Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Evaluating The Indirect Effects Of A Community-Based Child Obesity Prevention Program On Adult Health Behaviors, Emily K. Rocheleau

College of Nursing and Health Sciences Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Project Publications

Purpose: Community-based intervention (CBI) programs aim to change individuals’ behaviors to reduce the risk of chronic disease, often by addressing factors that contribute to obesity. To provide information for improving interventions, program evaluation is needed. In Franklin and Grand Isle Counties, childhood extreme obesity decreased where a child-targeted, obesity prevention focused CBI was implemented. It has been shown that these programs can have an indirect effect on parent health/body mass index (BMI), but it is unclear if indirect effects of such programs have an impact on adult BMI and related health behaviors. The purpose of this project was to determine …

Bullying And Adolescent Obesity In Vermont High School Students, Lauren Blum, Marlene Colon, Matthew Gilwee, Madeline Leopold, Eva Orr, Thomas Delaney

Master of Public Health Culminating Projects

Objectives. To examine the association between bullying and obesity in Vermont high school students and to provide new insights on effective approaches for mitigating risk of both variables in the public health, healthcare, and teaching professions across Vermont.

Methods. Data came from the 2019 Vermont Youth Risk Behavior Survey (VYRBS) (n = 18,612). We analyzed the relationship between days bullied and obesity, controlling for the confounding effects of risky behaviors. We identified situations that led to increases in both primary predictor variables.

Results. Statistical analysis yielded a significant positive association between days bullied and obesity. Students bullied for 1 – …

Effects Of Gender, Physical Activity, Weight Status, And Mental Health Symptomatology On Primary Care Utilization, John W. Carew, Jaime Cotton, Hannah Shoshan, Alex Gevirtz, Thomas Delaney, Donna O'Malley

Master of Public Health Culminating Projects

Objectives. To determine the association between weight status, gender, physical activity, and mental health symptomatology on utilizing primary care in the last year.

Methods. We used data from the 2019 Vermont Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. We used multivariate logistic regression and X² tests of association to assess factors associated with primary care utilization.

Results. Gender and obese or overweight status are significantly associated with one’s likelihood of utilizing healthcare in the past year. For those with 1-13 bad mental health days, the odds of having utilized healthcare in the past year are 1.65 times greater among women than …

Measuring The Impact Of Rise Vt: Evaluating Community-Based Obesity Prevention Initiatives With A Standardized Intensity Score, Brianna K. Johnson Bsn, Rn, Ocn, Dnpc

College of Nursing and Health Sciences Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Project Publications

Background. Obesity is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the US. Rise VT is a multilevel community-based initiative to reduce obesity. The Community Programs and Policies Intensity Score (CPPI) is a standardized metric to evaluate multisector efforts over time, which has correlated with reductions in childhood obesity.

Purpose. The purpose of this project was to quantify the impact of Rise VT using the CPPI score. A secondary aim was to assess the feasibility of using the CPPI score for ongoing program planning and evaluation statewide.

Methods. Interviews with program managers were conducted to gather data related to …

The Impacts Of Preconception Nutrition On Pregnancy: An Educational Module Promoting Preconception Care, Alexa R. Holleran

College of Nursing and Health Sciences Nursing Master Project Publications

Recent research has shown that maternal overweight and obesity (OW/OB) prior to conception are directly and independently associated with negative outcomes in pregnancy, birth, infancy, childhood, and beyond. The purpose of this project was to create and evaluate educational materials for providers who work with women of childbearing age, in order to encourage and facilitate conversations about the importance of preconception nutrition in family planning. A literature review was conducted, and from it two documents were created: 1) an educational module for providers offering background information, relevant research, and tips for discussing the matter with patients; and 2) an infographic-style …

Provider Attitudes And Practice Patterns Of Obesity Management With Pharmacotherapy, Brittany Granara

Graduate College Dissertations and Theses

Background and Purpose: More than one-third of American adults are obese. The prevalence of extreme obesity is rapidly rising. Nine medications are currently approved for weight loss yet they remain under utilized with the focus primarily on lifestyle modifications. The study's objective was to determine current prescribing patterns and attitudes of weight loss medications in the management of obesity among primary care providers (PCPs).

Methods: PCPs were surveyed to determine practice patterns, attitudes, barriers, and facilitators for prescribing weight loss medications.

Conclusions: A total of 105 surveys were completed. 76% of all PCPs did not prescribe weight loss medications for …

Hedonic Mechanisms Of Weight Changes In Medication Assisted Treatment For Opioid Addiction, Elizabeth Mcdonald

Graduate College Dissertations and Theses

Opioid abuse and addiction affects more than 2.4 million people in the United States. Medication assisted treatment (MAT), in combination with counseling, is recognized as the most effective treatment for patients with opioid dependence and abuse. Although MAT is considered the most effective treatment, previous research has found clinically significant weight gain with methadone. The purpose of this study was to determine if hedonic eating behaviors, sugar cravings, and addictive like eating was related to weight gain in opioid addicted patients receiving methadone and buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone™). Hedonic eating behaviors were measured using three validated surveys. Following survey collection, a chart …