Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Determining The Effects Of Maternal Adiposity On Preterm Neonatal Microbiome And Short Chain Fatty Acid Profiles, Dalton James, William A. Clark Phd, Kristy L. Thomas

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The gut microbiota and its metabolites have vast impacts on the human digestive system, immune system, and health outcomes. Short chain volatile fatty acids (SCVFAs) present in feces can be representative of the interactions of the microbiota present in the gut. Low microbiota diversity in the human gut is highly associated with obesity and adverse health outcomes. Furthermore, the maternal microbiome has a direct impact on neonatal microbiota through various pathways such as environment, skin flora, breast milk composition, and vaginal secretions. This study is aimed to further understand the associations between various factors (maternal adiposity, gestational time, length of …

The Fecal Fermentation Profile Of Infants With Different Feeding Modalities, Willow Lewis, Michelle E. Johnson, William A. Clark, Amy Wahlquist

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Introduction/Background

Research indicates nutrition and environment in the first year of a child's life are crucial in their development and growth and can contribute to lower chances of developing obesity and other health concerns. Key factors that can determine these outcomes include the bacteria and resulting short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) present in the gut. This composition may be affected by feeding modality (formula feeding vs breastfeeding), exposure to the mother’s microbiota, weight status of the child, and type of delivery. This research aims to identify the impact of infant feeding modality on toddlers' fecal fermentation profile, and if there …

Comparison Of Short Chain Volatile Fatty Acids In The Breastmilk Of Normal And Overweight/Obese Mothers, Ellen Gaskill, W Andrew Clark, Kristy L. Thomas, Amy Wahlquist, Michelle E. Johnson

Undergraduate Honors Theses

INTRODUCTION: Health professionals emphasize the importance of breastfeeding in the development of children up to 6-months of age. It is known that short chain volatile fatty acids (SCVFAs) are a byproduct of nutrient fermentation by gut microbiome. These SCVFAs interact with the gut/brain axis and are known to influence infant development. Therefore, a reflection of maternal gut microbiome could likely be found in breastmilk (BM) due to diffusion of SCVFAs across the gut wall into the blood. Previous research in our laboratory has shown differences in the SCVFA fecal fermentation profile between individuals with normal (N) versus overweight/obese (OWOB) body …

I'Ll Just Weight On The Lord: Spirituality And Health Behaviors In Obese African American Women, Andrea S. Poynter, Florence M. Weierbach, Deborah L. Slawson, Jean Hemphill, Georgita T. Washington

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

Obesity is one of the fastest growing health concerns impacting all racial, ethnic, gender, and socioeconomic groups in the United States of America. More than one-third of the U.S. adult population is classified as being obese (Obesity Society, 2021). Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in all races and genders within the US with African American women comprising a majority of those impacted by this chronic health condition. Obesity rates are well documented within the literature but what is lacking is the role spirituality may play in obese African American women and their health behaviors. The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological …

I'Ll Just Weight On The Lord: Spirituality And Health Behaviors In Obese African American Women, Andrea S. Poynter, Florence Weierbach, Deborah Slawson, Jean Hemphill, Georgita T. Washington

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

Obesity is one of the fastest growing health concerns impacting all racial, ethnic, gender, and socioeconomic groups in the United States of America. More than one-third of the U.S. adult population is classified as being obese (Obesity Society, 2021). Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in all races and genders within the US with African American women comprising a majority of those impacted by this chronic health condition. Obesity rates are well documented within the literature but what is lacking is the role spirituality may play in obese African American women and their health behaviors. The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological …

Leptin Activation Of Metabolically-Related Hypothalamic Neurons, Kailee Hixon

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Obesity is often associated with multiple other clinical conditions, including hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Currently, more than one-third of the world’s population is classified as obese. Leptin is a neuropeptide that is released from adipose cells and is responsible for reducing appetite and increasing metabolism. Leptin also has a role in the activation of cardiovascular and metabolic pre-sympathetic neurons and has been reported to increase blood pressure and heart rate. Thus, understanding the activation of the autonomic nervous system by leptin has implications in the development and safety of drugs to avoid activation of cardiovascular pre-sympathetic neurons. This is important …

The Lived Experience Of Obesity, Spirituality, And Health Behaviors In African American Women, Andrea S. Poynter

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Obesity is one of the fastest-growing health concerns impacting all racial, ethnic, gender, and socioeconomic groups in the United States of America. More than one-third of the U.S. adult population is classified as being obese (Obesity Society, 2014). Novak and Brownell (2012) identified that “obesity rates are consistently rising higher each year than in previous years” (p. 2345). Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in all races and genders within the US with African American women comprising a majority of those impacted by this chronic health condition. Obesity rates are well documented within the literature but what is lacking is the …

Health And Academic Achievement In College And University Students, Amber Beane

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this non-experimental quantitative correlational study was to investigate the relationship between academic achievement and health in a national sample of college students using quantitative data analysis. Specifically, the researcher analyzed the relationship between three health-promoting behaviors (physical activity, strength training, and fruit and vegetable consumption), three negative health behaviors (cigarette, e-cigarette, and opioid use) and obesity with GPA.

Cross-sectional data on student health collected from the American College Health Association’s National College Health Assessment II (ACHA-NCHA-II) and completed by 426,650 college students from 650 U.S. colleges during the semesters between 2015 and 2019 formed the foundation for …

Association Of Perfluorinated Chemicals With Endocrino-Carcinogenetic, Obesogenic And Metabolic Health And With Markers Of Chronic Inflammation And Oxidative Stress, Ogbebor Enaholo Omoike

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

First, this study examined the association of perfluorinated chemicals with 1) cardio-metabolic health outcomes and 2) the association of phthalates with cardiometabolic health outcomes, and 3) cardio-metabolic health outcomes while assessing the possibility of additive interactions between perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) and phthalates. Second, association with markers of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress were explored. Finally, this study examined the association of these chemicals with estrogenic cancers- Breast cancer, prostate cancer, uterine cancer and ovarian cancer.

Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), logistic regression models were used to investigate the relationship between PFCs and the cardio-metabolic …

Examination Of Perceptions Of Weight Loss And Weight Loss Methods, Andrew Seiber

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine individuals’ perceptions of weight loss and weight loss methods. Respondents were employees and customers attending health/wellness events at local supermarkets in June, July, and August 2019. Participants completed a survey to assess their understanding and perceptions of weight loss and methods used to achieve weight loss. The majority of participants were white females, 60 years or older with a college degree and a Body Mass Index (BMI) classified as overweight or obese. Data revealed most participants had a variety of misconceptions relating to weight loss and weight loss methods that were obscure …

The Prevalence And Context Of Adult Female Overweight And Obesity In Sub-Saharan Africa, Ifeoma Ozodiegwu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Adult women bear a disproportionate burden of overweight and obesity in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Precise information to understand disease distribution and assess determinants is lacking. Therefore, this dissertation aimed to: (i) analyze the prevalence of adult female overweight and obesity combined in lower-level administrative units; (ii) analyze the effect modification of educational attainment and age on the association between household wealth and adult female overweight and obesity; (iii) synthesize qualitative research evidence to describe contextual factors contributing to female overweight and obesity at different life stages. Bayesian and logistic regression models were constructed with Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data …

Associations Between Family And Parental Factors And Childhood Obesity, Kido Uyamasi, Shimin Zheng, Sheryl M. Strasser

Appalachian Student Research Forum

Background: Obesity is a complex health issue, which results from the interaction between many determinants: genetics, physical environments, society, economy, and culture. Data indicate that about 19% of American children (2 to 19 years) have obesity, a condition that considerably affects physical and mental health and that usually continues into adulthood. Aside from its direct physical and mental effects, there is strong evidence that childhood obesity is strongly associated with early onset and adult cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Family and parental factors, which have both genetics and environmental components, have long been implicated in previous research as major forces in …

The Adipokine C1q Tnf Related Protein 3 (Ctrp3) Is Elevated In The Breast Milk Of Obese Mothers, Megan R. Kwon, Eileen M. Cress, W. Andrew Clark, Arsham Alamian, Yongke Lu, Jonathan M. Peterson

ETSU Faculty Works

Background C1q TNF related protein 3 (CTRP3) is a relatively novel hormonal factor primarily derived from adipose tissue and has anti-diabetic properties. To determine if CTRP3 could play a role in early childhood development, the purpose of this study was to establish the presence of CTRP3 in breast milk (BM) and to determine whether CTRP3 levels were correlated with pregravid obesity status of the mother. Methods Breast milk was collected from breast-feeding mothers who had a pregravid body mass index (BMI) classification of normal weight (BMI 18–25 kg/m2, n = 23) or obese (BMI > 30 kg/m2, n = 14). Immunoprecipitation …

Stratified Multilevel Logistic Regression Modeling For Risk Factors Of Adolescent Obesity In Tennessee, Shimin Zheng, Sheryl Strasser, Nicole Holt, Megan Quinn, Ying Liu, Casey Morrell

ETSU Faculty Works

Background: US adolescent obesity rates have quadrupled over the past 3 decades. Research examining complex factors associatedwith obesity is limited.Objectives: The purpose of this study was to utilize a representative sample of students (grades 6 - 8) in Tennessee to determine theco-occurrence of risk behaviors with adolescent obesity prevalence and to analyze variations by strata. Methods: The 2010 youth risk behavior survey dataset was used to examine associations of obesity with variables related to sampledemographics, risk and protective behaviors, and region. Hierarchical logistic regression analyses stratified by demographics andregion were conducted to evaluate variation in obesity risk occurring on three …

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 …

Pre-Training Muscle Characteristics Of Subjects Who Are Obese Determine How Well Exercise Training Will Improve Their Insulin Responsiveness, Charles A. Stuart, Michelle L. Lee, Mark A. South, Mary E. A. Howell, Brian M. Cartwright, Michael W. Ramsey, Michael H. Stone

ETSU Faculty Works

Pre-training muscle characteristics of subjects who are obese determine how well exercise training will improve their insulin responsiveness. J Strength Cond Res 31(3): 798–808, 2017—Only half of prediabetic subjects who are obese who underwent exercise training without weight loss increased their insulin responsiveness. We hypothesized that those who improved their insulin responsiveness might have pretraining characteristics favoring a positive response to exercise training. Thirty nondiabetic subjects who were obese volunteered for 8 weeks of either strength training or endurance training. During training, subjects increased their caloric intake to prevent weight loss. Insulin responsiveness by euglycemic clamps and muscle fiber composition, …

Ethnic Differences In Risk Factors For Obesity Among Adults In California, The United States, Liang Wang, Jodi L. Southerland, Kesheng Wang, Beth A. Bailey, Arsham Alamian, Marc A. Stevens, Youfa Want

ETSU Faculty Works

Little attention has been given to differences in obesity risk factors by racial/ethnic groups. Using data from the 2011-2012 California Health Interview Survey, we examined differences in risk factors for obesity among Whites, Latinos, Asians, and African Americans among 42,935 adults (24.8% obese). Estimates were weighted to ensure an unbiased representation of the Californian population. Multiple logistic and linear regression analyses were used to examine the differences in risk factors for obesity. Large ethnic disparities were found in obesity prevalence: Whites (22.0%), Latinos (33.6%), African Americans (36.1%), and Asians (9.8%). Differences in risk factors for obesity were also observed: Whites …

Prevalence Of And Risk Factors For Adolescent Obesity In Tennessee Using The 2010 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (Yrbs) Data: An Analysis Using Weighted Hierarchical Logistic Regression, Shimin Zheng, Nicole Holt, Jodi L. Southerland, Yan Cao, Trevor Taylor, Deborah L. Slawson, Mark Bloodworth

ETSU Faculty Works

Background: The rate of adolescent overweight and obesity has more than quadrupled over the past few decades, and has become a major public health problem [1]. In 2011, 55% of 12-19 year olds in the United States (U.S.) were overweight or obese [2]. Adolescence is a pivotal time in which many health risk behaviors such as tobacco, alcohol, and drug use are initiated. Such health risk behaviors have been significantly associated with overweight and obesity among adolescents.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between obesity and the health risk behaviors most commonly associated with premature …

Divergent Relationship Of Circulating Ctrp3 Levels Between Obesity And Gender: A Cross-Sectional Study, Roy Marshall Wagner, Kamesh Sivagnanam, W. Andrew Clark, Jonathan M. Peterson

ETSU Faculty Works

C1q TNF Related Protein 3 (CTRP3) is a novel adipose tissue derived secreted factor, or adipokine, which has been linked to a number of beneficial biological effects on metabolism, inflammation, and survival signaling in a variety of tissues. However, very little is known about CTRP3 in regards to human health. The purpose of this project was to examine circulating CTRP3 levels in a clinical population, patients with symptoms requiring heart catheterization in order to identify the presence of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). It was hypothesized that serum CTRP3 levels would be decreased in the presence of CAD.

Methods

Body …

Nurses’ Perceptions Of Self As Role Models Of Health, Shelia Hurley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Given the sad state of obesity and lifestyle-related illnesses in the US, nurses, as the largest and most trusted health profession, must take the cause of health promotion seriously and personally. This study seeks to close the gap in knowledge of nurses’ perception of self as a role model of health and personal healthy lifestyle behaviors. This study focuses on four specific behaviors that lead to a healthy lifestyle: limit alcohol, avoid tobacco, improve nutrition, and engage in physical activity. The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between nurses’ health practices and their perceptions of self as …

College Students As Facilitators In Reducing Adolescent Obesity Disparity In Southern Appalachia: Team Up For Healthy Living, Deborah Slawson, William T. Dalton, Taylor Mckeehan Dula, Jodi Southerland, Liang Wang, Mary Ann Littleton, Diana Mozen, George Relyea, Karen Schetzina, Elizabeth F. Lowe, James M. Stoots, Tiejian Wu

ETSU Faculty Works

The proportion of obese adolescents in Southern Appalachia is among the highest in the nation. Through funding from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities — National Institutes of Health, the Team Up for Healthy Living project was a cluster-randomized trial targeting obesity prevention in adolescents through a cross-peer intervention. The specific aims of the project were to: 1) develop a peer-based health education program focusing on establishing positive peer norms towards healthy eating and physical activity (PA) among high school students, 2) test program efficacy, and 3) explore mechanisms underlying the program. The study was guided by …

Report Of A Curriculum Used In A Peer-Delivered Intervention To Reduce Obesity Of Adolescents In Southern Appalachia And Its Relationship To The National Health Education Standards, Diana Mozen, William Dalton, Taylor Mckeehan, Deborah Slawson

International Journal of Health Sciences Education

Adolescent obesity in Southern Appalachian is among the highest in the nation. Even though adolescent obesity is a major public health concern, effective interventions are limited. Team Up for Healthy Living is a cluster-randomized control trial developed to test the effectiveness of a cross-peer intervention with high school students focusing on healthy eating and physical activity. This instructional article describes the 8-week curriculum developed and utilized by Team Up for Healthy Living with an emphasis on the relationship to National Health Education Standards. This is important given the standards were created to promote and support health-enhancing behaviors for students all …

Vitamin D Status And Demographic And Lifestyle Determinants Among Adults In The United States (Nhanes 2001-2006), Yan Cao, Katie L. Callahan, Sreenivas P. Veeranki, Yang Chen, Ying Liu, Shimin Zheng

ETSU Faculty Works

This study looked at risk factors associated with vitamin D levels in the body among a representative sample of adults in the U.S., NHANES III (2001-2006) data were used to assess the relationship between several demographic and health risk factors and vitamin D levels in the body. The Baseline-Category Logit Model was used to test the association between vitamin D level and the potential risk factors age, education, ethnicity, poverty status, physical activity, smoking, alcohol, obesity, diabetes and total cholesterol with both genders. Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency were significantly associated with age, race, education, physical activity, obesity, diabetes and …

Portion Size Selection In Relation To Hemoglobin A1cs, Brian L. Dixon

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Obesity has been recognized as an increasing issue within our country. Obesity contributes to many health related issues, including type 2 diabetes mellitus. Portion size is a factor that has generated clinical research interest. The aim of this study was to determine if there was a relationship between management of diabetes measured by hemoglobin A1c and portion size selection for type 2 diabetics. In this study, subjects selected portion sizes of four different foods. Data were compared to recent A1c levels. Due to the small sample size, nonparametric statistical analysis was used. The relationship of grain portion weight selection and …

Systemic Leptin Modulates The Expression Of E-Cadherin, Β-Catenin In The Ovary Of Dietary-Induced Obese Infertile Rats, Olufunke A. Sokan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

One of the numerous complications of obesity is infertility. Leptin has been shown to reverse infertility; however, exact mechanism is poorly understood. Recent evidence indicates Ecadherin/ β-catenin complex, which is a structural constituent of adherens junction, is expressed in the rat ovary during folliculogenesis. We hypothesized that systemic leptin modulates the expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin in dietary-induced obese infertile rats to reverse infertility. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were fed either regular chow diet (RCD) (n=6) or high fat diet (HFD) (n=14). Oestrus cycles were monitored daily until their cycles became irregular. 100 ug/ml of leptin was given intraperitoneally to HFD-fed …

Comparison Of Obesity Bias, Attitudes, And Beliefs Among Undergraduate Dietetic Students, Dietetic Interns, And Practicing Registered Dietitians, Sarah E. Welborn

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The obesity epidemic in the United States is increasing, and health concerns are also on the rise as they are directly related to obesity. Even though the majority of Americans are overweight or obese, prejudice and weight bias continue to be prevalent and socially accepted in a culture that tolerates discrimination towards these individuals. Health care providers, including registered dietitians, are not exempt from instigating bias towards obese patients causing a decrease in the level of care that they receive. The main purpose of this study was to compare attitudes, beliefs, and bias concerning obesity among undergraduate dietetic students, dietetic …

Parent-Led Activity And Nutrition (Plan) For Healthy Living: Design And Methods, William T. Dalton, Karen E. Schetzina, Nicole Holt, Hazel Fulton-Robinson, Ai-Leng Ho, Fred Tudiver, Mathew T. Mcbee, Tiejian Wu

ETSU Faculty Works

Child obesity has become an important public health concern, especially in rural areas. Primary care providers are well positioned to intervene with children and their parents, but encounter many barriers to addressing child overweight and obesity. This paper describes the design and methods of a cluster-randomized controlled trial to evaluate a parent-mediated approach utilizing physician's brief motivational interviewing and parent group sessions to treat child (ages 5–11 years) overweight and obesity in the primary care setting in Southern Appalachia. Specific aims of this pilot project will be 1) to establish a primary care based and parent-mediated childhood overweight intervention program …