Digital Commons Network^™

Sweet Lies: Influence Of Food Marketing On Childrens’ Health And The Need For Reform, Mollie M. Warrington

Honors Theses

Markedly, there is heavy marketing of unhealthy food to children. This has become a significant public health concern because of escalating rates of child obesity, which have long-term consequences for physical health and severe mental health repercussions, such as body image concerns and low self-esteem. This thesis explores how food marketing strategies, historically rooted in television ads and evolving through digital platforms, are linked to children's dietary choices and broader public health implications. It analyzes various manipulative tactics, such as digital advertising, influencer endorsement, and gamification, showing how companies take advantage of the cognitive vulnerabilities of children to propagate unhealthy …

A Review Of Racial Differences And Disparities In Ecg, Jianwei Zheng, Chizobam Ani, Islam Abudayyeh, Yunfan Zheng, Cyril Rakovski, Ehsan Yaghmaei, Omolola Ogunyemi

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

The electrocardiogram (ECG) is a widely used, non-invasive tool for diagnosing a range of cardiovascular conditions, including arrhythmia and heart disease-related structural changes. Despite its critical role in clinical care, racial and ethnic differences in ECG readings are often underexplored or inadequately addressed in research. Variations in key ECG parameters, such as PR interval, QRS duration, QT interval, and T-wave morphology, have been noted across different racial groups. However, the limited research in this area has hindered the development of diagnostic criteria that account for these differences, potentially contributing to healthcare disparities, as ECG interpretation algorithms largely developed from major …

Associations Of Parental Perceived Health With Child Movement Behaviors Within Two-Parent Households, You Fu, Hayley Almes, Nora Constantino, Doria Schmidt, Ryan D. Burns

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

This study aimed to examine how perceived parental mental and physical health status was associated with child physical activity, screen time, and sleep. Participants were 6- to 17-year-old minors (N = 20,156; 47.9% female) from the 2022 US National Survey of Children’s Health. Dependent variables were children’s physical activity frequency, screen time, and sleep. Independent variables were parents’ physical and mental health status. Using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model, two adjusted path models were constructed. One for parent mental health associating with parental physical health, another for parent physical health associating with parental mental health–both further associating with child movement behaviors. …

Perception, Awareness, And Readiness By Academic Libraries Towards The 2030 Global Agenda For Sustainable Development Goals (Sdgs), Adeniyi Isaiah Kayode, Sunday Adebisi Oguntayo Dr.

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Abstract

Purpose: This study sought to evaluate academic libraries' perception, awareness, and readiness towards the 2030 global agenda for SDGs

Methodology: A qualitative methodology was employed, and structured interviews were utilised to collect data. The interviews served as the primary method of data collection and were designed to accomplish five objectives. The study focused on academic librarians as the target population, with a sample size of thirty librarians representing nine academic libraries.

Findings: This study emphasises the mandatory prioritisation of all 17 SDGs by academic libraries, highlighting challenges such as insufficient financing, lack of awareness, and political instability among …

Addressing Obesity In Cancer Survivorship: Referral Gaps And Patient Engagement In Nutrition And Lifestyle Interventions, Brian Dinh, Kelly Nguyen, Whittney Thoman, Katherine Gilmore, Ying Qiao, Kathy Carpenter, Zayed Razouki, David Santos, Michael Roth

Cancer Survivorship Research Retreat

No abstract provided.

Police Wellness, Autum Shurbert-Hetzel

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership

A career in Law Enforcement allows people to build partnerships with community members to work towards a common goal of enhancing public safety through collaboration and trust. It's a rewarding yet often challenging career because officers must make split-second decisions in high-stress situations while working long hours and missing family events. Over time, police officers experience stressors from their jobs and personal lives that become overwhelming and difficult to navigate due to the unforeseen challenges of their chosen career in law enforcement. These challenges make it crucial for officers to find approaches that enable them to overcome these challenges that …

A Randomized Controlled Study Of Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback In An Older Adult Sample, Whitney D. Allen

Theses and Dissertations

Heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVB) is a controlled breathing treatment designed to increase the variation in consecutive heartbeats leading to improved regulation of one's autonomic nervous system thereby improving one's ability to self-regulate and maintain homeostasis. Changes in heart rate variability (HRV) are seen in those of increased age and lower HRV is associated with poorer outcomes (e.g., increased mortality, worse emotional functioning, cardiovascular risk factors). As such, older adults are a group that stands to benefit from HRVB principles. The current randomized control trial was designed to understand the impact of HRVB in an older adult population on resting …

Culturally Considerate Trauma-Focused Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Treatment In Latine/X Populations: A Scoping Review, Alejandra Kukuli Delgado, Ryan Holliday, Shira Maguen, Nicholas Holder

Psychology Student Research

Background/Objectives: While theoretical articles describing cultural considerations for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment in Latine/x populations exist, empirical trials are less common. The present study aimed to review the existing literature for empirically tested, trauma-focused PTSD treatments among Latine/x samples to describe treatment outcomes, cultural considerations, and gaps in the existing literature. Methods: For this scoping review, we identified studies that met inclusion criteria as culturally considerate, trauma-focused PTSD treatments reporting symptom outcomes in Latine/x adults. We searched databases (n = 7) and collected 2176 unique records. Six reports met inclusion criteria. Studies enrolled 176 participants into five …

Lowell Hardin: Mentor Extraordinaire, Larry L. Murdock, Thomas W. Hertel, Gebisa Ejeta

Purdue University Press Books

Lowell Stewart Hardin (1917–2015), an Indiana farm boy who became an enormously influential international agriculturalist, made the world a better place for the poor and the hungry on this earth. For seventeen years he led the Ford Foundation’s agricultural development efforts, contributing to the Green Revolution. He helped to found and guide international agriculture research centers in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. He inspired others to get involved and opened doors for them. He taught by example, gave others credit, and always stepped back, avoiding the limelight himself. In this volume, twenty-two people who knew him well share stories of …

The Effect Of China’S Universal Two-Child Policy On Female Employment: A Mixed-Methods Analysis Of Labor Market Outcomes, Sijia Zhao

Theses and Dissertations

This study analyzes the effects of China's Universal Two-Child Policy, enacted in 2016, on women's employment outcomes. The implementation of this policy has highlighted the challenges women face in the labor market, revealing a significant disparity between the policy's effects and expectations, as evidenced by the simultaneous occurrence of low fertility intentions and employment difficulties. This research employs a mixed methodology to systematically evaluate the policy's effects on the quality and stability of women's employment while also investigating the underlying mechanisms of this impact. The research indicates that the Universal Two-Child Policy adversely affects women's employment performance in multiple dimensions. …

To Enhance Sustainable Development Goal Research, Open Up Commercial Satellite Image Archives, Philippe Rufin, Patrick Meyfroidt, Felicia O. Akinyemi, Lyndon Estes, Esther Shupei Ibrahim, Meha Jain, Hannah Kerner, Sá Nogueira Lisboa, David Lobell, Catherine Nakalembe, Claudio Persello, Michelle C.A. Picoli, Natasha Ribeiro, Almeida Alberto Sitoe, Katharina Waha, Sherrie Wang

Geography

Observing the Earth with satellites offers clear advantages when it comes to tracking the health of the planet—consistent measurements that can be translated into environmentally relevant estimates, such as carbon, crop productivity, or land use. The resulting information covers large regions, irrespective of administrative boundaries. These measurements also drastically reduce costs compared with on-the-ground data collection efforts. Earth observation (EO) data thereby efficiently deliver timely insights that can directly inform sustainability debates, including with regard to United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). At the heart of these efforts are open data initiatives linked to the public release of medium- …

Dental Phobia And Oral Health: Assessing Its Impact On Quality Of Life, Mahak Sargodhia, Kamran H. Awan

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of A Global Capacity Development Project To Educate, Empower And Advance Sustainable Food Production, Felicia J. Tuggle, Olubusola W. Afolayan Msw, Mollie Smith M.Aq., David J. Cline Phd, Onesimus Kiadii Bs

Journal of Social Work in the Global Community

This article presents evaluation findings from the Integrated Aquaculture for Food Production, Education, Empowerment, and Development (iFEED) project, a global capacity development project designed to educate, empower, and advance sustainable food production in Monrovia, Liberia. To develop K–12 teachers’ capacity to integrate STEM education into math and science curriculum for the purpose of preparing a future aquaculture workforce in Liberia, the iFEED project provided educational materials, teacher training, and technical support to 25 teachers in the greater Monrovia Consolidated School District (MCSS). Evaluation findings indicate positive outcomes in increasing instructional capabilities among participating math and science teachers and accelerating action …

Supportive Programming During A Worldwide Pandemic And Beyond, Rainie B. Jueschke, Charissa Lynch, Anne Stokes, Tracy Van De Vate

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

In the United States, approximately 2.4 million grandparents are the primary caregivers of their grandchildren (Annie E. Casey Foundation Kids Count Data Center, 2024). Relative caregivers provide an important opportunity to keep families together and avoid foster home placement when children are unable to safely be cared for by parents. “Parenting again” comes with its own unique set of challenges, and the COVID-19 pandemic significantly highlighted and exacerbated these difficulties. There are many organizations nationwide that work within the field of relative caregiving, providing diverse programming designed to address the needs of this unique population. Core principles include strategies to …

Building Blocks For New Kinship Partnerships And Coalitions, Kathy L. Dial, Daniel J. Koltz, Janet Salo, Erin Beasley

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

Building successful kinship partnerships and coalitions requires intentional effort to establish trust, align goals, and foster inclusivity. These collaborations are essential for addressing the unique and evolving needs of kinship families, who often face limited access to resources due to the informal nature of many caregiving arrangements. Effective partnerships prioritize clear missions, open communication, and active engagement with stakeholders, particularly those with lived experiences such as kinship caregivers. Research demonstrates that coordinated efforts among organizations enhance resource availability, improve advocacy capabilities, and strengthen service delivery. By integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion principles, coalitions can ensure that diverse perspectives shape solutions …

Generations United & The Brookdale Foundation Group: An Overview Of Progress In Support Of Grandfamilies Over The Last Decade, Ana Beltran, Jaia Lent, Melinda Perez-Porter

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

Strategic partnerships and collaborations enable organizations that serve grandfamilies to address service gaps and facilitate the development or enhancement of services tailored to support their needs. These collaborative partnerships empower organizations to provide comprehensive support to caregivers and children and also play a crucial role in enabling organizations to create, expand, and maintain supportive services. By fostering strong relationships with a diverse range of partners, organizations can ensure that grandparents and other relative caregiver families receive information, assistance, and support. The authors, representing a national organization and a private foundation, have collaborated for more than 25 years to support grandfamilies. …

Physical And Mental Health Experiences Of Obese Men Living In The United States During The Covid-19 Pandemic, James Cunningham

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The COVID-19 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges to public health worldwide, significantly impacting vulnerable populations like obese men in the United States. This qualitative descriptive study involved exploring how these men perceived the pandemic’s impact on their physical and mental health, addressing a critical gap in existing literature. The research question that guided this study was: How did obese men living in the United States perceive the stressor that was the COVID-19 pandemic on their physical and mental health? Guided by the biopsychosocial model, the study involved using semi-structured interviews with 15 participants who were recruited online through social media. Thematic …

Volume 34-2 Complete Issue, C. Nicholas Raphael

The Geographical Bulletin

Volume 34-2 Complete Issue

Spatial Variation In Poverty Levels Within The Lower Mississippi Delta Development Region, Wendy Shaw

The Geographical Bulletin

In 1988 a Senate bill established the Lower Mississippi Delta Development Commission, whose stated purpose was to address the poverty of the region. The region identified spanned seven states and included 187 counties, and was said to share economic, social, and cultural ties. While some underlying similarities may exist in the region, the manner in which poverty manifests itself is differentiated spatially, and the region is far from homogeneous. Variations with respect to the national average in per capita income, percentage of families below the poverty level, rate of high school graduation, and unemployment rate were examined and mapped. A …

Breaking Boundaries: A Critical Trans Framework Analysis Of Anti-Transgender Sports Policies In Education, Tori Porter, Briana A. Savage, Dresden June Frazier

Journal of Queer and Trans Studies in Education

This policy analysis examines the impacts of anti-transgender sports legislation on K-20 transgender students through a critical trans framework. We investigate how anti-transgender laws enforce gender norms and intersect with other forms of oppression, such as racism and ableism, affecting multi-marginalized transgender students in sports and limiting access to a well-rounded education. Epistemic injustice is revealed, as these policies disregard transgender students' experiential knowledge and involvement in decision-making processes. Findings indicate that anti-transgender sports policies impact students at individual, institutional, and cultural levels, perpetuating discriminatory practices and reducing access to gender-affirming spaces and supportive adults. We argue for inclusive, evidence-based …

Promoting Equity: Embracing Food Justice In The Transformation Of The Food Systems For Bipoc Communities, Frank Yeboah Adusei

Journal of Extension

The food justice movement addresses systemic food inequities impacting BIPOC communities, rooted in civil rights and environmental justice movements. It advocates for fair access to culturally relevant food, combating food deserts, and promoting food sovereignty. Recognizing intersectionality, it emphasizes collaboration to dismantle systemic barriers. This study aims to understand BIPOC communities' challenges and effective strategies, stressing the importance of collaborative efforts for lasting systemic change. Extension professionals face challenges but can contribute through equity-focused strategies, community engagement, and partnerships, advancing food justice and fostering inclusive food systems.

Findings From A National Assessment To Support Implementation Of Cooperative Extension’S 2021 National Framework For Health Equity And Well-Being, Diana Charbonneau, Kerry Gabbert, Latoya O'Neal, Dawn E. Burton, Maggie Jones, Kate Katzman, Roger Rennekamp

Journal of Extension

Cooperative Extension’s National Framework for Health Equity and Well-Being provides a roadmap for improving the health of communities. Core concepts include installing health equity a systemwide value and catalyzing community-level changes that ensure all people have an opportunity to be as healthy as they can. This article presents findings from a national readiness assessment for implementing the Framework across Extension. Results from a literature scan, national survey, and regional listening sessions identified internal facilitators and barriers to adoption. The article provides ideas for how Extension practitioners can engage in this work and shares an action plan developed from assessment results.

Perceived Healthfulness Of The Environment Of Communities With Low Income: Focus Groups And Interviews With Extension Nutrition Educators, Elder Garcia Varela, Jamie Zeldman, Jade Mcnamara, Jesse S. Morrell, Lisa Franzen-Castle, Melissa D. Olfert, Tandalayo Kidd, Kendra Kattelmann, Geoffrey Greene, Karla P. Shelnutt

Journal of Extension

This study explored Extension nutrition educators’ (NEs) perceptions of community members’ challenges and opportunities for achieving a healthy lifestyle. NEs represented various communities with low income across nine states. NEs across locations identified similar barriers (i.e., lack of access and availability of healthy and affordable foods; access to transportation; and financial insecurity) and opportunities (i.e., trustworthy and free nutrition education resources and programs; and access to food banks, food pantries, and health care professionals) that prevented or facilitated a healthful lifestyle. Future research should explore key community stakeholder and community member perceptions to guide the development of community-driven interventions.

Parallel Journeys: Supporting Wounded Healers In Counselor Education, Susannah C. Coaston

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Much has been written about the motivations for wounded healers to pursue work in the helping professions. Those with painful life experiences can have a unique ability to understand the pain of others, and through their recovery, they may gain insight and understanding to benefit others. The counselor development process can be fraught with challenges that may have a detrimental impact on wounded healers. As such, counselor educators can benefit from amending their approaches to ensure that wounded healers gain the skills necessary to support their mental health and well-being, effectiveness, and personal and professional development. This article introduces a …

The Development Of Teacher Identity In Counselor Education Doctoral Students, Wes Allen, Joel F. Diambra, Rebecca Gaylor

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Abstract

Counselor educators (CE) prepare counselor education doctoral students (CEDS) to work as counselors, scholars, leaders, supervisors, and teachers. While we have a firm understanding of how CEDS develop in general (Limberg et al., 2013; Moss et al., 2014), there is little known about how they develop specifically as teachers. The goal of this research study was to gain insight into how teacher identity develops for CEDS. We interviewed 10 participants using transcendental phenomenology methodology to gain insight into their teaching preparation experiences and identities as teachers. We identified three primary themes from the data: (1) Connection, (2) Confidence, or …

Overcoming Barriers And Infusing Inclusive Teaching Practices In Counseling Programs, Ash Pitts, Kassie R. Terrell, Lena Salpietro, Hanadi Y. Hamadi

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Counselor educators are responsible for promoting inclusive practices within educational institutions and the counseling field. Inclusive teaching promotes equity in education through a commitment to social justice in the classroom. However, many professional organizations fail to define inclusive andragogy and provide little guidance for counselor educators on how to implement these practices within their training programs. Thus, many educators struggle with personal and institutional barriers, as well as limited guidance on effectively implementing inclusive teaching practices. This quantitative study (N=129) explores barriers counselor educators face in infusing inclusive teaching practices, highlights ways to overcome those barriers, and provides …

Skill Development Approach For Poverty Alleviation In India, Sameer Chandra

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

India’s Poverty Profile revealed that over 65% of the poor reside in rural areas. This study examined the effectiveness of the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) skill development program in alleviating poverty in Uttar Pradesh, India. Guided by Sen’s capability approach, a quantitative cross-sectional design employing logistic regression analyzed the relationships of candidate qualifications and trade categories, predicting the likelihood of successful job placement. The study analyzed 4,789 randomly selected cases from 14 high-poverty districts in DDU-GKY’s database. The job placement rate within cases was 28.2%, with 71.8% not placed. Candidate qualification significantly predicted the likelihood of job …

Full Issue

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

No abstract provided.

Harm Of Screen Time On The Physical And Mental Health Of Young Children, Joseph Shearer

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

More than 10 years ago, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a statement recommending that children under the age of two should not be allowed to view electronic screens. Although screen time is commonplace in a modern climate, the research reported within this review draws attention to the potential detriments of early exposure. These detriments include reduced levels of exercise, sleep, and creativity, as well as increased levels of unhealthy food consumption and an influx of mental health challenges later in life. Some benefits are discussed, such as opportunities for learning and/or stress reduction. Ultimately, the research over the …

Overcoming Social, Cultural, Physical And Covid-19 Barriers To Treatment For Eating Disorders Through Teletherapy, Wyatt W. Capener

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

Eating disorders (EDs) are among the deadliest of mental illnesses and may affect female, male, sexual and gender minorities, young, and old populations. The effects of EDs burden individuals with cultural, social, and physical inhibitors to seeking treatment and therefore may go untreated. Additionally, there is a nationwide lack of access to mental health professionals. EDs may link to a decrease in the quality of life and an increased mortality rate; therefore, it is imperative that individuals afflicted with EDs have access to treatment. The variety of symptoms associated with EDs calls for flexible solutions. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected …