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Full-Text Articles in Epidemiology

Stress And Depression During Pregnancy Among Hispanic Women: Risk For Adverse Birth Outcomes And The Role Of Physical Activity, Kathleen Szegda Nov 2014

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) …


Nutritional, Hormonal, And Psychological Risk Factors For Breast Cancer, Susan Nicole Boyer Brown Nov 2014

Nutritional, Hormonal, And Psychological Risk Factors For Breast Cancer, Susan Nicole Boyer Brown

Doctoral Dissertations

Over the course of a lifetime, one in eight women will develop breast cancer. To date, 30-40% of breast cancer cases can be attributed to established risk factors, which supports the need for identification of additional modifiable risk factors. Therefore, we conducted three epidemiologic studies to examine the associations between nutritional, hormonal, and psychological risk factors and breast cancer risk. In our first study, we examined the relationship between urinary melatonin levels and the risk of breast cancer in a nested-case control study within the Nurses’ Health Study II. While limited in some respects, experimental and epidemiologic evidence support the …


The Association Between Urinary Bisphenol-A, Phthalate Metabolites And Body Fat Composition In Us Adults Using Nhanes, Iris E. Corbasson Nov 2014

The Association Between Urinary Bisphenol-A, Phthalate Metabolites And Body Fat Composition In Us Adults Using Nhanes, Iris E. Corbasson

Masters Theses

Due to the widespread use of the endocrine disruptors Bisphenol-A (BPA) and phthalates in many plastic consumer goods, medical equipment, and personal care products, more than 95% of the US population show detectable levels of urinary BPA and phthalate metabolites. Both have been linked to increased body mass index (BMI in kg/m2), an inexpensive diagnostic tool for obesity, which may however not reflect body fatness. Since excess body fat is associated with cardiovascular diseases, cancer and type II diabetes, it is important to understand the relationship between body fat composition and exposure to BPA and phthalates, a relationship …


The Role Of Sleep Timing On Diet Quality And Physical Activity Among College-Aged Women Participating In The University Of Massachusetts Vitamin D Status Study, Deniz Azarmanesh Nov 2014

The Role Of Sleep Timing On Diet Quality And Physical Activity Among College-Aged Women Participating In The University Of Massachusetts Vitamin D Status Study, Deniz Azarmanesh

Masters Theses

Overweight and obesity are risk factors for various chronic diseases. Sleep has been associated with overweight and obesity. One potential mechanism by which sleep may lead to overweight and obesity is through positive energy balance (i.e. energy intake exceeding expenditure). There are few studies examining the impact of sleep timing (onset and wake time) on diet and exercise. In a cross sectional study, we examined associations between sleep timing and diet quality, and in separate models, between sleep timing and meeting the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans among the participants of the UMass Vitamin D Status Study. A total …


Psychosocial Factors Affecting Pregnant Hispanic Women, Marushka L. Silveira Aug 2014

Psychosocial Factors Affecting Pregnant Hispanic Women, Marushka L. Silveira

Doctoral Dissertations

Prenatal psychosocial stress, anxiety, and depression are common, with higher rates among Hispanic women. While evidence supports an adverse effect of psychosocial factors on glucose intolerance and oral health, studies during pregnancy are sparse, particularly among Hispanic women. Therefore, we examined correlates of psychosocial factors and their associations with glucose intolerance and oral health among pregnant women. The first project examined correlates of high stress among 1,426 pregnant Hispanic participants in Proyecto Buena Salud, a prospective cohort study. Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale was administered in early, mid- and late pregnancy. Using multivariable logistic regression, we found that increasing age, pre-pregnancy …