Digital Commons Network^™

Personal Sustainability: Listening To Extension Staff And Observing Organizational Culture, Leslie Forstadt, Aileen Fortune

Journal of Extension

Extension staff are increasingly challenged to do excellent work and balance their lives. University of Maine Cooperative Extension committed to a 2-year participatory action research project to support staff and to an organizational climate that encourages personal sustainability. With tools from ethnography and appreciative inquiry, staff engaged with colleagues through surveys, interviews, focus groups, and informal conversations. This article describes the richness of the process, the methodology, and the findings. Actions began early, as awareness was raised and people felt empowered. Recommendations resulting from the project address ways to support work-life balance, collegiality and connection, and staff connection to organizational …

Evaluation Of A Cooperative Extension Curriculum In Florida: Food Modification For Special Needs, Wendy J. Dahl, Amanda L. Ford, Allyson Radford, Nancy J. Gal

Journal of Extension

State and national surveys of adult family care homes identified a strong need for education on texture-modified food preparation and the nutritional needs of older adults. An Extension curriculum, Food Modification for Special Needs, was developed to provide an overview of chewing and swallowing problems, food texture, pureed food preparation, and the nutritional needs of older adults as well as hands-on skill development. An evaluation demonstrated that use of the curriculum resulted in significant impacts among workshop participants on perceived knowledge and skills gained and implementation of skills learned. Further in-state and national dissemination of the Food Modification for Special …

Genome-Wide Association Studies Suggest Sex-Specific Loci Associated With Abdominal And Visceral Fat, Yun Ju Sung, L. Pérusse, M. A. Sarzynski, M. Fornage, S. Sidney, B. Sternfeld, T. Rice, J. G. Terry, D. R. Jacobs Jr., John Blangero, Joanne E. Curran

School of Medicine Publications

Background:

To identify loci associated with abdominal fat and replicate prior findings, we performed genome-wide association (GWA) studies of abdominal fat traits: subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT); visceral adipose tissue (VAT); total adipose tissue (TAT) and visceral to subcutaneous adipose tissue ratio (VSR).

Subjects and Methods:

Sex-combined and sex-stratified analyses were performed on each trait with (TRAIT–BMI) or without (TRAIT) adjustment for body mass index (BMI), and cohort-specific results were combined via a fixed effects meta-analysis. A total of 2513 subjects of European descent were available for the discovery phase. For replication, 2171 European Americans and 772 African Americans were available. …

A Study Of Developing Healthy Disciples In The Korean-American Church, Kyung Seo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Korean-American congregations within the Presbyterian denomination need to implement a Bible-centered discipleship model in order to become a more spiritual and viable Christian church. As the Senior Pastor for the Columbia Korean Presbyterian Church (2009-2014), the author utilized qualitative and quantitative analysis when interviewing church pastors within the Korean-American Presbyterian Churches of America. The surveys identified the need for a practical model of spiritual growth to develop healthy disciples within the Korean-American Church. Based upon the biblical principle of Christian discipleship, the author developed an overall a three-level strategy of making healthy disciples.

Obesity A Sociological Analysis Of The Body Image Attitudes Among Young Emirati Men, Richard Benson Hoffman

Dissertations

This Dissertation is concerned with the problem of obesity in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This UAE has a high prevalence of obesity (Hajat, Harrison & Al siksek 2012 :909) This Dissertation provided recommendation to improve obesity interventions in the UAE by exploring the body image attitudes (how people think and feel about their bodies and the bodies of others) of young ,Emirati men. The sample was 340 Emeriti citizen men between the ages 18-29from all seven emirates. The data was collected through a survey and individual and focus –group interviews. The prevalence of overweight and obesity of the of …

Naturalization Of Salt Marsh Restoration Sites In The Elizabeth River, Virginia, Assessed By Feeding Activity And Trophic Level Of Mummichogs (Fundulus Heteroclitus), Moriah Anne Good

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Recent efforts to mitigate environmental issues within the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River, Virginia, designated a “Region of Concern” by the Chesapeake Bay Program, include several salt marsh restorations. By examining gut contents and stable isotopes values (δ13C and δ15N) from mummichogs (Fundulus heteroclitus), the functional equivalency of restored salt marshes compared to natural marshes was measured. In July 2013 I collected mummichogs from three restored and three reference salt marshes in the Southern Branch. Fish were collected for gut content analysis and were analyzed for stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N).

I removed gut contents from 16 fish per …

Addressing Childhood Obesity In Georgia: Past, Present, And Future, Debra L. Kibbe, Emily Anne Vall, Christine Green, Brenda F. Fitzgerald, Karen J. Minyard, Kelly Cornett

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: The Trust for America's Health ranks Georgia 17th (16.5%) in the nation for childhood obesity prevalence among youth aged 10-17 years. Georgia has a long history of addressing childhood obesity at the state, regional, and local levels. This report outlines the historical efforts in childhood obesity in Georgia from the mid-1990’s to the present, summarizes current childhood obesity prevention and management strategies, and provides childhood obesity-related data relevant to the current strategies.

Methods: Childhood obesity-related efforts in Georgia from 1996 to the present are documented, along with how these efforts led to the creation of Georgia Shape. The Georgia …

A Quantile Regression Approach To Measuring The Educational Effect On Body Mass Index, Dakshina G. De Silva, Bradley T. Ewing, Catherine P. Slade, Mark A. Thompson

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: By use of a publically available database, the effects of education and geography on obesity as measured by body mass index (BMI) were evaluated with a quantile regression approach. The focus of the analysis was on the practical interpretation of the regression results to inform health policy decision makers about the importance of educational attainment for the growing public health issue of obesity in the US, particularly in the Southeast.

Methods: With data from the 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), quantile regressions were employed to estimate the educational effect on BMI while controlling for relevant lifestyle, socioeconomic, …

A Review Of Community-Based Participatory Research Studies To Promote Physical Activity Among African Americans, Steven S. Coughlin, Selina A. Smith

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: As part of the planning process for new research, the literature on community-based participatory research (CBPR) approaches for promoting physical activity in African American communities was systematically reviewed.

Methods: Studies published through October 31, 2015 that employed CBPR methods were identified using PubMed and CINAHL databases and MeSH terms and keyword searches.

Results: A total of 15 studies met the search criteria. One focused on CBPR and physical activity among African American school children and adolescents, 13 on adults, and one on both children and adults. Seven studies employed CBPR methods to promote physical activity in church settings. Eight …

Evaluation Of A Diabetes Prevention Program For Rural Citizens, Barbara B. Kawulich, Diana Mindrila, Gina Brandenburg

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Georgia has one of the highest rates of diabetes in the US. Obesity and inactivity contribute to the onset of this disease. Tanner Health System addressed the obesity epidemic in three rural counties of Georgia through a 16-week diabetes prevention program (DPP) for 176 residents. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the DPP.

Methods: The multiple methods design of this project used pre- and post-surveys from January/February, 2014, classes to determine diabetes-related lifestyle factors, 11 mid-point telephone interviews, and focus groups with 17 members to identify lifestyle changes that were implemented. Additionally, initial and final measurements of body mass …

The Relationship Between Food Deserts, Farmers’ Markets And Food Assistance In Georgia Census Tracts, Andrea M. Brace, Todd L. Matthews, Bobbi Finkelstein, Daniela Beall

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Due to inadequate resources and limited access to healthy foods, residents of food deserts struggle to maintain a well-balanced, nutritious diet. These factors increase the risk of developing obesity and diet-related chronic diseases. Local farmers’ markets serve as community-level interventions, bringing healthy food to food deserts. Over the past two decades, farmers’ markets have been growing in numbers nationally. The present study explores the relationship between food deserts, placement of farmers’ markets, and availability of food assistance programs in Georgia.

Methods: Data are from the 2014 USDA Food Desert Atlas and the USDA Farmers’ Market Directory. Farmers’ market addresses …

Improving Rural Access To Care: Recommendations For Georgia’S Health Care Safety Net, Karen Minyard, Chris Parker, John Butts

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: In Georgia, the safety net provides health care services to vulnerable populations scattered across 74 urban and 85 rural counties. In rural communities, the safety net is challenged with longstanding gaps in service provision and persistent difficulty in making services accessible. The rural safety net in Georgia is vulnerable.

Methods: An environmental scan was conducted of the Georgia rural safety net to assess who it serves, its providers, and how care is accessed in light of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The scan included analysis of population-based census and health databases and a literature review to inform recommendations.

Results: …

Sustainable Management Of Food Supply-Chain Resources In New York State, Jacqueline H. Ebner

Theses

A sustainable food supply chain (FSC) is at the nexus of several critical global challenges including hunger, resource scarcity, climate change, poverty, energy security and economic growth. However, managing FSC resources in a sustainable manner is complex and data to support this goal is lacking. This dissertation addressed four knowledge gaps by applying a variety of analytical and experimental tools to the New York State FSC.

First, a cradle-to-grave analysis of the New York State FSC was conducted. Resources leaving the FSC from primary production (post-harvest) through to consumption were defined and characterized. Surveys and literature were used to estimate …

Weed And Water Law: Regulating Legal Marijuana, Ryan B. Stoa

UC Law Journal

Marijuana is nearing the end of its prohibition in the United States. Arguably the country’s largest cash crop, marijuana is already legal for recreational use in Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and Washington, D.C. Between now and election day 2016, an additional fourteen states might place marijuana legalization initiatives on their ballots. In addition, twenty-three states and Washington, D.C. have legalized medical marijuana, with up to seven more states pending legislation. The era of marijuana prohibition is rapidly coming to a close. At the same time, traditional doctrines of water law are struggling to cope with the modern realities of water …

Physical Activity: A Tool For Improving Health (Part 3—Recommended Amounts Of Physical Activity For Optimal Health), Patrick J. Galloway, Nobuko Hongu

Journal of Extension

By promoting physical activities and incorporating them into their community-based programs, Extension professionals are improving the health of individuals, particularly those with limited resources. This article is the third in a three-part series describing the benefits of physical activity for human health: (1) biological health benefits of physical activity, (2) mental health benefits of physical activity, and (3) recommended amounts of physical activity for optimal health. Each part of the series is designed to help Extension professionals effectively integrate physical activity into community programs and motivate individuals to maintain an interest in being physically active during and after a program.

Reliability And Validity Of An Observational Measure Of Client Decision-Making: The Client Language Assessment - Proximal/Distal (Cla-Pd)., Molly Magill, Timothy R. Apodaca, Mitchell Karno, Jacques Gaume, Ayla Durst, Justin Walthers, Robert L. Stout, Carlo Diclemente

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

OVERVIEW: The Client Language Assessment - Proximal/Distal (CLA-PD) is a language rating system for measuring client decision-making in interventions that target a specified behavior change (e.g., alcohol or other drug use). In the CLA-PD, there are five dimensions of change language (Reason, Ability, Commitment, Taking Steps, Other) adapted from the client portion of the Motivational Interviewing Skill Code (MISC). For the CLA-PD, language codes are sub-divided to discriminate statements regarding the primary, or target behavior change (distal change) from the intermediate coping activities (proximal change) that are prescribed to facilitate that target behavior change. The goal of the CLA-PD is …

Gardening/Yard Work And Depressive Symptoms In African Americans, Elisa R. Torres, Carolyn M. Sampselle, David L. Ronis, Harold W. Neighbors, Kimberlee A. Gretebeck

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background

The purpose of this study was to examine the frequency of gardening/yard work in relation to depressive symptoms in African-Americans while controlling for biological and social factors.

Methods

A secondary analysis was performed on the National Survey of American Life (n = 2,903) using logistic regression for complex samples. Gardening/Yard work was measured by self-reported frequency. Depressive symptoms were measured with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale.

Results

Biological and social factors, not gardening/yard work, were associated with depressive symptoms.

Conclusions

Biological and social factors may need to be addressed before the association between gardening/yard work and depressive …

The Relationship Between Counselors' Multicultural Counseling Competence And Poverty Beliefs, Madeline Elizabeth Clark

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

The relationship between increased levels of poverty and decreased levels of psychological wellbeing and overall wellness is well documented. Although poverty clearly impacts mental health and wellness, little research in counseling has been conducted exploring the poverty attitudes of counselors. This study explored the relationship between professional counselors’ multicultural counseling competence (MCC), poverty beliefs, and select demographic factors (i.e. counseling specialty, gender, age, ethnocultural identity, poverty counseling experience, and personal poverty experience). Data were collected using survey-based methods from professional counselors of all specialties. Results of a hierarchical linear regression indicate that increased MCC, adjusted for select demographic factors, is …

A Retrospective Study Of Amusement Ride Restraint And Containment Systems: Identifying Design Challenges For Statistically Rare Anthropometric Cases, Paula M. Stenzler

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The intent of this project was to conduct a retrospective study of amusement ride restraint and containment systems’ failures to identify the challenges associated with existing design criteria to safely accommodate statistically rare groups that fall outside amusement industry standards. Innovations in ride technology provide an opportunity for injuries to occur if restraint and containment systems cannot properly accommodate unique patron anthropometry. It is paramount to understand how anthropometric features contribute to the patron’s ability to defeat ride restraint and containment systems. A systemic perspective was used based on industry accident data to frame the problem associated with restraint and …

Multicollinearity In Regression Analyses Conducted In Epidemiologic Studies, Kristina Vatcheva, Minjae Lee, Joseph B. Mccormick, Mohammad H. Rahbar

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

The adverse impact of ignoring multicollinearity on findings and data interpretation in regression analysis is very well documented in the statistical literature. The failure to identify and report multicollinearity could result in misleading interpretations of the results. A review of epidemiological literature in PubMed from January 2004 to December 2013, illustrated the need for a greater attention to identifying and minimizing the effect of multicollinearity in analysis of data from epidemiologic studies. We used simulated datasets and real life data from the Cameron County Hispanic Cohort to demonstrate the adverse effects of multicollinearity in the regression analysis and encourage researchers …

Pasture And Grazing Management, Edward Barrow Rayburn

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

WVU-Extension fact sheet

Implementing Sustainable Meal Planning Practices Through Meal Mentoring At An East Texas Food Bank Sponsored Location, Anitra L. Greusel, Mary S. Olle, Gina Fe G. Causin

Undergraduate Research Conference

Objectives

Participants being able to identify key terms on a food label.

That the participants will have an awareness of healthful portion sizes.

That the participants will be able to demonstrate this knowledge.

This was accomplished by an initial assessment, a review and a post assessment.

Each interview period had a discussion time and nutrition information was disseminated. Each participant received a one on one mentoring with the researcher covering basic nutrition content of foods during each interview.

Combined Effects Of Optimism Level And Caffeine Intake On Qeeg Alpha Wave Power: A Pilot Study, Melissa Lenert, Luis E. Aguerrevere

Undergraduate Research Conference

Caffeine has a general effect on alpha brain waves (Diukova, 2010).

Heavy caffeine users experienced increased neural activity compared to vasoconstriction (Gilbert et al., 2000).

Purpose of the pilot study is to assess the effects of caffeine intake and optimism levels on alpha wave activity in heavy caffeine users.

Facilitators And Barriers To Type 2 Diabetes Self-Management Among Rural African American Adults, Dina Byers, Katy Garth, Dana Manley, Diane Chlebowy

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify facilitators and barriers to self-management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among African American adults living in rural communities. Research indicates that African Americans experience higher rates of T2DM and diabetes-related complications than other ethnic groups. In Kentucky, diabetes is now the fourth leading cause of death by disease among African Americans.

Methods: Twenty-two African American adults with T2DM were recruited from three churches in rural communities in Kentucky. Three focus groups were conducted to identify factors that made managing diabetes easier (facilitators) and factors that made managing diabetes more …

Community-Engagement To Support Cardiovascular Disease Prevention In Disparities Populations: Three Case Studies, Deborah C. Glik, Mienah Zulfacar Sharif, Katherine L. Tucker, Shirley A. Tejada, Michael L. Prelip, Alice S. Ammerman, Thomas C. Keyserling, Shioban E. Torres, Stephanie Jilcott Pitts

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death in the United States, and are characterized by socioeconomic, geographic, ethnic, and gender disparities in risk, morbidity and mortality. In response, public health efforts have moved beyond approaches focusing on individual-level behavior change toward culturally appropriate community-focused efforts. In specific, engagement of community partners is now recognized as essential to facilitate changes at multiple levels to improve cardiovascular disease outcomes.

This paper shares lessons learned to deepen appreciation for the unique challenges community-engagement in health disparities research entails, including variations in practice, time commitment, and complexity. This paper presents three case studies …

The Construct And Predictive Validity Of Psychosocial Correlates Of Television Viewing, Raheem Paxton, Pascal Jean-Pierre, Saehwan Park, Yong Gao Dr., Stephen Herrmann, G J. Norman

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Background: Many studies have examined the consequences of prolonged television viewing, but few studies have examined the psychological states that contribute to this behavior. In this study, we evaluated the construct and predictive validity of psychosocial correlates of television viewing in a population of African American (AA) breast cancer survivors (BCS).

Methods: AA BCS (N = 342, Mean age = 54 years) completed measures of decisional balance, self-efficacy, family support, and time spent watching television online. Exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) was used to examine the construct and predictive validity as well as the differential item functioning of the instruments …

Dental Health Practices In Us College Students: The American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment Findings, Lori Dewald Edd, Atc, Mches, F-Aahe

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the dental health seeking practices of US college students. Participants: The total number of college students who participated in the ACHA-NCHA survey from 2000-2013 was 1,201,531. Methods: The data requested were the demographic questions and the dental health question from both the ACHA-NCHA I and II. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: The percentage of students who reported having a dental exam and cleaning in the last year averaged 76.6% in this study period of time. However, dental health care declined annually following their freshman year. More females …

Development And Implementation Of A Culturally Tailored, Community-Based Intervention To Raise Awareness Of Brain Health Among African Americans, Mary Ann K. Hall, Ashani Johnson-Turbes, Felicia T. Fuller, Petra Niles, Shileah Cantey-Mcdonald

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

African Americans bear a disproportionate burden of age-related cognitive impairment in the United States compared to Whites or Hispanics. African Americans experience greater prevalence, higher risk, and lower rates of treatment and diagnosis for dementia. In response to these health disparities the Alzheimer’s Association developed and implemented the Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI) demonstration project, the first community-level intervention to help reduce health disparities related to cognitive impairment among African Americans. The HBI promotes awareness of brain health, understanding of the heart-brain connection, and seeks to increase African American baby boomers engagement in health-protective behaviors to promote brain and overall health. …

An Assessment Of Community Health Knowledge Needs Of A Hispanic Community In Southern California., Patience Ifeyinwa Anyikwa

2014-2016 Graduate

No abstract provided.

Planning For The Future: A Basic Needs Assessment Of The Mixteco Population Near Richmond, Virginia, Leslie A. Stalnaker, Itza Prieto

2014-2016 Graduate

No abstract provided.