Food Therapy 1

Food Therapy

Jacqueline Montano

Florida International University

Food Therapy 2

Abstract

This paper focuses on the stresses patients undergo during terminal and temporary

medical care and what alternatives can be made to change this ongoing dilemma. That alternative

being through the use of food. As the healthcare industry has revolutionized over time, there still

seems to be a reoccurring issue with stress taking over the lives of patients which not only affects

their mental health, but their physical health as well. Identifying what factors trigger stress upon

patients and treating it the moment signs are demonstrated, can help doctors effectively care for

their patients early on and in the most efficient way. This will be essential to hopefully lowering

stress rates amongst patients and seeing if food can be considered another alternative to stress

relief in the future. This research was conducted through the use of an interview with a medical

expert who had previously worked with pediatric and adult patients and had knowledge on the

effects of stress amongst their patients. This interview was created in order to gain a better

insight as to the stresses patients undergo, as well as the doctor’s stress, and their perspective on

whether or not food can have an effective impact within patient care. This will not only benefit

patients, but also the patients’ families, and allow for a quicker recovery. Everyone handles

stress differently, but with something that’s a universal necessity, why not let food be the

alternative we each turn to?

Food Therapy 3

Introduction

Stress is commonly defined as a state of real or perceived challenges to an organism’s

well-being. Due to the fact that stress has and always will be inevitable, mechanisms have been

discovered to help cope with these common stresses. As for the health care industry, a goal that

has been set, is to properly educate society on how to deal with stress. The common advice of

going to exercise, reading a book, or listening to music appear to be the instant alternatives for

stress relievers, however determining the affect food may also have on those outcomes have yet

to be proven. Being that there have been so many alternatives to resort to in times of stress, it is

important to examine the perception of those who are educated upon the topics of nutrition and

stress and whether or not they believe that food can be used as another alternative for stress

relief. Not only will this information be beneficial to society itself, but it will also be useful

towards temporary or terminal patients staying within the care of medical facilities. Through this

research I will be able to analyze if food can be taken into consideration as another stress reliever

and the success it will have for patients within healthcare facilities. The data collected in the

study was through an interview with a Doctor and gave me the opportunity to gain an

understanding on their stance with this proposition and if it has potential growth within the

medical field for society’s health in the future.

Food Therapy 4

Literature Review

What is Stress?

In accordance to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, one of the definitions of stress include

a physical, chemical, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension and may be a

factor in disease causation. Stress comes from different sources—our surroundings, situations

and even our own perception or thoughts. According to the American Psychological Association

in 2014, 77% of the U.S. population regularly experienced physical symptoms caused by stress.

Of those 77%, health and poor nutrition played a major role in the causes of it all. Hence,

emotional eating, lack of nutrition, or poor dieting increased the levels of stress within the U.S.

Which is why it’s important to understand that once stress does begin to interfere with an

individual’s life, the dangers it follows is ought to be taken with precaution.

Stresses Suffered by Patients

Stress is not only caused by one’s daily activities but a person’s health also plays a factor

in its development. In 2009, there were over 3.1 million hospital discharges amongst the ages of

1-21 years, equaling 3.6 hospital discharges per 100 children, adolescents, and young adults. By

the definition of the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics, chronic disease is one lasting

three months or more. Chronic diseases generally cannot be prevented by vaccines or cured by

medication, nor do they disappear on its own. Children with chronic complex conditions account

for a steadily increasing number of hospitalized pediatric patients and healthcare resource

consumption. Past studies have shown that previous experience and familiarity with medical

procedures do not reduce fear in children. As a matter of fact, a previous experience may be a

cause of substituting a known or unknown fear. The state of the illness can cause an experience

Food Therapy 5

of invasive and traumatic procedures. These factors can in turn, evoke emotional effects on

children resulting from hospitalization. Also, it is said that just over half (50.6%) of children with

a mental health condition aged 8-15 received mental health services in the previous year. In

addition to mental health increasing stress amongst pediatric patients, repeated hospitalization

before the age of 5 has been associated with maladaptive behaviors and educational problems

that can affect the child in the long run.

Stresses Suffered by Caregivers

Stress is inevitable and a normal part of life for everyone. When receiving an education,

the amount of stress that students undergo is shocking. More so for the caregivers of our society.

Completing 7 years of school, then specializing in a certain area which takes another 3-5 years,

to then working non-stop hours, sets up any person for an overload of stress. Prolonged exposure

to stress is typically the main cause of emotional exhaustion, which results in a lack of

enthusiasm for work, a sense of helplessness, failure, and fatigue. A cross-sectional study was

conducted during the period of October 1 to December 31, 2015 within three primary health care

centers and in the University Clinical Center of the Republic of Srpska. The goal of this study

was to determine the level of stress and risk for burnout syndrome in doctors employed in health

centers and hospitals. Burnout syndrome is recognized worldwide as one of the major causes of

psychosocial problems affecting the quality of life of employees in different professions and the

most prevalent one in employees in healthcare occupations. Studies conducted in Canada and

Switzerland have also shown that doctors were highly susceptible to develop burnout syndrome.

It was also found that physicians over the age of 45 had a significantly higher level of emotional

exhaustion than their younger colleagues. As a result of the study conducted within the three

Food Therapy 6

health care facilities and university, 51.7% of the participants had high levels of stress, 52.7% of

them being family physicians and 50.6% of doctors working in hospitals.

The Power of Food

Food is a basic necessity to the success of man’s survival. The products we consume

every day provide the necessary energy to get by and accomplish our goals. However, food is

limited and not in reach for everyone. Which then leads to the question as to what foods are of

high importance and the factors society should be looking into. With the variety foods and

produce available to humans, understanding the difference between non-healthy and healthy

foods will in turn result in better health rates. Dietary plans are constantly being implemented to

live a healthier life style, however it is not only a matter of losing weight and cutting back on

junk food, it is also taking into consideration that every person is built differently and needs

different things. Being that stress plays a huge role in the daily lives of humans, food can be used

to reduce these stresses. In a past study, discovering the help of diets demonstrated a reduction in

stress amongst adults. Psychological stress can be a health threat by stimulating unhealthier

eating behaviors. Adrenal function is mostly influenced by blood sugar levels; therefore, dietary

plans are aimed to stabilize levels of sugar in the blood. Also, the discovery of emotional eating

was a result of increased stressed. Emotional eating “is using food to make yourself feel better—

eating to satisfy emotional needs, rather than to satisfy physical hunger”. Therefore, rather than

food being viewed as a health concern, food can be used as another alternative for stress relief

while using it in a healthy manner.

Food Therapy 7

Who cares?

Whether it’s dealing with cancer or an unknown disease, many patients who have to be

hospitalized for a long period of time often carry with them a mental weight from the stresses of

their condition. Most people have no control over the formation of diseases, they happen to

everyone at some point in their lives and unfortunately some are more life altering than others.

For terminal patients within hospitals, there is a sense of failure due to not living the typical

healthy life which puts a barrier on their self-esteem. For those such as cancer patients

undergoing chemo, it can take a huge toll on the patient both mentally and physically. However,

the treatment is provided in order to hopefully eliminate these life threatening diseases. By

implementing food as a stress reliever rather than it only being considered a basic necessity or

nutritional plan, both the patients and doctors themselves can benefit from the stress relieving

aspects of food. Finding an alternative towards the usage of food for patient stay can hopefully

bring a light to patients.

Gap in Research

There has been research conducted on the causes and amount of stress in patients and

medical professionals. There has also been research on the effectiveness of food. But there hasn’t

been any research on the effectiveness of food for terminal patients within a hospital

environment specifically. In addition to further research, there are ways to eat right in order to

reduce stress but not specifically on how doctors overcome these stresses through the use of

food.

Food Therapy 8

Possible Solution

It is evident that nutrition is key to one’s survival, however I intend on questioning

pediatricians, dieticians, nutritionists, and other medical experts to discover if their stresses have

affected their work performance, and if they believe food could help them as well as their

patient’s stresses. Another question I intend on asking is in regard to their patient’s stress levels.

Whether or not the patient’s stresses could be improved with more enjoyable foods and new

dietary plans. Also, I would like to ask pediatricians if they are open to participating in hands-on

activities with their patients in order for both the patient and physician to feel “stress-relieved”.

Therefore, based on the observations and opinions I receive, I can determine if food can be

considered as another “stress reliever”.

Methods

My methods for collecting data will involve interviews with medical experts who are

fully aware of the stress hospitals and treatments impose upon patients. My questions will

involve the stresses they experienced throughout their medical career and the process of medical

school. My questions will also vary based off their opinions on the situations they experienced

and what they feel can help patients in the future or present time. I will touch upon matters

regarding my research question to determine if food can be considered as another stress reliever.

My reasoning for asking about their medical school experience is to identify whether or not those

stresses have carried along over the years and into their careers. I am going to present them with

my ideas of implementing nutritional activities for the patients such as possible baking or

cooking activities and whether or not it would be possible to design their own meal plans based

of their nutritional necessities and regulations. I would also like to hear their opinions as to

Food Therapy 9

whether or not they believe this alternative can be successful in the future and the benefits it can

have on patients.

INTERVIEW:

1. Did you undergo any kind of stress during the duration of your college career and/or while attending medical school?

2. Was the workload overbearing or doable?3. Did you ever experience odd symptoms such as increased fatigue, lack of appetite, or the

feeling of depression during your time spent in school?4. What methods did you use to overcome these stresses? 5. If so, do you believe they can also work for patients undergoing stress?6. In the workplace do you feel over stressed or is it the right amount to get through your

day?7. Do you notice an increase in stress of terminal patients?8. Are stress levels among temporary and terminal patients the same?9. Do you think that the hospital environment increases stress amongst pediatric patients?10. What alternatives do you believe can help relieve pediatric patients of stress?11. On average, about how many patients do you see undergoing stress?12. Do you think that certain illnesses and diseases cause a greater increase in stress or is it

mostly caused by the environment they are in?13. Do the families of these patients cause more stress for both the patient and you as a

doctor and/or medical expert?14. Are these stresses more prominent throughout the duration of their treatments or are

outside sources the main reason why patients have an increase in stress?15. Do the stresses of patients affect their time for recovery?16. Do you find that the stress of patients in turn affects their motivation to do anything else

throughout their daily activities?17. What methods are provided within hospitals to relieve pediatric patients of stress?18. Do you think food can be used as another alternative for stress relief?19. Can hospitals implement a more appetizing diet plan for patients as opposed to the

hospital food everyone receives?20. Can the hospital make it a point where patients are able to create their own meal plans,

however it still follows the rules and regulations necessary for their health?21. Can cooking activities be implemented into the hospital environment?22. Is this an interaction/activity that can have potential success within the medical field?23. What are the possible negative and positives outcomes of this potential alternative?24. Do you think that this alternative can also go hand in hand with whatever other stress

relievers you are recommending towards your patients?25. Do you find it that food is a stress reliever for yourself?26. Do you find yourself over eating or having a lack of appetite in times of stress?27. Is there a certain meal or dessert that can always make you feel better?28. What factors should be taken into account when considering food as another stress

reliever?

Food Therapy 10

Informed Consent Form

“Food Therapy”

The following information is provided in order to help you to make an informed decision whether or not to participate. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. The purpose of this study is to examine whether food can be considered as another alternative for stress relief within the medical field, most specifically towards pediatric patients.

The study will examine:1. The effect stress has on a person 2. Medical expert’s awareness towards food being considered a stress reliever3. Stress induced by medical school4. Stress relieving attributes in food 5. Stress induced by hospital visits and treatments6. The possibilities of meal plan decisions and food activities existing in a medical

environment

The information gained from this study may help us to better understand the significance of food as a viable form of stress relief in medical conditions in which both the patient and doctor endure stress both previously in their lives and currently in treatment or frequent patients within the hospital.

PARTICIPATION: If you decide to be in this study, you will be one of 2 people recorded for later transcribing purposes in separate interviews of the same questions. Your participation will require 30 minutes of your time. Participation in this study is voluntary. You are free to decide not to participate in this study or to withdraw at any time without adversely affecting your relationship with the researcher and without fear of having your information/identity revealed. If you choose to participate, you may withdraw at any time by notifying Jacqueline Montano at 305-321-4298 or at jmarie.montano@gmail.com. Upon your request to withdraw, you may also request to have all information pertaining to you destroyed. If you choose to participate, all information will be held in strict confidence and no attempt to reveal your responses and identity to others will be made. Should your participation require translation by a third party, all identifying information will be removed from the text to ensure complete anonymity and privacy. The information obtained in the study may be published in scientific journals, as a book, or presented at scholarly meetings but your identity will be kept strictly confidential and only available to Jacqueline Montano.

Jacqueline MontanoPhone: 305-321-4298Email jmarie.montano@gmail.comCampus Address: Deuxieme Maison Rm 164 11200 SW 8th St Miami, FL 33199

Food Therapy 11

VOLUNTARY CONSENT FORM: I have read and understand the information on the form and I consent to volunteer to be a subject in this study. I understand that my responses are completely confidential and that I have the right to withdraw at any time. I have received an unsigned copy of this informed Consent Form to keep in my possession. I understand that I may use a pseudonym or my initials instead of my name.

Name (PLEASE PRINT): ___________________ Signature:_________________________

Date: ___________________________________ Phone or email:_____________________

Best days and times to reach you: I certify that I have explained to the above individual the nature and purpose, the potential benefits, and possible risks associated with participating in this research study, have answered any questions that have been raised, and have witnessed the above signature.

Date:____________________________ Investigator's Signature:_______________________

Food Therapy 12

Results and Discussion

In completing my results, it provided answers to the questions being asked throughout the

duration of this project. The doctor which whom was interviewed was aware that food could be

seen as another stress reliever simply because people automatically rely on it times of stress.

However, where it has been scientifically proven that food is to be considered the “right”

alternative for stress relief, has yet to be confirmed. As the interview continued, I was able to

gain a better understanding as to the possibilities of this research question having any success in

the future and whether or not it’s another alternative that people should even rely on. No new

forms of research were brought to my attention when interviewing the doctor except for their

common knowledge and opinion on food in relation to stress. The doctor I interviewed had

previous experience working in pediatric care, therefore making it credible towards the

information being provided. There were important key points made that established what could

be considered the right forms of stress relief for both the patient and their families. I also learned

that the doctor experienced stress during their time in college and their workplace, but no

depressive symptoms came about during these two points in their life. Overall, with the provided

answers from a medical expert’s point of view, it appears that food cannot be considered a true

form of stress relief being that it’s just a temporary feeling when using it.

Interview

1. Did you undergo any kind of stress during the duration of your college career

and/or while attending medical school?

Yes

2. Was the workload overbearing or doable?

Somedays overbearing and somedays doable

Food Therapy 13

3. Did you ever experience odd symptoms such as increased fatigue, lack of appetite,

or the feeling of depression during your time spent in school?

No, except for over eating in times of stress. Relying on junk food or quick snacks was

always easier to resort to when you’re so limited on time for even having a full meal.

4. What methods did you use to overcome these stresses?

Being that I was the youngest in my class, I could say that I wasn’t as disciplined as the

rest of my surrounding classmates who would legitimately study Monday thru Sunday

with no breaks, whereas I would take Saturday and Sunday to give myself a break from

all the stress I had going on during my bachelors. Once I went into Grad School, I also

had a job which limited me to have any kind of free time, therefore I would at least give

myself one day off during the weekends whether it was Saturday and Sunday. Exercising

and vacations were also other outlets used whenever I felt stressed.

5. If so, do you believe they can also work for patients undergoing stress?

Yes

6. In the workplace do you feel over stressed or is it the right amount to get through

your day?

I get stressed but nothing to the point that I can no longer handle it.

7. Do you notice an increase in stress of terminal patients?

Yes

8. Are stress levels among temporary and terminal patients the same?

Mostly yes

9. Do you think that the hospital environment increases stress amongst pediatric

patients?

Yes

10. What alternatives do you believe can help relieve pediatric patients of stress?

Providing them with distracters of any kind, such as stickers, coloring books, toys, or

even service dogs who come to hospitals can make a patient get their mind off of the

reality of their daily situations and illnesses.

11. On average, about how many patients do you see undergoing stress?

Almost every patient has some sort of stress going on their lives, some more than others.

Food Therapy 14

12. Do you think that certain illnesses and diseases cause a greater increase in stress or

is it mostly caused by the environment they are in?

Depending on the illness, at times it can impose a greater stress on the patient if they have

a misconception or no knowledge on the severity of the disease. However, the patient’s

environment is crucial to their health in the sense of the people and objects they are

surrounded by on a day to day basis.

13. Do the families of these patients cause more stress for both the patient and you as a

doctor and/or medical expert?

Not only are you dealing with the stress of the patient, especially when dealing with

children, but also the child’s parents is undergoing stress which only adds to my stress as

the care taker. But everyone is there to meet a mutual goal which is to get the patient

better and in good health.

14. Are these stresses more prominent throughout the duration of their treatments or

are outside sources the main reason why patients have an increase in stress?

Outside sources and their daily stresses do play a factor throughout their treatment,

however being sick tends to be the “cherry on top” and only adds to it.

15. Do the stresses of patients affect their time for recovery?

Yes, which is why it’s important to do everything possible to make them feel comfortable

and at ease.

16. Do you think food can be used as another alternative for stress relief?

I think that most people have the quick tendency to resort to food in times of stress, but it

doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s the right method when dealing with stress. It could lead

to the disadvantages of gaining weight, potentially becoming diabetic or other problems

that follow when over-eating.

17. Can hospitals implement a more appetizing diet plan for patients as opposed to the

hospital food everyone receives?

That could be a possibility, however that would have to go through other departments in

which us as doctor’s don’t exactly have control over and it would be difficult to

determine whether or not that could be a true possibility.

18. Can the hospital make it a point where patients are able to create their own meal

plans, however it still follows the rules and regulations necessary for their health?

Food Therapy 15

A majority of the patients who have to stay overnight within hospitals rarely ever like the

food. It seems like a great idea, however that can be tricky because patients are obviously

going to lean towards the unhealthy foods the enjoy during those times.

19. Can cooking activities be implemented into the hospital environment?

I think that for pediatric patients that would be a great idea, however as I said previously,

it would have to go through multiple people before anything is approved.

20. Is this an interaction/activity that can have potential success within the medical

field?

Yes, but that answer varies based on what would and wouldn’t be allowed

21. What are the possible negative and positives outcomes of this potential alternative?

Gaining weight is always a major concern when it comes to the health of humans because

then it can also lead to other problems in the future. The positives is that it can bring a

light to those patients who spend their lives in the care of health facilities but it’s a matter

of seeing whether or not it would actually be used as another alternative.

22. Do you think that this alternative can also go hand in hand with whatever other

stress relievers you are recommending towards your patients?

Yes

23. Do you find it that food is a stress reliever for yourself?

Yes

24. Do you find yourself over eating or having a lack of appetite in times of stress?

I definitely turn to food when I’m stressed but not excessively or not enough.

25. Is there a certain meal or dessert that can always make you feel better?

Dulce de leche ice cream

26. What factors should be taken into account when considering food as another stress

reliever?

How it can affect a person’s weight, the types of food they can intake during their

treatment, if it will be beneficial towards their mental and physical self.

Food Therapy 16

Conclusion

To question the unknown is simply because of the many curiosities the human mind

carries and how it allows us to gain more knowledge throughout our lifetime. My attempt of

questioning the unknown was coming up with a research question that had yet to be tested or was

previously questioned, but had never gone into further detail to provide the answers people were

looking for. Therefore, discovering whether or not food could be considered as another stress

reliever for patients or even everyday people became the platform of this project. Whether it’s

through exercise, traveling, painting, listening to music, or even knitting, the list goes on forever

but it’s never been confirmed that food is to be taken into consideration when dealing with stress.

Why is that? When we feel stressed don’t we have the tendency to run to our fridge or pantry and

go after our comfort foods, so wouldn’t that make it the ultimate “stress-reliever”? However, no

studies have been performed in order to test these questions true, which is why I wanted to see

how I could provide some sort of insight in regards to this matter.

The research question was directed towards a person’s health, meaning that this was to be

questioned by medical experts who were highly familiar with the human mind and body. Before

anyone was questioned, I came up with multiple questions leading up to the main question as to

whether or not they believed food could be considered as another alternative for stress relief. I

interviewed a doctor to see their viewpoints on the severity of stress and what they believed

could help patients cope with it. However, there were several limitations to the study being that I

could not go directly to the patients and ask them if they believed food would relieve them of

stress nor did I have the medical expertise to test the accuracy behind that question. After

meeting with the doctor, it appeared that more research would have to be conducted because they

themselves were not sure of the possibilities it may have in relation to stress. Initially, food isn’t

Food Therapy 17

a confirmed stress reliever, except for short moments of distress and people resort to comfort

foods to help them deal with it.

For further research, I think it should actually be tested within hospital and other health

care facilities as to whether or not food can relieve their patients of stress. One of the questions

throughout the interview included implementing new dietary plans that were organized by the

patient themselves so that they could have the choice of foods rather than the unappealing food

provided for them. Also activities such as baking or small cooking classes that can distract

patients of the distress they are experiencing. Testing these questions will allow one to discover

the accuracy of this study, and hopefully make it the next official stress reliever.

Food Therapy 18

References

Anonymous. “How to Eat Right to Reduce Stress.” The Physicians Committee, 12 Feb. 2018,

www.pcrm.org/health/health-topics/how-to-eat-right-to-reduce-stress.

Bsiri-Moghaddam, Kokab et al. “The Concept of Hospitalization of Children from the View

Point of Parents and Children.” Iranian Journal of Pediatrics 21.2 (2011): 201–208.

Print.

Bsiri-Moghaddam, Kokab et al. “The Concept of Hospitalization of Children from the View

Point of Parents and Children.” Iranian Journal of Pediatrics 21.2 (2011): 201–208.

Print.

Burke, Sharon Ogden, et al. “Maternal Stress and Repeated Hospitalizations of Children Who

Are Physically Disabled.” Childrens Health Care, vol. 18, no. 2, 1 Mar. 1989, pp. 82–

90., doi:10.1207/s15326888chc1802_4.

“Daily Life.” The American Institute of Stress, 19 June 2018, www.stress.org/daily-life/.

Davies, Dawn, et al. “Children Who ‘Grow up’ in Hospital: Inpatient Stays of Six Months or

Longer.” Paediatrics & Child Health, vol. 19, no. 10, 10 Dec. 2014, pp. 533–536.,

doi:10.1093/pch/19.10.533.

“Definition of Chronic Disease.” MedicineNet, 17 Sept. 2018,

www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=33490.

Graves, Janet K., and Mark E. Ware. “Parents and Health Professionals Perceptions Concerning

Parental Stress during a Childs Hospitalization.” Childrens Health Care, vol. 19, no. 1, 1

Jan. 1990, pp. 37–42., doi:10.1207/s15326888chc1901_5.

Krantz, David S, et al. “How Stress Affects Your Health.” American Psychological Association,

American Psychological Association, www.apa.org/helpcenter/stress.aspx.

Food Therapy 19

Rokach, Ami. “Psychological, Emotional and Physical Experiences of Hospitalized Children.”

Clinical Case Reports and Reviews, vol. 2, no. 4, 26 Mar. 2016,

doi:10.15761/ccrr.1000227.

Stanetic, Kosana, et al. “The Prevalence of Stress and Burnout Syndrome in Hospital Doctors and

Family Physicians.” Medical Review Medicinski Pregled, vol. 69, no. 11-12, 1 Nov.

2016, pp. 356–365., doi:10.2298/mpns1612356s.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration,

Maternal and Child Health Bureau. Child Health USA 2011. Rockville, Maryland:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2011.

Use of Mental Health Services and Treatment Among Children. (n.d.). Retrieved January 16,

2015, from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/prevalence/use-of-mental-health-

services-and-treatment-among-children.shtml

Food Therapy 20

REQUIRED FINAL DRAFT CHECKLIST

*Needs to accompany your final paper in the same file.

Audience Awareness Checklist

1) Who is your target audience of readers? List 2-3 journals or academic conferences where you would realistically share your paper (this defines the audience). Why these audiences?

a) My targeted audience is doctors and patients within terminal and temporary care and how to decrease their stress rates through the use of food.

b) The United States Medical Journals, Oxford Academic Medicine and Health, NCBI Life Event, Stress and Illness.

c) These journals provide information to the stresses patients or general people undergo and the effects it imposes on them. Being that my research is based on the stresses patients undergo during medical care, I wanted to see if food can be considered another alternative to stress relief.

2) List some information related to your topic that you can assume your audience will already be familiar with such that you did not need to provide great detail. (You simply mentioned and cited research on this info rather than actually discussed, quoted, and/or explained it).

Obvious information that my audience will be familiar with is the daily stress everyone experiences. Now the question I’m asking in regards to stress is whether or not they believe food can be the right alternative to stress relief.

3) List some information that you feel your audience may not be as familiar with that you needed to provide ample detail about. This is information that may not be shared in articles or presentations typically encountered by your target audience.

Some information that my audience may not be as familiar with, is the stress rates amongst patients and all the other alternatives used in times of stress. Also, who and how to get in contact with the right person can at times be difficult, making it less familiar amongst the general population.

Food Therapy 21

Introduction Checklist

1) What is the major research question/argument this paper is responding to?

Can food be considered another alternative for stress relief amongst patients under terminal or temporary medical care?

Where do you explicitly state this?

Within the abstract and introduction.

2) What is the significance/purpose of this question/argument (who cares)? In other words, why is this important/interesting/useful?

Before this project began, my class was asked to come up with a research question that could be further looked into and the possible outcomes that will arise. My interest with food tied into the daily stresses I experience and what I want to be in the future which is a Pediatric doctor, which only became a matter of mixing those three topics into one. People are constantly in search of new ways of handling stress, so why not enjoy doing so by the use of food which is a necessity and love for many people.

Where do you explicitly state this?

This is stated in the introduction and literature review.

3) What do we know about this topic? In other words, what are some of the major conversations we can find about your topic in peer-reviewed journals and other relevant scholarship? Even if your topic is not specifically written about, how about discussions of your chosen phenomena, methods, concepts, theories, etc?

Stress is something the world has a universal understanding, however many do not know the affects behind it and what other alternatives are available when dealing with stress. Making sure my audience had a better understanding towards the true meaning of stress and what can help people cope with it was crucial to the success of this project.

Where do you explicitly state this?

This can be found within the literature review which provides information for several topics that will be touched upon throughout the paper.

4) What/how will this paper contribute to the existing academic conversations mentioned above? How is it responding to a gap and thereby a beneficial project?

Food Therapy 22

This paper can possibly contribute to existing academic conversations in the sense of what other alternatives can be used. This responds to the gap on how food is overseen and not used to its full potential especially within the healthcare industry.

5) Where do you explicitly state this?

This is stated within the literature review.

6) What are the major contents of the paper beyond the intro?The major contents of this paper include the literature review and the results/discussions section.

Where do you explicitly state this (forecasting section)?

This was foreshadowed within the abstract and later on in the introduction.

Background Info Checklist

1) What is your method of organization in this section of the paper and why did you organize the info in this manner?

The research project was formatted in APA style. I chose this because I was familiar with the formatting and realized this was the best way to write my paper.

What are the major sections of this part of the paper?

a) Abstract

b) Introduction

c) Literature Review

d) Methods

e) Results/discussion

f) Conclusion

2) How do you explicitly transition from one major section to another?

Using headers and subtitles to allow the reader to understand and read in an organized manner.

Food Therapy 23

3) How does the information you provide in each section supportively respond to your thesis question/argument?

The information provided within each section supportively responded to my thesis question and the probable outcomes and what would be done to get to that final conclusion.

4) What are the major themes you discussed in this section?

The effects of stress, how stress is handled, and most importantly if food can have an impactful effect on patients.

5) How did you establish the major gap in the existing research? Where do you explain that?

I established the major gap in the existing research by actually putting this question to the test and interviewing a medical expert who had knowledge of stress and patient care. This is explained throughout the duration of the project, but most specifically in the methods section.

Methods Checklist

1) Why were your chosen methods for data collection and analysis the best choices for your project? Where do you explain that?

My chosen methods were the best way of tackling my research questions and getting the responses necessary for it. This was explicitly stated in the methods section, making the interviews the most effective method for the project.

2) How did you collect and analyze data? With whom? When? Where? For how long? Where do you explain that?

I collected my data by interviewing a doctor who previously worked under pediatric care and has a full understanding of a child’s mind and body. The interview was about an hour long and before questions were answered, they were given an informed consent with knowledge that they would be providing answers to certain questions being asked of them in regards to this project.

3) If applicable, how did you protect participants’ privacy? Where do you explain that?

An informed consent was provided and this was explained within the methods sections.

Results/Discussion

Food Therapy 24

1) What is your method of organization in this section of the paper and why did you organize the info in this manner?

For the results section, I inserted the responses provided from the doctor after the interview was completed. Then I thoroughly explained how the interview went and what I received from it educational wise.

What are the major sections of this part of the paper?

a) Explanation of the results

b) Responses from the interview with the doctor

2) How do you explicitly transition from one major section to another?

Once the results section came to end, it is evident that concluding this paper would be the only thing left in order to provide my final insight for my research topic.

3) How does the information you provide in each section supportively respond to your thesis question/argument?

The information provided within the results section supportively responded to my thesis question by explicitly answering each of the questions that were created and how this fully answers my research question.

4) What do your results mean and how do they relate to previous research (background info) on your topic? Where do you explicitly explain this?

The results presented in this project made it evident that further research would need to be continued in order to tell if food can be considered a true alternative for stress relief. This is briefly stated in the results section in the end and then continued within the conclusion section.

5) What do you do in this section, generally, to help your reader easily understand the major results?

I provided the responses from the doctor during the interview in order for them to get a better insight to their perspective on the matter.

Conclusion Checklist

Food Therapy 25

1) Clearly restate your thesis question/argument purpose and offer a concise summary of your major conclusions.

In the beginning of this project, I questioned if food could be considered another alternative to stress relief and came to the conclusion that further research would have to be conducted in order to test this proposition true.

Where do you explicitly do this?

This is stated throughout the conclusion section.

2) What are the major implications of your conclusions as related to better understanding your author(s), chosen work(s), theories/concepts, chosen methods (autoethnography), teaching approaches, etc? What do your conclusions mean for others such as teachers, artists, historians, researchers, students, scholars, curriculum developers, engineers, writers, etc? Where do you explicitly state this?

With my conclusion and results, researchers can continue future studies and take from what I did, to improve this question in the future. Where certain aspects weren’t considered or questioned, maybe researchers and medical experts can come together to test this theory true. This is explained at the end of the conclusion section.

3) What are the major limitations of your study? Where do you explicitly state this?

Some major limitations include being able to fully introduce food for stressed patients and test whether or not it can be used as another alternative for stress relief. This is stated within the introduction and conclusion section.

4) What recommendations would you make for future study based on your work in this paper? Where do you explicitly state this?

Some recommendations I’d have for future studies on my work for this paper is getting in contact with hospital and testing what foods emit stress relieving symptoms within people and if those same signs can be proven for patients under medical care.

Editing, and Format Checklist

1) Which MLA/APA/CMS resources have you utilized to check your formatting to ensure accuracy? How do you know your formatting is correct?

Owl Purdue

Food Therapy 26

2) List all of the academic, peer-reviewed journals you cited in your paper (I suggested ~10-20 sources, +50% peer-reviewed):

a. Anonymous. “How to Eat Right to Reduce Stress.” The Physicians Committee, 12

Feb. 2018, www.pcrm.org/health/health-topics/how-to-eat-right-to-reduce-stress.

b. Bsiri-Moghaddam, Kokab et al. “The Concept of Hospitalization of Children from

the View Point of Parents and Children.” Iranian Journal of Pediatrics 21.2

(2011): 201–208. Print.

c. Bsiri-Moghaddam, Kokab et al. “The Concept of Hospitalization of Children from

the View Point of Parents and Children.” Iranian Journal of Pediatrics 21.2

(2011): 201–208. Print.

d. Burke, Sharon Ogden, et al. “Maternal Stress and Repeated Hospitalizations of

Children Who Are Physically Disabled.” Childrens Health Care, vol. 18, no. 2, 1

Mar. 1989, pp. 82–90., doi:10.1207/s15326888chc1802_4.

e. “Daily Life.” The American Institute of Stress, 19 June 2018,

www.stress.org/daily-life/.

f. Davies, Dawn, et al. “Children Who ‘Grow up’ in Hospital: Inpatient Stays of Six

Months or Longer.” Paediatrics & Child Health, vol. 19, no. 10, 10 Dec. 2014,

pp. 533–536., doi:10.1093/pch/19.10.533.

g. “Definition of Chronic Disease.” MedicineNet, 17 Sept. 2018,

www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=33490.

h. Graves, Janet K., and Mark E. Ware. “Parents and Health Professionals

Perceptions Concerning Parental Stress during a Childs Hospitalization.”

Childrens Health Care, vol. 19, no. 1, 1 Jan. 1990, pp. 37–42.,

doi:10.1207/s15326888chc1901_5.

Food Therapy 27

i. Krantz, David S, et al. “How Stress Affects Your Health.” American

Psychological Association, American Psychological Association,

www.apa.org/helpcenter/stress.aspx.

j. Rokach, Ami. “Psychological, Emotional and Physical Experiences of

Hospitalized Children.” Clinical Case Reports and Reviews, vol. 2, no. 4, 26 Mar.

2016, doi:10.15761/ccrr.1000227.

k. Stanetic, Kosana, et al. “The Prevalence of Stress and Burnout Syndrome in

Hospital Doctors and Family Physicians.” Medical Review Medicinski Pregled,

vol. 69, no. 11-12, 1 Nov. 2016, pp. 356–365., doi:10.2298/mpns1612356s.

l. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services

Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau. Child Health USA 2011.

Rockville, Maryland: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2011.

m. Use of Mental Health Services and Treatment Among Children. (n.d.). Retrieved

January 16, 2015, from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/prevalence/use-

of-mental-health-services-and-treatment-among-children.shtml

What do these journals collectively indicate about the info you discussed in the Thesis

Audience Checklist?

These journals elaborate on the stresses patients and doctor’s undergo and the purpose of

food and its effects.

Who read your work out loud to you as you followed along with your own copy?

My classmates played a huge part in completing my paper through the use of peer-reviews.

Food Therapy 28

Who proofread your work on your behalf?

Professor Harrison, as well as my classmates proofread my work.

What was the most useful activity to help you develop/revise?

The peer-reviews were the most essential and effective activities for the completion of this paper

What did you change as a result of this activity (be specific)?

Through the peer-reviews, I fixed grammar errors and added more information for the readers to

gain a better understanding of the material they were in-taking.

Remember, proofreading your own work is never enough!