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Courses::Papers and Publications::Research Projects::Professional Associations

Courses ::
(Note: Course material is posted in WebCT- https://online.csus.edu/)

• FACS 10 Nutrition and Wellness. Introduction to the basic principles of nutrition and the relationship of the human diet to health. Overview of the nutrition profession, the biological uses of nutrients and tools for dietary planning. Examination of specific issues such as weight loss, sports nutrition, food safety, the diet-disease relationship and global nutrition. Analyzes special nutritional requirements and needs during the life cycle. Evaluation of personal dietary habits using current dietary guidelines and nutritional assessment methods. 3 units.

• FACS 112 Current Topics in Nutritional Sciences. Examination of contemporary and controversial topics in nutrition science and how they relate to nutritional needs of different population groups. Analyzes the research process and evaluation of validity of nutrition research. Lecture, discussion. Note: Not open for credit to Dietetics/Nutrition and Food majors. Prerequisite: Passing score on the WPE. 3 units.

• FACS 114 Cultural and Social Aspects of Food. Examination of the cultural and social meanings of food, food behaviors and food systems. Emphasis on the regional, ethnic and religious influences on food habits. Study of food production, distribution, and consumption historically and cross-culturally; traditional dishes and nutritional contributions of diets of several cultures. 3 units.

• FACS 117 Community Nutrition. Study of theory, concepts and philosophy affecting nutrition education and services in the community. Introduction to techniques or interviewing and counseling clients. Emphasis on culturally sensitive approaches to dietary assessment, counseling and community nutrition research. Use of a variety of teaching methods to improve nutrition status of the community. Field study involves practical experience in a community nutrition program. Lecture, discussion two hours; field study three hours. Prerequisite: FACS 113, FACS 115. 3 units.

Papers and Publications ::

Journal Articles

Shilts MK, Horowitz M, Townsend MS.  Effectiveness of Guided Goal Setting in a Dietary and Physical Activity Intervention with Low-Income Adolescents.  American Journal Health Promotion. Submitted June 2006.

Townsend MS, Johns M, Shilts MK, Farfan-Ramirez L. Evaluation of a USDA Nutrition Education Program for Low-income Youth. J Nutrition Educ Behavior. 2006;38:30-41

Horowitz M, Shilts MK, Townsend MS.  Adapting a Diet Analysis Application for an Adolescent Audience. Journal of Nutrition Education & Behavior. 2005;37:43-44.

Shilts, M.K., Horowitz, M., and Townsend, M. Goal Setting as a Strategy for Dietary and Physical Activity Behavior Change: A Review. American Journal of Health Promotion. 2004; 19:81-93.

Shilts, M.K., Horowitz, M., and Townsend, M. An Innovative Approach to Goal Setting for Adolescents: Guided Goal Setting. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 2004;36:155-156.

Horowitz, M., Shilts, M.K., and Townsend, M. EatFit: A Goal Oriented Intervention that Challenges Middle School Adolescents to Improve their Eating and Fitness Choices. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 2004;36:43-44.

Shilts, M.K., Townsend, M., and Horowitz, M. Pilot Study of the EatFit Intervention to Determine Sample Size and Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. Center for Advanced Studies in Nutrition and Social Marketing, University of California, Davis, CA, 2002

Abstracts

Shilts MK, Martin AC, Horowitz M , Smith D, Lamp CL, Ontai-Grzebik, L, Townsend, MS. Comparison of 6 and 12 Lesson Exposure of a Nutrition and Physical Activity Intervention for Middle School Adolescents. Society for Nutrition Education Annual Meeting Abstract, July 2006.

Shilts MK, Lamp CL, Smith D, Martin AC, Horowitz, M, Ontai-Grzebik, L, Townsend, MS. UC Cooperative Extension Intervention Positively Influences Selected Education Content Standards for California Public Schools. Society for Nutrition Education Annual Meeting, FNEE pre-conference meeting Abstract, July 2006.

Shilts, MK, Horowitz, M, and Townsend, M. Goal Setting in the Nutrition and Physical Activity Fields: Research and Implications. Asian Consumer & Family Economics Association International Conference Abstract, November 2005.

Shilts, MK, Horowitz, M, and Townsend, M. Consideration of goal commitment and spontaneous goal setting in an evaluation of a nutrition and physical activity intervention based on goal setting (EatFit). The Art and Science of Health Promotion Annual Conference Abstract. American Journal of Health Promotion. 2005;19:456.

Aldler, B, Mueller-Cunningham, WM., Hyson, DA, Wie, S, Tripp, PJ, Anderson, J, Shilts, MK. Motivational Differences Between Males and Females for Enrolling in an Entry Level Nutriiton Course. California Dietetic Association Annual Conference Abstract, 2005.

Rubinstein, RA, Hyson DA, Shilts, MK, Wie, S, Tripp, PJ, Anderson, J, Mueller-Cunningham, WM. The Effect of Nutrition Education on College Students’ Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Patterns. California Dietetic Association Annual Conference Abstract, 2005.

Chau, L, Hyson DA, Shilts, MK, Wie, S, Tripp, PJ, Anderson, J, Mueller-Cunningham, WM. Effects of Nutrion Education on College Students Restricted Dieting Practices. California Dietetic Association Conference Abstract, 2005.

Townsend, M, Wooten-Swanson, P, Nicholson, Y, Gantahvorn, C, Alvarez, M, Castro-Aguilera, L, Johns, M, Farran-Ramirez, L, Shilts, MK, Horowitz, M. Guided Goal Setting: EFNEP Youth Learn a New Life Skill. University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Annual Conference Abstract, 2004.

Allen, A, Aldler, B, Hyson, DA, Shilts, MK., Wie, S, Tripp, PJ, Anderson, J, Mueller-Cunningham, WM. Sources of Nutrition Information Among College Students. California Dietetic Association Annual Conference Abstract, 2004.

Shilts, M.K., Horowitz, M., and Townsend, M. EatFit: A Randomized Controlled Trial to Assess the Effectiveness of “Guided Goal Setting” Among Adolescents. International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity Conference Abstract, July 2003

Shilts, M.K., Horowitz, M., and Townsend, M. EatFit: An Intervention Effectiveness Trial for Increasing dietary and physical activity self-efficacy and behaviors. International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity Conference Abstract, July 2003

Shilts, M.K., Horowitz, M., and Townsend, M. A Pilot Study of a Theory Driven, Goal Focused Nutrition and Physical Activity Intervention for Middle School Adolescents. International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity Conference Abstract, July 2002

Townsend, M., Shilts, M.K., and Horowitz, M. Computerized Education Intervention Challenges Adolescents to Improve Dietary Behavior Through Personal Assessment and Guided Goal Setting. Experimental Biology Conference Abstract, April 2002

Horowitz, M., Shilts, M.K., and Townsend, M. EatFit: A Goal Oriented Program that Challenges Adolescents to Improve their Eating and Fitness Choices. Society for Nutrition Education Annual Meeting FNEE pre-conference meeting Abstract, July 2001.

Townsend, M., Shilts, M.K., and Horowitz, M. Pictorial Recipes to Reduce Dietary Fat. Society for Nutrition Education Annual Meeting FNEE pre-conference meeting Abstract, July 2001.

Horowitz, M., Shilts, M.K., and Townsend, M. EatFit a Curriculum Designed to Challenge Middle School Students to Improve their Eating and Fitness Choices. California Childhood Obesity Conference Abstract, March 2001

Presentations

Shilts, M.K. Assessing Dietary and Physical Activity Self-Efficacy of Middle School Adolescents: ‘Traditional’ Compared to ‘Retrospective’ Method. Annual Conference for the Society of Nutrition Education and Behavior; Salt Lake City, Utah July 21, 2004.

Curricula

Kaiser, L., McMurdo, T., Shilts, M.K., and Health Promotion Workgroup. Take Care of Your Health: Lessons on Living with Diabetes for African Americans. University of California Cooperative Extension, 2006.
(Distributed via http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu)

Townsend, M., Horowitz, M., and Shilts, M.K. EatFit Educational Intervention (www.eatfit.net). University of California Cooperative Extension, March 2002. (Distributed via http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu)

Shilts, M.K., and Townsend, M. Using the Food practices of Nine Cultural Groups in California Publication. University of California Cooperative Extension, 2000. (Distributed to EFNEP & FSNEP staff)

Townsend, M., and Shilts, M.K. 12 foods = 6 meals kids love lesson plan notebook. University of California Cooperative Extension, September 1999. (Distributed to EFNEP & FSNEP staff)

Research Projects/Interests ::

Development and quantitative and qualitative research of interventions using theories and models of behavior change to positively influence dietary and physical activity attitudes, intentions and behaviors of various target audiences.

Professional Associations ::

International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity- www.isbnpa.org

Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior- www.sne.org

American Dietetic Association- www.eatright.org

American Journal of Health Promotion- www.healthpromotionjournal.com