Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Preventing Obesity And Cardiovascular Disease In At-Risk Youth, Allison Patricia Woolf, Nicole Ashley Bauernfeind, Rachel Katharine Civale, Elizabeth Rose Spellman

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

The literature review that was conducted focuses on exploring the most effective way to prevent development of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) as a late effect of childhood obesity or risk thereof. Our research focused on the 8-10 year old at-risk and obese pediatric populations and whether the use of interactive educational interventions in the community setting can be of use to reduce CVD development and improve overall health status. Our findings determined that interactive educational interventions early in childhood can improve health outcomes for these populations and prevent subsequent development of CVD. We minimized the inclusion of all research whose evidence …

Obesity And Diabetes: Evaluating The Impact Of Promotores As A Prevention And Intervention Strategy In The Latino Community, Jessica Castaneda

Master's Projects and Capstones

This paper aims to examine obesity and diabetes among the Latino population as a health problem. As the largest minority racial group in the U.S, Latino rates of obesity and diabetes are greatly higher than whites. The prevalence of obesity in Latinos is 45% compared to that of whites at 34.5% (CDC, 2015). The disproportionate rates at which Latinos are affected by obesity and diabetes have prompted numerous programs to combat this health problem. Promotores or Latino community health workers have been able to provide the important piece of culturally and linguistically appropriate education for the population. Evidence shows Promotores …

The Relationship Between Obesity And Periodontal Disease, Jean Conover

Dental Hygiene Master's Papers and Projects

Obesity has been targeted as the sixth most significant risk factor worldwide that is known to contribute to both oral and other associated systemic diseases.² According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the prevalence of obesity among adults in the U.S. is 40% and 18.5% in youth with prevalence higher among middle aged adults (42.8%) than younger adults (35.7%).³ As of 2016, nearly two billion people worldwide were either overweight or obese.¹ Research indicates accumulated excessive fat from being overweight or obese contributes to serious health impairments.⁴ World-wide obesity is associated with increased …

Bariatric Surgery Recipients' Needs For Long-Term Health And Well-Being; Perspectives Of Patients And Providers, Rebecca H. Liu

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The overall purpose of this dissertation was to examine what is needed in bariatric surgery programming to support long-term health and well-being from the perspectives of the patient and providers. Study 1 assessed what bariatric surgery recipients perceive they need to best support their long-term health and well-being from a provincial sample (Ontario, Canada), and from an international sample. Study 2 explored the physical, psychological, social, and clinic-related experiences of individuals who underwent bariatric surgery at least two years prior. Study 3 investigated what bariatric clinic staff believe surgery recipients need to best support their long-term health and well-being.

Findings …

Exploring The Role Of Nutrition Education In Reducing Obesity Among The U.S. Adult Population, Nikitha Reddy Ravula

Master's Projects and Capstones

Obesity is a major concern among the low-income groups, yet the problem lacks adequate awareness. It is observed that the prevalence of obesity in the United States is increasing in the U.S., this paper is focused on obtaining information on low-income participants’ knowledge about consumption of nutritious food and its contribution in preventing obesity. This paper focuses on identifying the steps that participants have been taking to prevent obesity. To reach the goal of this qualitative study two surveys were designed by the researcher. From the study, it was found that majority of the participants were aware that consumption of …

The Connection Between Gasoline Prices And Physical Activity: Potential Ways To Combat The Rise In Obesity, John Perrotti

Honors Theses

It is widely understood that one of the most significant public health challenges in the United States is obesity which could rightly be considered an epidemic. Accompanied by billions of dollars in both explicit and implicit costs obesity places great strain on the health care system and economy as a whole. Years of scientific research has linked obesity to three main determinants: genetics over-eating and lack of physical activity. Recent research has introduced the study of the connection between the macro-economy and rates of physical activity thus linking economic variables to obesity. This paper investigates the connection between gasoline prices …

Product Bundling In Fast Food Advertisements And The Relationship With Consumers' Willingness To Pay, Madison Shapiro

Honors Theses

Obesity rates have been rapidly increasing in recent years. This is a problem especially for low-income families and for households without access to quality food. Consequently fast food restaurants are a solution for those who cannot afford healthy food. The large number and variety of fast food restaurants coupled with their aggressive advertisements cheap prices and large portions may have an effect on consumption and obesity rates. This study explored the relationship between types of advertisements utilized by fast food restaurants and consumers' willingness to pay (WTP) to see if bundled advertisements have a significant impact on WTP. Bundles also …

An Epidemiological Study Of Obesity Among Asian Americans In California, United States, Shaoqing Gong

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Obesity has reached epidemic levels in the United States (U.S.). Despite an increasing number of studies on obesity, a very few have addressed this debilitating condition among Asian American adults. The overall objective of this study is to utilize the latest cycles of the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) to better understand obesity and identify its correlates among Asian Americans. The study population comprised Asian American adults aged 18 years or older from the CHIS with data pooled from the 2013 and 2014 survey years. Obesity (≥27.5 kg/m²) was defined using the World Health Organization (WHO) Asian body …

Assessment Of Social, Dietary And Biochemical Correlates Of Cardiometabolic Risk In Pre-Adolescent Hispanic Children, Abraham Basil Alhassan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Obesity, elevated blood pressure and dyslipidemia are highly prevalent in Hispanic children. Compared to their non-Hispanic White peers, Hispanic children experience higher prevalence of obesity and hypertension. The Hispanic population in Tennessee has been growing, with about a tenth of newborn babies being Hispanic. This study aimed to: 1. Examine the influence of sociodemographic factors on Hispanic children’s cardiometabolic risk; 2. Assess the relationship between food group intake and cardiometabolic risk in Hispanic children; and 3. Evaluate the efficacy of non-traditional biomarkers for detecting cardiometabolic risk in Hispanic children. Data for the study came from a larger cross-sectional pilot study …

Assessing For Awareness And Knowledge Regarding Diabetes In Pre-Diabetes Obese Patients, Remona Lysa Brown

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Over the past few decades, there has been an increase in prevalence of diabetes in the United States. Prevention of diabetes and improving patients' knowledge and awareness of diabetes are crucial for healthcare providers. Using the Health Belief Model (HBM) as a theoretical foundation, the student used the National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to improve awareness and knowledge of diabetes among obese individuals with prediabetes. The key research question of this project was to determine whether the patients' diabetes knowledge and awareness improved after the NDPP program. A convenience sample of …

10,000 Step Challenge For Bedside Registered Nurses Working 12 Hour Shifts, Katherine Louise Schnebly

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Obesity is a pandemic that directly affects chronic health problems and mortality. Researchers have shown that more than 54% of nurses are obese. The increasing rate of obesity among nurses and the long hours they work make healthy lifestyles, including daily physical activity, difficult. Tracking daily activity using a pedometer or fitness application has shown improved awareness and sustainability of daily physical activity. This project was an investigation of the daily steps of bedside nurses working a 12-hour shift, and their subsequent awareness of their daily physical activity. Pender's Health Promotion Model was used to consider motivating factors for improving …

Perceived Barriers To Lifestyle Change In Obese, Low-Income Hispanic Women, Mariana Daniela Torchia

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Low-income Hispanic women are the fastest growing minority population in the United States, and they have increased risks of obesity and secondary health issues, such as diabetes, related to their obesity. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the barriers to lifestyle change among obese, low-income Hispanic women (OLHW). A health belief model lens was used. The study sample consisted of 15 OLHW who were clinic patients and ranged in age from 20-59. Recruitment occurred in a low-income, Southern California, outpatient clinic setting through volunteer participation from recruitment flyers. Fifteen women took part in 1-hour, in-depth interviews, which …

Influence Of Media Messages On Obesity And Health Perceptions Among African American Women, Carolyn Grant

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African American women have the highest prevalence of overweight and obesity in the United States, thus increasing their risks for chronic diseases. Their understanding of their health status and response to it could be triggered by messages in the media, yet few researchers have examined this topic with African American women. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore how advertisement and editorial content in media contributed to perceptions African American women have about overweight and obesity. Following the theoretical foundation of the social cognitive theory, the research questions explored what messages study participants encountered and which messages prompted …

Smart Moves Bright Bodies: A Rural Adaptation To Combat Obesity Among African-American Teenagers In Wilcox And Lowndes Counties, Alabama, Nicole D. Fields

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Obesity is a significant problem in the United States; however, it is a burgeoning epidemic among youth in the United States. As of 2016, Alabama is the second-most obese state in the nation¹ and 16% of Alabama adolescents are obese². While obesity is a significant problem across all ethnic groups, minorities bear a disproportionate burden in Alabama: one in five African-American adolescents is obese². This disproportionate burden is demonstrated in two Alabama counties: Wilcox and Lowndes. Both counties are predominately African-American and rank in the bottom ten counties, statewide, for overall health outcomes^9,14. …

Impact Of Substance Use And Overweight Status On The Relationship Between Domestic Violence And Bullying, Marcie Fraser

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Domestic violence has been shown to increase the risk of bullying behavior among youth. Substance use and excess weight have also been linked to bullying behaviors. The purpose of this study was to determine what anti-bullying interventions have been implemented throughout the United States, and to identify the role of three risk factors (domestic violence, excessive weight or substance use) on bullying behaviors. For this study domestic violence will be defined as experiencing domestic violence or witnessing inter-parental domestic violence. A literature review (Study 1) was conducted to identify studies and summarize interventions aimed at reducing bullying behaviors among middle-school …

The Experiences Of African American Women Participating In Church-Based Weight Loss Programs, Mangle L. Shanks

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

While obesity is a nationwide phenomenon, African Americans - especially women - continue to be more severely affected than any other ethnic group. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 20% of African American women are obese compared to 15.6% of Caucasian women. The church is an important community center for many African Americans, and is often a site for health promotion programs, though little is known of the effectiveness of these programs. The purpose of this qualitative study was to study the experiences and attitudes of African American women who have gone through a church-based weight-loss …

Diabetes Self-Management Problems Of Older, Low-Income African American Women, Pearlean Day Day

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Type 2 diabetes disproportionately affects low-income African American women, age 50 years and older: 30% to 40% of this population has this chronic disease. Two significant factors affecting poor diabetes practice adherence are food insecurity and depression; another is obesity. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to determine if either food insecurity or depression significantly affect Type 2 diabetes self-management practices; and/or if food insecurity significantly influences practice adherence indirectly, through the mediator of depression, while controlling for obesity. The research questions were aligned with the theoretical pathways posited in Matthews's reserve capacity model (RCM) and used the …

Parental Self-Efficacy, Feeding Practices And Styles, And Obesity In Mexican American Children, Maria Carmen Goodwin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Childhood obesity rates among Mexican Americans have risen along with the concerns of public health professionals. The purpose of this cross-sectional study, based on social cognitive theory, was to investigate the relationships among parental self-efficacy, parental feeding practices and styles, and childhood obesity, as measured by the parental perception of child weight, among Mexican Americans in Texas. Mothers and fathers (n=83; 33 males, 64 females), with at least 1 child between 8 and10 years, formed the sample. Relationships were assessed using the Tool to Measure Parenting Self-Efficacy questionnaire, the Parental Feeding Practices Questionnaire for Mexican American parents, the Parenting Dimensions …

Neighborhood And Community Influence On Adolescent Obesity, Peggie Arnzellique Harrison

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In the United States, over two-thirds of adults are overweight or obese, and the number of children and adolescents who are overweight is increasing. Obesity is a significant issue as obesity-related chronic diseases can result in diminished quality or life, high morbidity and mortality, and substantial healthcare costs. The purpose of this study was to examine neighborhood social capital and how it relates to adolescent obesity. The socio-ecological model was used as the theoretical framework of this study to examine how the environment and social contexts influence health behaviors. Utilizing a quantitative cross-sectional research design, bivariate and multivariate analyses were …

Contributing Factors Of Obesity Among Over-The-Road Truckers, Shari Weiss

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Obesity among over-the-road truckers (OTRs) is an epidemic creating significant public health issues among this population. The consequences of obesity (hypertension, diabetes, heart disease) put both truckers' health and their medical clearance at significant risk. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of gender, physical activity, diet, and sleep on obesity among OTRs. Through a socioecological lens, this study examined whether obesity is significantly impacted by gender, physical activity, nutrition, and sleep. This study also examined the impact of the trucking environment on obesity. The study used a quantitative research design and data were collected through a …

Assessing Plant-Based Food Lifestyle To Reduce Obesity Risk, Erna Siregar

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite an increasing number of healthy lifestyles throughout the country, Americans, including Native Hawaiians, keep gaining weight. Unlike several American lifestyles that have resulted in weight gain within the American population, the vegetarian lifestyle is a scientifically proven method for decreasing body weight and maintaining the weight loss for more than 1 year. This study aimed to compare the lifestyle patterns of 4 vegetarian lifestyles and 1 nonvegetarian lifestyle among Native Hawaiians aged 21 and older using their body mass index (BMI). This quantitative study utilized a correlational design, which is particularly suitable for examining the relationship of BMI to …

A Minority Perspective On The Public Health Response To The Obesity Epidemic, Rickey L. Ford

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Obesity is currently viewed as one of the most important health concerns in the United States. Researchers have minimally investigated perspectives surrounding obesity within the African-American female population. This lack of research presented a gap in knowledge concerning the perceived social, environmental, and cultural influences of obesity within this population. The research questions asked African-American females about their views toward these influences. This research was guided by tenets of the social cognitive theory and the transtheoretical model for behavioral change. Thirteen African-American females participated in the interviews. The data collected were reviewed and coded using word frequencies and themes. Findings …

Development And Validation Of An Adult Diet And Physical Activity Program In Primary Care Setting, Christiana Chinyere Keke-Ekekwe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Obesity is a national health problem with serious medical, psychological, and economic outcomes. Nurses and nurse practitioners (NPs) are frequently the first point of patient contact and play an essential role in the management of obesity. The current literature noted that practitioners working in primary care settings demonstrate inadequate knowledge related to evidence based practice (EBP) strategies to treat obesity, including diet modification and physical activity. The purpose of this DNP project was to develop and validate an EBP provider educational module related to diet modification and physical activity education for adult patients diagnosed with obesity in a primary care …

Reducing Acute Cardiovascular Hospitalizations With A Weight Management Program (Reach), Laura A. Graham

All ETDs from UAB

Reducing cardiovascular (CVD) risk factors such as obesity through lifestyle and behavioral interventions like weight management programs should result in better cardiovascular health. However, there is conflicting evidence on the effectiveness of these interventions in reducing long-term CVD outcomes such as acute myocardial infarction or stroke. This reflects an important gap in our understanding about factors affecting recruitment and engagement in these programs and how these factors relate to improvement in long-term cardiovascular health. To address this gap, we will use a retrospective study with up to 11 years of follow up data from the nation’s largest health care system-associated …

Associations Of Food Environment, Mediterranean Diet And Obesity In United States: A Geographic Information System (Gis) Analysis, Meifang Chen

All ETDs from UAB

Given the growing obesity epidemic in the U.S., modifying current obesogenic food environment, and identifying and promoting an obesity-modifying dietary approach that fits in the food environment context are urgent. Emerging evidence indicates that Mediterranean diet (MD) could be a beneficial dietary pattern to protect against overweight/obesity. However, as a relatively new dietary pattern in the U.S., how the unique food environment influences MD adherence, and whether consuming a MD can mediate the relationship between food environment and obesity among the population remain unknown. This dissertation, applying Geographic Information System (GIS) and path analytical methods using data from the REasons …