Digital Commons Network^™

Healthy Families: A Family-Based Community Intervention To Address Childhood Obesity, Danae Dinkel, Melissa Tibbits, Emily Hanigan, Kelly Nielsen, Leah Jorgensen, Kay Grant

Health and Kinesiology Faculty Publications

The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of Healthy Families, a family-based community intervention, in improving the knowledge, self-efficacy, and health behaviors of overweight/obese children and their families as well as to explore the lessons learned. Results showed families who completed the program had significant improvements for children and parents in areas such as nutrition knowledge and self-efficacy in making healthy eating choices as well as participating in physical activity. Additionally, families reported decreasing their intake of sugar-sweetened beverages. Participating families and community partners provided valuable lessons for other communities seeking to implement a similar program.

Opportunities And Challenges For Self-Monitoring Technologies For Healthy Aging: An In-Situ Study, Mirana Randriambelonoro, Yu Chen, Onur Yuruten, Pearl Pu

Faculty Publications, Information Systems & Technology

The current need to adopt a healthy lifestyle opens the way for researchers to investigate the efficiency of using technology to motivate a change towards such behavior. Senior people’s technology adoption barriers have been largely investigated in previous research but remain unclear to design efficient solution to promote behavior change in the long term. In this paper, we present the findings of an experiment with 20 older adults using pervasive sensors for 6 weeks at their homes. In particular, we present their attitudes for physical activities and self-monitoring technologies before and after the actual usage. We then discuss the opportunities …

Relationship Between Adherence To Individual Goals Within The 5-2-1-0 Guidelines For Obesity Prevention And Number Of Pacer Laps In Adolescents, Kibum Cho, Emily Jones, Christa Lilly, Sean Bulger, Luciana Braga, Eloise Elliott

Clinical and Translational Science Institute

BACKGROUND—The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between adolescents’ adherence to the 5-2-1-0 goals and the number of completed Progressive Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER) laps. METHODS—Participants included 1792 students aged 10 to 16 years who were randomly selected across 9 data collection periods between 2012 and 2014. The Survey of Physical Activity and Nutrition was used to measure time spent in physical activity and sedentary behavior, and dietary intake and the dependent variable was the number of PACER laps achieved. The KruskalWallis test and pairwise post hoc comparisons were conducted. RESULTS—Only 0.95% (N = 17) participants met …

The Effects Of Physical Activity, Sedentary Time, And Atherosclerosison Fluid Flow In The Lumbar Intervertebral Disc, Jennifer Ann Bowden

Theses and Dissertations

Physical activity impacts health and disease in multiple body tissues including the intervertebral discs. Fluid flow within the disc is an indicator of disc health that can be observed using diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging. We monitored activity levels of 26 participants, age 35 to 55 yrs, using Actigraph accelerometers for four days to evaluate vigorous-intensity activity, moderate to vigorous-intensity activity, and sedentary time. Participants underwent structural and diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate intervertebral disc health and fluid flow. They also underwent bone density scans, carotid artery ultrasounds, a treadmill test, and a physical exam for pain, range …

An Overview Of Assessment Methodology For Obesity-Related Variables In Infants At Risk, Danae Dinkel, Corrine Hanson, Karsten Koehler, Ann Anderson Berry, Anastasia Kyvelidou, Matthew Bice, Jill Wallen, Danstan Bagenda, Laura Jana, Jana Pressler

Health and Kinesiology Faculty Publications

Background: The first 2 years of a child’s life are a particularly critical time period for obesity prevention.

Aim: An increasing amount of research across the world is aimed at understanding factors that impact early childhood obesity and developing interventions that target these factors effectively. With this growing interest, new and interdisciplinary research teams are developing to meet this research need. Due to rapid growth velocity during this phase of the lifespan, typical assessments used in older populations may not be valid or applicable in infants, and investigators need to be aware of the pros and cons of …

Impact Of The Supporting Physical Activity In The Childcare Environment (Space) Intervention On Preschoolers' Physical Activity Levels And Sedentary Time: A Single-Blind Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial, Patricia Tucker, Leigh M. Vanderloo, Andrew M. Johnson, Shauna M. Burke, Jennifer D. Irwin, Anca Gaston, Molly Driediger, Brian W. Timmons

Paediatrics Publications

Background: Physical activity levels among preschoolers in childcare are low and sedentary time high. The Supporting Physical Activity in the Childcare Environment (SPACE) intervention had three components: 1. portable play equipment; 2. staff training; and, 3. modified outdoor playtime (i.e., shorter, more frequent periods). This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of the SPACE intervention on preschoolers' physical activity levels and sedentary time during childcare hours (compared to standard care). Methods: Via a single-blind cluster randomized controlled trial, 338 preschoolers (39.86±7.33months; 52% boys) from 22 centre-based childcare facilities (11 experimental, 11 control) were enrolled. Preschoolers wore an Actical™ accelerometer for …

A Minimal Contact Diet And Physical Activity Intervention For White-Collar Workers, Kimberlee A. Gretebeck, Tatiana Bailey, Randall J. Gretebeck

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Minimal contact lifestyle interventions with multiple components coupled with health screening have the potential to improve worker health. The purpose of this study was to test a minimal contact multiple component lifestyle diet and exercise intervention. The multiple components that were included in this project included a worksite health screening, brief counseling session, emailed newsletter, and a pedometer. In response to the intervention, participants reported an increase in green salad, fruit, and vegetable consumption as well as an increase in self-efficacy for consuming three servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Study participants also demonstrated a significant increase in physical …

Cancer-Related Risk Factors And Incidence Of Major Cancers By Race, Gender And Region; Analysis Of The Nih-Aarp Diet And Health Study, Tomi Akinyemiju, Howard Wiener, Maria Pisu

Epidemiology and Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Background: Racial disparities in the incidence of major cancers may be attributed to differences in the prevalence of established, modifiable risk factors such as obesity, smoking, physical activity and diet.

Methods: Data from a prospective cohort of 566,398 adults aged 50–71 years, 19,677 African-American and 450,623 Whites, was analyzed. Baseline data on cancer-related risk factors such as smoking, alcohol, physical activity and dietary patterns were used to create an individual adherence score. Differences in adherence by race, gender and geographic region were assessed using descriptive statistics, and Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine the association between adherence and …

A Prospective Study Comparing Distance-Based Vs. Time-Based Exercise Prescriptions Of Walking And Running In Previously Sedentary Overweight Adults, Cody E. Morris, John C. Garner Iii, Scott G. Owens, Melinda W. Valliant, Hunter Debusk, Mark Loftin

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 10(5): 782-798, 2017. Prior work has reported that the declines observed in body mass index (BMI) and circumference measurements in their cross-sectional data were twice as large when calculated from distance energy expenditure estimations compared to energy expenditure estimations based on time and intensity. The primary purpose of this study was to compare walking/running for distance to walking/running for time as part of an exercise intervention. This study followed a between-subjects, repeated measures design. Fifteen overweight, but otherwise healthy participants completed the study. The time-based group walked/ran for self-reported time while the distance-based group walked/ran …

Longitudinal Examination Of Social And Environmental Influences On Motivation For Physical Activity, Elizabeth Richards, M Mcdonough, R Fu

School of Nursing Faculty Publications

Background: Physical activity behavior is influenced by numerous factors including motivation, social interactions, and the walkability of the environment. Aim: To examine how social contexts and environmental features affect physical activity motivational processes across time. Methods: Participants (N=104) completed 3 monthly online surveys assessing self-determination theory constructs, social partners in physical activity, neighborhood walkability, and weekly physical activity. Longitudinal path analysis examined the degree to which physical activity was predicted by individual goals, orientation, and autonomy support and whether these associations were meditated by motivation and moderated by the social and environmental contexts of physical activity. Results: The effect …

Physical Activity Modulates Corticospinal Excitability Of The Lower Limb In Young And Old Adults, Hamidollah Hassanlouei, Christopher W. Sundberg, Ashleigh E. Smith, Andrew Kuplic, Sandra K. Hunter

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Aging is associated with reduced neuromuscular function, which may be due in part to altered corticospinal excitability. Regular physical activity (PA) may ameliorate these age-related declines, but the influence of PA on corticospinal excitability is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of age, sex, and PA on corticospinal excitability by comparing the stimulus-response curves of motor evoked potentials (MEP) in 28 young (22.4 ± 2.2 yr; 14 women and 14 men) and 50 old adults (70.2 ± 6.1 yr; 22 women and 28 men) who varied in activity levels. Transcranial magnetic stimulation was used to …

Factors Influencing Health Behaviors In Those At Risk For Developing Schizophrenia, Adriana C. Pennacchi

Theses and Dissertations

Significant health concerns are common among those with schizophrenia- spectrum disorders and are associated with an average lifespan reduction of 15-20 years compared to the general public (Saha, Chant, & McGrath, 2007). Although symptoms of the disorder can disrupt self-care and health behaviors, evidence also suggests that problematic health behaviors are present before the onset of the manifest disorder. One example includes nicotine use which is elevated in those with a family history of schizophrenia (Ferchiou et al., 2012) and in those who show subclinical signs of risk for schizophrenia (Esterberg, Jones, Compton, & Walker, 2007). Despite these findings, there …

Physical Activity And Quit Motivation Moderators Of Adolescent Smoking Reduction, Melissa D. Blank, Kaitlyn A. Ferris, Aaron Metzger, Amy Gentzler, Christina Duncan, Traci Jarrett, Geri Dino

Clinical and Translational Science Institute

Objectives—We examined participant characteristics as moderators of adolescents’ smoking cessation outcomes as a function of intervention: Not-on-Tobacco (N-O-T), N-O-T with a physical activity (PA) module (N-O-T+FIT), or Brief Intervention (BI). Methods—We randomly assigned youth (N = 232) recruited from public high schools to an intervention, and measured their baseline levels of PA and motivation to quit. The number of cigarettes/day for weekdays and weekends was obtained at baseline and 3-month follow-up. Results—Across time-points, cigarette use declined for youth in N-O-T (p = .007) and N-O-T +FIT (ps < .02), but not BI (n.s.). For N-O-T+FIT youth, the steepest declines in weekday smoking occurred for those with high PA levels (p = .02). Weekend cigarette use decreased for NO-T+FIT youth with moderate-high levels of intrinsic motivation to quit (ps < .04). Conclusions—Adolescents may benefit from interventions designed to address the barriers faced during a quit attempt, including their motivation to make a change and their engagement in other healthy behaviors such as physical activity.

The Association Between Nutrition, Physical Activity, And Weight Status Among Adults In Georgia, Trang Nguyen, Janani R. Thapa, Donglan Zhang, Elizabeth Pullekines

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Obesity is classified as having a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 and is associated with higher risks of type 2 diabetes, coronary heart diseases, hypertension, and other adverse health outcomes. In 2015, the prevalence of self-reported obesity among adults in Georgia was 30.7. The present study focused on how, in 2015, lifestyle factors, specifically nutrition and physical activity levels, related with weight status in Georgia.

Methods: The dataset used for this analysis was from the 2015 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. The association between weight status (as measured by BMI) and nutrition and physical activity levels was …

Tailoring A Hybrid Program For Reducing Health And Education Disparities In Georgia Communities: Outcomes Of Listening Sessions, Chinwe Ejikeme

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Minorities in Georgia experience increased rates of chronic disease and poor health and education outcomes. In the general population in 2013, about 35% of adolescents were either overweight or obese and approximately 13% of children 2-4 years old were obese, with minorities accounting for higher rates. In 2010, 23% of students from low-income families, comprising a higher proportion of minorities, scored at or above proficient level for reading at the end of third grade. Targeting children 0-5 years, Georgia Department of Public Health developed an integrated curriculum to train Early Childcare Educators (ECEs) to increase their knowledge and skills …

Validation Of Accelerometer-Based Energy Expenditure Prediction Models In Structured And Simulated Free-Living Settings, Alexander H. K. Montoye, Scott A. Conger, Christopher P. Connolly, Mary T. Imboden, M. Benjamin Nelson, Josh M. Bock, Leonard A. Kaminsky

Faculty Publications - Department of Kinesiology

This study compared accuracy of energy expenditure (EE) prediction models from accelerometer data collected in structured and simulated free-living settings. Twenty-four adults (mean age 45.8 years, 50% female) performed two sessions of 11 to 21 activities, wearing four ActiGraph GT9X Link activity monitors (right hip, ankle, both wrists) and a metabolic analyzer (EE criterion). Visit 1 (V1) involved structured, 5-min activities dictated by researchers; Visit 2 (V2) allowed participants activity choice and duration (simulated free-living). EE prediction models were developed incorporating data from one setting (V1/V2; V2/V2) or both settings (V1V2/V2). The V1V2/V2 method had the lowest root mean square …

What Motivates Young Adults To Talk About Physical Activity On Social Network Sites?, Ni Zhang, Shelly Campo, Jingzhen Yang, Petya Eckler, Linda Snetselaar, Kathleen Janz, Emily Leary

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Background:
Electronic word-of-mouth on social network sites has been used successfully in marketing. In social marketing, electronic word-of-mouth about products as health behaviors has the potential to be more effective and reach more young adults than health education through traditional mass media. However, little is known about what motivates people to actively initiate electronic word-of-mouth about health behaviors on their personal pages or profiles on social network sites, thus potentially reaching all their contacts on those sites.
Objective:
This study filled the gap by applying a marketing theoretical model to explore the factors associated with electronic word-of-mouth on social network …

He’S Just Content To Sit: A Qualitative Study Of Mothers’ Perceptions Of Infant Obesity And Physical Activity, Danae Dinkel, Kailey Snyder, Anastasia Kyvelidou, Victoria Molfese

Health and Kinesiology Faculty Publications

Background: Rates of obesity among children ages zero to five are rapidly increasing. Greater efforts are needed to promote healthy behaviors of young children. Mothers are especially important targets for promoting health as mothers’ views play a vital role in helping their children foster healthy habits from an early age. Research has found parents’ views of infants’ weight may influence their feeding practices; however, limited research has explored mothers’ view of infants’ weight in relation to the promotion of physical activity. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of mothers of normal weight infants and overweight …

Get Moving: Motivating Sedentary Young Adults, Rebecca Edmunds, Neil Peterson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Obesity and sedentary behavior are increasing in the United States and the world. On the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website recent statistics put over one third of the American adult population as obese and over half as overweight (2015). This epidemic has contributed to a drastic increase in disease and cost. Obesity and the accompanying diseases are not only expensive to treat but also decrease quality of life. Prevention is essential. Many companies are working to find devices that help motivate people and encourage physical activity and a healthy lifestyle. This research project focused specifically on the …

Examination Of The Monoamine Oxidase A Gene Promoter On Motivation To Exercise And Levels Of Voluntary Physical Activity, Erin M. Kinney

Senior Theses

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the genetic basis underlying voluntary exercise. Monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) is an enzyme that acts on monoamine neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, to cause inactivation. There are several polymorphisms in the promoter region of the MAO-A gene, and these variations change transcriptional activity and the amount of MAO-A produced, leading to alterations in available dopamine levels. Interestingly, polymorphisms in MAO-A have been associated recently with physical activity level. This study sought to determine whether there is an association between motivation to exercise, levels of voluntary physical activity, and MAO-A gene polymorphisms.

Methods: …

Weather And Children’S Physical Activity; How And Why Do Relationships Vary Between Countries?, Flo Harrison, Anna Goodman, Ester M.F. Van Sluijs, Lars Bo Carson, Greet Cardon, Rachel Davey, Kathleen F. Janz, Susi Kriemler, Lynn Molly, Angie S. Page, Russell R. Pate, Jardena J. Puder, Luis B. Sardinha, Anna Timperio, Niels Wedderkopp, Andy P. Jones

Faculty Publications

Background

Globally most children do not engage in enough physical activity. Day length and weather conditions have been identified as determinants of physical activity, although how they may be overcome as barriers is not clear. We aim to examine if and how relationships between children’s physical activity and weather and day length vary between countries and identify settings in which children were better able to maintain activity levels given the weather conditions they experienced.

Methods

In this repeated measures study, we used data from 23,451 participants in the International Children’s Accelerometry Database (ICAD). Daily accelerometer-measured physical activity (counts per minute; …

A Mixed Methods Study Of Multiple Health Behaviors Among Individuals With Stroke, Matthew Plow, Shirley M. Moore, Martha Sajatovic

Faculty Scholarship

Background: Individuals with stroke often have multiple cardiovascular risk factors that necessitate promoting engagement in multiple health behaviors. However, ob-servational studies of individuals with stroke have typically focused on promoting a single health behavior. Thus, there is a poor understanding of linkages between healthy behaviors and the circumstances in which factors, such as stroke impairments, may influence a single or multiple health behaviors. Methods. We conducted a mixed methods convergent parallel study of 25 individuals with stroke to examine the relationships between stroke impairments and physical activity, sleep, and nutrition. Our goal was to gain further insight into possible strategies …

The Effect Of Motor Skill Intervention On Preschool Aged Children's Ability To Perform Locomotor And Object Control Skills, Eleni Mayes

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

The development and proficiency of motor skills are a vital part of physical activity levels and overall health of children. Previous research has connected the level of physical activity participation in children to the amount of time spent physically active in adulthood. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of an object control and locomotor skill intervention on preschool-aged children's ability to produce those skills independently as assessed using the Test for Gross Motor Development-3rd Edition (TGMD-3). Participants included 19 children between the ages of 3-5 who took part in the Healthy Kids Program through the Morrison …

Effect Of Activity Trackers And Text Messaging On Exercise, Fitness, And Physical Activity Self-Efficacy Of Middle School Students, Alison F. Pittman

Nursing Theses and Dissertations

A decrease in physical activity as children age is a contributing factor to the U.S. obesity epidemic. Middle school children are particularly vulnerable to sedentary activities. Activity trackers show promise as a means to motivate children and adults to increase physical activity (PA). This study examined the effect of a text messaging intervention and use of activity trackers with a companion social website on the body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, physical fitness, and PA self-efficacy of middle school children. Children aged 11-14 (n=102) were randomly assigned to one of three groups for a 10-week intervention: activity tracker group; …

Physical Activity And Physical Fitness In Pediatric Obesity: What Are The First Steps For Clinicians? Expert Conclusion From The 2016 Ecog Workshop, Grace O´Malley, Susanne Ring-Dimitriou, Paulina Nowicka, Andrea Vania, Marie-Laure Frelut, Nathalie Farpour-Lambert, Daniel Weghuber, David Thivel

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 10(4): 487-496, 2017. One of the main European Childhood Obesity Group mission is to assist healthcare workers in delivering evidence-based assessment and treatment of childhood obesity. Every year the ECOG annual work shop includes working groups whose objective is to highlight the major concerns faced by clinicians and practitioners who work in the field of pediatric obesity. This year, a working group was devoted to the assessment of physical activity and physical fitness in this population. The present commentary attempts to summarize the main themes identified by practitioners during these workshops in order to provide …

Impact Of Motivational Workshops On Lifestyle Modification To Increase Physical Activity, Gagandeep Singh

Honors Capstones

Motivational workshops have a positive impact on lifestyle modification for increasing physical activity. Six-step approach that focuses on creativity for incorporating physical activity in a person’s daily lifestyle, is found to be effective for the motivational workshops in successfully resulting in positive lifestyle behavior modification in increasing physical activity and healthy nutrition. The six-step approach includes: a) building a partnership, b) negotiating an agenda, c) assessing resistance and motivation, d) enhancing mutual understanding, e) implementing a plan, and f) following through.

Behavioral Determinants Of Physical Activity Across The Life Course: A "Determinants Of Diet And Physical Activity" (Dedipac) Umbrella Systematic Literature Review, Giancarlo Condello, Anna Puggina, Katina Aleksovska, Christoph Buck, Con Burns, Greet Cardon, Angela Carlin, Chantal Simon, Donatella Ciarapica, Tara Coppinger, Cristina Cortis, Sara D'Haese, Marieke De Craemer, Andrea Di Blasio, Sylvia Hansen, Licia Iacoviello, Johann Issartel, Pascal Izzicupo, Lina Jaeschke, Martina Kanning, Aileen Kennedy, Fiona Chun Man Ling, Agnes Luzak, Giorgio Napolitano, Julie Anne Nazare, Camille Perchoux, Caterina Pesce, Tobias Pischon, Angela Polito, Alessandra Sannella, Holger Schulz, Rhoda Sohun

Publications

Background: Low levels of physical activity (PA) are a global concern and increasing PA engagement is becoming a priority in current public health policies. Despite the large number of studies and reviews available, the evidence regarding the behavioral determinants of PA is still inconclusive. Thus, the aim of this umbrella systematic literature review (SLR) was to summarize the evidence on the behavioral determinants of PA across the life course. Methods: A systematic online search was conducted on MEDLINE, ISI Web of Science, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus databases. The search was limited to studies published in English from January, 2004 to April, …

Middle School Girls' Science Motivation And Performance: Cognitive Effects Of An Out-Of-School Time Program With Nutrition And Fitness Components, Jennifer Gatz

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

Middle school is a critical period in the cognitive and academic development of young women, and a time when their performance and interest in science may decline. After school programs play a key role in engaging youth in learning by providing opportunities to increase health and wellness, set goals, and strategize problem solving. Skills associated with the capacity to perform well in science are highly dependent upon abilities that fall under executive function. Executive function is an umbrella term for higher order cognitive processes including working memory, inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, and the ability to plan, monitor and carry out …

The Association Between Motor Proficiency, Cognitive Tempo, Academic Skills, Balance And Visual Efficiency In Elementary School Aged Children., Franklin R. Muntis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between motor proficiency, cognitive tempo, academic skills, balance and visual efficiency in elementary school aged children at a local Spanish immersion school. Forty-nine students and their parents provided consent to participate in the study. Motor proficiency was measured using the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency Second Edition (BOT-2), cognitive tempo and academic skills were assessed using the Child and Adolescent Behavior Inventory, Visual Efficiency was measured using Visual Efficiency Rating (VERA) and Balance was measured using a Neurocom^® platform function for stability evaluation test to determine limits of stability. …

The Relationship Between Physical Activity And Psychosocial Health In Adolescent Girls And Their Mothers, Kellie Walters

All Dissertations

In most western countries, obesity and sedentary behavior are a major health concern. Research demonstrates a clear connection between one's physical and emotional health (e.g., body image) and as such, many community programs now focus on the "whole person" rather than just physical wellbeing. When looking at the population as a whole, the most health disparate group is adolescent girls. Compared to any other cohort, adolescent girls are the most sedentary, obese, and likely to suffer from psychosocial distress such as anxiety and/or depression. As a result, there is a need for further research into adolescent girls' physical and emotional …