Digital Commons Network^™

The Lunches Study: Elementary School Children's Packed Lunch Contents And Intake In The Traditional Vs. Balanced School Day Schedule, Lisa Neilson

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The Balanced School Day (BSD), an alternative to the Traditional Schedule (TS), provides two 20-minute eating periods during the school day, rather than a midday lunch break. Widespread implementation of the BSD schedule has occurred across Ontario with limited systematic evaluation of potential health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to compare the food and nutrient value of grade 3 and 4 students’ packed lunch contents and consumption in the BSD versus TS, by direct observation. When compared to the TS, more BSD students had a sugar-sweetened beverage packed in their lunch. Greater portions of snack items were also …

An Examination Of Psychological Variables Influencing Perceptions Of The Self Among A Sample Of Female Exercise Initiates, Lisa Cooke

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The general purpose of this dissertation was to explore the relationship among and within cognitive variables associated with exercise initiation and maintenance in a sample of female exercise initiates.

Manuscript 1 was structured to explore the changes to exercise identity among a population of female exercise initiates (N = 78) grouped into an imagery or control condition. Previous research has found that a strong exercise identity is associated with more frequent exercise (Strachan et al., 2009) and increases over time as a person continues to exercise (Cardinal & Cardinal, 1997). Participants were assessed multiple times (weeks 0, 5, 9, …

Environmental Health Effects Of Multiple Exposures: Systemic Risks And The Detroit River International Crossing Study, Tor H. Oiamo

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This thesis examines cumulative exposures to traffic noise and outdoor air pollution on environmental and health related quality of life in Windsor, Ontario, and provides a critical analysis of the environmental assessment process for the Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC) Study. The research utilizes a systemic risk framework to understand environmental health and stress effects of cumulative exposures. The significance of this research is based on a relative absence of literature on the systemic health risks of cumulative exposures and the need to elucidate environmental annoyance as a health outcome for risk assessment. The objectives of the research were to …

Rural Heterosexual Female Adolescents' Decision-Making About Sexual Intercourse And Pregnancy In Ontario, Paulina Ezer

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Rural areas in Ontario tend to have higher rates of adolescent pregnancy. A constructivist grounded theory methodology was used to gain an in-depth understanding of rural female adolescents’ decision-making process regarding sexual intercourse and their reproductive health, and how they view rural factors and circumstances influencing this process. The adolescent sexual decision-making process that emerged from the analysis involved prioritizing four influences that affect and are affected by the rural context: personal values and circumstances, family values and expectations, friends’ influences, and community influences. Findings will improve our understanding of how rural female adolescents make choices regarding their reproductive health. …

The Effectiveness Of Teleglaucoma Versus In-Patient Examination For Glaucoma Screening: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Sera-Melisa Thomas, Maya M Jeyaraman, Maya Jeyaraman, William G Hodge, Cindy Hutnik, John Costella, Monali S Malvankar-Mehta

Epidemiology and Biostatistics Publications

BACKGROUND: Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible visual impairment in the world affecting 60.5 million people worldwide in 2010, which is expected to increase to approximately 79.6 million by 2020. Therefore, glaucoma screening is important to detect, diagnose, and treat patients at the earlier stages to prevent disease progression and vision loss. Teleglaucoma uses stereoscopic digital imaging to take ocular images, which are transmitted electronically to an ocular specialist. The purpose is to synthesize literature to evaluate teleglaucoma, its diagnostic accuracy, healthcare system benefits, and cost-effectiveness.

METHODS: A systematic search was conducted to help locate published and unpublished studies. …

Navigating Life With Hiv: The Lived Experiences Of Youth Living With Hiv, Tamara M M Landry

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Youth and young adults living with HIV, between the ages of 15 and 29 represent one-quarter of the new infection rates in Canada, but little is known about the safer sex practices, HIV disclosure processes and coping mechanisms used by this important but often neglected group to manage the every day realities of living with HIV. The primary objectives of this study were to gather qualitative data about the lived experiences of Canadian youth who are living with HIV and enhance our understanding of their experiences of becoming HIV-positive, navigating issues related to safer sex and HIV disclosure, and managing …

Comparison Of Housed And Homeless Patients With An Orthopedic Diagnosis, Susan M. Williams

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Studies on homelessness have shown that people who are homeless are admitted to hospital more frequently, for longer periods of time, and at a younger age than people who are housed. Once admitted to hospital, discharge planning is difficult and resource intensive, often leading to discharge back to the streets or a shelter. This puts this population at risk for complications and readmission. Although people who are homeless are prone to orthopedic injuries, there is no research on the outcomes of patients who are homeless with orthopedic injuries. This retrospective, case control study, based on the social determinants of health, …

Move More Mommy: A Web-Based Physical Activity Intervention For Postnatal Women (Pilot Study), Sarah Gray

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Despite the many benefits of physical activity, postnatal women are not currently meeting Health Canada Guidelines of 150 minutes per week of moderate-vigorous physical activity. This study, Move More Mommy, used a mixed methods design to test the feasibility and acceptability of a web-based intervention combined with a group mediated cognitive behavioural approach, and it’s effectiveness to increase physical activity, self-efficacy, and group cohesion among postnatal women. Participants received an 8-week intervention delivered through 8 group exercise classes and a purpose built website. From baseline to post-intervention, participants significantly increased self-reported physical activity levels and group cohesion. Objectively measured physical …

Older Woman Workers: Met And Unmet Needs For Health And Wellbeing In The Workplace, Gillian Gorfine

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Older women workers report experiencing occupational injustices however the literature focuses on barriers faced rather than understanding the needs-based strategies empowering women as they age at work. This study engaged women aged 55 and older in a participatory action research project defining and examining strategies for older women workers’ health and wellbeing. In Phase 1, a key informant advisory group (N = 4) defined the problem and guided the design of an open answer survey conducted with 72 older women in work. Three categories emerged informing the fundamental, instrumental, and contextual needs of older women workers. Meeting fundamental needs may …

Exploring Health Care Access For Gay, Bisexual, And Other Men Who Have Sex With Men Living In Middlesex County, Ontario, Todd A. Coleman

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Published research suggests gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GB-MSM) present in health care with additional, distinct psychosocial and sexual health concerns compared to heterosexual men, emphasizing the importance of access to health care for these groups.

This exploratory thesis used data from the online survey (n=202) of the Health in Middlesex Men Matters (HiMMM) Project – a community-based study examining health care access for GB-MSM living in Middlesex County, Ontario. For each manuscript, blockwise modified Poisson regression models were fit sequentially with predisposing, enabling, and need variables, as theorized by the Behavioral Model of Health …

Maternal Employment During Infancy And Toddlerhood: Mechanisms For Associations With Childhood Overweight/Obesity In Canada, Nathalie Victoria Metzer

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Background: Childhood overweight and obesity is a major public health issue, with approximately 1 in 3 children classified as overweight or obese in Canada. Research suggests that maternal employment during childhood may be associated with later overweight and obesity risk, but it is not known whether employment during infancy and toddlerhood has a similar effect on weight status. Mechanisms such as reduced breastfeeding and use of informal child care have been proposed in the literature but not been formally tested among infants and toddlers. It is important to identify possible mechanisms that could explain the association with overweight and obesity …

A Health Promotion Perspective On Transitioning Into Retirement, Catherine P. Gelinas

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The transitional stages towards retirement of those with chronic disorder(s) often present a diversity of additional challenges and people look at the measurement of their anticipated quality of life as a meaningful way of determining this successful adjustment. The overall objective of this research study was to understand transition into retirement considering the impact of comorbidity and associated socio-demographic factors have on the (physical and mental) health status. Quantitative data analysis of people (aged 50-65) with chronic upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders was used to inform health impacts in the group transitioning towards retirement; or who have selected or required early …

Primary Health Service Use By Mothers And Children From London-Middlesex, Ontario, Catherine Holtz

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Primary health service use (P-HSU) may be influenced by predisposing and enabling factors measured at individual- and contextual-levels but is equitable when driven by need factors. Objectives: 1) Estimate the effect of residential location on maternal and child P-HSU; 2) Assess P-HSU inequity by determining whether the effects of need factors on P-HSU are dependent on predisposing and enabling factors; 3) Describe perceived unmet healthcare needs in the maternal-child population observed to have inequitable P-HSU. Methodology: The sample of 1451 mother-child pairs was from a prenatal cohort recruited from London, Ontario between 2002 and 2004, with follow-up until children were …

Through The Eyes Of Children: First Nations Children's Perceptions Of Health, Kyla Annui Ursa English

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Few studies addressing Indigenous children’s health have incorporated the voices of children or integrated an occupational science perspective. In partnership with the Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre, this community-based study used artwork and sharing circles to understand First Nations children’s perceptions of health during a week-long culture camp. The objectives were: (1) to understand how First Nations children view their health, and (2) to explore how children connect health and culture. Findings demonstrated that children’s perceptions (n=20, aged 10 to 12) focused on physical aspects of health, such as diet and fitness. Children attended much less to spiritual, mental, …

Man Versus Food: An Analysis Of 'Dude Food' Television And Public Health, Amy R. Eisner-Levine

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Contemporary food television has moved away from an instructional and cooking-centered model, to an entertainment and eating-focused one. However, public health researchers have not considered these shows in the wake of rising obesity rates. This thesis is concerned with the kinds of messages food television conveys about food and eating and is guided by three research questions: How are food and eating represented on the shows? How is health addressed? How do these shows work to create and promote a more acceptable popular discourse around unhealthy eating habits? Through an analysis of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, You Gotta Eat …

Neonatal And Developmental Outcomes Of Late Preterm And Early Term Birth, Hilary K. Brown

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Research suggests increased risk for adverse outcomes associated with late preterm (34-36 weeks) and early term (37-38 weeks) birth versus full term (39-41 weeks). However, it remains unclear to what extent these outcomes are associated with physiological immaturity or factors leading to or associated with early birth.

The first objective was to elucidate the role of gestational age in determining risk of poor neonatal outcomes in the context of biological determinants of preterm birth. A retrospective cohort study of singletons delivered at 34-41 weeks to London-Middlesex (Canada) mothers was conducted using perinatal and discharge abstract databases (N=38,807, 2002-2011). Modified Poisson …

The Stress Process Model For Community-Dwelling Adults With Mental Disorders, Samantha Davie

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Background: Although stress has been linked to poor mental health outcomes for various populations, less is known about the impact of stress on individuals already diagnosed with mental disorders. Objective: Explore the association between stress and general psychological distress (GPD), using the stress process model. Design: Data were collected in 2011 from community-dwelling adults who have had at least one diagnosed mental disorder for at least one year in their lifetime (n=380), and are cross-sectional in nature. Multivariable linear regression was used to assess the association between stress and GPD, with various psychological resources, such as coping, social support, and …

From Their Perspective: How Adolescents And Young Adults Experience And Conceptualize Life And Occupation Surrounding Parental Divorce Or Separation, Laura R. Hartman

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Parental divorce affects adolescents’ emotions, routines, habits, occupations and relationships. The current body of research indicates that parental divorce leads to many unfavourable social, behavioural, and mental health outcomes for adolescents. This dissertation explores the daily lives and occupations of adolescents and young adults surrounding the transition of a parental divorce or marital separation.

This thesis contains four manuscripts in addition to the introductory and final reflection chapters. The first manuscript explores the current North American literature relating to adolescent life surrounding a parental divorce or marital separation, ranging form 1998 to 2014. The second manuscript provides an overview of …

Interesting Shapes Of Vegetables: Is It A Strategy To Promote Consumption Among Preschool Children?, Salma H. Alhabshi

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This study highlighted the low intake of vegetables by preschool children and determined whether changing the shape of vegetables increased their level of consumption. A new strategy of repeated exposure to interesting-shaped vegetables was a step aimed at increasing vegetable consumption by increasing the fun element in having vegetables as snacks. Vegetables are the less desirable food in comparison to more attractive unhealthy choices available to children, and discovering a strategy to promote vegetables is considered an important step in nutrition. The primary aim was to explore the effect of repeated exposure (eight times) of shaped vegetables on consumption by …