four themes emerged from the analysis of the transcripts of the interviews and field notes of the observations. The first theme was ritualistic, rigid behaviors seem to be key to resistant eating behaviors. All the children had at least one rigid routine, if not more than one that when these routines were not followed inappropriate mealtime behaviors would ensue. Another theme was compromises. The parents made compromises or devised strategies to assure that nutrients are consumed. The most common compromise was multiple meal preparations. The third theme that emerged was how these families manage social situations. All these families indicated that the behaviors have impacted the family's social life. Taking a trip to a restaurant or family gathering required careful planning and may be disrupted at any point due to the child's mealtime behaviors. The final theme that emerged was the family stress. Many mothers indicated that coping with their children's eating behaviors was stressful to the entire family. The mothers felt guilty and took the blame for their children's nutrition and eating behavior (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Jane Case-Smith Ph.D (Advisor); Maureen Geraghty Ph.D (Committee Member); Alison Lane Ph.D (Committee Member) Subjects: Therapy

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2006, Educational Services and Research

Research has demonstrated that an estimated 65% of adolescent females and 50% of adolescent males are participating in behaviors in which to control their weight (Lawrence and Thelen, 1995). The purpose of this study was to examine the connection of possible correlates (body mass index, teasing, depression, family norms, self-esteem, and perfectionism) and their link to eating disorder risk. Results of the study indicate that males and females differ on their Eating Disorder Risk Composite scores based upon all three norm groups (Anorexia Nervosa Restrictive Type, Anorexia Nervosa Binging/Purging Type, and Bulimia Nervosa). Of the students surveyed 50.60% fell into the clinical range of the Eating Disorder Risk Composite based upon the norms for Anorexia Nervosa Restrictive type, 37.40% fell into the clinical range of the Eating Disorder Risk Composite based upon the norms for Anorexia Nervosa Binging/Purging Type, and 13.50% fell into the clinical range of the Eating Disorder Risk Composite for the norms based upon Bulimia Nervosa. Regression analyses were conducted to find the best predictor of eating disorder risk for each norm group. Results of all regression analyses revealed that the best predictor of eating disorder risk was self-esteem and family norms. The second best predictor of eating disorder risk was self-esteem.

Committee: Wendy Naumann (Advisor) Subjects:

Master of Arts, Case Western Reserve University, 2011, Psychology

Emotional eating has been associated with an array of symptoms of psychopathology, yet most studies have conceptualized emotional eating as a function of weight status rather than dysregulated emotions. This study is the first study to explore the relationships between emotional eating, emotion regulation, and parenting behaviors in a sample of African-American adolescents and their female caregivers. Eighty-five African-American adolescent-parent dyads were recruited from an urban primary care clinic and completed questionnaires assessing emotional eating, emotion regulation, and parenting behaviors. Findings showed that African-American adolescents reported more frequently eating in response to depressed emotions compared to anger, anxiety and/or frustration. No relationship was found between adolescents' emotion regulation skills and emotional eating. Adolescents' emotional eating was not related to weight status. Higher levels of maternal emotional eating and maternal parenting behaviors characterized by higher levels of firm control predicted higher levels of emotional eating in adolescents.

Committee: Gerry Taylor PhD (Committee Chair); Amy Przeworksi PhD (Committee Co-Chair); Carolyn Ievers-Landis PhD (Committee Member); Arin Connell PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: African Americans; Psychology

Master of Family and Consumer Sciences (MFCS), Bowling Green State University, 2007, Family and Consumer Sciences/food and Nutrition

The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of disordered eating behaviors among 201 volunteer college students who were enrolled in an introductory nutrition course. Approximately 15.4 % of the sample in this study had positive EAT-26 scores, with 19 % of the female population and 2.3 % of the male population displaying characteristics of disordered eating. Approximately 43.28 % of the study population consumed less than two - thirds of the DRI for total calories, and 62.18%, 47.76 %, and 49.75 % of the participants consumed less than two-thirds of the DRI for folate, calcium and iron respectively. Students with disordered eating scores had higher depression scores, and higher self-efficacy scores than those with healthy eating scores. Information gathered from the current study may be useful in determining the effectiveness of nutrition programs and also to develop and improve nutrition policies and strategies to address eating problems.

Committee: Julian Williford Jr. (Advisor) Subjects: Health Sciences, Nutrition