Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Move For A Healthy Mind: A Program Of Peer-Led Physical Activity For Adolescents With Depression And Anxiety, Emily Edwards

Master's Projects and Capstones

The following discusses adolescent depression and anxiety and the utilization of physical activity as an intervention or coping mechanism. Adolescents have been experiencing increased rates of anxiety or depression diagnoses over the past roughly two decades. Adolescence is, physiologically, a formative period in the developmental stage from childhood to adulthood. Current barriers to achieving optimal mental health among the adolescent population include the stigmatization of mental health issues, lack of education, socioeconomic status and healthcare access. Further, physical activity has been studied and identified to be an effective treatment for individuals experiencing depression and anxiety. In an effort to treat …

Understanding Physical Activity Behaviour In Ontario, Canada: A Cross-Sectional Cohort Analysis Of Carrot Rewards App Users, David D. Mchugh

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Little device-measured data are available to describe the physical activity (PA) of rural-dwelling individuals living with chronic disease. PURPOSE: From accelerometer data collected using a smartphone app (‘Carrot Rewards’), we sought to provide mean daily step counts for app users in general and by age and gender for those living in rural/urban areas and those self-reporting a chronic disease or not. METHODS: This cross-sectional cohort study used device-assessed data from Ontario app users (i.e., PA data collected over a 7-day period for each user) who completed an in-app chronic disease survey from December 2018 to April 2019. A …

Gym Usage Behavior & Desired Digital Interventions: An Empirical Study, Meeralakshmi Radhakrishnan, Archan Misra, Rajesh Krishna Balan, Youngki Lee

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Understanding individual’s exercise motives, participation patterns in a gym and reasons for dropout are essential for designing strategies to help gym-goers with long-term exercise adherence. In this work, we derive insights on various exercise-related behaviors of gymgoers, including evidence of a significant number of individuals exhibiting early dropout and also describing their attitudes towards digital technologies for sustained gym participation. By utilizing gym visitation data logs of 6513 individuals over a longitudinal period of 16 months in a campus gym, we show the retention and dropout rates of gym-goers. Our data indicates that 32% of the people quit their gym …

Investigating Children's Experiences And Participation In A Free Community-Based Physical Activity Program: The Grade 5 Act-I-Pass, Emma E. Ostermeier

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Physical activity is an important component of children’s health and development; however, a majority of Canadian children are not meeting the physical activity recommendations. This thesis aimed to identify the factors that influenced children’s enrollment and participation in a free community-based physical activity program, the Grade 5 ACT-i-Pass (G5AP). This thesis consisted of two individual, but interrelated studies. First, focus groups with G5AP participants were used to explore the factors that influenced children’s perceived physical activity levels and participation in the program. Second, a spatially-targeted promotional campaign was developed and implemented to help evaluate the impact of promotions on program …

Physical Activity For Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: Benchmark Study, Lauren Nicholson

MSN Capstone Projects

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory condition that affects the joints; without proper treatment and management, RA leads to the destruction of joint function. The standard of care for RA includes medications such as biologic therapy and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. An often-overlooked area of disease management is the implementation of exercise programs for patients with RA. Exercise is known to decrease systemic inflammation, symptoms of depression, and combat fatigue – all common symptoms reported by patients with RA.

Standard of care for patients with RA does not currently include lifestyle management factors such as diet, exercise, and cessation of …

The Relationship Between Physical Activity And Emotional Intelligence In Adolescents, Marie C. Gabour

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

PURPOSE: We assessed the association of Physical Activity (PA) measures on overall Emotional Intelligence (EI) and domains of EI: Intrapersonal, Interpersonal, Adaptability, General Mood, and Stress Management in adolescents.

METHODS: Cross-sectional and two-year follow up analyses were conducted relating EI to PA measures using the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth in adolescents between 10- 13 years. EI score was measured by using a validated the youth version of the Emotional Quotient Inventory; PA was self-reported. Regression analysis adjusted for age, gender, household annual income, and health status and was summarized using regression coefficients. A test of linear trend …

Mediation And Moderation Of Sleep In Arthritis Fatigue, Jean L. Cody

Doctoral Dissertations

Fatigue is a highly prevalent symptom for older adults with arthritis. Fatigue is a concerning symptom as it is associated with decreased activity and exacerbates co-morbid conditions. Physical activity and sleep quality have been shown to influence arthritis fatigue. However, the relationship between physical activity and sleep quality over time has not been clearly identified.

The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the relationship between physical activity, sleep and arthritis fatigue. This study examined the direct effects and the mediation and moderation of sleep upon fatigue. The study utilized an experimental, longitudinal repeated measures design using mediation and …

Sociodemographic Determinants Of Physical Activity And Sport Participation Among Women In The United States, Jennifer R. Pharr, Nancy L. Lough, Angela M. Terencio

Public Health Faculty Publications

Regular physical activity and sport participation have been shown to improve women’s health; however, research has found that better health is associated with sport participation. Little is known about the sociodemographic determinants of physical activity among women, especially among the different subcategories of physical activity (sport, conditioning exercise, recreation, and household tasks). Because of the added health benefits associated with sport participation, the purpose of this study was to examine the sociodemographic determinants among subcategories of physically active women in the United States by analyzing Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data. We used data from the 2017 national BRFSS …

The Effect Of Outdoor Physical Activity On Adults With Clinical Depression, Katie Hao

2020 Symposium Posters

Mental health is a condition in regard to the human brain and how the human brain is neurologically triggered. Millions of people are diagnosed with clinical depression every year, but are not aware of how to maintain a healthy mental status once they are diagnosed. Clinical depression is not only a condition, but also a state of mind which results in the need of being active as much as possible to prevent the feelings of loneliness and sadness. There are several medications available to treat the mental illness, however they can be costly. One cost efficient way experts have found …

Is Fitspiration Truly An Inspiration? How Social Media Accounts Dedicated To Fitness And Nutrition Affect Physical Activity Levels And Body Image Among College Students, Anna Bowles

Honors Theses

Fitspiration accounts on social media are established to influence those that view or follow them to live a healthier lifestyle. However, just because these accounts are being viewed does not mean that the individuals are following the advice of these influencers. The purpose of this study is to gather data on how physical activity levels and body image are affected by the use, or knowledge of “fitspiration,” or inspiration on fitness and nutrition, accounts on social media among students at the University of Mississippi. The participants were 361 undergraduate students between the ages of 18 and 25 at the University …

Physical Inactivity: A Behavioral Disorder In The Physical Therapist’S Scope Of Practice, Matthieu P. Boisgontier, Maura D. Iversen

SHU Faculty Publications

In health, the gold standard is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being.This state is weakened by physical inactivity, which involves a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, depression, and obesity. Moreover, 6% to 10% of all deaths from non-communicable diseases worldwide can be attributed to physical inactivity. These adverse effects of physical activity provide evidence that physically active individuals are closer to the gold standard of health than inactive individuals. Therefore, physical activity – not inactivity – should be the standard reference behavior. In this framework, physical inactivity is a clinically significant disturbance in an …

The Relationship Between Tree Canopy And Social Capital On Physical Activity In Unlv Students, Melissa Bartshe

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Despite the numerous health benefits, rates of physical activity are low, especially among the college student population. Neighborhood tree canopy is one aspect of the built environment that has been shown to positively impact physical activity. Social capital has also been correlated with higher rates of physical activity. The sprawling urban design and arid desert climate of Las Vegas pose unique challenges to both tree canopy and social capital. Additionally, the relationship between tree canopy, social capital, and physical activity is understudied in the college student population. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship of tree canopy …

Factors Influencing Both Maternal And Infant Body Composition At Two Years Postpartum, Samantha Henry

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Maternal body composition (BC) and physical activity (PA) level during pregnancy both contribute to infant body composition; however, few studies follow children beyond the early weeks to determine the longer-term implications of maternal lifestyle on offspring health. The purpose of this study was threefold: 1) Determine the role of maternal obesity on offspring BC at 2 years of age; 2) Determine the role of PA during pregnancy on maternal and infant BC at two years postpartum; and 3) Determine whether BC at birth (assessed via air displacement plethysmography [PEA POD]) is related to BC at two years of age (assessed …

Relation Of Flt-1 And Endothelial Function In Women Soon After Delivery: Effect Of Physical Activity And Sedentary Behavior, Chloe W. Caudell

Senior Theses

Adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) are believed to be caused by poor placental formation. APOs can be characterized by elevated levels of a circulating Fms-like tyrosine kinase biomarker called Flt-1, produced by the placenta when its blood vessels are shallow or inadequately formed. Flt-1 acts directly on the maternal endothelium to impair vascular function during pregnancy and contributes to maternal features of APOs. This study aimed to evaluate the relation of Flt-1 and endothelial function in women soon after delivery. This study also aimed to evaluate the relation of Flt-1 and physical activity and sedentary behavior in women during and soon …

A Coaching And/Or Education Intervention Targeting Physical Activity And Nutrition Behaviours In Parents With Overweight/Obesity And Their Children, Shazya Karmali

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The purpose of this dissertation is to provide a detailed overview of, findings from, and experiences participating in a 3-month randomized controlled trial (RCT) targeting obesity-related behaviours in parents with overweight/obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 25 kg/m²) and their children (2.5-10 years old, any weight; N = 50 dyads). A concurrent mixed methods study comprised of an RCT and descriptive qualitative design was utilized. Parent-participants received Co-Active Life Coaching (CALC) and webinar-based health education (intervention) or education only (control). To address the dissertation’s purpose, Chapter II provides a detailed methodological account of the program, including rationale and …

Addressing Barriers To Physical Activity In Vermont's Geriatric Population, Stephanie Udawatta

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

A wide array of barriers exist which prevent many geriatric patients from engaging in regular physical activity. This project addresses the barriers unique to Vermont's population of geriatric patients and explores potential solutions.

Fitnessgram Assessment Results In Five Rural Counties Of Georgia, Tara L. Underwood, Jimmie H. Smith Jr, Dawood H. Sultan

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Childhood obesity continues to be more prevalent in the United States (US) than ever before. Youth who reside in rural areas tend to experience higher risks of obesity and overweight status, mainly due to barriers to physical activity. Even though the US federal government has mandated a daily requirement of physical activity for all school-age children, the majority of youth from rural communities tend to not achieve the recommended Health Fitness Zone (HFZ) goals.

Methods: The FITNESSGRAM is the instrument that has been used to measure and report students’ physical activity and body mass index (BMI) based …

Impact Of A 6-Month Exercise Intervention On Cognitive Function Among Ovarian Cancer Survivors: The Women’S Activity And Lifestyle Study In Connecticut (Walc), Jonica Yu Kao

Public Health Theses

Purpose: Cancer survivors often exhibit symptoms of impaired cognitive abilities after chemotherapy treatment. Physical activity has been shown to be promising in improving cognitive function among survivors for various types of cancer. However, very few studies have addressed this concern among the ovarian cancer patient population specifically.

Methods: The study randomized 111 physically-inactive ovarian cancer survivors into a 6-month exercise intervention (n=59) or an attention-control group (n=52). The FACT-Cog scale was self-reported to understand survivor perceptions of cognitive abilities at baseline and at 6 months. Generalized linear models (GLMs) were executed to examine the effect of the intervention versus attention-control …

The Impact Of Covid-19 On Worksite Wellness Programs, Marilyn S. Campbell

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

Introduction: Worksite wellness programs are popular employer offerings as of the last few decades. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused major shifts in behavior since these programs have been implemented. The purpose of this study was to see how the pandemic has affected various offerings within a university worksite wellness program.

Methods: This study is a secondary analysis of a university worksite wellness program, and it compares participation in the various offerings in response to the COVID-19 pandemic by evaluating 2019 participation (pre-pandemic) to 2020 participation (including onset of the pandemic and after). This worksite wellness program, which is available to …

Quality Of Life, Physical Activity, And Weight Status For A Sample Of Online Students, Walaa Awad

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Obesity has been identified as a global health problem and a risk factor for many chronic diseases. While previous studies discussed the weight status and factors associated with overweight and obesity among adults enrolled in traditional universities, few studies have yet estimated the obesity rate among adults who choose online education. Guided by the social cognitive theory, this descriptive exploratory quantitative study used a survey to collect primary data from adult online students of three higher educational institutions. The survey examined the effect of quality of life and physical activity level on the weight status of the participants; taking into …

Barriers To Physical Activity Among Asian Indian Women In The United States, Anjana Mathews

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Asian Indian women have a higher prevalence of cardio-metabolic diseases compared to women from other ethnicities and Asian Indian men in the United States. This is due to the lower level of physical activity behaviors among this population. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceived barriers to physical activity among Asian Indian women living in the United States. The theoretical framework that guided this study was Bandura’s social cognitive theory and the research design used was qualitative ethnographic approach. Participants were recruited from 2 Christian churches in Southern California using purposive and snowballing sampling strategies. Fifteen participants …

Lifestyle Factors And Social Determinants As Predictors Of Weight/Body Mass Index, Uthman Alhaji Baba

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Obesity is a major public health concern that includes the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and premature death in adults. Previous studies have established the relationship between gender, educational level, household income and respondents’ weight but additional research is needed to factor the nature of education in relation to gender differences, diet, and other important behavioral mediators such as social determinants. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional study is to determine the extent to which frequency of physical activity, household income, social determinants of health (money for balanced meals, finances at the end of month, and poor mental health), respondent …

Impact Of A Multimodal Exercise Program On Tibial Bone Health In Adolescents With Development Coordination Disorder: An Examination Of Feasibility And Potential Efficacy, Jocelyn L. Tan, Aris Siafarikas, Timo Rantalainen, Nicolas H. Hart, Fleur Mcintyre, Beth Hands, Paola Chivers

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

© 2020, International Society of Musculoskeletal and Neuronal Interactions. All rights reserved. Objectives: Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) compromises bone health purportedly due to lower levels of physical activity. The potential of an exercise intervention to improve bone health parameters in adolescents with DCD has not previously been studied. This study thus aimed to determine the impact of a multimodal exercise intervention on bone health in this population at-risk of secondary osteoporosis. Methods: Twenty-eight adolescents (17 male, 11 female) aged between 12-17 years (Mage =14.1) with DCD participated in a twice weekly, 13-week generalised multimodal exercise intervention. Peripheral quantitative computed tomography …