Education Commons^™

Self-Stigma And Weight Loss: The Impact Of Fear Of Being Stigmatized, Jason Lillis, J. G. Thomas, Michael E. Levin, R. R. Wing

Psychology Faculty Publications

The current study sought to examine whether two facets of weight self-stigma (fear of enacted stigma and self-devaluation) were associated with weight change and treatment engagement for 188 individuals participating in a 3-month online weight loss program. Fear of enacted stigma predicted less weight loss 3-months later after controlling for demographics, eating problems, and psychological symptoms. Self-devaluation did not predict weight loss. Neither weight self-stigma variable predicted engagement in the online program. These results add to the literature indicating the negative effects of weight self-stigma while highlighting the central role of fear of being stigmatized by others in this process.

Healthy Families: A Family-Based Community Intervention To Address Childhood Obesity, Danae Dinkel, Melissa Tibbits, Emily Hanigan, Kelly Nielsen, Leah Jorgensen, Kay Grant

Health and Kinesiology Faculty Publications

The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of Healthy Families, a family-based community intervention, in improving the knowledge, self-efficacy, and health behaviors of overweight/obese children and their families as well as to explore the lessons learned. Results showed families who completed the program had significant improvements for children and parents in areas such as nutrition knowledge and self-efficacy in making healthy eating choices as well as participating in physical activity. Additionally, families reported decreasing their intake of sugar-sweetened beverages. Participating families and community partners provided valuable lessons for other communities seeking to implement a similar program.

Assessment Of Human Adipose Tissue Microvascular Function Using Videomicroscopy, Melissa G. Farb, Song-Young Park, Shakun Karki, Noyan Gokce

Health and Kinesiology Faculty Publications

While obesity is closely linked to the development of metabolic and cardiovascular disease, little is known about mechanisms that govern these processes. It is hypothesized that pro-atherogenic mediators released from fat tissues particularly in association with central/visceral adiposity may promote pathogenic vascular changes locally and systemically, and the notion that cardiovascular disease may be the consequence of adipose tissue dysfunction continues to evolve. Here, we describe a unique method of videomicroscopy that involves analysis of vasodilator and vasoconstrictor responses of intact small human arterioles removed from the adipose depot of living human subjects. Videomicroscopy is used to examine functional properties …

An Overview Of Assessment Methodology For Obesity-Related Variables In Infants At Risk, Danae Dinkel, Corrine Hanson, Karsten Koehler, Ann Anderson Berry, Anastasia Kyvelidou, Matthew Bice, Jill Wallen, Danstan Bagenda, Laura Jana, Jana Pressler

Health and Kinesiology Faculty Publications

Background: The first 2 years of a child’s life are a particularly critical time period for obesity prevention.

Aim: An increasing amount of research across the world is aimed at understanding factors that impact early childhood obesity and developing interventions that target these factors effectively. With this growing interest, new and interdisciplinary research teams are developing to meet this research need. Due to rapid growth velocity during this phase of the lifespan, typical assessments used in older populations may not be valid or applicable in infants, and investigators need to be aware of the pros and cons of …

Wnt5a Regulates Adipose Tissue Angiogenesis Via Antiangiogenic Vegf-A165b In Obese Humans, Melissa G. Farb, Doan T.M. Ngo, Song-Young Park, Samantha M. Saggese, Naomi M. Hamburg, Brian Carmine, Donald T. Hess, Kenneth Walsh, Noyan Gokce

Health and Kinesiology Faculty Publications

Experimental studies have suggested that Wingless-related integration site 5A (WNT5A) is a proinflammatory secreted protein that is associated with metabolic dysfunction in obesity. Impaired angiogenesis in fat depots has been implicated in the development of adipose tissue capillary rarefaction, hypoxia, inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction. We have recently demonstrated that impaired adipose tissue angiogenesis is associated with overexpression of antiangiogenic factor VEGF-A165b in human fat and the systemic circulation. In the present study, we postulated that upregulation of WNT5A is associated with angiogenic dysfunction and examined its role in regulating VEGF-A165b expression in human obesity. We biopsied subcutaneous and visceral adipose …

Body Mass Index Adjustments To Increase The Validity Of Body Fatness Assessment In Uk Black African And South Asian Children, M. T. Hudda, C. M. Nightingale, A. S. Donin, M. S. Fewtrell, D. Haroun, S. Lum, J. E. Williams, C. G. Owen, A. R. Rudnicka, J. C.K. Wells, D. G. Cook, P. H. Whincup

All Works

© 2017 Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer Nature. BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Body mass index (BMI) (weight per height2) is the most widely used marker of childhood obesity and total body fatness (BF). However, its validity is limited, especially in children of South Asian and Black African origins. We aimed to quantify BMI adjustments needed for UK children of Black African and South Asian origins so that adjusted BMI related to BF in the same way as for White European children. METHODS: We used data from four recent UK studies that made deuterium dilution BF measurements in UK children of White European, …

He’S Just Content To Sit: A Qualitative Study Of Mothers’ Perceptions Of Infant Obesity And Physical Activity, Danae Dinkel, Kailey Snyder, Anastasia Kyvelidou, Victoria Molfese

Health and Kinesiology Faculty Publications

Background: Rates of obesity among children ages zero to five are rapidly increasing. Greater efforts are needed to promote healthy behaviors of young children. Mothers are especially important targets for promoting health as mothers’ views play a vital role in helping their children foster healthy habits from an early age. Research has found parents’ views of infants’ weight may influence their feeding practices; however, limited research has explored mothers’ view of infants’ weight in relation to the promotion of physical activity. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of mothers of normal weight infants and overweight …

Combined Exercise Training Reduces Blood Pressure, Arterial Stiffness, And Insulin Resistance In Obese Prehypertensive Adolescent Girls, Won-Mok Son, Ki-Dong Sung, Leena P. Bharath, Kong-Jib Choi, Song-Young Park

Health and Kinesiology Faculty Publications

Childhood obesity is strongly linked to pathological processes for cardiovascular diseases in later adulthood. Obese adolescent girls with high blood pressure (BP) are reported to have increased arterial stiffness, which is associated with the development of hypertension and atherosclerosis. The present study sought to examine the impact of combined resistance and aerobic exercise (CRAE) training on BP, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), insulin resistance (IR), and body composition in obese prehypertensive girls. Forty girls (age, 15 ± 1 years; systolic BP, 132 ± 2 mmHg, diastolic BP, 80 ± 5 mmHg) were randomly assigned to either a combined exercise (EX, …

Postural Control Strategies Differ In Normal Weight And Overweight Infants, Danae Dinkel, Kailey Snyder, Victoria Molfese, Anastasia Kyvelidou

Health and Kinesiology Faculty Publications

Background

Evidence suggests obesity can have a negative influence on a child’s motor development and postural control behavior. Little research has examined the impact of infant weight on gross motor behavior, particularly postural control at the onset of sitting.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to determine whether normal weight and overweight infants differed in their postural control strategies at the onset of sitting and one-month post onset of sitting.

Methods

29 infants (n = 19 normal weight, n = 10 overweight) were recruited to participate in this study. Infant’s length and weight were measured at 3 months of …

Gross Motor In The Preschool Classroom, Sherryll Reed

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This literature review discusses the history of Early Childhood and how far it has come since it started. It will discuss the increase of obesity in young children and the importance of teaching children young the value of healthy living. This literature review will describe ways to use gross motor in the classroom to help with improving physical movement in the classroom. The literature review will give ideas on ways to encourage gross motor in the classroom as well as outdoors. It provides research that explains why it is important to include physical breaks in the classroom activities throughout the …

Delivering Acceptance And Commitment Therapy For Weight Self-Stigma Through Guided Self-Help: Results From An Open Pilot Trial, Michael E. Levin, Sarah Potts, Jack Haegar, Jason Lillis

Psychology Faculty Publications

Weight self-stigma is a promising target for innovative interventions seeking to improve outcomes among overweight/obese individuals. Preliminary research suggests acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) may be an effective approach for reducing weight self-stigma, but a guided self-help version of this intervention may improve broad dissemination. This pilot open trial sought to evaluate the potential acceptability and efficacy of a guided self-help ACT intervention, included coaching and a self-help book, with a sample of 13 overweight/obese individuals high in weight self-stigma. Results indicated a high degree of program engagement (77% completed the intervention) and satisfaction. Participants improved on outcomes over time …

Association Between School Performance And Body Mass Index, Megan Rajagopal, Alissa Briggs, Hatim A. Omar

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

The purpose of this paper is to determine the relationship between grade point average and other factors, including: body mass index, exercise habits, and weight perception. Data from School-Based Health Promotion Centers (SBHC) were used for this study. Students in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades were screened at the SBHC for a variety of behaviors and lifestyle characteristics using the Perkins Adolescent Risk Screen (PARS). Data from a total 579 students (281 males and 298 females; 278 sixth graders, 151 seventh graders, and 150 eight graders) were obtained. Of these students, 145 were underweight, with a BMI less than 18.5; …

How Might Active Video Gaming Affect Physical Activity And Physical Fitness Of Students With Intellectual Disabilities?, Mark E. Davis

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

In the United States, there has been increasing concern about the obesity crisis. A large factor in this crisis is physical inactivity, which may have detrimental effects on an individual’s health. Participation in physical activity is essential to preventing and reducing obesity and may positively affect physical fitness. Researchers have begun to look at a newer form of video gaming called active video gaming (AVG), which is a physically interactive video game that helps individuals stand up and move. The purpose of this research study was to examine what effects active video gaming has on physical activity and physical fitness …

The Effects Of A 16-Week Introductory Nutrition Course On Dietary Habits And Body Composition Of College Students, Emily Ashton

Theses and Dissertations--Nutrition and Food Systems

As the rates of obesity continue to increase among adolescents and young adults, adopting healthy dietary and lifestyle habits is necessary in order to prevent obesity-related chronic disease later in life. Although several studies have addressed nutrition education and its effect on weight in college students, few studies have assessed percent fat as it relates to a semester-long nutrition course. As such, the effectiveness of a formal introductory nutrition course on lifestyle habits and percent fat of college students was examined. The current study aimed to address the relationship between percent body fat and nutrition education over the course of …

The Acceptance And Commitment Therapy Matrix Mobile App: A Pilot Randomized Trial On Health Behaviors, Michael E. Levin, Benjamin G. Pierce, Benjamin Schoendorff

Psychology Faculty Publications

Mobile apps provide a promising format for delivering acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to improve diet/exercise. This pilot trial evaluated a novel ACT-based app for health behaviors based on the matrix approach. A sample of 23 community adults were randomly assigned to use the app for two weeks or to a waitlist condition. Findings indicated a high degree of satisfaction with the app and acceptable adherence. Although the intent-to-treat sample indicated few intervention effects, when focusing on program engagers only, health behaviors significantly improved in the app condition relative to waitlist. There were no differences between conditions on valued action …

The Difference In Academic Achievement For Students In The Healthy Fitness Zone Compared To The High Risk Zone For Bmi And Aerobic Capacity, Nathan C. Pennington

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Childhood obesity rates have climbed significantly over the past 40 years. With that, there has also been an increase in the number of associated health concerns, such as diabetes, heart disease, and asthma, of many. Quite independently, there has also been an increase in the accountability placed on schools to improve their reading and math test scores. This has resulted in a decrease in physical activity times in schools in order to provide more class time for reading and math. This study’s purpose has been to identify whether a difference exists in academic outcomes for students in the HFZ compared …