Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Increasing Patient Awareness And Education Surrounding Prescription Weight Loss Medications, Anirudh A. Hirve

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Obesity is a growing problem in the United States. While it remains important for clinicians to emphasize health supportive behaviors including dietary modification and exercise when counseling patients, the advent of new weight loss medications has created a need for patient education materials regarding these interventions for a growing number of patients who request them at primary care visits. This project created a smart phrase in the electronic medical record summarizing weight loss medications currently available on the market to transform patient counseling and enable better shared decision making between patients and providers.

Weighty Words: Addressing Weight Bias In Primary Care, Jharna Jahnavi

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Weight bias in healthcare impacts a great proportion of patients. ­In some ways, weight bias often goes unaddressed compared to other forms of discrimination and spans across diverse groups of people resulting a double burden of bias in patients with intersecting marginalized identities. It is essential that providers and healthcare workers are better trained in building inclusivity for patients of all weights and body types to improve healthcare access and acceptance. Patients who experience weight bias in the office are less likely to return for routine preventative care and less likely to feel safe and comfortable with their providers. This …

A Healthier Diet For Weight Loss, Hannah White

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Many patients presenting to clinic have the goal of weight loss to improve their health as obesity has many comorbidities. Many patients have multiple health concerns like Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, Hyperlipidemia, PCOS, or joint pain. Part of the management of their conditions include weight loss, but many patients struggle, for years, to lose weight. A referral to the Metabolic Weight Loss clinic in Newtown, which will provide patients with nutritional information, evidence based diets, medications, exercises, and more, can take up to 1 year to get an appointment. The goal of this project is to provide information to patients in …

Home Exercise For Patients With Limited Access And Resources, Justin L. Esteban

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Patients with limited resources and who are socioeconomically disadvantaged, don’t have the time or resources available to partake/pursue exercise. Having a home workout program may prove to be beneficial to patients who don't have access to a gym, equipment, or are otherwise constrained by time.

Tackling Access To A Healthier Life, Edom Alemayehu Girma

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Obesity is a known risk factor for complications during childhood and later in adult life. While numerous factors play a role in the prevalence of obesity, this project focused on better intervention for obesity management in the family medicine clinic located in Plattsburgh, NY. Interviews and literature searches were conducted to determine possible strategies to better assist patients in attaining their sustainable weight loss goals and an overall healthier lifestyle.

Family Medicine Community Project, Daniel Castro

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

The goal of this project is to improve diet and nutrition literacy in the community. Though Vermont ranks low in the US in terms of obesity, it is still estimated the 60% of Vermonters are either overweight or obese. This represents an area of need in terms of improving diet and nutrition education to combat obesity, the health issues it produces, and the subsequent strain on the medical system

Nutritional Habits: Encouraging Simplicity And Consistency, Alim Esemenli

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Nutrition plays a crucial role in development of diseases that are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the Unites States. However, due to reasons such as time limitations, lack of clear guidelines, and what seems like a sense of hopelessness felt by providers and patients alike upon lack of results, discussions around nutrition may lack in frequency, consistency, and/or adequacy of duration, Research shows that flexibility of mindset, as well as achievability and sustainability of nutritional goals, play a key role in achieving success in weight This project proposes a three-page document that can potentially help primary care …

Smoking Cessation Associated Weight Gain: The Role Of Diet And Exercise Counseling In Quitting Smoking, Benjamin D. Kagan

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Weight gain is a common unintended consequence of quitting smoking due to a combination of physiologic and behavioral factors. Counseling focused on diet and exercise reduces weight gain associated with smoking cessation. Reduction of weight gain related to smoking cessation maximizes the health benefit of quitting tobacco.

Challenges With Diet During The Covid Pandemic, Cinduja Nathan

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has had a tremendous impact on many individual's lives and their families. It has caused many people to change their lifestyles and daily routines. This project focuses on how diet has changed during the COVID pandemic and explores the reasons for these diet changes. 23 patients from the Central Vermont Medical Center were given surveys and their responses were analyzed and recorded. Out of the 23 patients, 20 patients reported that they noticed a change in their diet as a result of COVID 19. Of the 20 patients who noticed a change in their diet, 5 …

Waist Circumference As A Vital Sign, Brad R. Fiske

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Conversion of research protocol into QI project at Norwalk Community Health Center. Goal is to implement waist circumference as a vital sign.

Where Are You Hiding, Sugar? (Sugar Content Of Popular Drink And Snacks, With Suggestions For Healthier Alternatives), Ashta Narain

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Two flyers, with associated dotphrases, on the actual sugar content of popular drink and snack foods were created. Also provided is information about the long-term impact of sugar on our bodies over time from local dieticians, and healthier alternative food and drink choices with less sugar content.

Walking Towards A Healthier Future: A Pocket Guide To Walking Routes In Colchester And The Health Benefits Of Walking, Kevin Dibona

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

The obesity epidemic is a complex problem necessitating a multifaceted long-term response. While there is no single solution to this decade-evolving issue, exercise remains one of the most important health interventions available. This project aims to serve as a resource for patients seeking to lose weight; outlining some of the walking routes local to Colchester Vermont, as well as the health benefits of a sustained exercise plan.

Dietary Health Screening, Luke Hallgarth

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Dietary recall by patients is time consuming & inefficient. This project aims to develop a screening tool to accurately and efficiently track patient's diets over the course of multiple healthcare visits.

Words Without Weight, Lucy Merriam

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

BMI and weight loss are frequently recommended to patients but how weight is talked about with patients can have a negative effect on how they look at their bodies and health. The purpose of this project was to describe ways to discuss health with patients in a body positive way.

Using Your Phone As A Weight-Loss Tool, Sidika Kajtezovic

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Over one-third of the population in the United States is obese. Obesity is a risk factor for many chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cancer, hypertension, asthma, myocardial infarction, stroke, osteoarthritis and other psychological disturbances. Patient often find it challenging to make dietary changes in order to lose weight. This project focused on the use of a smart phone application to track daily caloric and nutritional intake, as well as exercise, to help patients lose weight.

Addressing Pandemic-Related Barriers To Fitness, Kyle Leonard

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Obesity is a persistent concern in Clinton County, New York. Over one-third of children and over two-thirds of adults in the county are classified as either overweight or obese. Obesity is associated with many adverse health outcomes, including all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis, diabetes, and various cancers. Moreover, increased prevalence of obesity leads to increased healthcare costs for those affected, amounting to tens of billions of excess dollars spent annually. As a result of the pandemic, several fitness centers in the Plattsburgh area had closed for good, leaving many residents without access to fitness. Many of those residents had been …

Promoting Weight-Loss Via Smartphone Health Applications (Myfitnesspal), Michael S. Barnum

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Obesity has become a public health crisis in the United States. 68% of men and 64% of women in the United States are considered overweight or obese. Obesity is being addressed through a variety of strategies, the use of mobile apps is a relatively new development that could prove useful in helping people to develop healthy dietary habits. Tracking the consumption of certain foods and drinks may potentially help individuals achieve an improved understanding of their dietary patterns. The goal of this project was to develop and provide educational materials on the use of MyFitnessPal to patients seeking dietary advice.

The "Best Snacks Ever" Series, Catherine M. Westbom

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Vermont rates of obesity jump from 15.1% 10-17 year-old children to 27.5% in adults. In addition, studies show that keeping weight off is incredibly difficult with low success rates. Of the many factors that contribute to obesity, nutrition is among those that can be altered with great results. Taken in combination, this information speaks to the great change that can be made in targeting healthy eating habits in the youth population prior to the jump in obesity rates. This project aims to provide education to the child population in Montpelier, Vermont through the local Step 2 after-school program. A class …

Promoting Physical Activity In School-Aged Children During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Abigail H. Belser

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, children and adolescents are engaging in less physical activity and are increasing their sedentary behavior. These changes can lead to long-lasting negative lifestyle behaviors, which increases risk of health complications.

To ensure safety during the pandemic, guidelines have created restrictions on physical education and sports, which are both primary physical activity outlets for children and adolescents. Children and adolescents have to find alternate ways and resources to meet the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity daily.

An informational pamphlet was created to educate parents and children of current physical activity recommendations, with resources and ideas …

Physical Activity Level In School-Aged Children During Covid-19, Tran Phuong

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, school-aged kids are not engaging in normal physical activities per usual, such as physical education class and team sports. This paper addresses the health concerns and community perspectives of decreased physical activity in pre teens and teens during this pandemic. Further, it provides recommendations to stay active for 60 minutes a day of moderate to vigorous exercise.

Community-Based Exercise Education During Colder Months, Cole S. Shapiro

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Approximately 50% of US adults and 75% of US high school students don't meet recommended weekly physical activity guidelines, and physical activity declines further during colder seasons. Resources describing local suggestions for physical activity should be made broadly available to community members, such as at their primary health care office.

Addressing Exercise Education In Clinton County, Ny, Amanda M. Kardys

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

In Clinton County, NY residents state that obesity, chronic disease, physical inactivity and low wages are top concerns. Many of these identified problems are tightly integrated and exacerbated by a lack of exercise education in this population. To address this, an exercise education pamphlet was created to be distributed to individuals in the community. The pamphlet focuses on discussing barriers such as time and cost of exercise, as well as enabling individuals with stretching information and local resources.

Bridging The Gap: Putting Nutrition Knowledge Into Practice, Monica Rodgers

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Obesity is highly prevalent and has overwhelmingly been shown to negatively impact health outcomes for patients. Poor dietary habits are an important contributor to obesity. Formal interviews with local healthcare providers and informal interviews with patients indicated a need for resources for patients who have already completed nutrition education classes or already have the knowledge they need but are unable to implement it to regularly prepare nutritious meals at home. A book of nutritious, filling recipes adapted to include many vegetables, low added sodium, and relatively inexpensive ingredients was compiled for health care professionals to provide to this target population …

Promoting Health Literacy About Added Sugars, With A Focus On Patients With Limited English Proficiency, Megan Kawasaki

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Excess consumption of added sugars has been linked to the development of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The sequelae of such health conditions accrue significant public health costs - both in terms of healthcare spending as well as associated co-morbidities and mortality. Chittenden County, Vermont is home to at least 6,300 new Americans, many of whom have limited English proficiency (LEP). Although office visits can provide crucial advice regarding proper nutrition, written resources available for LEP patients are lacking. This project aimed to meet that need through development of an infographic-rich handout that both promotes healthier grocery store choices and …

Exercise Education For The Winter Season, Benjamin H. Lin

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

This project aimed to identify barriers and provide a list of resources within the Addison County community to enhance access to exercise during the winter months.

Exercise Education for the Winter Season

Tackling Healthy Food Insecurity In Vermont’S Windham County, Marc J. Vecchio

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

The goal of this community project was to help bring healthy, nutritious food to underserved community members in Windham County, Vermont. It was designed to be an extension of the Vermont Foodbank's VeggieVanGo program, supplying fresh produce to those who cannot afford it. It was also designed to educate local businesses regarding available tax reductions for those who donate food to families in need.

Nutrition And Exercise Resources For Clinton County, Paige M. Wood

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

The obesity epidemic is a nation wide problem that has increased prevalence in Clinton County, NY when compared to the surrounding areas. Obesity leads to many co-morbid health conditions and is associated with a large increase in health care spending costs. This brochure tackles the limited resources, such as limited number of fitness centers, lack of nutrition education and an overall lower socioeconomic status, that is present in the Clinton County area. This brochure offers help in these areas through free phone applications which cover nutrition education, healthy shopping guidance, at home exercise routines, motivation, habit trackers and mindfulness exercises.

Vermont Food Insecurity: Implementing Screening Tools And Interventional Assistance At Thomas Chittenden Health Center, Quinn Self

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Hunger Free Vermont estimates that over 11% of Vermonters experience Food insecurity defined as a lack or access to adequate nutritious food due to lack of money or other resources. Food insecurity has been linked with numerous health problems including obesity, depression, poor school performance, heart disease, anemia and increased number of hospitalizations. Despite the adverse health outcomes associated with food insecurity, primary care providers don't usually screen for it. There are short validate tools to screen with high sensitivity and specificity for food insecurity. The goal of this project was to generate a screening poster for waiting rooms and …

Child Obesity Education: Sugar In Common Snacks, David M. Nguyen

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Causes of childhood and adolescent obesity are multi-factorial: sugary beverages, snack foods, portion size, activity level, environmental factors, socio-cultural factors, family factors and psychological factors to name a few. There are both immediate and long-term health effects for childhood obesity. Ultimately, it plays an economic burden with an estimated national medical cost of obesity-related illnesses in adults to be 209.7 billion. This pamphlet is an easy to read resource with the purpose of educating parents and adolescents about the hidden sugar in everyday snacks.

Tackling Obesity In Rural Vermont, Abishag Suresh

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Obesity is a growing epidemic across the United States. It affects rural areas such as those in Vermont deeply. An intervention addressing this problem using a health and exercise brochure was undertaken. Future direction will need to fully address the effectiveness of this intervention and take on other goals.