Digital Commons Network^™

A Literature Review Of Societal Obesity And Its Impact On United States Military Recruitment, Megan Thibodeaux

Capstone

In recent decades, obesity rates have increased in the United States, raising significant health and societal concerns, especially in terms of military readiness. The ever-rising rates of weight-related health obstacles present a critical national security issue as it impacts the effectiveness of recruitment. This literature review aims to analyze how obesity impacts military recruitment and readiness to serve while utilizing the socio-ecological model to help determine gaps in evidence. Data was drawn from Embase, PubMed, and PsychInfo. Inclusion criteria consisted of academic journals and reports from government and non-profit organizations written in English. They focused only on the United States …

Emotional Eating, Nutritional Knowledge, And Socioeconomic Status As Predictors Of Body Mass Index, Tifani Buss

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Obesity is an ill-health condition that can lead to other ill-health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, asthma, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer. Obesity is also a condition that does not discriminate regarding age, gender, or race/ethnicity. In light of obesity’s status as a global epidemic, efforts for prevention and intervention treatments are needed to improve individuals’ health and quality of life. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine emotional eating, nutritional knowledge, and socioeconomic status, as predictors of body mass index (BMI). These factors were examined through the lens of general strain …

Modulation Of Diet-Induced Gut Inflammation In Slowing Initiation Of Hematologic Malignancies, Esther Nyarkoa Mensah

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The intestinal tract serves as a host to an extremely complex microbial system. Microbes in the gut regulate their metabolism in response to chemicals generated by other microorganisms as well as nutrition supply from dietary intake. Alterations in gut bacteria have been implicated in the development of metabolic disorders such as obesity and the progression of diseases such as Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Although the cause of obesity is multifactorial, the consumption of high-fat or sugar-rich diets (Western diets) has been proposed as a significant contributor to this global epidemic. Obesity is a major public health concern that has been extensively …

Obesity Knowledge And Bmi In Caregiver-Adolescent Dyads: A Descriptive Comparative Pilot Study, John Sykes, John Sykes

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of obesity and associated health risks and costs continue to increase. The majority of these health and cost ramifications manifest in adulthood, making it imperative to intercept the problem during childhood. Unfortunately, an overwhelming majority of the research surrounding adolescents and obesity to date involves subjects that are already overweight or obese, and the focus of those interventions are on secondary and tertiary prevention. Focusing on primary prevention of childhood obesity could ultimately decrease the incidence, prevalence, and disease-related burden to society. It is posited that the 20% difference in obesity prevalence between adults and children …

Strategies To Reduce Chronic Disease: Adding Role To Community Health Workers, Ingrid J. Renwanz Dnp, Pmhfnp-Bc/Aprn, Msn, Rnc

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Underserved, rural, immigrant, low-income Latinx communities need to strengthen healthcare access to improve their quality of life (Capitman et al., 2009; McCartney et al., 2019; Save the Children [STC] Organization, 2021). Non-communicable chronic disease of physical and behavioral origin is the leading cause of morbidity for adults and children in Latinx communities (Campbell et al., 2020). Estimates of greater than 30% of the Latinx populations within the United States have these health needs, with projections to reach 28% of the U.S. population by 2060 (Eghaneyan & Murphy, 2019; Ortega et al., 2018).

Local Problem: If poor access to preventive …

Implementing Community Health Workers To Improve The Management Of Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases In Children, Julia L. Newell

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Childhood obesity, asthma, and untreated mental health conditions are three examples of chronic non-communicable diseases (CNDs) that pose a host of negative consequences later in life. Minority children from low-income families, especially those with environmental disadvantages, face additional risk factors for the development of these diseases. Community health workers (CHWs) are in a unique position to help address these negative health externalities by being attuned with the linguistic, cultural, and socioemotional needs of members of their communities. Research has demonstrated success in CHW-led interventions curtailing the negative impacts associated with these diseases in low-income, minority communities.

Methods: A literature …

Chronic Stressors, Obesity Pathogenesis, And The Moderating Effect Of Internalized Weight Stigma; A Quantitative, Illinois Study, Karyn Byrne

Dissertations

The obesity epidemic is a ‘wicked’ problem with a complex web of determinants and outcomes. While generally higher for minoritized populations, prevalence rates manifest in surprising, nonlinear patterns. There is no consensus regarding treatment protocols or mitigation efforts, except that current efforts remain largely ineffective. Much research evidence that a profusion of determinants of health support obesity pathogenesis through various physiological processes and mechanisms, including the allostatic load, mitochondria functioning, the gut microbiome, and epigenetics. Intervening to support markers of the allostatic load (immunity, inflammation, and metabolic health) may provide a more effective treatment outcomes than traditional approaches, which tend …

Comparison Of Physical Activity Levels Among School-Age Adolescents In The Rural And Urban Areas Of District Swat Kpk, Pakistan- An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study, Imran Uddin

Theses & Dissertations

Background: Obesity and overweight represent significant global public health concerns. Young adolescents are in particular increasingly experiencing obesity and overweight due to their sedentary lifestyles, excessive electronic media use, and lack of physical activity (PA). This trend is linked to the development of non-communicable diseases in later life. Moreover, data regarding the lack of PA is available in Pakistan, but a gap exists in the comparative analysis of physical activity levels between rural and urban adolescents. Rural and urban areas exhibit distinctions in both geographical settings and technological advancements, potentially influencing the PA levels of their respective inhabitants.
Purpose: The …

Community Health Worker Program: Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases In Children, Julia L. Newell

DNP Qualifying Manuscripts

Abstract

Background: Childhood obesity, asthma, and untreated mental health conditions, are three examples of chronic non-communicable diseases (CNDs) that pose a host of negative consequences later in life. Community health workers (CHWs) are in a unique position to address these negative health externalities by leveraging linguistic, cultural, and socioemotional connectedness within their communities.

Local Problem: Minority children in the Central Valley of California, face additional risk factors for the development of CNDs. CHWs working in this area require enhanced training on CNDs to improve their practice.

Methods: In partnership with Save the Children (STC), the University of San Francisco (USF) …

Quality Improvement Project To Assist In Implementation Of Prediabetes Screen Protocol, Kyai Forney

Doctoral Projects

Prediabetes is a reversible condition that causes blood glucose levels to be higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. When one has prediabetes, the cells in the body do not respond normally to insulin, and insulin acts like a key to letting blood sugar into cells to use energy. The pancreas produces insulin to try to get the cells to respond, but eventually, the pancreas has a challenging time keeping up, and the blood sugar level rises causing prediabetes (Lehrman, 2021). A person can have prediabetes for years with no obvious symptoms, so …

Obesity Risk And Comorbidities Among Colombians In New York City And In Colombia, Carlos A. Devia

Dissertations and Theses

Introduction: The prevalence of obesity and overweight in adults and children continues to increase worldwide, accounting for the mortality and morbidity from several diseases. Obesity disproportionally impacts Latinos in the United States (U.S.), and despite their diversity in origins, ancestry, and culture, it is still unclear the burden of obesity by specific Latino groups. For example, little information is available about how obesity impacts Colombians in the U.S. (the largest South American population). New evidence also indicates that Latino immigrants may no longer be arriving with healthy weight status to the U.S. because Latin American countries are undergoing epidemiologic and …

The Impact Of The Family Nutrition And Physical Activity (Fnpa) Tool With Diet And Physical Education On Obesity Awareness And Body Mass Index (Bmi) Of Overweight Patients, Sheena Amos

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Purpose

This evidence-based practice project aims to apply the Family Nutrition and Physical Activity (FNPA) tool with diet and physical education to increase obesity awareness and decrease body mass index (BMI) among overweight parents in the community. The FNPA screening tool is a behaviorally based assessment designed to allow parents to evaluate obesogenic environments and practices that may predispose their children to become overweight. The first goal was to recruit parents in the community and utilize the FNPA tool to assess and better understand their diet and physical activity levels. The second goal was to increase obesity awareness among these …

Implementation Of The Diet Readiness Test To Assess Self-Efficacy And Education Effectiveness In Overweight Women, Tatjana Ilich

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Purpose: The purpose of this evidence-based Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to assess perceived self-efficacy in overweight women who are participating in a weight loss program and the effectiveness of education being provided using the Diet Readiness Test (DRT).

Background: Obesity is a rapidly growing public health problem affecting an increasing number of countries worldwide because of its prevalence, costs, and health effects. Among women between the ages of 40 and 60, more than 80% report that they are either trying to lose weight or trying to maintain weight. The overall prevalence of obesity was similar among men …

Role Of Fish Oil In Paternal Obesity And In Offspring Skeletal Muscle Health, Ligeng Xiong

Theses - ALL

This study investigates the effects of fish oil in father male mice and how it could potentially affect skeletal muscle health of the next generation. Thirty male mice were fed either a low fat diet (LF), High-Fat Diet (HF), and a High-Fat diet supplemented with fish oil (FO) for 10 weeks to mimic paternal obesity. They were then mated with female mice on chow diet and all mice consumed chow diet during gestation and lactation. Offspring mice were supplemented with chow diet for 16 weeks and half of the mice were sacrificed at 8-weeks and rest at 16-weeks to study …

Impact Of Nutritional Knowledge On Student Purchase Intention Of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages, Mary Claire Ford

Honors Theses

The college years are a critical time in an individual’s life in which dietary habits are developed and will likely carry on for years to come. Mississippi has been ranked highly in health issues such as obesity for years; dietary decisions are one factor that can influence a person’s obesity risk. Therefore, it is imperative that changes be made to dietary decisions at a young age. With the proper adjustments made, preventable issues such as obesity can be avoided. Thus, research investigating how nutritional information affects college students’ purchase intention at the University of Mississippi is warranted. In this study, …

Evaluation Of The Train 2 Run Program At The Joplin Va Community Based Outpatient Clinic (Cboc), Jenifer Webb

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Project

THE EVALUATION OF A TRAIN 2 RUN PROGRAM AT THE JOPLIN VA CLINIC

An Abstract of the Scholarly Project

by Jenifer Webb, MSN, RN, FNP-C

The purpose of this project is to evaluate the effectiveness and satisfaction levels of participants in the Train 2 Run program that was started at the Joplin VA in Joplin, MO. The program was from May 3, 2022, to October 8, 2022, for a total of 5 months. The participants for this study were selected from the patients, family members, and staff who participated in the Train 2 Run program for a minimum of six …

A Lifestyle Modification Intervention In Hispanic Adolescents With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Brianne Miller

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

U.S. population studies have confirmed that the Hispanic population has the highest prevalence and the worst prognosis for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (Katz et al., 2021). The purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to implement a multicomponent, lifestyle modification intervention in Hispanic pediatric primary care patients to combat the disease process and sequela of NAFLD. The PICOT question for this project was: In Hispanic adolescents aged 10-21 with obesity and NAFLD (P), what is the effect of a multicomponent, lifestyle modification intervention (I), on alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (O), over a 12-week time period (T)? A comprehensive literature search …

Weight Loss Communication And Treatment In Primary Care, Courtney Russell, Sarah Puckett, Jessica Mcrill

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Obesity is undertreated in the primary care setting as a single medical condition. Obese patients are higher risk for comorbid conditions including heart disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and stroke. There is no universal screening tool implemented in the primary care setting for obesity management. An extensive literature review was completed to identify barriers in the primary care settings for providers to treat obesity as a disease state, assess current practices for weight management in these settings, and to identify health behaviors of adult patients with obesity. This project implemented the Five A’s Communication Tool to identify patients willing to discuss …

A Multimodal Smartphone Application Intervention To Achieve Target Weight Goals In Overweight Adult Diabetics, Michael Thomas Schwuchow

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Obesity is the leading risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (American Diabetes Association, 2022). Diabetes mellitus (DM) and obesity put individuals at higher risk for developing heart disease, stroke, and hypertension, therefore, it is essential to properly manage both conditions. The purpose of this project is to determine if the implementation of an evidence-based weight loss intervention, MyFitnessPal© will result in reduction in body mass index (BMI) and lower hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels in overweight adults with DM. A comprehensive literature search of six databases, hand searching, and citation chasing yielded 13 pieces of moderate to high quality …

Food Insecurity And Chronic Disease Among Working-Age Us Adults, Kiara Maddox

Public Health Dissertations

Studies of the health impact of low food security among adults are limited and generally focus on the association between low food security and one chronic illness. These studies do not examine the full range of food security status which include high, marginal, low, and very low. Past studies have focused only on two groups: food secure and food insecure. We, therefore, examined the association between the four levels of food security and six chronic conditions: hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease (CHD), cancer, asthma, and kidney disease. Our study compared two nationally representative population-based samples from the National Health and …

Health Promotion Module For Migrant Youth Adults In Obesity Prevention: A Pilot Project, James Chongsu Wong

Doctoral Projects

The obesity epidemic continues to worsen. It is estimated there are over one half billion adults worldwide struggling with obesity. In the United States of America, 42% of the adults and over 15 million children are obese. Obesity leads to a myriad of other chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. With an annual spending exceeding 173 billion dollars, obesity not only has a negative impact on quality of life but also a huge economic impact on the health care system.
This quality improvement project utilized 4 educational modules as intervention and measured the mean changes using a …

Let Go And Let God: An Ethnographic Study Of Overeaters Anonymous, Subjectivity, And Extreme Eating Distress, Abby Forster

Theses and Dissertations

Academic discussions regarding eating disorders have been dominated by two frameworks: biomedical and feminist. While the former explains eating disorders as a product of individual pathology, the latter asserts the cause is culture. An aspect of culture that is often suggested is neoliberalism. This ethnographic study utilizes the term “eating distress” to acknowledge the localized idioms that occur outside of the bounds of biomedical settings. The research documents the experiences of many members of Overeaters Anonymous dealing with eating distress within a social context in which their body types are stigmatized. The dissertation examines the relationship between subjectivity, Overeaters Anonymous, …

Longitudinal Trends In Body Mass Index And Risk Of Obesity Among Blue Cross & Blue Shield Of Nebraska Insured Sample Population During 2017-2022, Devi Venkata Naga Akshay Dwarabandam

Capstone Experience

Objective: To estimate and compare the longitudinal trends in the crude prevalence of obesity in the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska (BCBSNE) sample of the adult population with the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) of Nebraska during the pre-pandemic period (2017-2019) and COVID-19 pandemic period (2020-2022) using standardization methods.

Background: Studying the obesity disease burden in a commercial insurance company's administrative claims data can provide critical insights that can inform policy, practice, and interventions aimed at improving health outcomes, managing costs, and reducing the burden of obesity at the population level.

Methods: This study utilized a cohort …

Inadequacies In Nutritional Counseling In The Perinatal Population, Tiffany Fry

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Abstract

Obesity continues to increase at unprecedented levels and warrants immediate provider attention at the perinatal level to improve the health of the present and future generations. Reduction of this condition can reduce risk factors leading to morbidity and mortality. Guidelines exist for the prevention and management of obesity, yet little focus is placed on prevention in the perinatal population. Lack of consistent and healthy lifestyle in the perinatal population has the potential to not only place the mother at risk for obesity but also her unborn child. The overall purpose of the scholarly project is to identify any potential …

Implementing A Prescreening Process To Fully Assess Risk Factors And Outcomes Associated With Obesity And Hepatic Steatosis To Prevent Cirrhosis, Shana Broussard, Jennifer Eaglebarger

Doctoral Projects

Fatty liver disease can be treated if is identified in the initial stages of the disease. Once the disease progresses to fibrosis and/or cirrhosis, there is irreversible damage. The leading cause of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is obesity. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions, with most obese individuals not fully cognizant of the repercussions of prolonged obesity. Other risk factors for fatty liver disease are uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension. Certain medications can also increase the risk of fatty liver disease. Currently, there is no prescreening tool to identify patients who are at risk for fatty liver disease. The researchers …

Effects Of A 12-Week Plant-Based Diet Program On Obese And Overweight Adults In Rural Michigan, Nadine Larcher

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background

Overweight and obesity among adults are a rising epidemic in the U.S. Obesity is a risk factor for many chronic diseases and impacts morbidity and mortality. Despite our high-tech medical care system in the U.S., we are losing the war on obesity due to not addressing the underlying problems. These include unhealthy lifestyles and an unhealthy diet. A growing body of research studies has shown that adopting a low-fat whole food plant-based diet (WFPBD) regime consisting of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and no animal-based products is an effective measure to counteract the rising pandemic of chronic diseases related …

Sex Differences In Cardiometabolic Risk Factors In Youth With Obesity, Lucrecia Valdez

Theses and Dissertations--Nutrition and Food Systems

Background: The prevalence of hypertension in children and adolescents is rising, with 13% having elevated blood pressure and 5% having hypertension. Sex differences play a role in cardiovascular diseases in adults but are not well defined in youth. The objective of this study is to identify sex differences in obesity-mediated cardiometabolic risk factors in adolescents. Methods: This is a pilot study of n=82 youth with obesity recruited from a High BMI Clinic. Clinical data and blood samples were collected at a single time point. Serum sterols were quantified via LC-MS/MS. Number of cardiometabolic risk factors were evaluated. Data are mean …

Self-Efficacy Facilitated Sleep, Physical Activity, Towards Regulating Bmi Of Permanent 12-Hour Shift Registered Nurses, Veronica Brock

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Shift workers with obesity-related comorbidities have reduced health and lifespan. Registered nurses (RNs) are ranked fifth among the most obese professionals in the United States, according to recent studies. Researchers have not examined the relationship between self-efficacy, physical activity, sleep, and 12-hour night shift RNs despite demonstrating that self-efficacy inspires confident health habits in the general population. For this quantitative study, the social cognitive theory was applied to study the interrelationships among the independent variables, sleep self-efficacy, self-efficacy for physical activity, and body mass index (BMI), with multiple dependent demographic variables, quality and quantity of sleep, and the level and …

Associations Between Substance Use And Obesity Among Native American Adolescents, Joseph Jude Janosky

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Obesity and substance use are two significant public health issues among Native American adolescents. Despite much evidence linking obesity and substance use during adolescence to several long-term health conditions and increased morbidity and mortality, evidence describing the relationship between current substance use and obesity among Native American adolescents is lacking. The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate associations between current substance use – specifically alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco products – and obesity among Native American high school students, when adjusted for sex, soda consumption, and physical activity. Rosenstock’s health belief model served as the theoretical foundation for this …

Associations Between Substance Use And Obesity Among Native American Adolescents, Joseph Jude Janosky

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Obesity and substance use are two significant public health issues among Native American adolescents. Despite much evidence linking obesity and substance use during adolescence to several long-term health conditions and increased morbidity and mortality, evidence describing the relationship between current substance use and obesity among Native American adolescents is lacking. The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate associations between current substance use – specifically alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco products – and obesity among Native American high school students, when adjusted for sex, soda consumption, and physical activity. Rosenstock’s health belief model served as the theoretical foundation for this …