Graduate Program
Family and Consumer Studies
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Semester of Degree Completion
2010
Thesis Director
Karla Kennedy-Hagan
Thesis Committee Member
James Painter
Thesis Committee Member
Kathleen O'Rourke
Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the influential factors of compliance and/or non-compliance with the gluten-free diet (GFD) for celiac disease (CD) individuals.
Methods: The data collection instrument was a self-developed survey using kwiksurveys.com. The data were collected via online survey distribution to CD support group facilitators in nine Midwestern states. CD support group facilitators assisted snowball sampling by distributing the online survey to other members of the support groups. Qualitative data from survey question 12 was reviewed for themes and patterns and discussed in a narrative form. Statistical analysis of the data was done using SPSS software to determine the influential factors that predict compliance and/or noncompliance with the GFD.
Results: Of the 146 participants, 129 (88.4%) were female and 17 (11.6%) were male (5- 78 years old). Participants had a mean age at diagnosis of CD of 39 ± 17 years. The current study was unable to accept any of the research hypotheses; however, the data found that 24.0% of the variance in compliance with the GFD can be determined when knowing the subject's age at diagnosis, current knowledge of the GFD, influence of social pressures and situations, and availability of GF foods. The common challenges and strategies presented by the participants in question 12 support the findings of the study.
Conclusions: Compliance rates with the GFD for CD individuals could be increased with knowledge of the individual's age at diagnosis, knowledge of the GFD, influence of social pressures and situations, and availability of GF foods 24.0% of the time.
Recommended Citation
Barnes, Jill, "Influential Factors Contributing To Compliance And/Or Non-Compliance With The Gluten-Free Diet For Celiac Disease Individuals" (2010). Masters Theses. 401.
https://thekeep.eiu.edu/theses/401
