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Association Between Childhood Obesity, Family Meals, And Dietary Quality Among Us Children Aged 6 To 17 Years Residing In Snap-Eligible Households, Noemi Rodriguez

Dissertations and Theses

Background:

Between 20 and 21% of US children 6-19 have obesity. Children residing in households eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are exposed to vulnerable socioeconomic conditions, often living in low-resourced households and communities. These children are at a high risk for obesity, and thus to obesity-related comorbidities as well as adulthood obesity. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends family meals as well as diets meeting the American Dietary Guidelines as an obesity prevention strategy. These are connected; the dominantly theorized pathway by which family meals protect against childhood obesity is through the diet quality of the …

Qualitative Analysis Of Cancer Care Experiences Among Rural Cancer Survivors And Caregivers, Kendra L. Ratnapradipa, Jordan Ranta, Krishtee Napit, Lady Beverly Luma, Tamara Robinson, Danae Dinkel, Laura Schabloske, Shinobu Watanabe-Galloway

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

PURPOSE: Rural (vs urban) patients experience poorer cancer outcomes and are less likely to be engaged in cancer prevention, such as screening. As part of a community needs assessment, we explored rural cancer survivors' and caregivers' experiences, perceptions, and attitudes toward cancer care services.

METHODS: We conducted 3 focus groups (N = 20) in Spring 2021 in rural Nebraska.

FINDINGS: Three patterns of cancer diagnosis were regular care/screening without noticeable symptoms, treatment for symptoms not initially identified as cancer related, and symptom self-identification. Most participants, regardless of how diagnosis was made, had positive experiences with timely referral for testing (imaging …

Interactions Of International Pilots' Stress, Fatigue, Symptoms Of Depression, Anxiety, Common Mental Disorders And Wellbeing, Marion Venus, Martin Grosse Holtforth

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

Objective

This study Investigates more dimensions than previous studies simultaneously: pilots’ duty rosters, stress, sleep difficulties, fatigue levels, wellbeing, symptoms of depression, anxiety, and common mental disorders (CMD), and how they are interrelated.

Background

Several scientific studies have confirmed that fatigue can pose a significant risk to flight safety. Other studies reported positive depression screening results for more pilots, compared with the general population.

Method

A cross-sectional online survey was completed by 406 international pilots, who reported their duty rosters of the last two months. Pilots also self-assessed their stress-levels, sleep problems, fatigue, wellbeing, and mental health.

Results

Although pilots …

Human Health Risk Assessment Of Heavy Metals In Roadside Dust Near Hydropower Dams Construction Areas In Wangduephodrang District Of Bhutan, Kinley Dorjee

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

The concern over the heavy metal laden dust and its impact on human health has gained global importance over the decade. Exposure to roadside dust is associated with various acute and chronic health issues. Bhutan too is battling environmental health issues due to increasing anthropogenic and developmental activities such as hydropower dam construction. This study analyses the heavy metals concentrations in roadside dust near hydropower dam construction areas and assesses the noncancer and cancer risk of exposure to heavy metals laden dust through inhalation. This study was a cross sectional study. The roadside dust samples near hydropower dam construction in …

Who's Included? A Systematic Review Of Socio-Demographics And Participant Recruitment Within The Investigation Of Periodontal Disease And Its Treatment Effect On Hemoglobin A1c, Jaclyn L. Johnson

All Master's Theses

Diabetes mellitus and periodontal disease are major global public health concerns. Within the United States (U.S.) over 34 million adults have diagnosed diabetes (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2020a), and 64 million U.S. adults have periodontitis (American Academy of Periodontology [AAP], 2021a). Research has shown that persons with diabetes have a coinfection with periodontal disease at a rate between 2.6 and 2.9 times higher than persons without diabetes (Wang et al., 2014). Diabetes and periodontal disease collectively and disproportionately affect persons of low socioeconomic status (SES), age, and particular racial/ethnic identities (AAP, n.d.b; CDC, 2021; Connolly et al., …

Factors Associated With Accidental Drug Exposure In U.S. Adults Over 65 Years Of Age, Edwin Raj

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Medication errors are a major public health issue and a leading cause of fatalities in the United States and globally. Older adults who rely on medications to address age-related health issues are at higher risk of medication errors. Accidental exposure to drugs is a major type of medication error that impacts older people more than other age groups. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the association between patient gender, age group, and reporter type and accidental exposure to drugs in older people. The ecological model was used to guide the study. Logistic regression analysis was used …

Appraisal Of Institutional Antimicrobial Stewardship In Selected Public Health Facilities In Nigeria, Joshua Olusegun Obasanya

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The misuse of antimicrobials (AM) constitutes a huge problem in developing countries, including Nigeria, posing severe public health threats to the populace’s health. Misuse contributes to the high consumption of AM, driving the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Establishing functional antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programs at the health facility levels is recognized as an effective and efficient strategies to tackle AMR. Literature is replete with evidence of poor prescription practices, but few studies assessing the factors contributing to inappropriate use of AM in Nigeria exist. The purpose of this study was to improve the understanding of AMS practice at …

Exploring Parent Support For School-Based Health Programs To Reduce Childhood, Alaphiah Delaney Campbell Byfield

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The rise in childhood obesity rates continues globally despite the design and implementation of social programs aimed at curtailing that phenomenon. The government of Jamaica has indicated that a whole-of-government, whole-of-society approach is needed to control obesity. The literature has shown that in Jamaica, support for being fluffy impedes progress toward addressing the problem of childhood obesity; being fluffy is considered attractive and a sign that one has a good life. Studies have shown that obese or overweight children are at risk for developing psychosocial (e.g., having low self-esteem, and underperforming academically) and medical problems (e.g., noncommunicable diseases such as …

Health Educators’ Perspectives On Black And Latin@ College Students’ Health Literacy, Desiree Williams Brown

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractEmerging adulthood is a critical life stage when participation in higher education can facilitate the transition of young individuals into adulthood and independence. The barriers associated with low health literacy levels are higher among racial or ethnic groups facing health inequalities, including those enrolled in higher education institutions. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore how health educators promoted the health literacy of Black and Latino emerging adult college students. The theoretical framework was based on Bandura’s social cognitive theory. Eight health professionals who served to promote health literacy across diverse college campuses and different states in …

Chronic Kidney Disease And Depressive Disorders Among Adult Non-Hispanic African Americans And Whites In Georgia, Omatola Gordon-Rose

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Chronic kidney disease (CKD), depressive disorders, and mental health are significant health issues in the United States. The purpose of this study was to examine the association of CKD and depressive disorders and days of poor mental health in adults living in Georgia, controlling for race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, age, diabetes mellitus status, high blood pressure status, marital status, and number of adults in the household. The study was a descriptive, quantitative, cross-sectional design with secondary data analysis, and the framework used was Wilson and Cleary health-related quality of life measures. The 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey weighted …

Disparities In Caregiver-Reported Dental Cavities And Toothaches Among Children In The Special Supplemental Nutrition For Women, Infants, And Children (Wic) Program, Denise M. Claiborne, Chun Chen, Qi Zhang

Dental Hygiene Faculty Publications

Purpose: Dental caries is prevalent among low-income and minority children despite oral health promotion programs. The purpose of this study was to examine disparities associated with caregiver-reported cavities and toothaches among children in the United States aged 2-4 years by their eligibility for and participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program.

Methods: A secondary data analysis was performed using the 2016 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) data on children aged 2-4 years (n=7,719) with complete WIC participation information. Three groups were formed based on WIC eligibility and participation status: WIC participants, income-eligible non-participants, …

African American Women’S Body Image Perceptions And The Built Environment, Andrea Denise Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African American (AA) women have a 54.8% overall obesity rate in the United States. This quantitative cross-sectional study’s aim was to determine what factors may have an impact on body image perceptions of AA women in Alabama and New Jersey. A gap in research this study addressed is sociodemographic and geographic differences that may impact obesity rates among AA women. The theoretical framework used for this study was the social cognitive theory. Secondary data were obtained from the 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Linear regression (LR) analyses results showed that none of the sociodemographic variables (education level, employment status, …

Exploring The Behavioral Health Clinician Shortage At A Rural Midwestern U.S. Agency, Tracy L. Wilson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Behavioral health clinician shortages are a significant and ongoing problem in the United States, especially in rural areas, which have higher rates of homelessness, suicide, substance use, and violence rates than urban areas. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore factors contributing to the behavioral health clinician shortage in a rural midwestern U.S. public health department. The goal was to gain a better understanding of this shortage and explore strategies and solutions for recruiting and retaining behavioral health clinicians at the agency’s facilities. The Baldrige excellence framework undergirded the investigation. Data sources included interviews with three administrative …

Relationship Between Employee Engagement, Kind Of Initiatives, And Workplace Wellness Program Effectiveness, Alicia Dobrzeniecki

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Ineffective workplace wellness programs prevent organizations from decreasing employee health and well-being costs. Workplace wellness managers lose more than $1,100 in decreased productivity each year. Grounded in the theory of planned behavior, the purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between workplace wellness engagement, kind of workplace wellness initiatives, and workplace wellness program effectiveness. Data were collected from 146 workplace wellness program managers who completed the HERO scorecard. The multiple linear regression analysis results indicated the model was able to significantly predict workplace wellness program effectiveness, F(2, 143) = 85.482, p = < .001, R² = .545. Both predictors provided a significant contribution to the model, with workplace wellness engagement level (t = 8.342, p = < .001, β = .543) providing a higher contribution to the model than kind of workplace wellness initiatives (t = 4.584, p = < .001, β = .298). A key recommendation for workplace wellness program managers is to emphasize employee engagement in workplace wellness programs and choose the appropriate initiatives to ensure workplace wellness program effectiveness. The implications for positive social change include the potential for improved health and well-being within the U.S. workforce.

The Impact Of Tobacco Use On Covid-19 Outcomes: A Systematic Review, Jessica Baker, Nandita Krishnan, Lorien C. Abroms, Carla J. Berg

GW Authored Works

Introduction. Tobacco use increases risks for numerous diseases, including respiratory illnesses. We examined the literature to determine whether a history of tobacco use increases risks for adverse outcomes among COVID-19 patients. Methods. We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, LitCovid, Scopus, and Europe PMC (for preprints) using COVID-19 and tobacco-related terms. We included studies of human subjects with lab-confirmed COVID-19 infections that examined tobacco use history as an exposure and used multivariable analyses. The data was collected between March 31st, 2020, and February 20th, 2021. Outcomes included mortality, hospitalization, ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, and illness severity. Results. Among the 39 …

The Impact Of Food Justice Advocates In Creating And Influencing Public Policy, Michael Joseph Chadukiewicz

Department of Conflict Resolution Studies Theses and Dissertations

This case study explored the impact that food justice advocates had on creating and implementing public policy to provide access to adequate, healthy, and culturally appropriate food for the residents of New Haven, Connecticut. The problem the case study explored is in 2020 food insecurity affected 22% of the residents of New Haven, more than twice the national average. This qualitative case study used grounded theory to analyze the experiences of 31 food justice advocates that were members of a coalition of researchers, food service providers, non-profit agencies, grassroot organizations, and residents tasked with improving the city’s emergency food system. …

Aproximación Al Consumo De Alimentos Recomendables Y No Recomendables En La Primera Ola De La Pandemia Por Covid-19 En México, Erika Lozano-Hidalgo, Mauricio Hernández-Fernández, Pablo Gaitán-Rossi, Mireya Vilar-Compte

Department of Public Health Scholarship and Creative Works

Objective. To estimate the frequency of consumption of some recommended and non-recommended food groups during the Covid-19 pandemic in Mexico, and their association with sociodemographic characteristics and food security. Materials and methods. We used the Survey on the Effects of Covid-19 on the wellbeing of Mexican households (Encovid-19). We identified four groups with information about the frequency of their consumption, and estimated logistic regression models adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics and food security. Results. Higher socioeconomic levels A/B and C were associated with higher frequency of consumption of recommended and non-recommended food groups. Mild food insecurity was associated with lower consumption …

Increasing Staff Compliance With Routine Hcv Screening And Improving Linkage To Care Among Patients Testing Hepatitis C Positive In The Emergency Department, Carson G. Swartz

DNP Projects

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a blood-borne pathogen that can cause severe liver disease, cancer, and death and is a significant source of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Several academic medical centers including University of Kentucky Healthcare have implemented routine HCV screening for patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) and have discovered a large viral burden amongst patients who are often symptomatic.

Purpose: The purpose of this doctoral project is to increase staff compliance, confidence, and education regarding the HCV screening process in an urban, Level I emergency department, as well as to evaluate whether an …

Using Community-Based Screening To Quantify The Relationship Between Hiv And Hypertension In A Rural South African Community, Jessica Ainooson

Public Health Theses

Background: Over the past three decades, the prevalence of hypertension has increased in sub-Saharan Africa, paralleling the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between HIV status and elevated blood pressure in a rural South African community. Methods: A secondary analysis was conducted from a community-based screening program providing TB/HIV/blood pressure/glucose screening in the rural sub-district of Msinga, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa from 2011 - 2017. Descriptive analyses were used to characterize the frequency of measured and self-reported hypertension, HIV status, and sociodemographic variables. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to estimate the relationship between HIV status …

Association Between Rheumatoid Arthritis Severity And Mental Health In A Prevalent Cohort Of American Adults, 2013-2022, Nicole-Anne Ballesteros

Public Health Theses

Objective/Purpose: The severity of rheumatoid arthritis and its association with depression and anxiety among a prevalent cohort of American adults has been neither well-researched nor backed by real-world data. This investigation seeks to test the hypothesis that there is an association between disease severity and the aforementioned psychological conditions, both of which are commonly observed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Methods: Real-world data from OM1 Inc.’s rheumatoid arthritis registry (2013-2022) was used for this analysis. Disease severity (low, medium, and high), categorized using disease activity scores, was the main exposure, while depression and anxiety were the study’s two primary outcomes. …

Adverse Childhood Experiences & Breastfeeding - Pakistan, Paola Bojorquez-Ramirez

Public Health Theses

Rationale: Prior studies have found that a history of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) is associated with breastfeeding, but the evidence is inconsistent. Despite low and middle income countries (LMICs) carrying a disproportionate amount of poor maternal and infant health outcomes, little research has assessed the relative impact of ACEs on breastfeeding initiation and exclusive breastfeeding in LMICs.Objective: The study investigates whether maternal ACEs are associated with breastfeeding initiation and exclusive breastfeeding at 3 and 6 months postpartum among a cohort of women from rural Pakistan. Methods: The cross-sectional analysis included 869 women 18-45 years of age from the Bachpan Cohort …

Proximity And Parental Interaction: Examining The Relationship Between Proximity Data And Mother-Infant Interaction Among Mothers With And Without Depression, Paige Farrenkopf

Public Health Theses

Background: There is a lack of data on response behaviors among young mothers in low- and middle-income countries. Emerging passive sensing technology has been increasingly allowing researchers to collect this type of day-to-day behavioral data.

Methods: We administered PHQ-9 depression surveys and the Observation of Maternal-Child Interaction (OMCI) measure to young mothers between the ages of 15-25 in the Chitwan region of Nepal, and conducted key informant interviews with all mothers selected for participation.

Results: Among 54 mother-infant dyads, we found that there was no statistically significant correlation between maternal responsiveness and proximity. When we stratified participant groups by depression …

Navigating A Patchwork Maze: Individuals’ Experience Of Administrative Burden When Accessing Homeless Assistance Services, Leah Robinson

Public Health Theses

Despite significant efforts to address the issue of homelessness in the United States over the past several decades, over 500,000 individuals still experience homelessness on any given night. A large portion of this persistent and high rate of homelessness can likely be attributed to the shortage of affordable housing options, the eviction crisis, and limited financial support for rental assistance found throughout the country. However, administrative burdens may also contribute to the high rate of homelessness being seen.Our study explores this question by examining 28 individuals’ experience of administrative burden when navigating the landscape of homeless assistance services in New …

Association Between Household Chaos And Childhood Overweight-Obesity: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Young Samoan Children, Ruiyan Michelle Wang

Public Health Theses

AbstractObjective: Household chaos – sustained disorganization, disorder, and hurriedness in the home setting – has been shown to be associated with a variety of adverse health effects for children. The present study examines the relationship of household chaos with childhood overweight and obesity among Samoan children aged 5 to 12 years. Additionally, the present study explores characteristics of the home environment that may be captured by the household chaos measure. Methods: This analysis uses data from the third wave (2019-2020) of data collection in the Ola Tuputupua’e cohort study. Height and weight were used to construct the childhood overweight/obesity outcome …

Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (Pfass) In Household Dust From North China: Occurrence, Contribution, And Human Exposure, Yakun Zhou

Public Health Theses

Measurements and analysis of an emerging contaminant of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and adverse health effects associated with PFAS have received increasing attention around the world. In this study, 64 participants’ household dust were collected in Jinan, China during September 2018 and January 2019, conducted as part of the Biomarkers of Air Pollutants Exposure in the Chinese aged 60-69 (China BAPE) study. Concentrations and composition profiles of 7 individual PFASs were determined and estimated daily intakes of PFASs via dust ingestion for children and adults were calculated. By using a dimension reduction method − principal component analysis (PCA) and …

The Potential Mediating Effects Of Social Support Network Size And Physical Activity On Cognitive Function And Mortality Risk, Madeline Zipperer

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

BACKGROUND: Low cognitive function has been shown to be an independent predictor of all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related mortality. Social support network size and total physical activity volume (TPAV) are two modifiable factors which have been shown to be independently associated with cognitive function and mortality risk. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the potential mediating effects of social support network size and TPAV on cognitive function and all-cause and CVD-related mortality risk in a large, nationally representative sample of U.S. adults.

METHODS: Study sample (N =2,550) included older adult (≥ 60 years of age) participants …

Desired Resources For Changing Diet Among Persons With Multiple Sclerosis: Qualitative Inquiry Informing Future Dietary Interventions, Stephanie L Silveira, Emma V Richardson, Robert W Motl

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: There are approximately 1 million adults in the United States with multiple sclerosis (MS). Persons with MS are interested in diet as a second-line therapy for improving MS symptoms and disease progression. Examination of desired resources regarding diet among persons with MS is necessary for supporting behavior change.

METHODS: Twenty-five adults with MS completed 1-on-1, online semistructured interviews. An inductive, 6-phase, semantic thematic analysis was applied to identify themes associated with participant preferences for dietary behavior change.

RESULTS: The research team crafted 4 key themes from the data that encompassed participants' desired resources for dietary behavior change. Theme 1, …

Perceptions Of Physical Activity Guidelines Among Wheelchair Users With Multiple Sclerosis, Stephanie L Silveira, Brenda Jeng, Gary Cutter, Robert W Motl

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Physical activity guidelines provide prescriptive resources for population-level promotion of behavior change to improve health outcomes. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) recently created and disseminated physical activity guidelines for persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) across the disease spectrum.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess perceptions of the updated NMSS Physical Activity Guidelines among wheelchair users with MS.

METHODS: One hundred thirty-four wheelchair users with MS participated in a cross-sectional study examining health behaviors. Outcomes were measured using an online questionnaire that included items related to demographic and clinical characteristics and a battery of questions regarding perceptions of the …

A Qualitative Investigation Of Organizational Challenges And Facilitators To Screening Individuals Experiencing Homelessness For Hepatitis C Virus (Hcv) In Houston, Texas, Alane Celeste-Villalvir, J Michael Wilkerson, Christine Markham, Lourdes Rodriguez, Vanessa Schick

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Individuals experiencing homelessness may be at a disproportionately high risk for hepatitis C (HCV) because they may be more likely to engage in HCV risk behaviors. Community organizations that provide services to these vulnerable individuals can effectively screen, diagnose, and navigate them into HCV care. However, screening people experiencing homelessness for HCV at such organizations is limited by various challenges that remain understudied, including budgetary considerations and strategies to improve teamwork and communication. Accordingly, this study investigated the organizational challenges and facilitators to HCV screening of individuals experiencing homelessness as reported by homeless services providers.

METHODS: Staff (N = …

The Neighborhood Environment And Hispanic/Latino Health, Natalia I Heredia, Tianlin Xu, Minjae Lee, Lorna H Mcneill, Belinda M Reininger

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

PURPOSE: Hispanic/Latino adults on the Texas-Mexico border have high rates of chronic disease. Neighborhoods can influence health, though there is a limited research on neighborhood environment and health in Hispanics/Latinos. The purpose of this study was to assess the relation of neighborhood environment with health variables in Hispanic/Latino adults, including physical activity [PA], depression, anxiety, and lab-assessed conditions (type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and chronic inflammation).

METHODS: Participants were randomly-selected from a Hispanic/Latino cohort on the Texas-Mexico border. Neighborhood environment, self-reported PA, anxiety, and depression were assessed through questionnaires. Laboratory values determined Type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and C-reactive protein …