Digital Commons Network^™

Genetic Determinants Of Variation In The Gh/Igf-1 Axis And Their Relationship To Cardiometabolic Health, Rafael Luis Aguirre Guillen

Theses and Dissertations

Background: In a study of Mexican Americans, we performed analyses of GEI and pleiotropy in the axis in relation to MS. GH/IGF-1 axis components were studied. Model parameters and likelihoods were estimated by maximum likelihood.

Results: Pleiotropy was observed for IGFBP3 (p

Conclusions: IGF-I and IGFBP3 are genetically correlated with MS whereas MS influences the additive genetic variance in IGFBP1 variables mainly but also in IGF-I somewhat by virtue of the VH exhibited by IGF-I/IGFBP1.

Effects Of A 12-Week Vigorous Interval Training Intervention On Pro-Inflammatory Markers In Post-Operative Bariatric And Obese Participants, Brittany Rood

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Increase prevalence of cardiovascular and other chronic diseases linked to inflammation has led to research on pro-inflammatory cytokines, like tumor necrosis factor - alpha (TNF-α) and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A₂ (Lp-PLA₂), in attempt to define the relationship between chronic disease, inflammation, and obesity. PURPOSE: Examine the effect of twelve weeks of vigorous intensity interval training on pro-inflammatory markers in post-operative bariatric and obese participants. METHODS: 9 post-operative bariatric individuals [1 man, 8 women; Body mass index (BMI) = 34.23 ± 2.54 kg/m²], 12 obese individuals [5 men, 7 women; BMI=35.77 ± 1.67 kg/m^{2 …}

Physical Activity Level And Insulin Resistance In 6,500 Nhanes Adults: The Role Of Abdominal Obesity, James R Fowler

Theses and Dissertations

OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional study investigated insulin resistance (IR) variation across physical activity (PA) levels in U.S. adults. METHODS: MET-minutes were utilized to quantify PA using 2 methods: 4 categories were based on relative MET-minutes, and 5 were based on U.S. PA guidelines. IR was indexed using the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA). Effect modification was tested by dividing waist circumferences into sex-specific quartiles, and then evaluating the relationship between PA and HOMA-IR within each quartile separately. RESULTS: Relative PA was associated with HOMA-IR after controlling for demographic and demographic and lifestyle covariates (F = 11.5, P < 0.0001 and F = 6.0, P = 0.0012, respectively). Adjusting for demographic and demographic and lifestyle covariates also revealed relationships between guideline-based PA and HOMA-IR (F = 8.0, P < 0.0001 and F = 4.9, P = 0.0017, respectively). Controlling for waist circumference with the other covariates nullified the relationship between PA and HOMA-IR. Effect modification testing showed that when the sample was delimited to adults with extra-large waists (Quartile 4), relative (F = 5.6, P = 0.0019), and guideline-based PA (F = 3.7, P = 0.0098) and HOMA-IR were related. PA and HOMA-IR were not related within the other quartiles. CONCLUSION: High levels of PA may play a meaningful role in glucose and insulin metabolism in those with abdominal obesity, but not in adults with smaller waists.

Cytochrome P450 Monooxygenase-Mediated Lipid Metabolism In Obesity And Colon Tumorigenesis, Weicang Wang

Doctoral Dissertations

Colon cancer is a major public health issue: it is expected to have 140,250 new cases and 50,630 deaths during 2018, making colon cancer the third most common type of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Obesity is associated with enhanced colonic inflammation, which is a major risk factor of colorectal cancer. Currently, more than 35% of adults and nearly 17% of children are obese. Considering the obesity and colon cancer epidemic in the United States, there is an urgent need to identify novel therapeutic targets for obesity and colon cancer. Here, using …

Diet Quality And Micronutrient Intake In Long-Term Weight Loss Maintainers, Rebecca W. Pascual

Master's Theses

Objective: This study’s purpose was to examine dietary quality, macronutrient intake, and micronutrient adequacy among long term weight loss maintainers (WLM) in a commercial weight management program.

Methods: Participants were 1,207 WLM in WW (formerly Weight Watchers) who had maintained a 9.1 kg or greater weight loss (29.7 kg on average) for 3.4 years, and had an average BMI of 28.3 kg/m². A control group of weight stable adults with obesity (Controls; N=102) had a BMI of 41.1 kg/m² and 2.3 kg or less weight change over the previous five years.

Results: WLM vs. …

Nutrition And Exercise Interventions During Pregnancy: How Important Is Adherence?, Taniya S. Nagpal

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Lifestyle interventions (nutrition and exercise) offered during pregnancy may prevent excessive gestational weight gain (EGWG) and improve pregnancy outcomes. The efficacy of previous interventions has been inconsistent as some studies ‘successfully’ achieve their health outcome goals while others have had a null effect. A common limitation reported among ‘unsuccessful’ studies is low adherence. The objective of this dissertation was to execute three independent yet interrelated studies to determine if adherence is a key factor in determining the success of a lifestyle intervention during pregnancy. Study 1 compared adherence to ‘successful’ and ‘unsuccessful’ lifestyle interventions during pregnancy using a systematic review. …

The Role Of Secretory Phospholipase A2 Group Iia In Obesity And Metabolism, Michael S. Kuefner

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Secretory phospholipase A2 group IIA (PLA2G2A) is a member of a family of secretory phospholipases previously implicated in inflammation, atherogenesis, and antibacterial actions. These enzymes hydrolyze glycerophospholipids at the sn-2 position releasing lysophospholipids and fatty acids. Though studies have shown PLA2G2A is pro-inflammatory and promotes atherosclerosis, no research has analyzed the role of this enzyme in obesity and metabolism. Studies in the past 5-10 years utilizing various knock- out or over-expression mouse models have analyzed the role of different secretory phospholipase A2s (sPLA2) in metabolic diseases. From these studies, it is known that at least seven of the 11 sPLA2 …

Physical Activity Of Preschoolers With Developmental Disabilities And Delays, Michaela A. Schenkelberg

Theses and Dissertations

Children with developmental disabilities and delays are at greater risk for developing overweight and obesity compared to typically developing peers. Participation in regular physical activity is a modifiable behavior that is consistently associated with improved weight status and other positive health outcomes. Previous studies have identified numerous individual- and environmental-level factors that associate with physical activity among school-age children with and without disabilities. However, little is known about physical activity behaviors and related correlates among preschool-aged children with disabilities (ages 3 – 5 years), especially while they are in preschool settings. Therefore, the overall purpose of this dissertation was to …

Oleic Acid Attenuates Palmitic Acid-Induced Impairments In Mouse Blastocyst Development, Maisoon Dafalla Yousif

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Palmitic acid (PA) and oleic acid (OA) are the most abundant saturated and monounsaturated non-esterified fatty acids, respectively, in serum. The consequences of PA and OA treatment on preimplantation mouse embryo development were investigated. It was hypothesized that OA treatment from the two-cell stage onwards would attenuate PA-induced reductions in mouse blastocyst development. PA significantly reduced development to the blastocyst stage. Transcript analysis revealed that PA increased ER stress pathway markers activating transcription factor 3 and C/EBP homologous protein transcripts, and XBP1 splicing. Co-culture of PA-treated embryos with OA prevented this PA-induced ER stress and rescued blastocyst development. Cytoplasmic lipid …

Association Of Dietary Behaviors, Macro-Nutrients And Energy Intake With Body Fat Percentage, Lean Mass, And Bone Mineral Density., Makayla Goggins

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background: Due to the obesity epidemic, many studies have compared nutrient intake to human body composition. However, previous studies have not used gold standard measures of body composition in a college population. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine how dietary behaviors, overall energy intake, and macronutrient intake are associated with the body composition factors measured in a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan. We hypothesize higher body fat percentage will be associated with higher fat and carbohydrate intake, but not total energy intake. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study done as part of Exercise is …

Effects Of Eat Better, Move More (Ebmm) Educational Program On Obesity Rates In Latino Children Residing In Northwest Arkansas, Allison Jones

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background: Childhood obesity, especially in ethnic minority populations, is a growing problem with no signs of improvement over the past decade. The Latino population is one of the fastest growing minority groups in the United States. Unfortunately, they have experienced substantial health disparities and socioeconomic disadvantages that contribute to the high rates of obesity in their youth. Decreasing obesity rates would not only have many health advantages, but also financial benefits as well. It would reduce the risk of co-morbidities such as cardiovascular disease and depression. Healthy children are more likely to grow into healthy adults, ultimately lowering the cost …

Sugar-Sweetened Beverages: A Survey To Assess Adults Knowledge, Attitudes, And Consumption Patterns Of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages, Jeff Schafer

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) have a direct impact on the general health of the country when looking at the rising obesity levels (CDC, 2017a). The USDA’s dietary guidelines suggest that the daily intake of added sugar should be limited to 6 teaspoons for women and 9 teaspoons for men (Hughes, 2017). However, the average American consumes 20 teaspoons of sugar daily (Hughes, 2017). These extra calories are converted into fat and stored in the body. Data collected throughout the years indicates a rise in the number of Americans living with a weight above healthy recommendations, which is termed, obese. Obesity is …

Relationship Of Weight-Related Eating Behaviors And Weight-Loss Of Participants In A Proprietary Weight-Loss Program, Megan Tschakert

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this study is to evaluate weight-related eating behaviors of participants with clinically significant weight loss (CSWL) in a proprietary weight loss program. A crosssectional sample of participants (n=1,454) enrolled in a proprietary weight-loss program that includes meal replacements and health coaching were queried for weight-related eating behaviors (using Weight Related Eating Questionnaire) of routine restraint (RR), compensatory restraint (CR), susceptibility to external cues (SEC), and emotional eating (EE) in relation to CSWL (defined as having achieved a weight loss greater than 10% of starting weight). Participants were dichotomized into those with CSWL (n=973) and with no CSWL …

Eat Smart, Play Hard The Oyate Way: Impact Of A Culturally Tailored Nutrition And Physical Activity Curriculum On Elementary Youth, Abbey Hillestad

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Objective: To assess changes in nutrition and physical activity (PA) knowledge and behavior in elementary-age participants from school districts with high American Indian enrollment after completion of a culturally tailored education curriculum.
Design: Pre-post intervention study assessing knowledge and behavior using quantitative methods. Participants: A total of 248 participants (Kindergarten through 5th grade, n=248) throughout 13 elementary classrooms in tribal communities participated in Eat Smart. Play Hard.: The Oyate Way. Intervention(s): Baseline and post intervention data from a culturally tailored nutrition and PA knowledge and behavior curriculum.
Main Outcome Measure(s): Dependent variables were nutrition and PA knowledge, and nutrition and …

Cultural Influences On Body Size Ideals Among African American Women In The Mississippi Delta, Lois Marie Coleman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Results: One-on-one interviews yielded 25 cognitive maps. The maps contained a total of 169 concepts with 294 connections among them. The lowest number of variables identified on a participant’s map was 4 and the highest was 11. The lowest number of connections made on a participant’s map was 4 and the highest was 39. Through qualitative condensing and matrix addition, the 169 concepts were used to create 27 variables with 134 connections. Feedback from focus group participants resulted in the addition of 3 variables and 9 connections.

Evaluating The Experiences Of Fcs Cooperative Extension Agents Use Of Policy, Systems And Environmental Strategies To Reduce Obesity In Rural Counties, Jordan Lynn Bressler

Theses and Dissertations--Nutrition and Food Systems

High rates of obesity are seen across the country with rural areas disproportionately affected. Based on the socio-ecological model, policy, system, and environmental approaches targeted at the population level have the potential to create more sustainable health behavior change than individual level approaches. Historically, the Cooperative Extension Service (CES) has provided direct education related to healthy eating and active living in response to high obesity rates. Utilizing the resources and infrastructure of the CES, the Centers for Disease Control challenged CESs across the country to implement PSE strategies in counties with obesity rates greater than 40% through the CDC 1416 …

Differences In Running Mechanics And Tibial Plateau Dimensions Between Overweight/Obese And Healthy Weight Children, Claire Sylvestre

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

INTRODUCTION: Overweight and obese (OW/OB) children display increased knee joint loading during running, which may lead to excessive frontal plane motion and moments at the knee joints. The relationship between tibial plateau dimensions and knee vertical loading may explain the loading related injuries OW/OB children experience.
PURPOSE: Compare knee mechanics during running and tibial plateau dimensions between healthy weight (HW) and OW/OB children.
METHODS: Ten HW children and ten OW/OB children aged 9-12 participated in the study. Kinematic and kinetic data were captured as participants ran across a force platform at 3.5m/s. Tibial plateau area and density were collected by …

Male Weight Control: Crowdsourcing And An Intervention To Discover More, Tiffany Rounds

Graduate College Dissertations and Theses

Men and women have similar rates of obesity but the combined prevalence of overweight and obesity is higher among men. Men who are overweight are a high-risk group for many obesity-related chronic diseases, as they are more likely to carry excess weight in the abdomen, which is generally more harmful than weight stored in the lower body. Men are also less likely than women to perceive themselves as overweight, and thus are less likely to initiate weight loss through organized weight loss programs. On average, less than 27% of weight loss trial participants have been men.

Internet-based research is a …