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Periodontal Microorganisms, Obesity, Chronic Inflammation, And Type 1 Diabetes, Georges Joseph Nahhas

Theses and Dissertations

Periodontal disease is a low-grade chronic inflammation in the tissues surrounding the teeth caused by multiple, mostly gram-negative pathogens. It is associated with diabetes, obesity, and chronic inflammation. The specific roles that periodontal microorganism play in these conditions are not well-studied. Hereby, we explored how periodontal bacteria from sub gingival plaque clustered in youth with and without type 1 diabetes, and how such patterns related to body-mass-index percentile (BMI percentile), C-reactive protein (CRP) and adiponectin. Cross-sectional data were collected from 105 youth with type 1 diabetes and 71 without diabetes. Participants were between 12 and 19 years of age receiving …

Exploring The Association Between Depression And Obesity Among Alzheimer's Patients, Stephanie Clugstone

Theses and Dissertations

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurological disorder that affects elderly individuals, and is becoming an increasing concern among the aging population of the world. Due to the projected increase in incidence of AD, modifiable risk factors such as depression and obesity should be evaluated, as prevention is the only current option. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of obesity and depression among AD patients, and to evaluate the association between depression and obesity. Patients were chosen from a subset of the South Carolina Alzheimer’s disease registry, which included information about weight status and depression, as well as several other …

A Study Into The Diagnosis Of Obesity In Infants Less Than Two Years Old In The State Of Virginia, Lindsay Ann Bruno

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

In 2007, the CDC reported approximately 12.5 million children and adolescents in the U.S. were obese. Among 24-month old clinically obese children, only 23% were diagnosed as obese. The most concerning is the prevalence of obesity in 6-month olds; 16% of 6-month old infants in the U.S. are obese, of which only 14% are diagnosed as being obese. Previous research concentrates on the factors that influence infant obesity, but does not address the prevalence of diagnosing obesity in children, particularly those under two years of age. The purpose of this project was to pioneer a survey exploring the prevalence of …

The Hamburglar, Friend Or Foe: What Is The Best Solution For Lawsuits Alleging Obesity Caused By Fast Food Outlets When No Causal Link Between Consumption And Obesity Can Be Found?, Mary Hoshall Hodges

Journal of Food Law & Policy

When is the last time you ventured through the drive-thru of a fast food establishment? Maybe last night when it was just easier than taking the time to cook dinner, or maybe last weekend on your way home from vacation, or maybe when you were running low on funds and needed a cheap meal? Given the busy, fast-paced lives Americans lead, it is no wonder that many rely on the fast food industry, even though most would not care to admit it.

You Are Not What You Eat: The Myth Of School Food And Child Obesity, Elana Needle

Stony Brook Theses and Dissertations Collection, 2006-2020 (closed to submissions)

Abstract of the Dissertation You are Not What You Eat: The Myth of School Food and Child Obesity by Elana Needle Doctor of Philosophy in Social Welfare Stony Brook University 2014 Childhood obesity is a hot topic in the research and policy literature, as well as in the popular press. However, much of the present research concentrates on one or a few variables, rather than adequately assessing the underlying structures that inherently complicate the childhood obesity epidemic. Using a logistic regression examining the school food environment in the 8th grade wave of the ECLS-K data set, this study's findings supports …

Motivational Interviewing To Enhance Weight Loss And Eating Self-Efficacy In Overweight And Obese Adults, Theresa K. Buchanan Dr.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Translational and Clinical Research Projects

Greater than six in ten adults in the United States are overweight or obese which can lead to cardiovascular disease, Type II Diabetes, joint injury and some forms of cancer, costing billions of healthcare dollars each year. Weight loss is difficult, as is maintaining weight loss. The purpose of this project is to investigate if use of the evidenced based (EB) intervention, motivational interviewing (MI), will enhance weight loss and eating self-efficacy (ESE) in overweight and obese adults seeking weight loss at a weight loss clinic over the course of eight weeks. Participants who received MI in addition to current …

Obesity Among Young American Indian Adults In North Dakota, Abby Omahen

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Obesity among American Indian young adults is a significant health problem. There is an increase in the prevalence rate of diseases associated with obesity which tend to have high medical costs and high mortality rates. Fruit and vegetable consumption, exercise, gender and education are factors which could affect obesity among American Indians. Therefore, the primary purpose of the current study was to determine if there was an association between certain factors (fruit and vegetable consumption, exercise, gender and education level) and obesity among young American Indian adults in North Dakota. The secondary purpose was to determine if there was a …

An Assessment Of A 13-Week Teaching Gardens Intervention On Healthy Behavior Outcomes In 4th And 5th Grade Students At Crestwood Elementary School In Las Vegas, Nevada, Miranda Corgiat

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Nearly 13 million children and adolescents are considered to be obese in the United States, with children enrolled in Clark County School District showing elevated overweight and obese weight statuses compared to national averages. Carrying an excessive amount of weight can lead children to experience a multitude of complications with their physical and mental health as well as increase their risk of developing various chronic diseases. The American Heart Association's Las Vegas Teaching Gardens program implemented a school-based garden pilot study to target environmental causes of obesity in 4th and 5th grade students at Crestwood Elementary School. The objective of …

Factors Related Obesity Among Korean Workers By Occupational Type, Eunkyoung Lee, Eun Joo Ji

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Session presented on Saturday, July 26, 2014:

Purpose: Korean government has established a comprehensive national health plan, known as Health 2020, for nation-wide health promotion and, under the plan, set up goals to deal with smoking, drinking, exercise, nutrition issues and acted upon them. However, the rate of prevalence of obesity among adults, 31.9% in 2011, haven't declined significantly. Obesity is caused by chronic energy imbalance and it gives rise to changes in the physiological level of insulin resistance, blood sugar, triglycerides, and blood pressure. And it is classified as cardiovascular risk factors. Therefore, obesity becomes a cause of premature …

Prevalence Of Obesity In A National Representative Sample Of Taiwan Adolescents, Chen-Mei Chen

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Session presented on Saturday, July 26, 2014:

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of obesity in Taiwanese adolescents and important related variables.

Methods: This analysis was based on the Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (NAHSIT) data during 2010 and 2011. The original study was a cross-sectional and national representative survey. A total of 1842 subjects (920 males and 922 females) aged 11-20 years participated. Research tools consisted of questionnaires and anthropometry parameters, and Taiwanese criteria were used to classify adolescents' weights. The acquired data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results: The prevalence of obesity in Taiwanese adolescents was …

The Family Partners For Health Study: A Randomized Cluster Control Trial For Child And Parent Weight Management, Diane C. Berry, Madeline Neal, Natnaree Aimyong, Robert G. Mcmurray, Gail D'Eramo Melkus, Emily Gail Hall, Todd A. Schwartz, Dean J. Amatuli

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Session presented on Sunday, July 27, 2014:

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to test a two-phased nutrition and exercise education, coping skills training, and exercise intervention for overweight or obese low-income ethnic minority 2nd to 4th grade children and their parents in rural North Carolina, U.S.

Methods: A cluster randomized controlled trial was carried out with 358 children (7-10 years) and a parent (n = 358). General linear mixed models were used to determine the effects of the intervention on weight, adiposity, health behaviors and eating and exercise self-efficacy by examining changes in children and parents from baseline …

Diet, Encoded Memory, Visual Cues, Obesity, And Neuroimaging: The Role Of Affective Response In Eating Behavior, Joann D. Long, Ngozi Anyanwu, Carol Boswell, Sara L. Dodd, Toby Rogers, Martin Binks

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Session presented on Friday, July 25, 2014:

Purpose: According to the World Health Organization, 35.8 million people are obese world-wide. The obesogenic factors contributing to this global problem are thought to reflect a complex interrelationship between social, physiological, and environmental factors. Behaviorally focused interventions focused on healthy eating, portion size, and public health strategies to increase fruit and vegetable intake have reported modest success in addressing the obesity epidemic. Appreciating how individuals differ in response to environmental eating conditions remains enigmatic. Recent advances in neuroimaging have opened the possibility of a new frontier by understanding the neural responses to food …

Comparison Of Family Eating Habits And Activity Practices Among Blacks, Hispanics, And Filipinos: Implications For Prevention And Control Of Overweight And Obesity, Luz S. Porter

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Session presented on Sunday, July 27, 2014:

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare and analyze the eating habits and physical activity practices among Filipino, Black, and Hispanic families. Overweight and obesity among children and adults is well-documented as an escalating problem. Concern about this rise centers on the link between obesity and increased health risks that translate into increased medical care and costs. Preventing childhood obesity is a national priority. Findings of earlier studies point to the interplay betweeNon-membermong personal attributes and environmental factors in development of overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescence.

Methods: This descriptive …

Nurses' Commitment And Motivation To Improved Personal Health: The Role Of Hospital Administration, Carey Marie Phelan

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Session presented on Sunday, July 27, 2014:

Purpose: As nurses comprise the largest sect of the healthcare industry, their health affects the overall effectiveness of health systems. Nurses are highly educated, yet, for many there is a disconnect between knowledge and the status of their physical health. Thus, it is important to investigate what could motivate nurses to improve their health, particularly in three major facets: decrease BMI, increase physical exercise and eat healthier. The purpose of the research is to ascertain the most effective interventions that employers could institute to motivate nurses to increase their physical health. Currently, there …

Home And Workplace Built Environment Supports For Physical Activity, Deepti Adlakha, J. Aaron Hipp, Christine M. Marx, Yang Lin, Rachel Tabak, Elizabeth A. Dodson, Ross C. Brownson

Brown School Faculty Publications

Background: Physical inactivity has been associated with obesity and related chronic diseases. Understanding built environment (BE) influences on specific domains of physical activity (PA) around homes and workplaces is important for public health efforts and interventions to increase population PA. Purpose: To examine the association of home and workplace BE features with PA occurring across specific life domains (work, leisure, and travel). Methods: Between 2012 and 2013, telephone interviews were conducted with participants in four Missouri metropolitan areas. Questions included sociodemographic characteristics, home and workplace supports for PA, and dietary behaviors. Data analysis was conducted in 2013; logistic regression was …

Discordant Documentation Of Obesity Body Mass Index And Obesity Diagnosis In Electronic Medical Records, Jennifer T. Fink, George L. Morris Iii, Maharaj Singh, David A. Nelson, Renee E. Walker, Ron A. Cisler

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: This study examined concordance between presence of obesity body mass index (BMI), defined as BMI ≥ 30, in the patient’s electronic medical record (EMR) and a documented diagnosis of obesity.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of the EMR in a large health care system for a 1-year period (2012). A total of 397,313 patients met the study criteria of having at least one physician visit, being at least 18 years of age, and not being pregnant. Of those, 158,327 (40%) had a recorded BMI ≥ 30. We examined the EMR of these obese patients to determine whether a …

Body Mass Index Or Body Fat! Which Is A Better Obesity Scale For Pakistani Population?, Syeda Sadia Fatima, Rehana Rehman, Bushra Chaudhry

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Ojective: To compare two methods of classifying obesity based on body mass index and body fat percentage.
Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2012 to August 2013 at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi. Male and female volunteers between the ages 15-65 years were selected using simple random sampling. They were classified into different groups for body mass index and body fat percentage measured through bioelectrical impedance scale. The subjects were sub-grouped into underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese. SPSS 11 was used for statistical analysis.
Results: The mean age of the 828 healthy volunteers was 25.67±10.10 years. A …

The Health Advantage Of A Vegan Diet: Exploring The Gut Microbiota Connection, Marian Glick-Bauer, Ming-Chin Yeh

Publications and Research

This review examines whether there is evidence that a strict vegan diet confers health advantages beyond that of a vegetarian diet or overall healthy eating. Few studies include vegan subjects as a distinct experimental group, yet when vegan diets are directly compared to vegetarian and omnivorous diets, a pattern of protective health benefits emerges. The relatively recent inclusion of vegan diets in studies of gut microbiota and health allows us the opportunity to assess whether the vegan gut microbiota is distinct, and whether the health advantages characteristic of a vegan diet may be partially explained by the associated microbiota profile. …

Toward A Quantitative Theory Of Food Consumption Choices And Body Weight, Sebastien Buttet, Veronika Dolar

Publications and Research

We propose a calibrated dynamic model of food consumption choices and body weight to study changes in daily caloric intake, weight, and the away-from-home share of calories consumed by adult men and women in the U.S. during the period between 1971 and 2006. Calibration reveals substantial preference heterogeneity between men and women. For example, utility losses stemming from weight gains are ten times greater for women compared to men. Counterfactual experiments show that changes in food prices and household income account for half of the increase in weight of adult men, but only a small fraction of women’s weight. We …

Reflections From An Undergraduate Student Peer Facilitator In The Team Up For Healthy Living School-Based Obesity Prevention Project, Caroline E. Crenshaw, Diana M. Mozen, William T. Dalton Iii, Deborah L. Slawson

International Journal of Health Sciences Education

Team Up for Healthy Living was a cluster-randomized trial to evaluate a cross-peer school-based obesity prevention program in Southern Appalachia. Undergraduate students from the disciplines of Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Public Health were trained as peer facilitators to deliver an 8-week curriculum in high school Lifetime Wellness classes. The focus of the curriculum was on improving diet and physical activity with an additional emphasis on enhancing leadership and communication skills. Control group participants received their regularly scheduled Lifetime Wellness curriculum. The current article is about the experiences of an undergraduate kinesiology student participating as a peer-facilitator in the Team-Up for Healthy …

Locus Of Control And Obesity, Florence Neymotin, Louis R. Nemzer

Chemistry and Physics Faculty Articles

In the developed world, the hazards associated with obesity have largely outstripped the risk of starvation. Obesity remains a difficult public health issue to address, due in large part to the many disciplines involved. A full understanding requires knowledge in the fields of genetics, endocrinology, psychology, sociology, economics, and public policy - among others. In this short review, which serves as an introduction to the Frontiers in Endocrinology research topic,we address one cross-disciplinary relationship: the interaction between the hunger/satiation neural circuitry, an individual's perceived locus of control, and the risk for obesity. Mammals have evolved a complex system for modulating …

Health Literacy And Obesity Among Native Hawaiian And Pacific Islanders In The U.S., Jane Lassetter

Faculty Publications

Objectives: Our purpose was to describe relationships between demographic characteristics, body mass index (BMI), and health literacy among Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders (NHPIs).

Design and Sample: In this cross-sectional survey, we interviewed 364 NHPI adults.

Measures: We used Newest Vital Sign (NVS), a health literacy tool; measured heights and weights; and demographic questions.

Results: According to participants’ NVS scores, 45.3% had at least a possibility of low health literacy. Lower NVS scores were associated with increased BMI (r = -0.12, p = 0.027) and increased age (r = -0.26, p < 0.001). Higher NVS scores were associated …

Breaking Barriers: The Influence Of Socioeconomic Status On Obesity Among Women In Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, Christina Camoriano

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Obesity in Brazil has grown rapidly within the past decade, however research is conflicting in terms of who carries the burden of this disease- the economic elite or the poor. Despite the lack of clarity towards the current distribution of obesity, many studies have come to the conclusion that in developing countries, obesity is growing more rapidly among those of lower socioeconomic status.¹¹ Therefore, the purpose of my research study is to examine how socioeconomic status influences the dietary and exercise habits of lower and lower-middle income women who are obese. This study is relevant because it seeks to …

Mindful Eating: Trait And State Mindfulness Predict Healthier Eating Behavior, Christian H. Jordan, Wan Wang, Linda R. Donatoni, Brian P. Meier

Psychology Faculty Publications

Obesity and excess weight are significant societal problems. Mindfulness may encourage healthier weight and eating habits. Across four studies, we found a positive relation between mindfulness and healthier eating. Trait mindfulness was associated with less impulsive eating, reduced calorie consumption, and healthier snack choices. In addition, we found a causal effect of mindfulness on healthier eating. An experimental manipulation of state mindfulness led participants to consume fewer calories in a spontaneous eating task. We also found preliminary evidence that mindfulness affects eating behavior by encouraging attitudinal preferences for healthier foods. Taken together, these results provide strong evidence that mindfulness encourages …

Antecedents Of Regular Exercise Among Women Who Do And Do Not Achieve Weight Loss Over Six Months, Heather Vartanian

Dissertations (1934 -)

In the United States, 35.5% of adult women are classified as obese, defined as a body mass index (BMI) of > 30 kg/m2. The health risks associated with obesity can be mitigated through losing even 5-10% of initial body weight. Evidence shows that reductions in caloric intake alone without increases in caloric expenditure leads to a decline in resting metabolic rate, thereby impeding attainment or maintenance of weight loss. The purpose of this cross-sectional, mixed-methods study was to explore the antecedents of regular exercise among women with obesity who did and did not achieve weight loss over six months. The antecedents …

The Effect Of Menu Labeling With Calories And Exercise Equivalents On Food Selection And Consumption, Charles Platkin, Ming-Chin Yeh, Kimberly Hirsch, Ellen Weiss Wiewel, Chang-Yun Lin, Ho-Jui Tung, Victoria H. Castellanos

Publications and Research

Background Better techniques are needed to help consumers make lower calorie food choices. This pilot study examined the effect of menu labeling with caloric information and exercise equivalents (EE) on food selection. Participants, 62 females, ages 18-34, recruited for this study, ordered a fast food meal with menus that contained the names of the food (Lunch 1 (L1), control meal). One week later (Lunch 2 (L2), experiment meal), participants ordered a meal from one of three menus with the same items as the previous week: no calorie information, calorie information only, or calorie information and EE. Results There were no …

The Historic Role Of Boards Of Health In Local Innovation: New York City’S Soda Portion Case, Lawrence O. Gostin, Belinda H. Reeve, Marice Ashe

Georgetown Law Faculty Publications and Other Works

Childhood and adult obesity pose major risks for cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, with the poor and racial minorities suffering from disproportionately high burdens of obesity and chronic disease. With current policies failing, cities and states have moved forward with creative prevention measures–-with boards of health driving policy innovation in many local jurisdictions. The New York City Board of Board of Health’s (NYCBH) soda portion limit pushed the boundaries of innovation, but was struck down on June 26, 2014 by New York State’s highest court, which held that the Board trespassed on the City Council’s authority.

The Court’s decision ignored …

Effects Of Exercise On Bmi Z-Score In Overweight And Obese Children And Adolescents: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis, George A. Kelley, Kristi S. Kelley, Russell R. Pate

Faculty Publications

Background: Overweight and obesity are major public health problems in children and adolescents. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review with meta-analysis to determine the effects of exercise (aerobic, strength or both) on body mass index (BMI) z-score in overweight and obese children and adolescents.

Methods: Studies were included if they were randomized controlled exercise intervention trials ≥ 4 weeks in overweight and obese children and adolescents 2 to 18 years of age, published in any language between 1990–2012 and in which data were available for BMI z-score. Studies were retrieved by searching eleven electronic databases, …

Regulation Of Fluid-Phase Uptake In Podocytes By Albumin-Associated Lipids, Jun-Jae Chung

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

I. Podocytes are specialized epithelial cells in the kidney glomerulus that play important structural and functional roles in maintaining the filtration barrier. In nephrotic syndrome, a major breakdown of the kidney filtration barrier associated with proteinuria, hyperlipidemia, and edema, podocytes undergo changes in morphology and appear to internalize serum proteins. We postulated that fluid-phase uptake by podocytes might play a role in maintaining the integrity of the filtration barrier. Using fluid-phase tracers, we show that podocytes in vivo actively internalize fluid from the serum and that the rate of internalization is enhanced when the filtration barrier is disrupted. In vitro …

Pengaruh Pendekatan Child Healthcare Modeldan Transtheoretical Model Terhadap Asupan Makan Anak Overweight Dan Obesitas, Kadek Ayu Erika, Elly Nurachmah

Kesmas

Overweight dan obesitas pada anak merupakan suatu masalah yang kompleks disebabkan multifaktor, yaitu interaksi genetik dan lingkungan. Gaya hidup perkotaan dipicu oleh asupan makanan yang berlebih pada anak overweight dan obesitas. Strategi untuk menurunkan asupan makan berlebih pada anak adalah dengan pendekatan child healthcare model dan transtheoretical model sehingga dapat mengendalikan gaya hidup anak. Penelitian ini bertujuan membuktikan pengaruh pendekatan child healthcare dan transtheoretical model terhadap asupan karbohidrat anak overweight dan obesitas. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan di wilayah kecamatan Biringkanaya dan Tamalanrea, Makassar, pada bulan Agustus 2013 sampai Maret 2014. Desain yang digunakan adalah quasy experiment yaitu pretest and posttest with …