Available at: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/theses/3106
Date of Award
6-2025
Degree Name
MS in Agriculture - Food Science and Nutrition
Department/Program
Food Science and Nutrition
College
College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences
Advisor
Angelos Sikalidis
Advisor Department
Food Science and Nutrition
Advisor College
College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences
Abstract
This pilot study evaluated the effectiveness of a 13-week nutrition education intervention designed to improve dietary patterns, physical health, and mental health outcomes among 10 student male military veterans at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. The intervention, grounded in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025, included a one-time educational presentation and periodic recap videos to reinforce key messages. Outcome measures included dietary intake, body mass index (BMI), handgrip strength, depressive symptoms (via the Beck Depression Inventory), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms (via the PCL-5). Results revealed no statistically significant changes in dietary patterns, BMI, handgrip strength, or mental health outcomes across the three measurement points. However, small, non-significant trends indicated slight increases in fruit and vegetable intake and reductions in depressive and PTSD symptoms. These findings suggest that while short-term nutrition education interventions may not produce significant quantitative changes, they hold potential for supporting small positive behavior changes and highlight the feasibility of integrating nutrition education within veteran care initiatives. Larger studies with control groups and longer follow-up periods are recommended to further explore the role of nutrition education in improving health outcomes among veterans.