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Associations among Shopping Methods, Diet Adherence, and Nutrition Knowledge of Employed Primary Grocery Shoppers in Households with Children
Full text linkObesity is a prominent risk factor for chronic disease, which is the leading cause of death in the United States. Obesity and chronic disease rates continue to rise, requiring a need for prevention and intervention efforts. The future role of dietetics is to provide treatment and prevention through holistic approaches, by understanding individuals’ habits that contribute to the onset of disease, specifically their food choices, grocery shopping methods, and influences that waver these selections. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between grocery shopping methods (online or in-store), Mediterranean diet adherence, nutrition knowledge, and food purchase patterns in employed primary food shoppers in households with children. Mediterranean diet adherence and nutrition knowledge have both been found to improve health outcomes. This study specifically aims to evaluate the association of grocery shopping methods against these variables as online grocery shopping use has dramatically increased since the onset of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic, and as convenience and workcentric lifestyles have become more prominent in the United States. The study utilized a cross-sectional, exploratory online survey design. Participants were recruited as a convenience sample via snowball sampling. The questionnaire was designed and distributed using Qualtrics Survey Software and included only those who resided in the United States, were employed with children aged \u3c 18 years in the home, and were the primary shopper for the household. Statistical analyses were calculated using frequencies and central tendencies, correlations, T-tests, and analysis of variance. The sample (n = 241) was primarily female (93.4%), White, non-Hispanic (66.4%), and resided in the state of Louisiana (59.8%). The sample had an average age of 38.22 years, worked 39.94 hours/week, and had approximately 2 adults and 2 children \u3c 18 years in the household. Most of the sample had low adherence to the Mediterranean diet principles (47.9%), and the average General Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire- Revised (GNKQ-R) score was 41.25. Primarily online shoppers shopped for groceries less frequently than in-store shoppers (M = 1.53, SD = 0.86; M =2.01, SD = 1.27, respectively). Nutrition knowledge increased as age increased (r =0.36, p \u3c 0.001), but decreased as prepared meal item purchases increased (r =-0.18, p = 0.02). As hours worked per week increased, grocery cost/month increased (r =-0.21, p = 0.02). Diet adherence, prepared meal purchases, and grocery cost per household member did not significantly differ between in-store shoppers (M = 6.26, SD = 2.25, M = 1.42, SD = 1.37, M = 193.61, SD = 81.63) and online shoppers (M = 6.22, SD = 2.38, M = 1.63, SD = 1.40, M = 169.31, SD = 63.14), t (213) = 0.12, p = 0.26, t (239) = -1.13, p = 0.74), t (95) = 1.57, p = 0.36, respectively. There was a nonsignificant correlation of .11 (p = 0.15), 0.04 (p = 0.70), -0.06 (p = 0.37) between diet adherence and nutrition knowledge, grocery cost per household member, and prepared meals purchased, respectively. Nutrition knowledge scores were significantly higher among those not enrolled in nutrition assistance programs compared to those enrolled (M = 42.48, SD = 8.55; M = 31.70, SD = 16.64, respectively), non-rural residents compared to rural residents (M = 43.15, SD = 8.00; M = 36.27, SD = 14.30, respectively), and online shoppers compared to in-store shoppers (M = 42.39, SD = 8.93; M = 40.42, SD = 11.37, respectively). The study found no difference in grocery shopping method among households based on the presence and number of children and adults. However, primarily in-store shoppers worked more hours worked per week compared to online. In-store shoppers scored significantly lower nutrition knowledge scores than online shoppers, but there was no difference between grocery shopping method and prepared meal item purchases, adherence to Mediterranean diet principles, and grocery cost per household member. Though there was no significant finding, on average in-store shoppers spent roughly $25 more per person each month. There was no association between adherence to Mediterranean diet principles and nutrition knowledge, prepared meal item purchases, or food cost per household member. Further research is required to determine the relationship between grocery shopping method, diet adherence, nutrition knowledge, and patterns of purchases
A Preliminary Report of the Carotenoid Assessment in Adults 50 Years of Age and Older in Louisiana
Full text linkFruits and vegetables are at the core of a healthy, balanced diet. They assist in preventing the development of chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer (Fadnes, et al., 2022). Aging is a natural biological process followed by disease, cognitive impairment, and a natural decline of the body’s ability to perform at its best. The older adult population is currently the fastest-growing population globally (El-Shebiney et al., 2022). Vitamin A is crucial for several parts of the body to function correctly. Despite the positive effects of Vitamin A on the body, the recommended dietary intake is not being met in the United States. This is especially important in the growing population of adults ≥ 50. Educating this population on the importance of a healthy lifestyle and diet is crucial in preventing the onset of chronic diseases and other age-related issues. This study assessed the consumption of Vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables in adults ≥ 50 residing in Northwest Louisiana using the Veggie Meter® device and selfreported fruit and vegetable intake. This cross-sectional research design included a researcher-developed electronic questionnaire and non-invasive physical measurements of skin carotenoids. Participants were recruited via email invitations, flyers, and personal contacts. Eligible participants include those ≥ 50 years of age who are free-living, noninstitutionalized, and can self-report food intake. Data was collected using the Veggie Meter® Instrument and through Qualtrics Survey Software. The survey consisted of 5 demographic items, 11 health and vitamin supplement items, the REAP-S diet quality tool (14 items), six eating environment items, three medication items, three diet counseling items, and a Vitamin A food frequency component modeled after a previous study conducted in the Nutrition and Dietetics program at Louisiana Tech University (Putnam et al., 2023). A total of fifty-nine adults participated in this study. However, only fifty-six completed the electronic questionnaire and all non-invasive Veggie Meter® measurements. The majority of participants were females (66.1%), and 33.9 percent of participants were males. The majority of participants were White and Non-Hispanic (98.0%), while the smallest proportion of race was African-American or Black (0.03%). The mean age of participants was 67, while participants ranged from ages 52 to 84 years of age. Several findings were revealed in this study. It was reported that males had higher mean carotenoid scores than females; there was a significant positive correlation between food frequency scores, total REAP-S scores, and mean carotenoid scores. There was no correlation between BMI in older adults ≥ 50, which is a different finding from that of younger adult populations. There was no difference in carotenoid scores between age quartiles; however, the sample size was small. There was a positive correlation between REAP-S diet quality scores and participants who rarely skipped breakfast. Participants who rarely skipped breakfast scored higher on the REAP-S portion of the questionnaire. Those who saw a Registered Dietitian for any reason in the past scored significantly higher on the REAP-S portion of the questionnaire, which resulted in a positive correlation. There was a negative correlation between age and eating out. As age increased, the number of times participants ate meals outside of the home per week decreased. Unlike in a previous study, no significant correlations were found between this sample and BMI. The REAP-S items regarding fruit and vegetable intake revealed that 68% of participants are not eating ≥ two servings of fruit per day and 79% are not eating two or more servings of vegetables per day Expanding the size and diversity of participants and conducting more research could give insight into more appropriate interventions for this population. By implementing more educational pieces to the puzzle, adults 50 years of age and older could develop healthier habits overall and increase their quality and longevity of life
Solid-State Crystallization of Zeolites and Their Use in Plastic Upcycling Applications
Full text linkPlastics have been an irreplaceable component of modern technology as well as everyday life. They have brought much convenience to us with their characteristics of great malleability, durability, and stability. The versatile and low-cost nature of plastics also enables their wide engagement in many modern industries including automobile, medical, communication as well as aerospace. Polyethylene (“PE”), made from polymerization of ethylene, is one of the most widely used plastics in the world. Being cheap, flexible, and long-lasting, they are extensively used in the packaging industry, especially for plastic bags and other sorts of containers. However, the durability of plastics, on the other hand, leads to increasing environmental problems. Annually, over 400 million tons of plastics are manufactured globally and only less than 9% of them are recycled. The majority of plastic waste ends up in landfills or other natural environments including the ocean, leading to severe concern for both animal and human health. The main cause of the low plastic recycling rate is due to the limitations of current recycling methods. Many challenges and obstacles, including plastic diversity, contamination, and downcycling, lead to a low incentive for plastic recycling, as they are not economically profitable. Efforts have been made to explore the possibilities of upcycling plastics into value-added products for a better economic drive in plastic recycling. One promising solution is catalytical recycling, which breaks down the polymer chain through less energy-intensive processes to form basic building blocks, wax, fuel, or other valuable materials. Zeolites are crystalline aluminosilicates that are widely used in the chemical industry. They have specified pores that are defined by their crystal structures, which make them highly selective in many catalytic reactions. The solid acidic sites of Bronsted and Lewis acid also help to effectively break down polymer chains as catalysts. Given their desired porous structure and solid acidic properties, there is much potential for catalytical recycling of polyethylene using zeolites. Yet, the current use of zeolites in polyethylene recycling still suffers from several drawbacks like high temperature (energy intensive), and low selectivity towards desired products (not enough value for recycling). Not to mention that conventional zeolites with micropores often encounter diffusion issues which would reduce catalytical efficiency and lead to coking. New methods are needed to make better and cheaper zeolites as well as improve the upcycling effectiveness to make the process more economical. Hierarchical zeolites with mesopores have better diffusion for large molecules such as polyethylene. Traditionally hierarchical zeolites are made either using expensive templates involving hydrothermal treatment, which produces liquid waste and is energyintensive, or through complicated post-synthetic procedures. We here report a new solidstate method to synthesize hierarchical ZSM-5 without using any mesoscale template. The hierarchical zeolites we synthesized have a particle size of around 300-400 nm and larger pore volume and surface area compared to commercial ZSM-5. The synthesis conditions for these hierarchical zeolites were also optimized by changing aging conditions, SDA/TEOS ratio, reaction temperature, and time. To evaluate the catalytical properties over PE upcycling of our hierarchical zeolites, we performed the depolymerization experiments of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) with both solid-solid reaction and solvothermal systems. Reaction results were compared between conventional microporous zeolites and our newly synthesized mesoporous zeolites. Higher conversion and selectivity towards liquid products were observed using our mesoporous zeolites (Meso-ZSM-5 in particular). Detailed analysis of liquid and solid products was made for the upcycling process at a temperature range of 240-320 ℃ . We also investigated the reaction results using different solvents (hexane, cyclohexane, and petroleum ether) to further explore the possibilities of solvent-assisted depolymerization of LDPE using zeolites
If You Were a Sesame Street Character, Which One Would You Be? Natural Language Processing and Personality with Big Bird and Friends
Full text linkThis paper examined and compared several natural language processing and machine learning techniques in predicting self-reported Big Five personality traits from text responses. The models were validated on the open-source 2019 SIOP Machine Learning Competition dataset (N = 1,689). The techniques evaluated included bag-of-words, Empath dictionary, LSTM networks, fine-tuning Transformer models, and stacked generalization. Results indicated that the present study’s models had lower error in four of the five constructs analyzed. Limitations of the study include use of an MTurk sample and small sample size. Future research should explore similar techniques on larger applicant samples. Practical implications and contributions to the literature are also discussed
An Analysis of the Alaskan Salmon Harvest
Full text linkThe objective of this paper is to analyze the annual Alaskan salmon harvest and the variables that effect the harvest differently each year. Every year, thousands of workers’ livelihoods depend on the annual salmon harvest to provide for themselves and their families. This paper takes this reality and aims to use data gathered from previous fishing seasons to understand what variables affect the salmon population. To analyze the salmon harvest, multiple linear regression will be used over a 41 year period with variables including water temperature, air temperature, yearly harvest, and species of salmon. By modeling these and other variables, we should be able to understand which variables affect the salmon population positively and negatively
Explorations of Plane Graphs with No Odd Faces
Full text linkIn this paper, we will explore the intersection of two classes of graphs which are foundational in graph theory. The class of planar graphs, P, and the class of bipartite graphs, χ2. In particular, we will explore the edge-maximal graphs in the intersection. Excluded minors are well studied, and the two fundamental operations of deletion and contraction have become core to the field. The focus of our work is to consider the operations in reverse – that is, through single-edge extensions and single-edge co-extensions in the class P ∩ χ2, namely those graphs that are planar having chromatic number 2
The Relationships among Orthorexia Nervosa, Perfectionist Tendencies and Academic Achievement in Nutrition and Dietetics Students
Full text linkEating disorders can cause a disturbance in how the health of food is viewed (Cerniglia et al., 2017). If a person has disturbances in their eating behaviors that can cause harm to their health, but the behaviors do not fit into the criteria of a specific eating disorder, they fall into the category of a disordered eating pattern (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 2018). Because of the stress the college environment can cause students, some college students may cling to anything they can control, which may be reflected in their dietary habits. Orthorexia Nervosa (ON), a disordered eating pattern, is characterized as “a pathological obsession, fixation, or preoccupation with healthy foods” (Rogowska et al., 2021). Its prevalence measured by the Test of Orthorexia Nervosa – 17 (TON-17) averages 5.5% in the general public. A subpopulation at a higher risk for ON is nutrition and dietetic students attending college (Ephrem et al., 2024). The literature also has found that perfectionistic tendency has been linked to other mental disorders in the person\u27s life, such as ON (Norvara et al., 2022). Some students are found to demonstrate outstanding academic performance far beyond that of their peers (Jeremy & Fisher, 2012). These students are referred to as high-achieving students. This type of student in literature have been found to be associated with a perfectionistic mindset (Bendit et al., 2023). This study was conducted to evaluate the relationship among Orthorexia Nervosa (ON) risk, Grade Point Average (GPA), perfectionism tendencies, and high academic achievement in Nutrition and Dietetics college students. This study collected data on the prevalence and relationship of these variables and analyzed the correlation among each variable. While previous research has been conducted on ON, this disordered eating pattern still requires research on its prevalence and risk factors. There is also research on the correlation between ON and perfectionism in Nutrition and Dietetics students, and there is research that links perfectionistic tendencies and high-achieving students; however, there is a lack of research on ON and high-achieving students. This study explored these relationships and their influence on those with ON. For this study, a cross-sectional design using an online questionnaire was conducted on adult undergraduate and graduate nutrition and dietetic students recruited via program directors. There were 49 emails sent from the beginning of August 2024 through November 2024. The eligibility for this study was individuals enrolled as food, nutrition, and/or dietetics students. This study used convenience sampling. The questionnaire included the TON-17, Almost Perfect Scale-Revised (APS-R), achievement prior to college and demographic items. The TON-17 and APS-R used 5-point and 7-point Likert scales respectively, with each measuring three subscales. The sample included 400 nutrition and dietetic students. The survey received 400 responses, of which 52 participants were removed due to not answering any questions after the consent and if less than 25% of the survey was completed. The final sample size for analysis was 348 responses. The sample was primarily female (83.2%) and white (68.5%), and the largest proportion was senior dietetic students (29.3%). The mean TON-17 was 45.40 (SD=10.46) and the mean GPA of 3.66 (SD=0.33). A high ON risk with a recommendation for further evaluation was found in 6.8% of the sample. The TON-17 score was found to increase as the APR-R Discrepancy subscale increased (r=.242), (p=\u3c 0.01). Perceived perfection expectations of family were positively correlated with the TON-17, r(328)=.156, p=.005, and all 3 of its subscales. TON-17 scores negatively correlated with years of Nutrition and Dietetics curriculum study. Participants in the referral category had a significantly higher APS-R-Order score (M=24.59, SD=3.87) compared to those with scores not requiring referral (M=22.55, SD=4.03), t(1) = 330 p=.022. The results of this regression indicated that the four predictors explained 71.6% of the variance (R^2=.141, F(4,263) = 10.828 p=\u3c .001). It was found that Current GPA significantly predicted ON tendencies (β=.189, p=\u3c .001), as did Perceived Family Pressure (β=.153, p=\u3c .013), so did the APS-R third subscale Discrepancy (β=.140, p=\u3c .022), and APS-R second subscale Order (β=.189, p=\u3c .001). This study evaluated ON risk, perfectionistic tendencies, and previous achievements in the relationship between these variables. It was found that nutrition and dietetic students have a higher prevalence of ON 6.8% than those reported in previous studies, 5.5% using the TON-17. The predictors of ON risk were found to be organization tendencies, maladaptive perfectionism, current GPA, and perceived family pressure for perfectionism. These findings highlight the need for screening for ON risk in nutrition and dietetic pre-professionals to address these biases before professional status is reached
The Way It Comes—through Nature: Christian Realism, Rural Landscapes, and Divine Confrontations in Flannery O\u27Connor\u27s Farm Fiction
Full text linkFlannery O’Connor, though often labeled a Southern Gothic writer, preferred to place herself in the genre of “Christian Realism.” For her, the grotesque nature of her stories’ endings reflects not grace itself but the culmination of repeated rejections of grace. In her essays and letters, O’Connor argues that grace should be depicted “the way it comes—through nature,” equating the spiritual with the natural world. In her stories’ farm landscapes, O’Connor presents an ever-present grace through nature that, though often ignored or rejected, serves as a catalyst for spiritual confrontations. When this grace is continually denied, violence becomes the only force capable of awakening her characters. In “The Displaced Person,” O’Connor creates Christ images through nature, demonstrating the environment’s central role in her theological vision. In “Greenleaf,” she expands this vision to explore the paradoxical ideologies of human autonomy versus divine ordination. By comparing the two stories, it becomes clear that rural spaces function as a uniquely gendered Purgatory that disproportionately affects female characters. Through nature, and through the women of “The Displaced Person” and “Greenleaf,” O’Connor presents a difficult truth: grace is always present, but refusing to recognize it can lead to irreversible consequences
Hardiness, Coping, and Well-Being in Trauma-Exposed College Student-Athletes
Full text linkCollege student-athletes (CS-As) face many stressors, such as adjusting to a university setting, academic pressures, and the demands of an elite athlete (e.g., battling at a high level during training and competition and managing mental struggles in their sport) (Barbayannis et al., 2022; Barnard, 2016). Some individuals are exposed to events that may be classified as traumatic, such as physical and sexual assault, natural disasters, and other related forms of human suffering (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Around 50%-80% of college students have been exposed to at least one traumatic event throughout their lifetime (Frazier et al., 2009; Read et al., 2011). Coping, or one’s attempt to deal with stress and/or trauma, has the potential to be adaptive (e.g., using problem-solving techniques and emotional support) or maladaptive (e.g., engaging in substance use and blaming oneself for a problem) (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984). Hardiness is a dispositional personality trait that can help individuals face stressors in an adaptive manner and buffer the detrimental effects that trauma can have on one’s physical health, performance, and overall well-being (Kobasa, 1979; Maddi, 1987). Well-being, as studied by Keyes (2002), encapsulates the emotional, social, and psychological components that help a person to function in an optimal manner. Shortway and Hammond (2022) have noted that there is a scarcity of research regarding psychological trauma and its effects on collegiate athletes. The present study examined the relationship between hardiness and well-being, with adaptive and maladaptive coping serving as moderators in a sample of 78 trauma-exposed CS-As. Results of this study found that there was a significant, strong positive relationship between hardiness and overall well-being in this population. However, neither adaptive nor maladaptive coping significantly moderated this relationship. The implications, limitations, and directions for future research are reviewed for these results
Analyzing the Relationship between Diabetes Duration and Self-Management in Adults with Diabetes
Full text linkDiabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease that affects 14.7% of adults in the United States (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023). Prevalence of diabetes increases with age, with rates for adults aged 65 and older reaching 29.2% (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023). Factors such as age, race, obesity, physical activity level, and genetics strongly increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2DM) (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, 2016). Diabetes requires complex and comprehensive management to reduce the risk of developing comorbidities (Al-Shabeeb et al., 2021). Factors such as education, familial support, socioeconomic status, attitude, and knowledge regarding the disease impact management ability (Duke et al., 2008; Borba et al., 2019). An inability to master diabetes management can lead to distress and burnout, causing an individual to neglect diabetes self-care behaviors (Jafari et al., 2024). As individuals age and become more familiar with their disease, standardized education techniques may not be as effective, especially if individuals are facing burnout. Interventions from Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) and other diabetes healthcare professionals can alleviate the stress of diabetes management by improving diabetes health literacy (DHL) and self-efficacy and by providing needed support to individuals (Dobrow et al., 2017; Jafari et al., 2024; Marinic et al., 2017; Sbroma et al., 2017; Warner et al., 2018). While previous studies have examined the impact of other barriers on effective diabetes management, the influence of time since diagnosis on diabetes management has not been closely researched (Borba et al., 2019). This study aimed to assess the correlation between the duration of diabetes and self-management scores and HbA1c levels in adults diagnosed with diabetes. This study also aimed to determine the impact of RDN education interventions on self-management level and HbA1c levels. Respondents were recruited through social media and flyers that contained a link to an online survey. Flyers were advertised in primary care and diabetes specialist offices, community health centers, diabetes support group locations, free medical clinics, and diabetes outpatient facilities. Data collection lasted approximately four weeks. There were 238 respondents to the survey, and 216 responses were analyzed. Fifty-six percent of respondents were female, and 61.6% of respondents were white. Ninety-two percent of respondents were insured at the time of data collection, and 88.4% of respondents had health insurance coverage at the time of their diagnosis. Self-management level was determined using the Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire (DSMQ-R). Participants’ responses were scored from 0 to 10 using the scoring guide. Respondents self-reported their most recent HbA1c level. Respondents were also asked if they had ever received education from an RDN, where they received the education, and how many times they received education. A Pearson’s correlation test was used to determine the correlations between the DSMQ-R score and continuous variables. The DSMQ-R total 20-item score was not correlated with years since diagnosis in this sample. Respondents with a higher total score on the DSMQ-R tool were more likely to be using intensive insulin therapy (r = -.198, p \u3c .05). Age and years since diabetes diagnosis were positively correlated (r = .306, p = \u3c .05). The average HbA1c level was 6.77% (SD = 1.10), with 64.8% of HbA1c responses being taken within the last three months. Sixty-five percent of respondents reported using intensive insulin therapy, while 33.8% reported using non-intensive insulin therapy. The average amount of RDN education sessions was 3.21 (SD = 2.68). The average DSMQ-R20 score was 4.60. Respondents were also mostly satisfied with their ability to afford and obtain prescribed diabetes medications (afford: M = 7.08, SD = 1.68; obtain: M = 7.22; SD = 1.71). When asked how they felt about managing their diabetes on a daily basis, 48.1% of respondents reported that they understand the need, but it can be challenging. A regression analysis was conducted to determine if variables could statistically significantly predict the DSMQ-R20 score. Age, cooperation with the diabetes team subscale, and eating behavior subscale were shown to be statistically significant (p \u3c .034, p \u3c .001, p \u3c .001, respectively). In contrast, years with diabetes, RDN education sessions, and the use of intensive insulin therapy were not statistically significant. Independent samples t-tests were conducted to determine if there were differences in eAG, HbA1c, DSMQ-R total scores, and DSMQ-R subscales between respondents who had been seen by an RDN and those whom an RDN had not seen. It was found that respondents whom an RDN had not seen had a slightly higher DSMQ-R27 score compared to respondents who had been seen by an RDN, which contradicts published research (M = 5.07, SD = 1.06); t(121) = -2.45, p = .016. An independent samples t-test was conducted to determine if there were differences in DSMQ-R scores and RDN education sessions between respondents with low A1c levels (≤ 6.49) and those with high A1c levels (6.5-13.0). There was a significant difference in DSMQ-R20 scores for respondents with high A1c (M = 4.54, SD = 1.19) and low A1c (M = 5.43, SD = 1.95) levels; t(58) = 2.9, p = .005. These results suggest that A1c level does impact self-management scores in individuals using non-intensive insulin therapy. There was a significant difference in the cooperation with diabetes team subscale scores for high A1c (M = 4.55, SD = 1.75) and low A1c (M = 5.56, SD = 2.29) levels; t(65) = 2.71, p = .009. Respondents with an A1c ≤ 6.49 also had statistically significant higher eating behavior subscale scores (M = 5.89, SD = 1.81); t(174) = 4.03, p = \u3c .001. The results of this study showed that the duration of diabetes is not correlated to self-management levels and HbA1c levels in this sample. Respondents who scored higher on the eating behavior subscale were less likely to be using intensive insulin therapy. In contrast, respondents who scored higher on the DSMQ-R tool were more likely to be using intensive insulin therapy. It was shown that respondents whom an RDN had not seen had a slightly higher DSMQ-R27 score compared to respondents whom an RDN had seen in this sample. These results suggest that respondents using intensive insulin therapy whom an RDN has seen have a slightly lower self-management score. Age and duration of diabetes were positively correlated with the eating behavior subscale. Respondents who have had diabetes for longer were shown to have a higher score on the eating behavior subscale. Respondents with a low HbA1c were found to have a statistically significant higher eating behavior score than respondents with a high HbA1c. These findings support the need for diet education to improve glycemic levels