Public Health Commons^™

The Association Of Racial Identity And Locus Of Control With Eating Attitudes And Obesity In African American College Women, Jamie Grisham

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

African-American women have been disproportionately affected by the obesity epidemic in the United States, and studies have suggested that sociocultural factors may have a negative influence on weight and weight loss efforts. Relatedly, other studies have found that African-American women have reported feeling less motivated to lose weight than other ethnic groups. Previous research has also indicated that locus of control plays a role in some health outcomes for African America women. The current study aimed to examine the impact of Black identity, external locus of control, and exercise motivation on obesity in African-American college women. Uncontrolled eating and exercise …

Modeling Bmi, Dietary Habits, And Physical Activity Among Ethnically Diverse Urban College Students, Hollie Jones, Nicholas Freudenberg, Lorraine Mongiello

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Objectives The objective of this research study was to examine the relationship between BMI, physical activity, dietary habits, and student demographic factors (age, ethnicity, income, immigration, and sex). Given the association between overweight and obesity and the inequitable burden of chronic health conditions among ethnic minority populations, a deeper understanding of the socioeconomic, gender, age, and racial/ethnic variation in BMI, physical activity, and dietary habits is needed. The shifting demographics of urban college populations make urban college campuses an important setting for addressing the lifetime health needs of ethnically diverse urban populations.

Methods In this cross-sectional non-experimental study, we used …

Mobilisation Of Public Support For Policy Actions To Prevent Obesity, Terry T-K Huang, John H. Cawley, Marice Ashe, Sergio Costa, Leah M. Frerichs, Lindsey Zwicker, Juan A. Rivera, David Levy, Ross A. Hammond, Estelle V. Lambert, Shiriki K. Kumanyika

Publications and Research

Public mobilisation is needed to enact obesity prevention policies and to mitigate backlash against their implementation. However, current approaches in public health focus primarily on dialogue between public health professionals and political leaders. Strategies to increase popular demand for obesity prevention policies include refining and streamlining public information, identifying effective frames for each population, enhancing media advocacy, building citizen protest and engagement, and developing a receptive political environment with change agents embedded across organisations and sectors. Long-term support and investment in collaboration among diverse stakeholders to create shared value is also important. Each actor in an expanded coalition for obesity …

Wecan Implementation For Parents Of At-Risk Hispanic Adolescents In Middle School, Shannon Leigh Devita

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Abstract

CDC-reported childhood obesity rates have tripled in the past three years. Among children in grades five, seven and nine, 30% are overweight or obese, with Hispanic students more likely to be overweight than White students. This evidence-based project examined the effectiveness of NHLBI’s WeCan! for at-risk middle-school-age Hispanic children and parents. The program was implemented at school in two weekly sessions, and its effectiveness was evaluated using the WeCan! survey. The program resulted in improved knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes related energy balance, portion size, healthy foods, physical activity, and screen time and may be useful in other school settings.

Effect Of Novel Dietary Supplement On Metabolism In Vitro And In Vivo, Robert A. Vaughan, Ailish C. White, Jason R. Beam, Nicholas P. Gannon, Randi Garcia-Smith, Roy M. Salgado, Marco Bisoffi, Kristina A. Trujillo, Carole A. Conn, Christine M. Mermier

Health Sciences and Kinesiology Faculty Articles

Obesity is an increasingly prevalent and preventable morbidity with multiple behavioral, surgical and pharmacological interventions currently available. Commercial dietary supplements are often advertised to stimulate metabolism and cause rapid weight and/or fat loss, although few well-controlled studies have demonstrated such effects. We describe a commercially available dietary supplement (purportedly containing caffeine, catechins, and other metabolic stimulators) on resting metabolic rate in humans, and on metabolism, mitochondrial content, and related gene expression in vitro. Human males ingested either a placebo or commercially available supplement (RF) in a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over fashion. Metabolic rate, respiratory exchange ratio, and blood pressure were …

Maternal Obesity And Incidence Of Depression, Caroline A. Habjan

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

Obesity is a national epidemic in the United States, which both directly and indirectly affects the social productivity of individuals, the American macro economy and individuals’ personal health and well being. Depression often interferes with an individual’s ability to work, sleep, study, eat, and enjoy life. A maternal state of both obesity and depression may cause serious adverse medical conditions in the mother’s child. Taking steps to treat depression and obesity are critical in the construct of modern medicine. This project yields results that have the potential to make treatment options better tailored, more efficient, effective and economically-sound for the …

Gathering Perspectives On Extended Family Influence On African American Children's Physical Activity, Natasha A. Brown, Katherine Clegg Smith, Rachel L.J. Thornton, Janice V. Bowie, Pamela J. Surkan, Darcy A. Thompson, David M. Levine

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Background: The family environment is a key determinant of children’s physical activity. The importance of the extended African American family is well established, but there is little research on its influence on school age children’s physical activity. Methods: We recruited eight families in which grandparents and other adult relatives played a central role in child supervision. Semi-structured interviews with parents, other adult relatives, and children revealed various perspectives on the influences of culture and families on children’s weight-related behaviors. Results: Children were between the ages of 6 and 11, and five of the families resided in neighborhoods in which at …

Pubh 3131 - Chronic Disease: A Modern Epidemic, Deshannon Antoine-Hardy

College of Public Health: Faculty Syllabi (2014-2021)

Chronic conditions (e.g. diabetes, cardiovascular disease, renal disease, obesity) are currently responsible for 60% of the global burden of disease and the World Health Organization predicts this to rise to 80% by the year 2020. This is one of the greatest challenges facing health care systems throughout the world and it places long-term health and economic demands on health care systems as the population ages. This course will provide students with the opportunity to study specific issues related to chronic disease epidemiology and management and their links to practice.

Determinan Stres Pada Pegawai Kementerian Kesehatan Republik Indonesia, Besral Besral, Winne Widiantini

Kesmas

Kejadian stres pada pelbagai kelompok di Indonesia cukup tinggi dan belum banyak diketahui determinannya. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui determinan stres pada pegawai Kementerian Kesehatan Republik Indonesia (Kemenkes RI). Penelitian potong lintang ini dilakukan pada tahun 2013 terhadap 230 pegawai sekretariat jenderal yang dipilih secara acak. Analisis statistik menggunakan regresi logistik ganda. Responden dikatakan stres jika memiliki skor 28 atau lebih dengan menggunakan 17 pertanyaan terkait personal stress inventory. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan prevalensi stres sebesar 79% dan determinan stres adalah obesitas, usia, jabatan, suku, pendidikan, dan aktivitas fisik. Risiko stres lebih tinggi pada pegawai yang obesitas (ORadj = 1,9), pegawai …

Genetic Vulnerability To Diabetes And Obesity: Does Education Offset The Risk?, Sze Yan Liu, Stefan Walter, Jessica Daniel, David H. Rehkopf, Laura E. Kubzansky, M Maria Glymour

Department of Public Health Scholarship and Creative Works

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity has recently increased dramatically. These common diseases are likely to arise from the interaction of multiple genetic, socio-demographic and environmental risk factors. While previous research has found genetic risk and education to be strong predictors of these diseases, few studies to date have examined their joint effects. This study investigates whether education modifies the association between genetic background and risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity. Using data from non-Hispanic Whites in the Health and Retirement Study (HRS, n = 8398), we tested whether education modifies genetic risk for obesity …

Health Disparities Among Racial And Ethnic Minority Firefighters, Walker Sc Poston, Christopher K. Haddock, Sara A. Jahnke, Nattinee Jitnarin, Rena Sue Day, I David Daniels

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

ABSTRACT

Background: Racial/ethnic minorities are substantially underrepresented in the fire service and this situation is unique when compared to similarly mentally and physically demanding and hazardous occupations such as the military and law enforcement. There is little systematic research to provide greater clarity about this significant disparity. The purpose of this study is to examine physical and behavioral health issues of racial/ethnic minority firefighters when compared to their white, non-Hispanic counterparts and potentially identify areas for future research that might assist in improving their substantial underrepresentation.

Materials and Methods: We report the results of a secondary analysis of data combining …

Cohort Of Birth Modifies The Association Between Fto Genotype And Bmi, James Niels Rosenquist, Steven F. Lehrer, A. James O'Malley, Alan M. Zaslavsky, Jordan W. Smoller, Nicholas A. Christakis

Dartmouth Scholarship

A substantial body of research has explored the relative roles of genetic and environmental factors on phenotype expression in humans. Recent research has also sought to identify gene-environment (or g-by-e) interactions, with mixed success. One potential reason for these mixed results may relate to the fact that genetic effects might be modified by changes in the environment over time. For example, the noted rise of obesity in the United States in the latter part of the 20th century might reflect an interaction between genetic variation and changing environmental conditions that together affect the penetrance of genetic influences. To evaluate this …

What The Obesity Prevention Field Can Learn From The Gay Marriage Movement, Sergio Costa, Emily Ferris, Terry T-K Huang

Publications and Research

In the US, two-thirds of adults and one-third of children continue to be affected by overweight or obesity despite two decades and billions of dollars' spent in public health efforts. In the last decade, public health has stepped up its call for greater emphasis on environmental and policy interventions, including active designs in urban planning and restrictions on food marketing to children, to incentivize healthy behaviors and disincentivize less healthy ones. However, there has been little success in policy change to prevent obesity. Voters in Berkeley, CA recently passed a one-cent-per-ounce soda tax, but a similar measure was defeated by …

The Effects Of Barriers Toward Fighting Childhood Obesity Within Head Start, Vanessa Chaney

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Childhood obesity is associated with significant morbidity and mortality and poses a health care burden. Child care facilities serve at the forefront in fighting childhood obesity among preschoolers. Since 2009, a significant shift has occurred in studying child care settings among children aged 3-5 in North Carolina and South Carolina in response to the rising rates of obesity in this population. Some of the hypothesized determinants of childhood obesity among preschoolers in North Carolina and South Carolina are outdoor activity, staff behavior, center's size and location. The purpose of this study was to investigate if significant relationships exist between childhood …

Weight Management Counseling And Obesity Severity In Children With Special Health Care Needs, Adeola Sonaike

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Epidemiologic surveillance indicates an increased susceptibility to obesity among children with special health care needs (SHCN) in comparison to children without. The present study investigated this disparity in weight severity between both groups, with a focus on the provision of obesity management counseling by physicians. This study consisted of a retrospective medical record review that acknowledged the effect of patient-provider interactions on health behaviors and risk perceptions. An independent sample t test compared the incidence of clinician-initiated obesity management counseling received by children with SHCN to that which was received by children without SHCN. This t test revealed a statistically …

Menthol Cigarette Smoking And Obesity In Young Adult Daily Smokers In Hawaii, Alyssa Marie M. Antonio, Pebbles Fagan, Faith D. Hamamura, Ian Joseph N. Lagua, Jenny Liu, Devin J. Park, Pallav Pokhrel, Thaddeus A. Herzog, Ian Pagano, Kevin Cassel, Angela Sy, Dorothy Jorgensen, Tania Lynch, Crissy Kawamoto, Carol J. Boushey, Adrian Franke, Mark S. Clanton, Eric T. Moolchan, Linda A. Alexander

Health, Behavior & Society Faculty Publications

This study investigates 1) the relationship between menthol cigarette smoking and obesity and 2) the association of body mass index with the nicotine metabolite ratio among menthol and non-menthol daily smokers aged 18–35 (n = 175). A brief survey on smoking and measures of height and weight, carbon monoxide, and saliva samples were collected from participants from May to December 2013 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Multiple regression was used to estimate differences in body mass index among menthol and non-menthol smokers and the association of menthol smoking with obesity. We calculated the log of the nicotine metabolite ratio to examine differences …

An Exploratory Study Of Infant Physical Activity In Relation To Obesity, Danae M. Dinkel, Jung-Min Lee, Kailey Snyder, Anastasia Kyvelidou

Research Presentations

Historically, society has thought that infants (0 to 1 year of age) are “active enough” and not in need of efforts to promote physical activity (PA). However, approximately 10% of infants in the U.S. are obese and research has shown low PA is one of the risk factors for obesity in toddlers. Little research has been done to systematically compare PA levels between normal weight infants and obese/overweight infants in the first year of life. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the level of PA in normal weight and overweight infants. METHODS: Twenty-one normal weight …

Weight Management Of Women Of Childbearing Age, Marcia Hagen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Black River Memorial Hospital identified obesity as a priority health concern in its rural service area; this concern was in line with the county's needs assessment. It was identified that women of childbearing age affect the lifestyle and health choices of their families and that they are at higher risk for the additional health risks associated with obesity affecting pregnancy and birth. Despite the identification of these risk factors, the factors that affect healthy weight management have not been well understood. Using the life course theory, a qualitative inquiry in the form of a structured interview was developed with local …

Patchy Progress On Obesity Prevention: Emerging Exemplars, Entrenched Barriers, And New Thinking, Christina A. Roberto, Boyd Swinburn, Corinna Hawkes, Terry T-K Huang, Sergio Costa, Marice Ashe, Lindsey Zwicker, John H. Cawley, Kelly D. Brownell

Publications and Research

Although there have been positive pockets of change, no country has yet turned around its obesity epidemic. Preventing an increase in obesity prevalence will require urgent actions from government as well as a broader spectrum of stakeholders than previously emphasized. In this paper, we review a number of regulatory and non-regulatory actions taken around the world to address obesity and discuss some of the reasons for the patchy progress. In addition, we preview the papers in this Lancet series, which each identify priority actions on key obesity issues and challenge some of the entrenched dichotomies that present obesity and its …

Are New Sodium Targets In The National School Lunch Program Feasible And Are They Necessary?, Yaneve Shemesh

PCOM Biomedical Studies Student Scholarship

In many societies, high salt intake is a continuing issue in adults, and is of growing concern in children due to the prevalence of processed foods. In response, the USDA has set three targets for sodium in meals offered in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), and the National School Breakfast Program (NSBP). This 8-year goal is meant to decrease overall sodium levels in both meal programs. However, many associated with school nutrition ask if there is significant evidence to show what effect sodium plays on children’s health, and thus determine if these targets are necessary or achievable. In addressing …

Preliminary Nutritional Profile Analysis Of Box Tops 4 Education Food Products, Hannah Griffith

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The marketing of unhealthy food to children is often cited as a cause of the obesity epidemic.¹ However, most studies that examine this issue evaluated the marketing of food through print or television advertising. This project investigates the marketing of food products to children through incentive based programs, specifically General Mill’s Box Tops 4 Education. This study undertakes a preliminary systematic analysis of Box Tops food items to determine their healthfulness. A subset of all Box Tops food products was selected for review and a basic quantitative content analysis of priority nutrients was performed. Priority nutrients were identified …

Health-Related Beliefs Among Low-Income African American Women And Their Perceptions About Obesity, Cenora Kimberly Akhidenor

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The aim of this study was to explore the health-related beliefs and perceptions of low-income African American women regarding obesity. Phenomenology served as the conceptual framework for this study. African American women, especially those in low-income brackets, have been shown to weigh more than women of other racial/ethnic groups. The consequences of these high rates are increased risks of developing chronic health disorders, such as type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The study sample consisted of 7 low-income obese African American women, ranging in age from 20 to 62, who resided in the Pacific Northwest. Recruitment for participation occurred via …

Reducing Childhood Obesity In America Through National Legislation, Sailee A. Joshi

Undergraduate Research Posters

According to the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, the American childhood obesity rate has increased threefold within the past 25 years, a trend accompanied by increasing rates of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, certain types of cancer, and even mortality. Obesity has grown so prevalent, in fact, that Centers for Disease Control estimate that one in three American children is obese. According to the Chan School of Public Health, unless legislation directly targeting America’s spiraling obesity rate is passed, the trend shows no signs of slowing or reversing.

Passing effective legislation requires a both an understanding …

The Predictors Of Obesity In Young Adults, Dominic Richard Tarinelli

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Obesity is becoming an increasing health concern for young adults. There have been numerous studies on the potential predictors of obesity. However, few studies have researched the predictors of obesity in young adults. Guided by the health belief model, this quantitative cross sectional study investigated the potential predictors of obesity in young adults. The 2011 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System was used to gather data on the potential predictors of obesity, including physical activity, health care coverage, excessive alcohol consumption, and demographic characteristics on 1,511 young adults, aged 18-34 years, who were living in New York State. Data were analyzed …

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act And High School Obesity, Derek Grills

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

United States high school student obesity rates have doubled in the past 30 years to 13%, threatening the health of millions of adolescents. To mitigate the epidemic, Congress passed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA) in 2010, which mandated significant changes to school nutrition and physical education. From a public policy perspective, the HHFKA changed school nutrition and exercise policy to affect obesity rates by changing intake and energy expenditure at school, though no study using national-level data examined this relationship. As such, the purpose of the study was to examine whether HHFKA policy compliance had a statistically significant effect …

Health Education To Decrease Obesity In Adolescents With Asthma, Mitzie Eumarie Thomas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Obesity increases asthma severity and is costing the health care industry a significant amount of money. Decreasing adolescents' obesity will decrease the risk for chronic health problems, which can have a significant impact in adulthood. Implementing a school-based health education program can decrease the prevalence of obesity amongst adolescents. This program will be implemented by school nurses in the after-school program at Public School 59 (P.S) in New York City. The purpose of this project is to develop adolescents' school-based obesity prevention policies and documentation which will focus on increasing their nutrition education, increasing physical activities, and providing skills to …

Obesity And Workplace Injury In Hazardous Occupations Among The Hispanic/Latino Population, Barbara Klyde

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Over the past 20 years, adult obesity has increased in the United States, especially among the Hispanic/Latino population. In 2010, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Environmental and Safety News, reported that younger workers, ages 18 to19 years of age, worked in the most high-risk occupations such as agriculture, construction, fishing, and manufacturing. The reported fatality rates for these occupations were 5.6 times greater for Hispanic workers compared to other race/ethnicity groups reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2013. This study determined whether obesity contributed to workplace injury or mortality in hazardous occupations, using federal, state, and independent …

Maternal Depression, Infant Feeding Practices, And Weight Gain Among African American And Hispanic Women, Alphonsus Maduwuba Agbaere

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Childhood overweight and obesity are public health concerns that have negative health consequences and affect many children. Efforts are needed to identify children who are at a higher risk of developing overweight and obesity so that early detection and treatment may be offered. The intent of this study was to investigate the differences in the effects of postpartum depression on infant feeding practices and infant weight gain between Hispanic and African American women. Data were obtained from Infant Feeding Practices Study 11, a longitudinal study involving mothers in their third trimester through infants first year of life. The overall test …

Diabetes Among Hispanic Immigrants: The Impact Of Age At Migration, Nancy Hahn

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Diabetes is a disease that affects the Hispanic population in disproportionate numbers. With larger numbers of immigrants coming to the United States who are of Hispanic origin, the individual risk and health burden of this disease will have a major impact on the quality of life and the health care system. Research into the influence of the timing of changes in lifestyle suggested an association between specific levels of socioecological exposures and certain health conditions. This study examined that possibility. The use of the National Health Interview Survey, 2005-2011, provided adequate data for examining whether age at migration was associated …

An Examination Of Farm-To-Consumer Retail Outlet Usage Among Participants Of The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program For Women, Infants, And Children (Wic) In Birmingham, Al, Chelsea Renee Singleton

All ETDs from UAB

Disparities in the neighborhood retail food environment have been hypothesized to be associated with poor diet quality and adverse health outcomes such as obesity. Studies have found that lower income communities often have reduced access to affordable healthy foods. In 2009, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention proposed direct farm-to-consumer (FTC) retail outlets (i.e. farmers markets, farm/roadside stands, community gardens and community supported agriculture programs) as a potential strategy to alleviate retail food environment disparities in communities with limited resources. Information on the behavioral and health implications of FTC outlet usage by lower income individuals is limited. This research …