Public Health Commons^™

A Coaching And/Or Education Intervention Targeting Physical Activity And Nutrition Behaviours In Parents With Overweight/Obesity And Their Children, Shazya Karmali

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The purpose of this dissertation is to provide a detailed overview of, findings from, and experiences participating in a 3-month randomized controlled trial (RCT) targeting obesity-related behaviours in parents with overweight/obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 25 kg/m²) and their children (2.5-10 years old, any weight; N = 50 dyads). A concurrent mixed methods study comprised of an RCT and descriptive qualitative design was utilized. Parent-participants received Co-Active Life Coaching (CALC) and webinar-based health education (intervention) or education only (control). To address the dissertation’s purpose, Chapter II provides a detailed methodological account of the program, including rationale and …

The Epidemiology Of Overweight And Obesity In Ghana: Examination Of Predictors And Risk Groups Among Women Of Childbearing Age, Jason Mulimba Were, Emmanuel Kojo Kyeremeh, Bridget Annor, Saverio Stranges

Africa Western Collaborations Day 2020 Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Trends In Obesity And Multimorbidity In Canada., Michael Lebenbaum, Gregory S Zaric, Amardeep Thind, Sisira Sarma

Epidemiology and Biostatistics Publications

Very few studies have examined trends in multimorbidity over time and even fewer have examined trends over time across different body mass index (BMI) groups. Given a general decline in death rates but increased cardiovascular risk factors among individuals with obesity, the trend in the association between obesity and multimorbidity is hypothesized to be increasing over time. The data for our study came from the 1996-97 National Population Health Survey and the 2005 and 2012-13 Canadian Community Health Surveys (N = 277,366 across all 3 surveys). We examined trends in the association between BMI groups and multimorbidity using a logistic …

Examining The Relationship Between Body Mass Index And Health-Related Quality Of Life Perception Among People With Mental Illness, Fatima Bukair

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

People suffering from mental illness are three times more likely to die prematurely from ‘natural’ causes than those without mental disorders as a result of their physical condition. Their life expectancy is reduced by 12-19 years. Obesity is commonly associated with mental illness and accounts for increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, stroke, heart disease, some cancers and osteoarthritis. This paper examined the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and health-related quality of life perception using the Short-Form Health Survey 36 among people living with mental illness. A Multivariate Multiple Regression model was employed to estimate the variables that …

Bariatric Surgery Recipients' Needs For Long-Term Health And Well-Being; Perspectives Of Patients And Providers, Rebecca H. Liu

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The overall purpose of this dissertation was to examine what is needed in bariatric surgery programming to support long-term health and well-being from the perspectives of the patient and providers. Study 1 assessed what bariatric surgery recipients perceive they need to best support their long-term health and well-being from a provincial sample (Ontario, Canada), and from an international sample. Study 2 explored the physical, psychological, social, and clinic-related experiences of individuals who underwent bariatric surgery at least two years prior. Study 3 investigated what bariatric clinic staff believe surgery recipients need to best support their long-term health and well-being.

Findings …

A Link Between Paediatric Asthma And Obesity: Are They Caused By The Same Environmental Conditions?, Phylicia Gonsalves

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The highly associated paediatric conditions of asthma and overweight have seen dramatic increases over the past few decades. This thesis explored air pollution exposure as a potential underlying mechanism of co-morbid asthma and overweight among adolescents aged 12 to 18 years. Data from the Canadian Community Health Survey were merged with a database containing estimates of air pollution as assessed by particulate matter ≤ 2.5 microns (PM_2.5) concentrations at the postal code centroid in southwestern Ontario. Logistic regression was used to conduct the analysis. Adolescents were more likely to be overweight as PM_2.5 concentrations increased. There was …

Body Mass Index Trajectories: The Effect Of Fetal Size And Early Life Modifiable Factors, Mathew Roy

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Background: This study examined the relationship between small for gestational age (SGA) status at birth, a measure of fetal growth restriction, and childhood body mass index trajectories (BMI) using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth. Analytic Method: Using latent growth curve modeling, the growth trajectories of a cohort of small and appropriate for gestational age singletons were modeled from 2-10 years (N=1,273 at baseline). Results: SGA status had no effect on the growth trajectories of children after adjusting for prenatal and early life sociodemographic and maternal variables, and also early life modifiable factors. Moreover, the modifiable …

Maternal Employment During Infancy And Toddlerhood: Mechanisms For Associations With Childhood Overweight/Obesity In Canada, Nathalie Victoria Metzer

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Background: Childhood overweight and obesity is a major public health issue, with approximately 1 in 3 children classified as overweight or obese in Canada. Research suggests that maternal employment during childhood may be associated with later overweight and obesity risk, but it is not known whether employment during infancy and toddlerhood has a similar effect on weight status. Mechanisms such as reduced breastfeeding and use of informal child care have been proposed in the literature but not been formally tested among infants and toddlers. It is important to identify possible mechanisms that could explain the association with overweight and obesity …

Man Versus Food: An Analysis Of 'Dude Food' Television And Public Health, Amy R. Eisner-Levine

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Contemporary food television has moved away from an instructional and cooking-centered model, to an entertainment and eating-focused one. However, public health researchers have not considered these shows in the wake of rising obesity rates. This thesis is concerned with the kinds of messages food television conveys about food and eating and is guided by three research questions: How are food and eating represented on the shows? How is health addressed? How do these shows work to create and promote a more acceptable popular discourse around unhealthy eating habits? Through an analysis of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, You Gotta Eat …

The Impact Of Obesity On Employment Participation And Earnings Among Working-Age Women In Canada: Evidence From The Nphs Longitudinal Data, Samantha L. Larose

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Background: The direct medical care costs attributable to obesity are well-known, but little is known about the indirect costs of obesity. In particular, less is known about the impact of obesity on employment participation and earnings, especially among women in Canada.

Objectives: The objectives of this study are to examine the association between obesity and employment participation and earnings, if employed, among Canadian women.

Methods: Data were taken from the last six cycles of the National Population Health Survey from 2000/01-2010/11 longitudinal cohort data from women aged 18-53 years. The association between obesity and labour market participation was analyzed using …

Obesity And Health Care Utilization Trends In Canada During The Period 1996-7 To 2009-10, Michael Lebenbaum

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

In Canada, there have been large improvements in the management of chronic diseases attributed to obesity such as diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol since the 1990s. How this trend has impacted the health care utilization patterns of obese individuals relative to normal weight individuals is unknown in Canada. This study examined health care utilization across categories of body mass index in Canada during the time period 1996 to 2010 using the 1996-7 National Population Health Survey and the 2000-1 and 2009-10 Canadian Community Health Surveys. I found that there were significant declines in the intensity of utilization of general practitioner/family …

Weight Status Underestimation Among Canadian Adolescents: An Important And Frequently Overlooked Aspect Of The Childhood Obesity Epidemic, Mary Ellen Kuenzig

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Objectives: Overweight adolescents frequently fail to recognize that they are overweight. This project examines the magnitude of weight status underestimation among overweight adolescents and identifies predictors of this underestimation.

Methods: Data from the Canadian Community Health Survey (2001-2010) were used. Overweight adolescents (N=11,452) reporting they were underweight or about right were classified as underestimating their weight. The time trend in underestimation and effects of individual-level characteristics on underestimation were examined using logistic regression. Multilevel analysis examined the effect of weight status of community-based reference groups.

Results: For every 5 overweight male adolescents, 3 underestimated their weight; 2 of 5 overweight …

Association Between The Fast-Food Environment And Obesity In Canada: A Cross-Sectional Analysis, Simon Hollands

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Frequent fast-food consumption is associated with weight gain therefore it is hypothesized that relative availability of fast-food is a risk factor for obesity. This thesis examined the association between the neighbourhood-level density of fast-food outlets and adult body mass index (BMI) in Canada. Population-based data on BMI and socio-economic variables from the 2008 Canadian Community Health Survey [CCHS] and selected neighbourhood-level socio-economic data from 2006 Canadian Census were merged with a commercial database containing geographic locations of all restaurants in Canada. The association between BMI and fast-food density (per 10,000 people in CCHS respondent’s FSA) was analyzed using ordinary least …

The Relationship Between Diet Quality And Obesity In Canadian Adults: Evidence From The 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey, Kalaivaani Sundararajan

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Background: The relationship between diet quality and obesity is unknown in Canadian adults.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to examine the association of diet quality with obesity in Canadian adults.

Methods: Data were taken from the 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey. Three indices were constructed using diet recall data: Diet Quality Index (DQI), Healthy Eating Index (HEI) and Glycemic Index (GI). Obesity was measured with body-mass index. Various confounders were also controlled. Latent-class and ordered probit modeling were used to investigate the association between diet quality and obesity.

Results: Latent-class analysis suggested that the …

Healthy Lifestyle Programs For Physical Activity And Nutrition, N.A.

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

No abstract provided.