Public Health Commons^™

The Association Between The Neighbourhood Food Environment And Prevalence Of Three Chronic Diseases In Urban Canada: A Cross-Sectional Analysis, Jagraj Singh Pandher

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Research on the association between the neighbourhood food environment and prevalence of chronic diseases is very limited in Canada. The objective of this thesis was to investigate: (i) the associations between the neighbourhood food environment and prevalence of type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease and hypertension among Canadian adults living in urban areas; and (ii) whether or not dietary patterns, obesity and physical activity mediate such associations. Self-reported diagnosis of three chronic diseases, and individual-level socio-demographic and lifestyle variables were taken from the 2009-2010 Canadian Community Health Survey; neighbourhood-level socio-economic data were taken from the 2011 National Household Survey; and the …

The Sixties Scoop Among Aboriginal Veterans: A Critical Narrative Study, Munira Abdulwasi

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This study explored the experience of Aboriginal Veterans adopted and/or fostered during the Sixties Scoop using critical narrative inquiry. The objectives were to: 1) understand the lived experience of Aboriginal veterans adopted and/or fostered during the Sixties Scoop, 2) explore any health needs expressed by Aboriginal veterans adopted and/or fostered during the Sixties Scoop, and 3) provide recommendations for the implementation of health services and programs to assist this group of Aboriginal veterans with their health needs. Eight individual interviews were conducted with participants in Kitchener-Waterloo, London, Ottawa, Winnipeg, and Vancouver. All interviews were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using …

Exploring Mothers' Influence On Preschoolers' Physical Activity Levels And Sedentary Time, Alana M. Maltby

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Physical activity (PA) patterns continue from childhood into adulthood; therefore, establishing healthy PA levels early is imperative. Mothers have been identified as influencing preschoolers’ activity behaviours; however, a holistic exploration of maternal influence is lacking. The purpose of this study was to explore maternal influence on preschoolers’ PA and sedentary time. Preschoolers (n = 30) and their mothers wore ActicalTM accelerometers, and mothers completed the adapted Environmental Determinants of Physical Activity in Preschool Children - Parent Survey. Direct entry regression analyses were conducted to explore maternal influence (e.g., support, enjoyment) on preschoolers’ activity levels. Maternal support was a significant predictor …

The Effect Of A Multiple Modality Mind-Motor Exercise Intervention On Single And Dual-Task Gait, Balance, And Executive Function, In Community Dwelling Older Adults With A Subjective Cognitive Complaint: A Randomized Controlled Trial., John P. Bocti

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Cognitive decline disorders are becoming increasingly prevalent, with older adults at increased risk. Combined exercise has been recently explored as an intervention to help to prevent the decline, however cognitive activation in combination with physical activity has yet to be explored. Therefore, the purpose of the study is to determine the effects of multiple modality exercise programs in combination with a mind-motor task and their effects on mobility and cognitive variables. A total of (n=89) older adults (55+ yrs), with subjective cognitive complaints participated in a multiple modality exercise class, three days a week over six months, with the intervention …

The Healthy Mind, Healthy Mobility Trial: A Novel Exercise Program For Older Adults, Dawn P. Gill, Michael A. Gregory, Guangyong Zou, Teresa Liu-Ambrose, Ryosuke Shigematsu, Vladimir Hachinski, Clara Fitzgerald, Robert Petrella

Lifestyle Research Team

BACKGROUND:

More evidence is needed to conclude that a specific program of exercise and/or cognitive training warrants prescription for the prevention of cognitive decline. We examined the effect of a group-based standard exercise program for older adults, with and without dual-task training, on cognitive function in older adults without dementia.

METHODS:

We conducted a proof-of-concept, single-blinded, 26-wk randomized controlled trial whereby participants recruited from preexisting exercise classes at the Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging in London, Ontario, were randomized to the intervention group (exercise + dual-task [EDT]) or the control group (exercise only [EO]). Each week (2 or 3 …

The Utility Of A Protection Motivation Theory Framework For Understanding Sedentary Behaviour, Tiffany S. Wong

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This study aimed to 1) examine the factor structure and composition of sedentary-derived Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) constructs and 2) determine the utility of these constructs in predicting general and leisure sedentary goal intention (GI), implementation intention (II), and sedentary behaviour (SB). PMT, GI, II constructs, and a modified SB questionnaire were completed by undergraduate students. After completing socio-demographics and the PMT items (n = 787), participants were randomized to complete general or leisure intention and SB items. Irrespective of model, principal axis factor analysis revealed that the PMT items grouped into eight coherent and interpretable factors. Using linear …

University Students' Perceptions Of The Relationship Between Bus Pass Ownership And Physical Activity Levels, Hieu Ly

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between university students’: (a) perceptions of having a discounted bus pass and transit-related physical activity; (b) perceptions of having a discounted bus pass and weekly physical activity levels; and (c) transit-related physical activity and weekly physical activity levels. A sample of 545 undergraduate students completed an online survey. The analysis of three correlations and three t-tests illustrated significant relationships between students’ perceptions of the discounted bus pass and their transit-related physical activity, and males’ and females’ weekly physical activity levels. Three major themes emerged from the open-ended responses, which …

Evidence-Informed Advocacy: Non-Profit Organizations Use Of Evidence For Policy Influence In Public Health - A Case Study Of Wash Org Uganda, Carolyne Esther Nabalema

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Nonprofit organizations play a crucial role in lobbying governments for policy changes besides engaging in direct service delivery. Improved utilization of research and other evidence in health policy and practice will help save lives and improve quality of life. This case study of WashOrg International in East Africa was informed by two major questions 1) how is evidence on water, sanitation and hygiene being used by non-profit organizations to shape policy advocacy activities 2) what kinds of internal capacity exist in WashOrg International to use water, sanitation and hygiene evidence to inform policy advocacy? Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, …