Digital Commons Network^™

Leading The Way In Pediatric Oral Health Promotion, Denise C. Mckinney

Dental Hygiene Faculty Publications

[Introduction] Dental hygienists promote oral health and provide preventive services to patients throughout their lifespan. The Commission on Dental Accreditation, Dental Hygiene Standards emphasize that graduates must be competent in providing dental hygiene care for all patient populations, including children.¹ In fact, promoting pediatric oral health begins prior to birth with the expectant mother and/or caregiver. Oral health care to include education is essential during pregnancy; specifically, around the prevention and treatment of dental caries for the mother and the unborn child.² In the U.S., from 2013-2016, roughly 30% of women aged 20-44 years had untreated dental caries.³ Expectant mothers …

Rawls On The Status Of Future Citizens, Michael Moeny

Honors Undergraduate Theses

John Rawls sought to articulate principles for a just democratic society. Those principles must be justified by reasons that could be accepted by all reasonable citizens, regardless of their personal philosophical, religious, or moral commitments—what Rawls refers to as public reason. Basic political concepts, such as citizenship and rights, must also be justified in terms of public reason. Rawls stipulates that citizens enter society at birth, a claim that shapes his answer to whether legal protections for the unborn are justified. I argue that Rawls was not entitled to this stipulation, since it relies on contentious commitments that cannot be …

Effects Of Recreational Football On Body Composition, Cardiometabolic Health, And Functional Performance In Children And Adolescents: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Yanzhao Lei, Yanmei Ding, Bo Wang, Hengzhi Deng, Mingyue Yin, Kai Xu, Hengxian Liu, Meiling Tao, Yanfeng Li, Yilin Zhang, Yuhang Liu, Fanhao Meng, Hansen Li, Xing Zhang, Bitai Wu

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: The systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of recreational football on body composition, cardiometabolic health, and functional performance in children and adolescents. Additionally, it explored potential moderators through subgroup analyses. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in six databases in May 2025. A random-effects model was employed for the meta-analysis, and effect sizes were reported as standardized mean differences (SMD, Hedges’ g). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were conducted to examine sources of heterogeneity. Results: A total of 20 studies (N = 2,906; age range: 8–17 years) were included. Of the participants, 1,524 (52.44%) were male, 1,174 …

A Cross-Sectional Study Investigating The Relationship Between The Fto Gene Polymorphism In Relation To Obesity Traits And Vitamin D Status In Adolescence, Ahmad Al-Serri, Rabeah A. Al-Temaimi, Abdullah Al-Taiar, Lemia Shaban, Reem Al-Sabah, Abdur Rahman, Ali H. Ziyab

Epidemiology, Biostatistics, & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Background and Objective: Obesity affects 18%-25% of adolescents globally and represents a major public health challenge. Genetic factors contribute to obesity susceptibility, with the FTO gene variant rs9939609 consistently associated with obesity in adults; however, evidence in adolescents is limited. This study examined the association between FTO and obesity traits in adolescents and explored potential interactions with vitamin D status.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 509 adolescents aged 10-15 years were genotyped for FTO rs9939609. Obesity traits, including BMI, BMI z-score, and waist circumference, were assessed. Associations with genotype were analyzed using an additive genetic model, and potential interactions with …

Invisible Stress, Visible Patterns: How The Superwoman Schema Shapes Diet And Feeding Practices In Black Mothers And Their Youth During The Summer Versus School Months, Jillian Weathington

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

Background: Black mothers are frequently socialized into the Superwoman Schema (SWS), a coping pattern characterized by self-sacrifice and suppression of personal needs. Alongside significant caregiving demands, SWS may limit healthy eating opportunities, yet its relationship with diet quality (DQ) remains understudied. SWS may also intensify during unstructured summer periods. This study examined associations between SWS, perceived stress, and DQ among Black mothers and their youth during summer (T1) and school months (T2).

Methods: This observational within-subjects study included Black mothers (T1: n=51; T2: n=32; mean age 39.6±6.1) and their youth (mean age 10.6±0.3). Assessments occurred at two timepoints six weeks …

The Effects Of Physical Activity Timing And Adherence To Physical Activity Guidelines On Sleep In Children With Adhd, Xiao Liang, Mengping Zhao, Li Su, Justin A. Haegele, Richard H. Xu, Jingjing Li, Andy Choi-Yeung Tse, Shirley X. Li

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Regular physical activity (PA) has been shown to benefit sleep. However, the effects of PA timing and adherence to the WHO's recommended 60-min moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) guideline on sleep are unclear, especially for children with ADHD who often experience sleep problems. This study examined whether timing of MVPA influenced objectively measured sleep, including sleep latency (SL), sleep efficiency (SE), total sleep time (TST), and wake after sleep onset (WASO), among children with ADHD. This cross-sectional study involved 253 children with ADHD (Mage = 8.60 ± 1.31 years, 81% boys). MVPA timing was categorized as more than 8 h before …

Second Look Commission 2025 Annual Report, Tennessee. Commission On Children And Youth.

Second Look Commission Annual Report

No abstract provided.

The State Of The Child In Tennessee 2025, Tennessee. Commission On Children And Youth.

The State of the Child in Tennessee

No abstract provided.

Results Of The 2024 Immunization Status Survey Of 24-Month-Old Children In Tennessee, Tennessee. Department Of Health.

Immunization Rates

No abstract provided.

Cultural Adaptation And Psychometric Characteristics Of The Child Oral And Motor Proficiency Scale (Chomps)-Turkish Version, Ebru Umay, Si̇bel Eyi̇gör, Damla Cankurtaran, Sema Kalkan, Ni̇hal Tezel, Cuma Uz, Şükran Güzel, Fatma Balli Uz, Güler Gözpinar, Recep Gayir, Fatma Nazli, Keri̇m Demi̇rsöz, Ece Ünlü Akyüz, Britt Pados

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The child oral and motor proficiency scale (ChOMPS) is a parent-reported assessment that evaluates a child’s eating and drinking skills within the framework of all related motor functions. It has been found to be useful in research studies and recommended in reviews. The purpose of this study was to perform the translation and cultural adaptation of the English version of the ChOMPS to Turkish and conduct psychometric testing of the ChOMPS–Turkish version, including reliability and validity.

Materials and methods: This study was conducted with 185 children. Cronbach’s α, corrected item-to-total correlations, coefficient of variation, and Cronbach’s α when one …

Understanding The Nutrition Ecology And Related Distal And Proximal Research Gaps Impacting School-Aged Children's And Adolescents' Functioning-A Report From The "Biomarkers Of Nutrition For Development: Knowledge Indicating Dietary Sufficiency (Bond-Kids)" Project Working Group 2., Maureen M Black, Meg M Bruening, Amy Carroll-Scott, Jayna M Dave, Kristie L Ebi, Lora L Iannotti, Susan L Johnson, Lorrene D Ritchie, Elizabeth Y Jimenez, Alison L Steiber, Daniel J Raiten

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Nutrition is critical to the health, development, and well-being of children and adolescents, operating through nutrients and the social and physical influences of dietary behaviors. Child and adolescent growth and development depend on complex biological systems interacting with the nutrition ecology. In this review, we focus on bidirectional interactions with the multilevel nutrition ecology, including distal systems (climate, geopolitical, and food systems) and proximal systems (community food options; health, social, and food services; and school policies and programs), all mediated by the family. Thus, the impact of nutrition on children's and adolescents' functional outcomes is dependent on understanding the multilevel …

Nsu Library Link - Fall 2025 - Volume 2.2, Nova Southeastern University

NSU Florida Link Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Nsu Kpcom Link - Fall 2025 - Volume 4.3, Nova Southeastern University

NSU Florida Link Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Growth Measurements In Ugandan Children With Sickle Cell Anaemia From A Hydroxyurea (Hydroxycarbamide) Treatment Trial Relative To Unaffected Sibling Controls, Dennis Kalibbala, Vincent Mboizi, Grace Nambatya, Susan Murungi, Joan Ashaba, Catherine Nabaggala, Lynnth Turyagyenda, Deogratias Munube, Phillip Kasirye, Robert Opoka

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

No abstract provided.

Assessment And Management Of Magnesium And Trace Element Status In Children With Ckd Stages 2-5, On Dialysis And Post-Transplantation: Clinical Practice Points From The Pediatric Renal Nutrition Taskforce., Jetta Tuokkola, Caroline E. Anderson, Sheridan Collins, Pearl Pugh, Molly R Wong Vega, Matthew Harmer, Lyndsay A. Harshman, Christina L. Nelms, Barry Toole, An Desloovere, Fabio Paglialonga, Nonnie Polderman, José Renken-Terhaerdt, Rukshana Shroff, Evelien Snauwaert, Stella Stabouli, Johan Vande Walle, Bradley A. Warady, Vanessa Shaw, Larry A. Greenbaum

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Children and young people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at risk for deficiency or excess of magnesium and trace elements. Kidney function, dialysis, medication, and dietary and supplemental intake can affect their biochemical status. There is much uncertainty about the requirements of magnesium and trace elements in CKD, which leads to variation in practice. The Pediatric Renal Nutrition Taskforce is an international team of pediatric kidney dietitians and pediatric nephrologists, formed to develop evidence-based clinical practice points to improve the nutritional care of children with CKD. PICO (patient, intervention, comparator, and outcomes) questions led the literature searches, which were …

Life Course And Cohort Patterns In Screen Time Among School-Aged Children In The United States, Ashley W. Kranjac, Dinko Kranjac

Sociology Faculty Articles and Research

Objective

Study design

Results

Physical Activity, Screen Time, Dietary Habits, And Health Outcomes Among Children And Adolescents In The Middle East And North Africa Region: A Narrative Review, Shaikha Eisa Alnaqbi, Rahab Sohail, Hadia M. Radwan, Maysm N. Mohamad, Falak Zeb, Haydar Hasan, Mona Hashim, Tareq Osaili, Sharifa Alblooshi, Ayesha S. Al Dhaheri, Lily Stojanovska, Leila Cheikh Ismail

All Works

Background/objectives: Fat mass and obesity associated (FTO) gene and anthropometric measurements might be associated with breast cancer (BC) risk. This study aimed to assess the interactions between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs9939609 of the FTO gene, anthropometric indices, and BC risk among pre- and post-menopause women with overweight/obesity in Pakistan. Methods: This retrospective case–control study conducted on a convenience sample of 200 women divided into two groups: a case group comprised of 100 women diagnosed with BC, and control group comprised of 100 (age and menopausal status matched healthy women). Physical activity was assessed using validated questionnaire. Data on body …

”I Want You To Be Superior To Others!” - Parents’ Experience Of Using Tcm Remedies For Their Teenagers, Ching-Yu Chan, Jun-Dai Lin

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Purposes: The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of parents in regarding providing the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) remedies that promotes the height growth for adolescent children.

Methods: This study adopted a qualitative research approach, interviewed parents of children aged 10–20 who were in pre-adolescence or adolescence and have experience using " TCM growth-promoting remedies." One-on-one, in-depth interviews were conducted to capture their experiences. The interview content was transcribed and analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

Results: A total of 10 parents were interviewed in this study, with an average age of 45±4 years, and the age at …

Budget Recommendations Fy2026-2027, Tennessee. Commission On Children And Youth.

Annual Report

No abstract provided.

P.L.A.Y. For All Pilot: Effects Of A Community-Based, Inclusive After-School Program On Physical Activity And Motor-Skill Outcomes, Allison R. Tsuchida, Karl-Richard Hennebach, Erin E. Centeio

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

After-school programs for physical activity (PA) can contribute to helping children and youth achieve the suggested 60 minutes a day of PA. Previous research also suggests that developing motor competency can positively impact long-term PA participation. Additionally, parent and peer support can help children and youth overcome barriers to PA participation. The primary purpose of this pilot research study was to determine the effects of an inclusive after-school program on PA levels and motor-skill outcomes for children with and without disabilities. A secondary purpose was to examine parental support for physical activity and children’s physical activity and motor skills. 38 …

High-Resolution Peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography Reliability And Accuracy Of Bone Density And Morphology Properties In Children, Roman J Shypailo, Chadi Calarge, Punam K Saha, Xiaoliu Zhang, Xiaojie Chen, Stephanie Dinh, Xiaofan Huang, Babette S Zemel, Fida Bacha

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Volumetric bone density, microarchitecture, and strength measures using HR-pQCT are valuable measures of bone health in pediatrics. Our cross-sectional study evaluated bone measure reproducibility in pediatric participants using repeat HR-pQCT (XtremeCT II, Scanco Medical) scans of non-dominant distal tibia and radius of 30 healthy children and adolescents (7-17 yr, 47% female) by 2 technicians. Additionally, we examined HR-pQCT and micro-CT of 26 cadaveric distal tibia specimens to evaluate agreement between the modalities. All HR-pQCT scans were analyzed using manufacturer-provided software (Image Processing Language, Scanco Medical) and a fully automated, previously validated, in-house algorithm, offering measures of bone microstructure (eg, trabecular …

Validity And Reliability Of The 'Feelfit®' Accelerometer In Evaluating Physical Activity And Sedentary Time In Children: A Comparative Study With Two Different Accelerometers, Songdhasn Chinapong, Korntawat Klinchan, Hanif Abdul Rahman, Michael Chia, Waris Wongpipit, Jetsada Arnin, Areekul Amornsriwatanakul

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(2): 794-810, 2025. Accurate physical activity (PA) measurement is crucial for public health surveillance. While self-report questionnaires are commonly used, they have limitations, especially in young children. An affordable and user-friendly device like Feelfit® offers a promising alternative particularly for countries with limited research resources. This study aimed to evaluate Feelfit®’s performance against the widely used ActiGraph® accelerometer in measuring PA among children. A quasi-experimental design was applied. Thirty-nine children (19 boys; 20 girls; aged 11.4 ± 0.5 years) wore both Feelfit® and ActiGraph® during sequentially specified activities of varying intensity ranging from sedentary to …

Toying With Relations: Speculative Toys For Children And Sustainability, Karey Helms, Petra Jääskeläinen, Sharon Lindberg, Elin Sporrong, Arjun Menon, Meike Schalk, Airi Lampinen

Nordes Conference Series

Toys as situated within the relational ontologies of children includes how more-than-human relations are imagined and valued through play. Motivated by a concern for a damaged environment, we critique a selection of existing toys intended for outdoor play and fabulate other versions based upon alternative relations. From the detailing of six redesigns through text and collage, we foreground generative pathways for how children, and adults, might relate differently to nature. These pathways are presented as questions prompted by the toys. This exploratory research contributes to the imagining of multispecies worlds and the agency of children in toying with more-than-human relations.

The Title Of My Project: Screen Time And Children's Health, Elisabeth Hernandez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Excessive screen time is harmfully affecting families emotionally, physically, and mentally (Brindova et al., 2014). Eating habits, physical exercise, sufficient sleep each night, and communication with family and peers are increasingly declining as screen time is increasing (Siegle, 2017). With the rise in screen time, young people are spending more time alone (Gingold et al., 2014). Behrens et al. (2019) “explored the cause of anxiety and depression in children as it relates to the use of technology” (p. 474). Since the increase in technological advances, there has also been an increase in cyberbullying. “Setting limits on the amount of time …

Digital Tools To Promote Or Measure Health Literacy In Children Aged 3–5 Years: Scoping Review, Caron Molster, Jennifer Irvine, Amanda Devine, Ruth Wallace, Lennie Barblett, Leesa Costello

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Health literacy is a determinant of health that should be promoted and measured in early childhood. In the era of digitalization, this could involve digital platforms. However, little knowledge exists on the extent, range, and nature of literature on digital tools for promoting or measuring young children’s health literacy. Addressing this gap, a scoping review was undertaken to explore what digital health literacy tools for children aged 3–5 years could be identified in the literature, what their key features were, how they were designed, whether children were codesigners, and whether the tools had been evaluated. Eligibility criteria included the literature …

Clinical Observation Of Oral-Motor Dysfunction In Joubert Syndrome: Case Series, Müberra Tanrıverdi, Gökhan Can Törpü

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Joubert Syndrome (JS) is a rare autosomal recessive neurological disorder, characterized by hypotonia, ataxia, tremor, developmental delay. JS also presents with respiratory abnormalities, oculomotor apraxia, motor speech dysarthria, and various atypical dysmorphic features. Oral-motor dysfunction (OMD) is a notable concern in JS, manifesting as difficulties with sucking, swallowing, drooling, and prolonged meal times. Methods: This study investigates OMD in five JS cases evaluated by physiotherapists and assessed using the Oral-Motor Examination Tool (OMET). Results: The cases exhibited feeding-related stress symptoms such as gagging and reflux. OMET evaluations identified asymmetrical faces, puckered lips, open mouths, and lip biting, with normal …

Nsu Library Link - Summer 2025 - Volume 2.1, Nova Southeastern University

NSU Florida Link Newsletter

No abstract provided.

To Pause With A Cliffhanger Or A Temporary Closure? The Differential Impact Of Serial Versus Episodic Narratives On Children's Physical Activity Behaviors, Amy Shirong Lu, Melanie C Green, Caio Victor Sousa, Jungyun Hwang, I-Min Lee, Debbe Thompson, Tom Baranowski

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Research has supported the effectiveness of narratives for promoting health behavior, but different narrative presentation formats (serial vs. episodic) have seldom been compared. Suspense theories suggest that serial narratives, which do not provide a full resolution at the end of an episode, may create higher motivation for continued engagement with a story. Forty-four 8 to 12-year-old children were randomly assigned to watch an animation series designed for an existing active video game in which the plot was delivered either continuously across multiple episodes (serial) or in multiple yet relatively independent self-contained episodes (episodic). Controlling for social desirability, children who watched …

Investigating Mechanisms And Day-Level Factors That Influence Children’S 24-Hour Movement Behaviors, Hannah Parker

Theses and Dissertations

Twenty-four hour movement behaviors (i.e., physical activity (PA), screen time (ST), and sleep) are associated with health outcomes, chronic disease (obesity, type 2 diabetes), and mortality. Most literature evaluating children’s 24-hour movement behaviors has focused on static person-level demographic information such as age or biological sex. Relatively less work has examined the variable factors that change day to day, such as environment or context. The Structured Days Hypothesis (SDH) suggests that when children are in structured environments, they have healthier movement behaviors compared to less structured environments where children have more discretionary time to engage in obesogenic behaviors. Besides school/childcare, …

Comparative Evaluation Of Postoperative Pain After Single Sitting Pulpectomy Using Hand And Rotary Instrumentation In Primary Molars Of Children – A Randomized Control Study, Nivedita Saxena, Shivayogi M. Hugar, Pooja K. Dialani, Neha Kohli, Shweta Kajjari, Niraj S. Gokhale

Indian Journal of Health Sciences and Biomedical Research KLEU

AIM:

The aim of the study is to evaluate and compare postoperative pain after single sitting pulpectomy using hand and rotary instrumentation in the primary molars of children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Sixty children of age 4–8 years were selected using standard sample size formula for the single sitting pulpectomy after fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria and all participants were equally divided into two groups. Single sitting pulpectomy procedure was carried out in both groups. In the control group, K files and in the experimental group Pro AF baby gold pediatric rotary files were used, followed by obturation with zinc oxide-eugenol …