Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Relationships Between Self-Regulation And Use Of Parenting Strategies For Eating And Physical Activity Behaviors Among Mexican-Heritage Mothers, Haley Delgado, M. Renee Umstattd Meyer, Tyler Prochnow, Megan Mcclendon, Joseph R. Sharkey

Health Behavior Research

It is important to understand theoretically based support behaviors that can promote healthy eating and active living among Mexican-heritage mothers. This study examined the relationship between maternal self-regulation (the capacity to plan, guide, and monitor one’s behavior flexibly in the face of changing circumstances) and use of parenting strategies among mothers residing along the Texas-Mexico border. Mothers (n = 116) were recruited from three geographic regions within Hidalgo County, Texas. A 21-item survey was administered to measure self-regulation through goal setting and limit setting. The Parenting Strategies for Eating and Activity Scale (PEAS) was used to measure parenting strategies …

The Impact Of A Lifestyle Intervention On Risk Factors Of Cardiovascular Disease And Type Ii Diabetes Among At-Risk Hispanic Women, Kathryn A. Wagner

Doctoral Dissertations

Cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes are global epidemics affecting approximately 127 and 21 million people in the U.S., respectively. Women who are overweight, obese or who develop glucose intolerance during pregnancy represent high-risk groups for the development of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Hispanic women are both more likely to begin their pregnancies as overweight or obese and have a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes, compared to non-Hispanic whites. However, prior lifestyle interventions have largely been limited to non-Hispanic whites. Therefore, this research assessed how culturally tailored lifestyle modification may affect cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes …

Physical Activity And Sedentary Behaviour Among Children And Adolescents With Intellectual Disabilities During The Covid-19 Lockdown In China, Y. Q. Yuan, J. N. Ding, N. Bi, M. J. Wang, S. C. Zhou, X. L. Wang, S. H. Zhang, Y. Liu, G. Roswal

Research, Publications & Creative Work

Background: In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, preliminary research has reported a significant decline in physical activity (PA) and an increase in sedentary behaviour (SB) among typically developed children and adolescents. Limited research has looked at the current situation of PA and SB during this pandemic among children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities (ID). This study investigated the situations about PA and SB among school-aged children and adolescents with ID on China’s mainland during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Methods: In total, 837 parents of children and adolescents (ages 6–18 years) with ID from 15 special education schools of Shandong Province …

Project Spraoi: The Implementation And Outcomes Of A Process Evaluation Of A School-Based Health Promotion Intervention, Yvonne Larrissa O’Byrne

Theses

Large multi-site school-based interventions are challenging to implement and difficult to evaluate due to the complex adaptive nature of schools as a research setting. This study focused on implementing a comprehensive process evaluation of a multicomponent primary school-based health promotion called Project Spraoi (PS), alongside intervention delivery, to aid the translation of outcomes and understand the moderating role of contextual factors on intervention delivery. PS is led by a physical activity (PA) specialist known as an Energizer and aims to improve children’s PA levels and reduce sedentary time by delivering 20 minutes extra daily moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) during …

The Development, Short-Term Efficacy, And Pilot Implementation Of An E-Learning Course In Physical Activity And Sedentary Behaviour For Pre-Service Early Childhood Educators, Brianne Bruijns

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The overarching purpose of this dissertation was to develop an e-Learning course in physical activity and sedentary behaviour and test its short-term efficacy and implementation among pre- and in-service early childhood educators (ECEs). The Delphi approach was adopted for Study 1, wherein a panel of international experts in physical activity and sedentary behaviour suggested topics for the course and, together with a panel of ECE experts, rated their importance. Study 2 employed a pre-post design to explore the changes in pre- and in-service ECEs’ physical activity and sedentary behaviour-related knowledge, self-efficacy, behavioural intention, and perceived behavioural control following course completion. …

The Efficacy Of A Personalized Mhealth Coaching Program During Pregnancy On Maternal Diet, Supplement Use, And Physical Activity: Protocol For A Parallel-Group Randomized Controlled Trial, Rozina Nuruddin, Khadija Vadsaria, Nuruddin Badruddin Mohammed, Saleem Sayani

Community Health Sciences

Background: Adequate intake of macro- and micronutrients and adoption of an active lifestyle during pregnancy are essential for optimum maternal and fetal health and offspring development. Dietary counseling and advice regarding adequate physical activity are integral components of antenatal care. Personalized coaching through the use of mobile health (mHealth) that supports behavior modification is an innovative approach that needs exploration.
Objective: Our primary aim is to assess the efficacy of an mHealth program in improving diet, supplement use, and physical activity during pregnancy. Secondary objectives include evaluation of the program's effect on maternal and offspring health outcomes and assessment of …

Assessing Physical Activity In People With Mental Illness: 23-Country Reliability And Validity Of The Simple Physical Activity Questionnaire (Simpaq), S Rosenbaum, R Morell, A Abdel-Baki, M Ahmadpanah, T V. Anilkumar, L Baie, A Bauman, S Bender, Zahra Hoodbhoy, Romaina Iqbal, Ayesha Mian

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Background: Physical inactivity is a key contributor to the global burden of disease and disproportionately impacts the wellbeing of people experiencing mental illness. Increases in physical activity are associated with improvements in symptoms of mental illness and reduction in cardiometabolic risk. Reliable and valid clinical tools that assess physical activity would improve evaluation of intervention studies that aim to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour in people living with mental illness.
Methods: The five-item Simple Physical Activity Questionnaire (SIMPAQ) was developed by a multidisciplinary, international working group as a clinical tool to assess physical activity and sedentary behaviour in …

Effects Of Acute Physical Activity On Nih Toolbox-Measured Cognitive Functions Among Children In Authentic Education Settings, H. G. Calvert, J. M. Barcelona, D. Melville, L. Turner

University Author Recognition Bibliography: 2019

Introduction: Identifying a dose of physical activity (PA) that can improve cognitive function in children has important implications for school-day PA recommendations. Researchers and educators have interest in this link as it relates to both health and academic performance. This study examined the dose-response relationship between PA and improvement in cognition in a sample of fifth and sixth grade students.

Methods: Participants (n = 156) from eight classes each completed two of four different cognitive assessments on an iPad, both before and after exposure to one of four randomized, 10-min PA conditions (sedentary, light, moderate, and vigorous). Conditions …

Randomised Study Demonstrates Sustained Benefits Of A Pre-School Intervention Designed To Improve Nutrition And Physical Activity Practices, Diewerke De Zwarte, John Kearney, Clare A. Corish, Corina Glennon, Lorraine Maher, Charlotte Johnston Molloy

Articles

Background: Health-promoting programmes must demonstrate sustained efficacy in order to make a true impact on public health. This study aimed to determine the effect of the Healthy Incentive for Pre-schools project on health-promoting practices in full-day-care pre-schools 18 months after a training intervention.

Methods: Thirty-seven pre-schools completed the initial study and were included in this follow-up study. The intervention consisted of one training session with either the pre-school 'manager-only' or 'manager and staff' using a specifically developed needs-based training resource pack comprised of written educational material and a validated health-promoting practice evaluation tool. Direct observation data of health-promoting practices were …

Do Mothers Affect Daughter’S Behaviors? Diet, Physical Activity, And Sedentary Behaviors In Kuwaiti Mother–Daughter Dyads, Lemia H. Shaban, Joan A. Vaccaro, Shiryn D. Sukhram, Fatma G. Huffman

Publications and Research

The objective of the study was to evaluate 169 Kuwaiti mother– daughter dyads and their associations with health behaviors for eating healthy, engaging in physical activity, daughters perceived body weight, time spent with computer/video, and time viewing television. Female students aged 10–14 years were selected from private and public schools in the State of Kuwait. Results demonstrated that daughters exhibited similar behaviors to their mothers in their perceived eating behavior, physical activity, computer/ video game use, and TV screen time. Future research is essential to determine the role of mothers in effective health behavior intervention strategies for female Kuwaiti adolescents.

Assessing Physical Activity And Sedentary Time In The Early Years, Leigh M. Vanderloo

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The overall purpose of this dissertation was to explore young children’s (18 months to 5 years) physical activity and sedentary time. Study 1 assessed the physical activity and sedentary time among a sample of toddlers from London, Canada using two data processing approaches. Study 2 explored the impact of three different early learning environments, and their respective characteristics (e.g., staff behaviours, equipment, sedentary opportunities, etc.), on preschoolers’ activity levels. Study 3 examined differences in two popular accelerometers used to measure young children’s physical activity and sedentary time to better understand measurement discrepancies.

Study 1 revealed that toddlers engaged in 37.27 …

Feasibility Of A Combined Physical Activity And Sleep Education Intervention For Girls Living In A Low Socioeconomic Status Urban Community, Cory J. Greever

Doctoral Dissertations

Declining sleep duration and poor sleep quality is a public health epidemic disproportionately effecting elementary age girls living in low socioeconomic status urban communities. The Girls Dancing and Sleeping for Health (Girls DASH) program was designed to test the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of a combined physical activity and sleep education program in this population. In combination with baseline data from a previously conducted intervention in elementary age urban girls living in a low SES community in Springfield, MA, results from a cross-sectional analysis indicated that greater screen time was positively associated with parental reports of child’s sleep quality. Additionally, …

Impact Of Adiposity On Postural Control At The Onset Of Sitting, Danae M. Dinkel, Anastasia Kyvelidou, Ben Senderling, Kailey Snyder, Jung-Min Lee

Research Presentations

Little research has examined the impact of infant adiposity on the quality of gross motor behavior, especially in sitting through measuring postural control. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the impact of adiposity as measured by skinfold thickness (SFT) on postural control at the onset of sitting in typically developing infants. Nineteen infants (n=8 high SFT, n=11 lower SFT) participated in a pilot study examining the relationship between infant physical activity and postural control. High SFT was classified as having a subscapular and triceps measurement in the 85th percentile or above according to the WHO age and …

Impact Of Adiposity On Physical Activity Levels Of Young Infants, Kailey Snyder, Danae M. Dinkel, Jung-Min Lee, Anastasia Kyvelidou

Research Presentations

Studies suggest that infant adiposity may delay the development of motor skills such as sitting.1-3 However, the role of physical activity (PA) in the development of motor skills during the first year of life has been understudied and little is known about the amount of PA needed for normal growth and development in infants.4,5

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of adiposity as measured by subscapular skinfold thickness (SFT) on PA of typically developing infants at three months of age (visit 1), onset of sitting (visit 2) (M=5 months, 8 days), and one month post …

The Relationship Between Physical Activity And Diet And Young Children's Cognitive Development: A Systematic Review, Pooja S. Tandon, Alison Tovar, Avanthi T. Jayasuriya, Emily Welker, Daniel J. Schober, Kristen Copeland, Dipti A. Dev, Ashleigh L. Murriel, Dima Amso, Dianne S. Ward

Department of Child, Youth, and Family Studies: Faculty Publications

Objective. Given the high prevalence of suboptimal nutrition and low activity levels in children, we systematically reviewed the literature on the relationship between physical activity and dietary patterns and cognitive development in early childhood (six months to five years).

Methods. In February 2016, we conducted two different searches of MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and ERIC. Each search included either physical activity (including gross motor skills) or diet terms, and neurocognitive development outcome terms. Included studies were in English, published since 2005, and of any study design in which the physical activity or diet measure occurred prior to age five.

Results. For physical …

Perceptions Of Infant Physical Activity And Weight: A Parents Perspective, Danae M. Dinkel, Anastasia Kyvelidou, Jung-Min Lee, Kailey Snyder

Research Presentations

Background: Approximately 10% of infants and toddlers in the U.S. are already overweight. One modifiable factor that may impact weight is physical activity (PA). Historically, society has thought that infants (0-1 year of age) are “active enough” and not in need of efforts to promote PA to expend energy. However, increases in technology have led to less PA in children of all ages. There is a vital need to improve knowledge about factors that may impact the promotion of PA to infants. Since parents are the primary caregivers for infants, their beliefs about weight and PA may influence the amount …

Influence And Support For Childhood Cancer Survivor’S Participation In Physical Activity, Ava Coughlin

Research Presentations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore childhood cancer survivor’s social support for physical activity (PA) during and after cancer treatment as well as the type of support they desired.

Methods: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with childhood cancer survivors (n=7). Data were analyzed through the process of immersion/crystallization.

Results: All survivors noted a decrease in PA during treatment. All survivors expressed a desire to return back to “normal” PA levels after treatment. Survivors reported they received general support from parents, physicians, and peers at cancer oncology camps. Most survivors expressed a desire to develop support networks with …

Alumni Collegiate Student-Athletes’ Wellness After Sport, Shane Warehime, Danae M. Dinkel, Abby Bjornson, Ashley J. Blount

Research Presentations

College student-athletes (may be more likely to experience difficulty transitioning from college than non-athletes, which could lead to decreased levels of overall wellness.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the wellness of alumni SA who recently transitioned from college.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews with former SA (n=12) were administered at a university in the Midwest. Interview questions were based on the Indivisible Self Model’s five factors of wellness (coping, social, physical, creative, and essential). Data were analyzed using the process of immersion/crystallization.

Results: Results indicate that subjects generally experienced negative feelings at the end of their athletic career, …

Do Perceptions Of Classroom Physical Activity Breaks Vary By Size Of School District?, Tyler Patterson, Kailey Snyder, Danae M. Dinkel, Connie Schaffer, Jung-Min Lee

Research Presentations

Background: Classroom physical activity (PA) breaks offers a way for schools to increase children's PA, improve time on-task, and improve academic scores. Professional development delivery models, technology infrastructure, and opportunities for collaboration are influenced by school district size. These factors may impact teachers' perceptions of instructional issues, including PA. However, little is known on how the size of school districts may impact teachers' perceptions of classroom PA. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore if teachers' perceptions of classroom PA vary based on district size. Method: Sixty teachers from five school districts (1 large public, 3 medium …

Icook 4-H: 0 To 24-Month Accelerometer-Derived Physical Activity And Sedentary Time In Youth, Emily Hofer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

To assess accelerometer-derived physical activity and sedentary time from 0 to 24- months in youth in the iCook 4-H program. The iCook 4-H Program was a 5-state, randomized, control-treatment, family-based childhood obesity prevention intervention promoting cooking, eating and playing together. Youth, 9-10 years old, and their main adult meal preparer, participated in the 12-week program followed by monthly newsletters and bi-yearly booster sessions until 24-months. Physical activity and sedentary time were determined for youth who wore an Actigraph GT3X+ accelerometer for 7 days at 0, 4, 12, and 24-months and met defined accelerometer compliance standards. Mean daily minutes of sedentary …

Proyecto Mama: A Lifestyle Intervention In Overweight And Obese Hispanic Women: A Randomised Controlled Trial--Study Protocol, Lisa Chasan-Taber, Bess H. Marcus, Milagros C. Rosal, Katherine L. Tucker, Sheri J. Hartman, Penelope S. Pekow, Edward J. Stanek Iii, Barry Braun, Caren G. Solomon, Joanne Manson, Sarah L. Goff, Glenn Markenson

Sarah L. Goff MD

BACKGROUND: The proportion of women entering pregnancy overweight or obese has been rising and, in turn, is associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Gestational weight gain (GWG) exceeding Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines further increases health risks and has been independently associated with postpartum weight retention. Hispanic women are disproportionately affected by overweight and obesity, but have had limited access to interventions that promote healthy lifestyles due to cultural, socioeconomic, and language barriers. Therefore, the overall goal of this randomized controlled trial is to test the efficacy of a culturally and linguistically modified, individually-tailored lifestyle intervention to reduce excess …

Exploring Mothers' Influence On Preschoolers' Physical Activity Levels And Sedentary Time, Alana M. Maltby

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Physical activity (PA) patterns continue from childhood into adulthood; therefore, establishing healthy PA levels early is imperative. Mothers have been identified as influencing preschoolers’ activity behaviours; however, a holistic exploration of maternal influence is lacking. The purpose of this study was to explore maternal influence on preschoolers’ PA and sedentary time. Preschoolers (n = 30) and their mothers wore ActicalTM accelerometers, and mothers completed the adapted Environmental Determinants of Physical Activity in Preschool Children - Parent Survey. Direct entry regression analyses were conducted to explore maternal influence (e.g., support, enjoyment) on preschoolers’ activity levels. Maternal support was a significant predictor …

Does Change In Physical Activity Predict Mental Health Outcomes In Pre-Adolescent African American Girls?, Sarah A. Burkart

Masters Theses

Pediatric obesity is a significant clinical and public health issue for African American girls in which low physical activity (PA) is a contributor. The mother-daughter relationship (MDR) has rarely been examined in the context of improving health behaviors such as PA and mental health outcomes (MHO) within this population. PURPOSE: To examine if change in PA following a 12-week culturally-tailored mother-daughter PA intervention predicts change in MHO variables (self-esteem, depressive symptoms, body image dissatisfaction) and MDR in pre-adolescent African American girls. METHODS: Mothers (n=27; age=36.0±17.0 years; body mass index (BMI)=34.0±7.4 kg/m²) and daughters (n=27; age=9.0±1.4 years; BMI=20.3±5.7 kg/m …

Utilization Of Classroom Physical Activity Breaks, Danae M. Dinkel, Jung-Min Lee, Caitlin Golden, Connie Schaffer

Research Presentations

Historically within schools, physical education and recess periods have been utilized as the primary times for children to obtain some portion of physical activity (PA) recommendations during the school day. Due to academic pressure, opportunities for physical education and recess periods have been reduced. Fewer than 5% of schools require daily physical education and fewer than 12% require daily recess. Additional PA opportunities are needed throughout school day.

PURPOSE: The overall purpose of this study was to examine teachers’ utilization of classroom PA breaks.

METHODS: 332 Elementary school teachers from five school districts in a Midwest city were …

Perceptions Of Classroom Physical Activity, Kailey Snyder, Danae M. Dinkel, Connie Schaefer, Jung-Min Lee

Research Presentations

Background: Few children meet the physical activity (PA) recommendations. One new and innovative ways school have tried to improve this is through classroom PA. Studies have found that incorporating opportunities for classroom PA can not only increase PA but also increase children’s time on-task as well as academic scores. However little is known about teachers’ perceptions of.classroom PA Purpose: The purpose of the study was to determine teacher’s perceptions regarding classroom PA. Methods: Four school districts in a metropolitan Midwest City were recruited to participate. Twelve teachers from each district took part in a semi-structured interview over the …

The Relationship Between Opportunity For Physical Activity And Classroom Behavior In School Aged Children., Kortney Lee Aeikens

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between physical activity and students' classroom behavior. This descriptive study explored student classroom behavior. This study is to find answers to the following research question: What is the relationship between negative classroom behavior and the amount of time spent in daily physical activity?

Understanding the effects of physical activity on student classroom behavior can help school teachers and administrators in their creation of school scheduling and policy. A sample of students from grades kindergarten thru second grade was used from Pine Island Public Schools. The data was analyzed using aggregate …

Stress And Depression During Pregnancy Among Hispanic Women: Risk For Adverse Birth Outcomes And The Role Of Physical Activity, Kathleen Szegda

Doctoral Dissertations

Preterm birth and low birth weight are among the leading causes of infant mortality and morbidity in the United States. Puerto Rican women are at increased risk for these adverse birth outcomes and elevated levels of depression and psychosocial stress during pregnancy when compared to non-Hispanic Whites. Therefore, it is important to understand whether these psychological factors increase risk for these adverse birth outcomes and mechanisms to prevent/reduce depression in this high-risk population. The first study of this dissertation examined associations between perceived stress during pregnancy and preterm birth, low birth weight, and birth of a small-for-gestational age infant (SGA) …

Move More Mommy: A Web-Based Physical Activity Intervention For Postnatal Women (Pilot Study), Sarah Gray

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Despite the many benefits of physical activity, postnatal women are not currently meeting Health Canada Guidelines of 150 minutes per week of moderate-vigorous physical activity. This study, Move More Mommy, used a mixed methods design to test the feasibility and acceptability of a web-based intervention combined with a group mediated cognitive behavioural approach, and it’s effectiveness to increase physical activity, self-efficacy, and group cohesion among postnatal women. Participants received an 8-week intervention delivered through 8 group exercise classes and a purpose built website. From baseline to post-intervention, participants significantly increased self-reported physical activity levels and group cohesion. Objectively measured physical …

Parents' Perceptions Of Activity Restrictions In Children With Epilepsy: First Two Years Post-Diagnosis, Nathan C. King

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Children with epilepsy are less physically and socially active than their peers. The objective is to explore whether parents represent a barrier to children’s activity, by examining associations between child and family factors and parents’ perceptions of epilepsy-related activity restrictions. Data were from the Health Related Quality of Life in Children with Epilepsy Study, a longitudinal study of children 4-12 years old with new-onset epilepsy. Parents reported on activity restrictions and family factors and neurologists reported on epilepsy-related characteristics at baseline, 6, 12, and 24 months. Linear mixed models were used to model relationships among child and family factors and …

The Influence Of The Childcare Environment On Physical Activity Among Preschool-Aged Children: A Feasibility Study, Leigh M. Vanderloo

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This study sought to: (1) measure moderate-vigorous physical activity (PA) levels of a sample of preschoolers; (2) assess which attributes (e.g., space, equipment, policies) within centre-based childcare environments influence PA; and, (3) pilot the methodology to ensure the feasibility of undertaking a full-scale study. Thirty-one preschoolers from five childcare centres across London, Canada participated. Actical® accelerometers were worn by participants for one day during childcare hours to assess activity levels using a 15-second epoch length. The Environment and Policy Assessment and Observation instrument was used to conduct a full-day evaluation of the childcare environment. On average, participants engaged in 11.45 …