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Theses and Dissertations

Theses and Dissertations

 

Recent Submissions

  • Chammas, Romy (Notre Dame University-Louaize, 2017)
    Background -- Eating disorders (EDs) and related risk factors have become an area of interest for researchers, and a challenge to manage for health care practitioners. EDs were considered mainly as western culture disorders; however recent studies showed a comparable raise of EDs in the Middle Eastern countries. Objective -- The purpose of this study was to estimate the proportion of Notre Dame University students (NDU) who are at risk of developing EDs, and examine the association of ED’s risk with socio-demographic, lifestyle, dietary factors and dietary patterns Methods -- This was a ...
  • Helou, Lea Gabriel (Notre Dame University-Louaize, 2016)
    Background: major depression is classified as a global health priority and burden on societies. Lately, the role of diet and lifestyle factors in aggravating or attenuating depressive symptoms has started to gain interest among the scientific community worldwide. Objective: the purpose of this study is to identify the association of dietary patterns, socio-demographic, lifestyle factors, and stressful life events, with severity of depressive symptoms among NDU students. Methods: this is a cross-sectional study of 457 randomly selected undergraduate students at NDU who were asked to complete a ...
  • Baroud, Caline (Notre Dame University-Louaize, 2022-06)
    Thyme herbs constitute a major part of the Mediterranean diet and are gaining worldwide popularity. However, their chemical contamination with toxic metals may put consumers at a health risk. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the incidence of Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb) and Mercury (Hg) in thyme herbs and thyme-containing products. For this, 180 samples pooled into 36 composite samples of the most consumed types of thyme-containing products and thyme herbs were collected twice at three-month intervals. Samples were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) ...
  • Raad, Christy (Notre Dame University-Louaize, 2022)
    Following the developments of the world's population, alternative sources of protein to the complement and / or replacement of animal proteins are subject to intense development efforts in research and industries. Climate change and a better understanding of the environmental impact of food production have created an urgent need to develop sustainable food systems. The demand for plant-based proteins is due to multiple factors, the vegetarian, vegan and flexitarian populations have promoted the use of plant-based proteins in the production of food products. In addition, there is a global challenge ...
  • Ghemrawi, Sarah (Notre Dame University-Louaize, 2022)
    Background: Diabetes is a major health disease reaching epidemic levels in the Middle East Regions. It is associated with many complications that have an adverse effect on patient’s quality of life. Nutrition therapy is essential, where dietary modification and improved dietary habits are important for its management and control. Objective: This study aimed to assess the adherence to dietary recommendations of adult patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) diagnosed since at least one year residing in north Lebanon and to explore factors associated with this adherence. Methods: A cross-sectional ...
  • Cherfane, Stephanie (Notre Dame University-Louaize, 2022)
    Providing infants and young children with food that is highly nutritious is essential for their growth and development. It is also crucial to maintain high quality, safe meals that contain a great variety of ready-to-eat options which are both convenient for the parents and the baby. The purpose of this study is to learn the current demand in the Lebanese market on ready-to-eat baby food by interviewing a sample of 150 mothers or mothers-to-be living in Lebanon on baby food patterns. In addition, seven locally made and organic baby food prototypes will be manufactured using different recipes ...
  • Abi Rizk, Lynn Youssef (Notre Dame University-Louaize, 2022)
    Purpose: The aim of this study was to present and evaluate the perception, preferences of parents. Living in Lebanon and the factors that affect the baby food purchasing behavior. Design/methodology/approach: A cross sectional study was conducted among 86 expecting moms and parents of babies between 0 and 3 years old living in Lebanon, between April and June. The results were statistically analyzed using SPSS v.22 with a statistically significant p value < 0.05. Findings: As a result of the conducted research, the most important conditions, shopping habits, attitudes, and preferences of parents ...
  • Koaik, Lara (Notre Dame University-Louaize, 2022-02)
    Thyme is a Mediterranean herb widely used worldwide. However, it is produced in areas of high humidity and temperature which is favorable conditions for mold growth and mycotoxins production which pose public health risk. In Lebanon, no studies have been done to investigate aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and ochratoxin A (OTA) contamination in thyme and thyme-based products. This study aimed at evaluating the incidence of AFB1 and OTA in those products, related dietary exposure and cancer risk for regular and high consumption. A total of 160 samples of thyme and thyme-based products were collected and ...
  • Younes, Lynn (Notre Dame University - Louaize, 2022-03-15)
    Introduction: Eating Disorders (EDs) are mental illnesses that affect all individuals worldwide, causing severe complications. EDs can be divided into classical (Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge-Eating Disorder), and non-classical (Pica, Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, and Night Eating Syndrome). Several risk factors might lead to their development, in particular, stressful life events. The current COVID-19 pandemic is imposing psychological distress, mainly on individuals with existing mental health issues. To our knowledge, no studies have assessed the prevalence of ...
  • Mezher, Nayla George (Notre Dame University-Louaize, 2017)
    Background: Micronutrients which include vitamins and minerals are present in small quantities in food and are essential in a healthy diet for disease prevention and well­ being. They enable the body to produce enzymes, hormones and other substances and provide a range of critical biological functions. Objective: The objective of this study was to quantify and compare the dietary intakes of 19 micronutrients to recommended micronutrient intakes, in order to identify inadequate/ excess micronutrient intakes among a sample of Lebanese adults. Subjects and methods: Dietary Intakes of individuals ...
  • Al Mallah, Angy (Notre Dame University-Louaize, 2020)
    Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment, have a higher risk to foodborne infections as compared to other populations. Oncology nurses, having a direct significant contact with these patients, could be the first information source concerning food safety and play a pivotal role in reducing these risks. This study aims to assess the level of knowledge regarding food safety among oncology nurses, as well as their attitudes and practices in private hospitals in Lebanon. An observational cross-sectional study was carried out, using a self-administered questionnaire, recruiting 134 oncology ...
  • Ibrahim, Maryta (Notre Dame University-Louaize, 2021)
    Background: Constitutional thinness is characterized by a low body mass index, the absence of signs of under nutrition and is still misdiagnosed as anorexia nervosa. This rare entity was most often described in European countries. Data concerning their nutritional and psychological profile are missing in other populations or cultures, especially in the Middle East. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the psychological, nutritional, and hormonal status in a group of Lebanese constitutionally thin adults in comparison with a control group. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried ...
  • Malakieh, Roubina (2021)
    Background: Mediterranean diet (MD) is a traditional dietary pattern mainly followed in the Mediterranean regions and is shown to have positive health impacts, decreasing morbidity and mortality of major chronic diseases. A global shifting from the MD was documented especially in the Mediterranean regions, including Lebanon. Multiple individual and environmental factors were found to impact adherence to MD. In Lebanon, there is a shortage of recent information about adherence to the MD and its associated factors. Objective: The objectives of this study are to 1) evaluate the level of adherence ...
  • El Khoury, Veronique (Notre Dame University-Louaize, 2021)
    Background: The Mediterranean diet (MD), the golden standard for healthy nutrition, has positive health impacts on metabolic disorders. Over the last few decades, Lebanon has been witnessing a gradual change in food intake nowadays referred to as “nutritional transitioning” defined as a shift from traditional to Western dietary pattern. Exploring the main determinants of adherence to the MD may be useful in understanding and counterbalancing this shift toward a Western diet. Objectives: The aims of our study were to assess the level of MD adherence and examine the associations between perceived ...
  • Tayoun, Vera Halim (Notre Dame University-Louaize, 2021)
    Introduction: Food safety has been evolving tremendously in the past century and its importance in food industries is now very well established. However, with all the regulations, training, audits and inspections foodborne outbreaks continue to happen. Food safety climate has a great impact on food safety output of food companies. However, the organizational characteristics, food handlers’ behavior, knowledge and motivation of individual employees could also contribute to the food safety output. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the major factors contributing to the food ...
  • Tomazou, Jennifer C. (Notre Dame University-Louaize, 2018)
    Background: Olive Oil (00) is premium oil which plays an important part of the Mediterranean cuisine due to its nutritional and sensory characteristics. Studies highlight the nutritional benefits associated with the consumption of 00 including the low level of saturated fatty acids (SFA), the high level of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and the moderate level of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) along with minor constituents including phenolic compounds. Studies highlight the importance of phenolic compounds as they are the major bioactive of 00 which contribute to its sensory, organoleptic ...
  • Fahed, Myriam Nagi (Notre Dame University-Louaize, 2018)
    Background: Worldwide, the prevalence of insulin resistance ranges from 15.5% to 46.5%, among adults. Lebanon reported one of the highest rates reaching 44.6%. The literature is suggesting an association between dairy product consumption and insulin resistance, however results are still inconclusive. To our knowledge, no study has examined this association in the Middle Eastern Region. Objectives: Examine the association between dairy products' consumption and insulin resistance in a sample of Lebanese adults and to assess the effect of different types of dairy products on insulin ...
  • Dib, Jessica (Notre Dame University-Louaize, 2018)
    Introduction: Eating disorders (ED) are one of the most common psychiatric illnesses that may lead to physical and psychosocial morbidity in children and young adolescents. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of eating disorders symptoms and its associated risk factors among children and young adolescents in Lebanese schools. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study including 253 students aged between 8-13 years old, living in Lebanon. Participants were recruited from private schools located in Mount Lebanon. Each student were interviewed to collect information related ...
  • Al Ayash, Souad (Notre Dame University-Louaize, 2020)
    Wild edible plants have attracted an increasing interest from researchers as they represent important inexpensive sources of nutrients, minerals, antioxidants and vitamins, as well as natural treatments for diseases. The genus Scorzonera includes about 170 species distributed worldwide, many species of this genus are either consumed as raw vegetables or cooked. In addition to their edible properties, some of the species ha ve been used in traditional medicine for various purposes. Nine species of the genus Scorzonera are found in Lebanon, with one of the nine species, Scorzonera Pheopappa ...
  • Kosseifi, Nathalie (Notre Dame University-Louaize, 2021)
    Thyme intake assessment is gaining significance because thyme is becoming a global staple food and its use has been on the rise. Limited research has been done on the assessment of dietary patterns on thyme and thyme products in Lebanon. The aim of this study was conducted for this purpose, a developed FFQ was carried on a convenient sample of 1555 adult participants. Out of the total, 1523 persons (97.9%) consumed at least one thyme product. The mean consumption of thyme products was estimated to be 425.5 g/day, providing an estimated 31.4 g/day of thyme. Thyme pie had the highest mean intake ...

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