Life Sciences Commons^™

Effectiveness Of Intervention Studies Based On Diet And/Or Physical Activity In Treatment, Prevention, And Management Of Diabetes Among South Asians: A Systematic Review, Ishaan Arora

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to describe diet and/or physical activity-based interventions and their control in cardiometabolic risk factors of diabetes for the South Asian (SA) population. A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Seventeen randomized control trials meeting the inclusion criteria were included for analysis. Interventions with type-2 diabetic SA showed significant improvements in HbA1c% (4/5 studies), fasting blood glucose (3/4 studies), and postprandial glucose (2/2 studies). Interventions with at-risk/prediabetic and non-diabetic SA showed a modest change in overall outcomes, with significant change reported for post-prandial insulin (3/4 studies), BMI and weight (2/4 studies), …

Relationships Among Sleep, Physical Activity, And Weight Status In Children And Adolescents, Agnes Bucko

Theses and Dissertations

Sleep and physical activity are both associated with multiple behavioral and metabolic health outcomes, and both behaviors have been linked to the development of weight status. Recent estimates suggest that many children are not meeting sleep recommendations or participating in adequate levels of physical activity, which may be related to the high prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity. Much of the research assessing these relationships has focused on adults and older children, and has relied on parent- or child-reported, cross-sectional research in predominantly White samples. Little work has focused on these relationships in very young children. Although more research has …

Physical Activity And Stress Between American Students And Asian International Students At The University Of South Carolina, Hao Lei

Theses and Dissertations

Many college students are physically inactive and have high levels of stress, and this may be worse among increasing number of international students studying in the US. This study investigated the relationship between physical activity and stress among American students (n=92) and Asian international students (n=64). The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare MET minutes/week from the International Physical Activity Questionnaire short form between those two groups. The independent-samples t test compared the mean of stress from the Perceived Stress Scale between those two groups. Chi-square test was used to compare the percentage of Asian international students and American students …

Physical Activity In Individuals With Down Syndrome: A Qualitative Examination Of The Perspectives Of Guardians And Health Professionals, Emma Schultz

Theses and Dissertations

Identifying factors that influence physical activity (PA) among individuals with Down syndrome (DS) is essential for PA promotion. Insight can be gained from guardians and health professionals. The purpose was to compare guardians and health professional perspectives on facilitators and barriers of PA in individuals with DS. Interviews were conducted with 11 guardians (5 mothers, 4 fathers, 2 legal guardians) and 11 professionals (4 PA specialists, 3 physical therapists, 4 occupational therapists). Grounded Theory was applied to data analysis. Barriers and facilitators fit the levels of the Ecological Model of Health Behavior: (a) Intrapersonal (perceived rewards); (b) Interpersonal (interaction); (c) …

Changes In Physical Activity And Relationships To Submaximal Exercise Capacity And Cardiac Function During Breast Cancer Therapy, Moriah P. Bellissimo

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Breast cancer (BC) survivors are at high risk for heart failure due to curative cancer therapies. In non-cancer populations, physical activity is a first line treatment for preventing cardiovascular disease. This study examined whether more physical activity was associated with better submaximal exercise capacity and cardiac function during the first three months of cancer therapy.

Methods: Participants included 223 women with stage I-III BC before therapy and after three months of undergoing treatment and 126 controls. Leisure time physical activity was reported using the Godin Sheppard leisure time exercise questionnaire. Cardiac function was assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance, and …

The Relationship Of Structured Environments With Children’S Body Composition And Obesogenic Behaviors, Ethan T. Hunt

Theses and Dissertations

Recent nationally representative data show among children and adolescents aged 2 to 19 years, the prevalence of obesity is 17.0% (95CI= 15.5%-18.6%). Further, rates of obesity are disproportionately high among minoritized youth. The prevalence of children and adolescents with obesity is lower among White children compared to Black children (14.7% vs. 19.5%) or Hispanic children (14.7% vs. 21.9%). Disparities by socioeconomic status exist as well. Prevalence of children with obesity from households with an income that is >350% of the federal poverty threshold (after accounting for household size) is significantly less compared to children from households with an income that …

Relationship Between Cognitive Performance, Physical Activity, And Socio-Demographic/ Individual Characteristics Among Aging Americans, Imtiaz Masfique Dowllah

Theses and Dissertations

Despite the attenuation of association following adjustments for covariates, participants who engaged in 3–6 hr/wk of vigorous- and > 1 hr/wk of moderate-intensity PA scored significantly higher in tests that assessed executive function and processing speed domains of cognition compared to inactive peers (η2 = 0.005 & 0.007 respectively, p < 0.05). Also, after adjustment, the effects of 1–3 hr/wk of vigorous-intensity PA became trivial for the delayed recall memory domain test scores (β = 0.33; 95% CI: –0.01, 0.67; η2 = 0.002; p = 0.56). There was no clear dose-response relationship between the cognitive test scores and weekly moderate-intensity PA. Interestingly, higher handgrip strength and higher late-life body-mass-index were associated with a higher performance across all cognitive domains. Observed associations provide evidence linking habitual PA with superior cognition health among older adults. Furthermore, increased muscle strength and higher late-life adiposity may …

The Influence Of Sport Participation On Physical Activity In Youth, Emily R. Shull

Theses and Dissertations

Youth sport participation has been widely supported as a strategy for promoting physical activity in children and youth. Previous research has identified positive associations between youth sport participation and children’s physical activity levels. However, there is a paucity of research regarding characteristics of youth sport that may affect the amount and intensity of physical activity youth attain during sport participation. This dissertation is comprised of three studies, and the overall purpose is to examine how characteristics of youth sport associate with children’s physical activity. In the first study, the relationship between types of sport participation and objectively measured physical activity …

Handgrip Strength In Cancer Survivors: 2011-2014 National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey, Ayla Monet Kibler

Theses and Dissertations

Cachexia, or a loss of muscle mass, has been identified as a potential indicator of cancer survival rates. Previous explorations in research have connected muscular strength to muscle loss and cancer survivorship, but nationally generalizable findings are limited. PURPOSE: To investigate handgrip strength in cancer survivors using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a nationally representative sample of US adults. METHODS: The analysis included 368 males and 425 females from the 2011-2014 NHANES dataset. Cancer survivor information (type of cancer and age of diagnosis) was determined by questionnaire. Cancer types were grouped into the following: skin cancers, reproductive …

Characterizing Patterns Of Adherence To Physical Activity Goals In Behavioral Weight Control, Melissa Lee Stansbury

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Many individuals fall short of the physical activity (PA) goals provided during lifestyle programs, and there is considerable variability in weight loss response and adherence to recommendations for behavior change. Weight loss response within the early weeks of program initiation predicts future weight loss success; however, little is known about what distinguishes those who respond well to treatment from those who fail to respond. Exposing the behavioral patterns which underlie weight loss response may point towards targets for treatment optimization. The purpose of this study was to (1) characterize individuals with distinct patterns of adherence to PA goals during …

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 …

Neighborhood Socioeconomic Environment And Its Influence On Cardiorespiratory Fitness And Physical Activity In Youth, Morgan N. Clennin

Theses and Dissertations

Among youth, inadequate cardiorespiratory fitness and physical inactivity are powerful markers of health associated with numerous health outcomes across the lifespan. Unfortunately, a majority of U.S. youth have inadequate cardiorespiratory fitness levels and do not meet physical activity guidelines. While previous research has identified several individual-level factors associated with youth cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity, environmental factors have been increasingly recognized. Of particular interest is the neighborhood socioeconomic environment, which has been consistently associated with several health outcomes among adults. However, little is known regarding the relationship between the neighborhood socioeconomic environment, cardiorespiratory fitness, and physical activity among younger populations. …

Impact Of Aerobic Exercise On Monocyte Subset Receptor Expression And Macrophage Polarization, Anson M. Blanks

Theses and Dissertations

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) is hallmarked by inflammatory immune activation, particularly by the induction of a response by monocytes. Classical (CD14⁺⁺CD16^-) are anti-inflammatory mediators under homeostatic conditions, while intermediate (CD14⁺⁺CD16⁺) and non-classical (CD14^LowCD16⁺⁺) monocytes promote inflammation following activation. Monocyte activation and functionality is dependent upon receptor expression and ligand production by a variety of cells, including monocytes. Alterations in the expression of surface receptors often have a direct impact upon monocyte function, such as the increased pro-inflammatory cytokine production in response to activation that accompanies elevated CD14 expression …

The Effects Of Physical Activity, Sedentary Time, And Atherosclerosison Fluid Flow In The Lumbar Intervertebral Disc, Jennifer Ann Bowden

Theses and Dissertations

Physical activity impacts health and disease in multiple body tissues including the intervertebral discs. Fluid flow within the disc is an indicator of disc health that can be observed using diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging. We monitored activity levels of 26 participants, age 35 to 55 yrs, using Actigraph accelerometers for four days to evaluate vigorous-intensity activity, moderate to vigorous-intensity activity, and sedentary time. Participants underwent structural and diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate intervertebral disc health and fluid flow. They also underwent bone density scans, carotid artery ultrasounds, a treadmill test, and a physical exam for pain, range …

Total Energy Expenditure In Captive Sapajus Apella, Wren Edwards

Theses and Dissertations

Primates expend approximately 50% less energy (kcal/day) for their body size than other eutherians. Using the doubly labeled water method, I investigated total energy expenditure (TEE) and physical activity in Sapajus apella. S. apella TEE was similar (p=0.67) to other platyrrhines, but 54% lower than expected for body mass.

Associations Between Physical Activity And Weight Status With Grade-School Performance, Taylor Panfil

Theses and Dissertations

Physical activity and weight control are predictive of childhood health, but more recent research suggests they may also be associated with academic success.

PURPOSE: To explore the relationships between physical activity, weight status, and academic performance in children.

METHODS: 614 third-to-fifth grade children (53.9% female, age 9.6 ± 0.9 years) from two Midwestern communities participated. Physical activity was assessed using a Digiwalker 200-SW pedometer worn for seven consecutive days. Teachers provided an estimate of general academic performance, and children were categorized into three performance groups (high, moderate, low). School behavior (attentiveness, staying on task, interruptive behavior) was assessed by the …

Healthy Eating And Physical Activity Environmental And Policy Assessment – Measurement Issues And Implications, Rahma Jamea Yousef Ajja

Theses and Dissertations

Current research has suggested that supportive healthy eating and physical activity (HEPA) policy and practice environments play a significant role in shaping the physical activity levels and eating habits of youth. Subsequently, a wide array of audit tools assessing policy and practice environment characteristics across settings that care for youth were developed. However, the extent that available audit tools accurately reflect the policy environment characteristics of the settings that care for the youth population remains unknown. Therefore, this dissertation encompasses four studies. The purpose of the first study was to examine the measurement properties of audit tools currently in use …

Patient And Provider Perceptions Of Weight Gain, Physical Activity, And Nutrition In Pregnancy, Kara M. Whitaker

Theses and Dissertations

Background: The high percentage of women who enter pregnancy overweight or obese and gain excessive weight during pregnancy is a growing public health problem. Health care providers are recommended to counsel women on weight gain, physical activity (PA), and nutrition during pregnancy. However, little is known about patient or provider perceptions of these topics. Purpose: Guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), this study examined women’s and health care providers’ perceptions of weight gain, PA, and nutrition in pregnancy. This study also examined the role of the health care provider in optimizing pregnancy weight gain. Methods: Pregnant women between …

A Randomized Controlled Trial To Study The Effects Of Breakfast On Energy Intake, Physical Activity, And Body Fat In Women, Gabrielle Marie Lecheminant

Theses and Dissertations

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of eating breakfast on energy intake, physical activity, body weight, and body fat in women who were nonhabitual breakfast eaters over a one-month period. METHODS: We tested 49 premenopausal, nonhabitual breakfast-eating women to compare the effects of eating breakfast versus not eating breakfast. Each participant was randomized to one of two conditions: breakfast or no breakfast. Breakfast eaters were required to eat within an hour and a half of awakening and had to be finished eating their breakfast meal by 8:30 A.M. Non-breakfast eaters were defined as not consuming …

The Relationship Between Television Viewing Time And Cardiorespiratory Fitness In Adult Women, Peter Jacob Arens

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The present investigation was conducted to assess the relationship between television viewing time and cardiorespiratory fitness. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Intermountain West. Participants: 302 middle-aged women. Method: TV viewing was assessed using a questionnaire. Cardiorespiratory fitness was measured using a maximal graded treadmill test. Physical activity (PA) was evaluated using Actigraph accelerometers worn over seven consecutive days, while body fat percentage (BF%) was measured using air displacement plethysmography (Bod Pod). Results: (Mean ± SD) age: 40.2 ± 3.0 years. VO2max of the frequent (≥ 3hrs/day) TV group (32.6 ± 6.4) was significantly lower than both the moderate (1-2 hrs/day) (36.2 …

Validity Of Four Activity Monitors During Controlled And Free-Living Conditions, Joey Lee

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the step count validity of the pendulum-based Yamax Digiwalker SW-701 pedometer (YX), piezoelectric Omron HJ-720-T pedometer (OP), uni-axial Polar Active accelerometer (PAC), and micro electro-mechanical system Actigraph gt3x accelerometer (AG) during controlled and free-living conditions. A convenience sample of college-aged students participated in Study 1 (treadmill walking, n = 43; 21 females) and Study 2 (free-living, n = 37; 18 females). During study 1, subjects walked on a treadmill at five speeds for 3-minutes per stage wearing all four devices while a researcher manually counted steps which provided a criterion measure. During …

Classroom Exercise Breaks And Educational Outcomes In Elementary School Students, Erin Kaye Howie

Theses and Dissertations

Previous research has shown that physical activity may have beneficial effects on cognitive performance and academic achievement in children, but the optimal type and dose are unknown. Classroom exercise breaks are one type of physical activity opportunity in schools, with the potential to reach a large number of children. The purpose of this dissertation was to describe the prevalence and characteristics of classroom exercise breaks in central South Carolina, and to determine the acute effects of classroom exercise breaks on executive functions, math performance, on-task behavior and affective responses in 9 to 12 year-old children. Additionally, the dissertation examined the …

Associations Between Resting Metabolic Rate And Energy Storage In Young Adults, Robin Shook

Theses and Dissertations

At the most basic level obesity is the result of a chronic imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure. However, the exact etiology is considerably more complex and may involve a variety of physiological and behavioral factors. Metabolic disturbances, including reduced fat oxidation as measured by the respiratory quotient (RQ) and reduced resting metabolic rate (RMR), have been identified as possible predictors of changes in body weight and body composition. RMR represents the largest component (60-80%) of caloric expenditure that contributes to total daily energy expenditure in humans and has high inter-person variability (±25%) but not within individuals (<±5%). The cause of this variability between individuals and the exact role of RMR and RQ in determining body weight and body composition are uncertain.

This …

Psychological Well-Being And Dietary Quality Of College Women: Examining The Confounding Influence Of Sleep And Physical Activity, Whitney Ann Hebbert

Theses and Dissertations

Objective. To determine the relationship between overall psychological well-being and stress on diet quality among young adult women and to examine the potential confounding influence of season, physical activity and sleep on these relationships. Design/Participants. The study used a cross-sectional design. Three hundred and fifty-one women were recruited to participate in the study. All participants were university students (20.2 ± 1.6 y). Overall psychological well-being was assessed using the General Well-being Schedule (GWB) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Diet intake was measured using three 24-hour recalls over a seven day period. The Healthy Eating Index (HEI) was calculated to …

Intensity Of Physical Activity And Body Composition: A Cross-Sectional Analysis Of Young Adult Women, Pamela Ruth Borup

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between intensity of physical activity and body composition in 239 young adult women.

Methods: This study was cross-sectional. Participants were recruited from October 2009 to December 2011 and included women from 36 different states and 6 different countries. Physical activity was objectively measured using accelerometers worn for seven days. Body composition was measured using the BOD POD. Height, weight, and circumferences were assessed.

Results: Participant's mean age was 20.6±1.6 years. Their mean BMI was 22.6±3.0 kg/m2 and mean body fat percentage was 26.4±6.3 %. Average total activity counts per …

The Effect Of Resistance Training On Strength And Total Physical Activity In Postpartum Females, Tiffany Kaye Hinman

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to compare strength and physical activity (PA) changes in postpartum women randomly assigned to either a four-month progressive resistance training (RT) program or a four month flexibility program. Sixty healthy women between six weeks and eight months postpartum initiated the study and 43 completed the entire study. The women tended to be overweight, were all non-smokers, and most were breastfeeding (97%) at the beginning of the study. Both groups (RT and flexibility) completed training exercises twice weekly. Both groups improved in all measures of strength (RT group: leg press, P < 0.001; bench press, P < 0.001; curl-ups, P < 0.001. Flexibility group: leg press, P = 0.009; bench press, P < 0.001; curl-ups, P = 0.005); however, the RT group had higher strength gains compared to the flexibility group over time (leg press, P < 0.005; bench press, P < 0.001; curl-ups, P < 0.007). In addition, both groups increased in low back flexibility but the group*period interaction did not reach significance (P = 0.096). Light-intensity PA increased in the RT group but not the flexibility group (P < 0.05). A group*period interaction was significant for light-intensity PA time (P = 0.031) and borderline significant for sedentary time (P = 0.054). However, controlling for the number of months postpartum and weight gain during the previous pregnancy resulted in a significant interaction for sedentary time (P < 0.05). No changes were found in moderate, vigorous, or moderate to vigorous PA within or between groups over time. In conclusion, twice-weekly RT increases strength and is associated with improvements in several PA outcomes in postpartum women; however, the mechanisms for this are unclear. The training sessions and/or increased spontaneous activity may have contributed.

A Family Home Evening Based Method For Improving Physical Activity Levels In Families, Megan Maughan Wyatt

Theses and Dissertations

The prevalence of physical inactivity has been recognized as a risk factor for multiple chronic disease conditions in both adults and children. Recently efforts to increase healthy behaviors have been promoted through religious groups (Ken Resnicow et al., 2002). The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) has a unique program called Family Home Evening (FHE) that could be used to teach and potentially improve physical activity. Six FHE lessons were designed to be taught in 6 consecutive weeks within a family environment. A total of 84 families (parents and children) were recruited for participation. Participating families were randomized …

A Correlational Study: The Relationship Between Physical Activity Levels, Physical Self-Worth, And Global Self-Worth In High School Physical Education Students, Ashley Danelle Eyre

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between physical activity levels, physical self-worth, and its sub-domains; (a) skill, (b) body attractiveness, (c) fitness and conditioning, and (d) strength, and overall global self-worth in high school students. One-Hundred and sixty-seven students (male = 66;female = 101) from the western United States, ages 13-18, participated in this study. Each participant completed a minimum of four days of physical activity (PA) data collection and completed the self-worth questionnaire. Pedometers were used to collect PA levels, calculating mean step counts, and the Children and Youth Physical Self-Perception Profile (CY-PSPP) was used …

Reasons For Physical Activity And Exercise Participation In Senior Athletes, Deborah Lynne Fife

Theses and Dissertations

Research on physical activity and exercise in the elderly is limited. This study used the Participation Motivation Questionnaire for Older Adults (PMQOA) to assess reasons for engaging in regular physical activity of participants at the 2007 Huntsman World Senior Games. The 259 subjects ranged from ages 50 to 85 years and were divided into tertiles based on frequency of exercise, determined by self reported weekly exercise time and days for further comparison. The most commonly reported reasons for exercise were to stay healthy, keep physically fit, and stay in shape. A previously conducted factor analysis on the PMAOQ revealed six …

C-Reactive Protein Levels According To Physical Activity And Body Weight For Participants In The Coronary Health Improvement Project, Michael T. Massey

Theses and Dissertations

Objectives. Evaluate C-reactive protein (CRP) levels according to weight and physical activity. The study explored how changes in CRP were associated with baseline CRP, weight, and physical activity and changes in these variables.

Methods. A randomized controlled study design assigned 348 individuals to the intervention or control group with measurements taken at baseline, 6 weeks, and 6 months of body weight, physical activity, and serum CRP levels. Participants attended an intensive 40-hour educational course delivered over a four-week period.

Results. At baseline, CRP was negatively associated with total steps/week, and positively associated with weight, BMI, percent fat, and saturated fat …