Public Health Commons^™

The Impact Of Stress During Adolescence And The Prevalence Of Pediatric Obesity, Olatunbosun Olakunri, Venkat Venkataraman

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Obesity is a chronic condition that can be attributed to myriad factors including socioeconomic status, biological risk factors, and various environmental factors. These factors can be considered stress factors, and exposure to various levels of stress can impact the development of stress within the pediatric patients. The purpose of this study is to assess the association between the environmental, mental, social, physical, and psychological stress adolescents are exposed to and how they contribute to the prevalence of pediatric obesity throughout the United States. Understanding these risk factors can help us as a community and most importantly as clinicians develop better …

What Stigmas Still Exist For Weight Loss Medications?, Abdullah Panah, Phillip Collins

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background and Hypothesis:

Medications for weight loss are becoming far more common as more tolerable formulas have come to the market with some medications offering results almost on par with bariatric surgery. However, studies show a stigma still persists around the discussion and perception around using weight loss medications. The authors of this study hypothesized that one of the biggest hurdles patients face for weight loss medications are the stigmas associated with taking these medicines and approaching the topic.

Methods:

This was a survey-based project that consisted of an anonymous, voluntary questionnaire which was provided to patients during their regular …

Pre-Operative Clinical Variation By Health Insurance Carrier In 12,285 Male Surgical Patients With Moderate Morbid Obesity, Matthew E. Moore D.O., Gus J. Slotman M.D.

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

In the ongoing obesity epidemic, every surgeon now treats patients with weight-related medical problems. In managing these medically fragile surgical patients, every clinical insight helps. While variation according to health insurance has been reported in mixed sex bariatric surgery populations, whether or not clinical characteristics in the subset of moderately obese male surgical patients vary by insurance carrier is unknown. The objective of this study was to identify clinical variation by insurance type in moderately obese men.

Results showed that pre-operative clinical characteristics of moderately obese male surgical patients vary by the health insurance coverage type to which they subscribe. …

Pre-Operative Risk Of Medical Complications Varies By Health Insurance Carrier In Moderately Obese Women: Medicaid V Medicare V Private V Self-Pay, Paul Osterdahl D.O., Melissa Gott D.O., Amanda Sundling D.O., Gus J. Slotman M.D.

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Introduction: Clinical variation by health insurance status in mixed sex bariatric surgery populations is reported, but such variation among moderately obese women is unknown.

Objective: to identify pre-operative variation by health insurance in female surgical patients.

Conclusions: Pre-operative characteristics of moderately obese women vary by insurance. Medicare’s highest risk for cardiopulmonary problems and diabetes, and Medicaid’s highest asthma, abdominal-hepatobiliary, and psychological/behavioral complications should be considered in managing moderately obese women subscribing to these carriers.