Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Public Health Education and Promotion Commons™
Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
- Discipline
-
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (250)
- Epidemiology (231)
- Nursing (155)
- Health and Medical Administration (129)
- Arts and Humanities (97)
-
- Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration (82)
- Education (69)
- Public Policy (65)
- Psychology (63)
- Sociology (62)
- Race, Ethnicity and Post-Colonial Studies (54)
- Life Sciences (44)
- African American Studies (43)
- Mental and Social Health (41)
- Psychiatric and Mental Health (41)
- Quantitative, Qualitative, Comparative, and Historical Methodologies (34)
- Physical Sciences and Mathematics (30)
- Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (28)
- Family, Life Course, and Society (25)
- Medical Specialties (22)
- Women's Studies (21)
- Teacher Education and Professional Development (20)
- Public Administration (19)
- Business (18)
- Educational Administration and Supervision (18)
- Other Education (18)
- Environmental Sciences (17)
- Keyword
-
- Obesity (70)
- Diabetes (56)
- African American (34)
- Education (30)
- Health (30)
-
- HIV (28)
- Adolescents (25)
- Nigeria (25)
- Depression (24)
- Adolescent (21)
- Women (21)
- African Americans (19)
- Nursing (19)
- Pregnancy (17)
- Prevention (17)
- HIV/AIDS (16)
- Physical activity (16)
- Type 2 Diabetes (16)
- Hypertension (15)
- Public Health (15)
- Public health (15)
- Vaccination (15)
- Breastfeeding (14)
- Gender (14)
- Health Literacy (14)
- African American women (13)
- Children (13)
- Knowledge (13)
- Mental health (13)
- Phenomenology (13)
Articles 1171 - 1200 of 1504
Full-Text Articles in Public Health Education and Promotion
Childhood Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Stress Factor For African Immigrant Mothers, Helen Agatha Awatefe
Childhood Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Stress Factor For African Immigrant Mothers, Helen Agatha Awatefe
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Children between the ages of 6-17 years suffering from childhood attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) need constant attention as they are more likely to be accident proned, hospitalized, disruptive, and educationally challenged. The constant attention required for children with ADHD may impose stress on mothers and primary caregivers, yet this stress has not been sufficiently studied. The objective of this study was to fill a gap in literature by studying the stress experienced by African immigrant mothers living in the United States who are living with and caring for a child with ADHD, and then comparing the level of stress …
What Are The Perspectives Of Osteoporosis Screening Among Black Women?, Angela Alsberry Wilkins
What Are The Perspectives Of Osteoporosis Screening Among Black Women?, Angela Alsberry Wilkins
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Osteoporosis is a serious disease which often brings pain, disability, hospitalization, and even death. An increasing number of studies have been conducted on the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in White women, yet a paucity of research exists to explain disparities in screening and treatment of osteoporosis in Black women. This narrative study describes the perspectives of Black women regarding individual barriers to osteoporosis screening. The purpose of this study was to better understand the perspectives of Black women regarding prevention of and screening for osteoporosis. Selections included purposive, criterion sampling of 10 Black women who were 50 years and …
Comparison Of Thyroid Disease Mortality Between Urban And Rural Populations In Southwest Georgia, Donyale Bouie Childs
Comparison Of Thyroid Disease Mortality Between Urban And Rural Populations In Southwest Georgia, Donyale Bouie Childs
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Twenty million people in the United States have some form of thyroid disease. In 2014, there were 62,980 new cases of thyroid cancer and 1,890 deaths. Water source is a known risk factor for thyroid disease. Pollutants that are known to alter thyroid function can find their way into water sources. The effect of various water sources on thyroid- related mortality has not been determined in the state of Georgia. The purpose of this correlational study was to investigate whether invasive thyroid disease mortality differs between urban participants who drank municipal water and rural participants who drank untreated water in …
Impact Of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Thirteen Valent On The Reduction Of Invasive Pneumococcal Disease, Aissata Coulibaly
Impact Of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Thirteen Valent On The Reduction Of Invasive Pneumococcal Disease, Aissata Coulibaly
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Many children under the age of 5 die each year of invasive pneumococcal disease. Childhood vaccination against this disease reduces morbidity and mortality. Despite the introduction of a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) in a central African country in 2011, all provinces have not yet been vaccinated. The purpose of this quantitative quasi-experimental study was to determine whether there was an association between the introduction of PCV13 and new cases of pneumococcal disease in 2 provinces in central Africa. The sample size for the study was 380. The theoretical framework for this study was the epidemic model supported by the concept …
Hospital Profiling Of The Cesarean Delivery Procedure For The State Of Georgia, 2012, Denise Frances Giles
Hospital Profiling Of The Cesarean Delivery Procedure For The State Of Georgia, 2012, Denise Frances Giles
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Approximately 35.1% of live births for the state of Georgia were delivered by the cesarean delivery procedure with significant variation among hospitals. The purpose of this research was to develop a population-based hospital profiling methodology for study of the cesarean delivery procedure. This was a retrospective, observational design, using a 2012 linked dataset that included maternity deliveries from all nonfederal hospitals. The research was guided by Robson 10 Group Classification System, propensity score methodologies, and ethical precepts, for the development of hospital profiles and the study of variations in the cesarean delivery procedure. Key research questions aimed to determine whether …
Experiences Of Black Msm At An Hbcu Regarding Stigma And Hiv Risk Behavior, Natasha Harden Jeter
Experiences Of Black Msm At An Hbcu Regarding Stigma And Hiv Risk Behavior, Natasha Harden Jeter
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Black men who have sex with men (MSM) on Historically Black College/University (HBCU) campuses face a unique set of challenges. In addition to being disproportionately affected by HIV, Black MSM are impacted by risk behavior, stigma, and environmental policies and practices that adversely influence their experiences. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of Black MSM at a HBCU and how stigma, culture, social practices and the collegiate environment impact HIV risk-taking behavior. Utilizing the ecological framework and qualitative analysis, the behaviors of 13 Black MSM on a HBCU campus were examined. Personal interviews and risk assessment …
Predictors Of Excessive Alcohol Consumption Among U.S. Business Travelers, Jennifer Clore Barrickman
Predictors Of Excessive Alcohol Consumption Among U.S. Business Travelers, Jennifer Clore Barrickman
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Excessive alcohol consumption (EAC) is an important public health problem. Several researchers have examined work-related influences on EAC, but few have investigated the predictors of EAC related to business travel. This study measured the association between EAC and frequency of business travel, duration of business travel, and job industry among U.S. business travelers. Research was conducted within the social-ecological theoretical framework. Snowball sampling was used to gather data from 187 business travelers. Data were evaluated using bivariate analysis to assess the association between measures of EAC and each independent variable. Multiple logistic regression was used to adjust for covariates. Respondents …
A Concurrent Mixed Method Study Exploring Iraqi Immigrants' Views Of Michigan, Kerry Luise Chamberlain
A Concurrent Mixed Method Study Exploring Iraqi Immigrants' Views Of Michigan, Kerry Luise Chamberlain
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Failure of emergency response personnel to communicate effectively with different cultures can have dire consequences during an emergency, including loss of lives and litigation costs. For emergency response personnel to communicate the risk of an emergency, it is important to understand how different groups, especially newly arrived foreign immigrants, perceive warnings and related messages. This study addressed how one of the largest category of immigrants in Michigan perceived severe tornados, influenza pandemics, power outages, severe floods, and snowstorms. The research question examined the degree to which the equation, Risk = Hazard + Outrage, explained perceptions of these hazards in Michigan …
Behaviors Related To Hiv Infections In Rural Versus Urban Regions Of Nigeria, Michael Ifeanyi Okeke
Behaviors Related To Hiv Infections In Rural Versus Urban Regions Of Nigeria, Michael Ifeanyi Okeke
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Efforts by the Federal Republic of Nigeria and international nongovernmental agencies to reduce the impact of HIV in Nigeria have not yielded the anticipated results. This study focused on the association between attitude, religious beliefs, knowledge of HIV, sexual risk behavior, and HIV epidemiology in rural and urban Nigeria. This quantitative study used social-cognitive theory and problem theory. The study was based on the Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2013 data including a sample of 33,006 participants. Specific covariates including gender, sexual partners over the past years, age at first sexual encounter, socioeconomic status, and literacy level were obtained …
The Connection Between Wellness Programs And Employee Job Satisfaction In Higher Education, Donel J. Richemond
The Connection Between Wellness Programs And Employee Job Satisfaction In Higher Education, Donel J. Richemond
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Job dissatisfaction is becoming a fundamental concern for employers. Employee engagement makes an organization more productive and can reduce absenteeism. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the relationship between employer-sponsored wellness-program participation and job satisfaction among for-profit college and university leaders. Data collection involved an online survey of 400 faculty members' from for-profit universities in the United States contacted using the Job Satisfaction Survey; 103 participants completed the survey. The theoretical framework was the need-satisfaction theory, which includes the factors that promote job satisfaction and job dissatisfaction. The results came from a multiple regression analysis that indicated …
Comparing African- And U.S.-Born Blacks At Stage Of Diagnosis And Treatment For Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer, Relindis K. Fofung
Comparing African- And U.S.-Born Blacks At Stage Of Diagnosis And Treatment For Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer, Relindis K. Fofung
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Lung cancer is a disease with a high mortality rate for the U.S. Black population. There had been considerable research done on different population demographics, necessary to achieve the Healthy People 2020 overarching goals to eliminate health disparities, gain health equity and maintain quality health. Yet, the African-born Black (AFBB) population has been understudied for nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study sought to determine whether within race differences in stage at diagnosis and treatment of NSCLC exists between AFBB and American-born Blacks (AMBB) populations in the United States. The study data is secondary data collected as part of the …
Perceptions Of Cameroonian Women Regarding Cervical Cancer Prevention, Anna Nkapsah Nji
Perceptions Of Cameroonian Women Regarding Cervical Cancer Prevention, Anna Nkapsah Nji
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Women in Cameroon as well as those residing in the Maryland-Washington Metropolitan area and the Diasporas suffer a disproportionate rate of cervical cancer morbidity and mortality due to the vast disproportion in the distribution of healthcare services. The widespread human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination holds promise for helping to attenuate the disproportion in cervical cancer screening and prevention services. Literature from other countries including Cameroon suggests that barriers to the uptake of cervical cancer screening include: culture, religion, the psychological impact of embarrassment, the influence of husbands, cost, discomfort, and vulnerability. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding …
Hypertension Management Through Community Outreach Services For Inmates Released From Jail, Janet Baby Wurie
Hypertension Management Through Community Outreach Services For Inmates Released From Jail, Janet Baby Wurie
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Hypertension (HTN) is the most common chronic disease among jail inmates. Many inmates treated for HTN while incarcerated in the Fairfax County Jail do not continue treatment when they return to their communities. Factors that contribute to discontinuing HTN management once the inmate returns to the community include homelessness, low income, and lack of access to care. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to educate inmates with HTN about community-based outreach services for HTN management and continuity of care while in the community. The outcome measured was the number of inmates who returned to jail reporting use of …
The Impact Of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder On Recurrent Violent Behavior Among African American Males, Adrian Cox
The Impact Of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder On Recurrent Violent Behavior Among African American Males, Adrian Cox
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
African American men in their late teens to early 20s account for nearly half the victims of violent crimes. This mixed methods social epidemiological study was designed to identify the social determinants of violence as described by a purposive sample of young adult African American men (n=353) who have experience as a victim or witness to any type of violence to determine the impact post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms have on recurrent violent injury. The pathways to recurrence model shaped the theoretical framework of this study. Quantitative data were collected using the Past Feelings and Acts of Violence (PFAV) …
Adherence To Self-Care Management Of Sickle Cell Disease Among Caregivers, Muinah Adenike Fowora
Adherence To Self-Care Management Of Sickle Cell Disease Among Caregivers, Muinah Adenike Fowora
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
The self-care management of sickle cell disease (SCD) improves mortality rate; however, compliance with SCD self-care management remains a problem. The purpose of this study was to examine the knowledge and factors that influence compliance with SCD self-care management recommendations among caregivers of children with SCD. The health belief model was used as the theoretical foundation of this study, theorizing that caregivers' perceived susceptibility, severity, and benefits of SCD self-care management will influence compliance. The study used a quantitative research design. A cross-sectional survey was administered to 100 caregivers of children with SCD attending sickle cell clinics in Lagos, Nigeria …
Association Between Diabetes/Chronic Disease Incidence And Lifestyle Factors Among African-Born Populations, James Walakerwon Gbala
Association Between Diabetes/Chronic Disease Incidence And Lifestyle Factors Among African-Born Populations, James Walakerwon Gbala
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Numerous studies have revealed that immigrants' health and well-being is challenged by an increased susceptibility to diabetes/chronic disease as they settle in the United States. This study investigated a potential association between the incidence of diabetes/chronic disease and various lifestyles factors among Sub-Saharan African immigrants and refugees. The lifestyle factors studied were sociodemographics, food practices and dietary habits, access to healthcare and insurance, acculturation, and the length of stay in the United States among these immigrants and refugees residing in Minnesota. The health belief and the socioecological models guided this study to improve understanding of Sub-Saharan African's health behavior and …
Relationship Between Stress And Young Adults' Complementary And Alternative Medicine Use, Anupama Kizhakkeveettil
Relationship Between Stress And Young Adults' Complementary And Alternative Medicine Use, Anupama Kizhakkeveettil
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) refers to a group of diverse medical and healthcare systems, practices, and products not treated as conventional medicine. The body of literature on stress and stress management among young adults has not addressed the use of CAM modalities for stress management among this population. The theoretical foundation of the study was based upon the transactional model of stress and coping, which describes stress as an interaction between an external stressor and the resources available to eliminate the stressor. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine whether variables such as exposure to CAM, stress …
Hiv Risk Perceptions Of Hiv-Infected Adults Ages 30 To 49 Years In Atlanta, Georgia, Esther Nduta Mune-Ashford
Hiv Risk Perceptions Of Hiv-Infected Adults Ages 30 To 49 Years In Atlanta, Georgia, Esther Nduta Mune-Ashford
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
More than 49,081 people were diagnosed with HIV in the United States in 2011. Of those 49,081 HIV-infected persons, 1 in 6 was not aware of being HIV positive. In 2011, Georgia had the 5th highest number of HIV diagnoses among the 50 U.S. states. This phenomenological study aimed to understand the lived experiences of HIV-infected adults, ages 30 to 49 years in Atlanta, Georgia, by understanding their perceptions of risk prior to contracting HIV. The health belief model was used to guide this study because it explains and predicts health-related behaviors and it has been used in previous studies …
The Relationship Between Physical Fitness And Academic Achievement In Sixth Grade Students, Shannon Usco Shook
The Relationship Between Physical Fitness And Academic Achievement In Sixth Grade Students, Shannon Usco Shook
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Researchers have reported on the relationship between academic achievement and physical fitness levels. At one rural middle school, 25% of the students enrolled were either overweight or obese and failing at least one course. Educators at the local site were seeking methods to improve the academic achievement of their students. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the relationship between academic achievement and physical fitness of middle school students at the study site. Framed by the theoretical connection between improved physical fitness levels and academic achievement, the research questions examined the relationship between physical fitness levels of 6th …
Lived Experiences Of Women From The Odi Community In Nigeria Of Female Genital Mutilation, Doris Atibinye Dotimi
Lived Experiences Of Women From The Odi Community In Nigeria Of Female Genital Mutilation, Doris Atibinye Dotimi
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a public health challenge because it jeopardizes the health of women and girls. FGM is condemned worldwide but, it is still practiced in the Odi community of Nigeria. The literature on women's lived experiences of FGM in other parts of the world was reviewed, but knowledge is lacking on the lived experiences of women from Odi community in Nigeria. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore their lived experiences, their perspectives on the current legislation for the prevention of FGM, and their perspectives on the cultural myths surrounding the practice. The phenomenological lens …
Caregivers' Perceptions Of An Early Diagnosis Of Alzheimer's Disease In African Americans, Stanita Jackson
Caregivers' Perceptions Of An Early Diagnosis Of Alzheimer's Disease In African Americans, Stanita Jackson
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is significantly more prevalent among African Americans than within the general population, but rates of early detection are lower in the African American community. Researchers have demonstrated that both pessimistic Alzheimer's-directed health beliefs, and negative perceptions of the effectiveness and the accessibility of medical care act as barriers to care seeking by African American family members of individuals with the disease. Recent research into causal judgments made by potential caregivers about individuals with undiagnosed AD suggests that gender bias and errors in attribution may constitute covert barriers to both lay and professional interpretations regarding the need for …
Perceptions And Behaviors Of Caribbean And South American Women Of Color Living In The United States Towards Breast Cancer, Bernadette Serena Loncke
Perceptions And Behaviors Of Caribbean And South American Women Of Color Living In The United States Towards Breast Cancer, Bernadette Serena Loncke
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Breast cancer is a global public health issue, and even though the incidence and mortality rates for this disease have declined, a substantial gap in mortality rates between U.S. women of color and European American women remains. Strategies have been initiated to decrease this gap, but they have not addressed the special needs of women of color residing in the United States, who tend to be diagnosed only after they have developed late-stage breast cancer. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the perceptions and behaviors of 20 first-generation Caribbean and South American-born women of color living in …
Maternal And Child Health Access Disparities Among Recent African Immigrants In The United States, Bakali Mukasa
Maternal And Child Health Access Disparities Among Recent African Immigrants In The United States, Bakali Mukasa
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Health care disparities are U.S. national public health concerns that disproportionately affect minority populations. The focus of published studies on the health of larger immigrant populations from Europe, Asia, South America, and the Caribbean has revealed a knowledge gap on the health of African and other minority immigrants. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore disparities in access to maternal and child health (MCH) care as well as the causes and effects of such disparities to care-seeking experiences of recent African immigrants. Andersen's behavioral model of health services use provided the theoretical lenses to interpret study findings. Eleven …
Oral Health Status And Oral Hygiene Knowledge, Attitudes, And Practices Of Jail Inmates, April Lee Wendling
Oral Health Status And Oral Hygiene Knowledge, Attitudes, And Practices Of Jail Inmates, April Lee Wendling
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
The oral health and hygiene of incarcerated populations, both in the United States and globally, is known to be poorer than that of the general population. This study examined the prevalence of dental caries and periodontal disease and the relationships between oral health status and the oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices of jail inmates housed in a large metropolitan jail located in the midwestern United States. This cross-sectional study collected data from 100 inmates using a 21-item closed-ended questionnaire in addition to oral examinations conducted by the jail's dentist to determine the extent of dental caries and periodontal disease …
Nigerian Women's Empowerment Status And Its Influence On Access To Reproductive Health Services, Temi Aregbesola
Nigerian Women's Empowerment Status And Its Influence On Access To Reproductive Health Services, Temi Aregbesola
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Nigeria is a patriarchal society, which puts women in subordinate positions that may prompt gender-based discrimination. While evidence of this phenomenon has been investigated in Nigeria and other African countries, no such investigation has been conducted with immigrant and first-generation Nigerian women in the United States. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of a Nigerian woman's perceived empowerment and status on her willingness to access reproductive health services. The research questions examined views of Nigerian traditional beliefs' influence on status and how attitudes around traditional beliefs relate to access to reproductive health services and/or knowledge. Data …
Parents Perception Of Safety In Pennsylvania And Children's Activity And Weight, Linda C. Carr
Parents Perception Of Safety In Pennsylvania And Children's Activity And Weight, Linda C. Carr
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Physical activity is associated with many health benefits to include weight management, lower risk for chronic diseases, and improved mental health and self esteem. The built environment has been linked to lower physical activity levels and overweight and obesity in children living in low income communities but the exact causes need further investigation. The purpose of this quantitative, cross sectional study was to examine the association between parents' perception of safety and body mass index (BMI) percentile and children's physical activity/ inactivity levels and children's BMI as measured by the National Survey of Children's Health (2011/12 NSCH). The sample consisted …
Predictors Of Influenza Vaccination Compliance Among Union And Nonunion Workers In A Pennsylvania Health Care System, Ericka Lynne Kalp
Predictors Of Influenza Vaccination Compliance Among Union And Nonunion Workers In A Pennsylvania Health Care System, Ericka Lynne Kalp
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
To improve U.S. residents' health, advocates are focusing their efforts on workplace health. Researchers have found that unionization is a positive influence on workers' participation in health promotion programs relating to smoking and obesity prevention. However, the effect of union membership on other health promotion initiatives, such as influenza vaccination compliance among health care workers, has not been examined. The purpose of this quantitative study was to address this knowledge gap between a union and a nonunion health care facility in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The health belief model was used to determine if different domains of influenza vaccination …
Public Health Leaders' Perceptions Of And Attitudes Concerning Eating Disorders, Karin L. Lightfoot
Public Health Leaders' Perceptions Of And Attitudes Concerning Eating Disorders, Karin L. Lightfoot
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Eating disorders are associated with high mortality rates. Most eating disorder prevention research is conducted within the fields of psychology and psychiatry, not in public health. This gap in public health research can lead to insufficient attention to the root causes of eating disorders and minimal upstream prevention efforts. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to identify public health leaders' perceptions of and attitudes concerning eating disorders as a public health issue. Objectification theory was used to describe how societal expectations have created an environment in which people's self-worth is based on their outward physical appearance. Ecological theory was …
Experience With Social Support Systems Among Women Exposed To Intimate Partner Violence In Cameroon, Ahone Esther-Alice Ngujede
Experience With Social Support Systems Among Women Exposed To Intimate Partner Violence In Cameroon, Ahone Esther-Alice Ngujede
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
The southwest and northwest regions of Cameroon have experienced high rates of intimate partner violence (IPV). Limited information is available about IPV victims' experiences with social support systems. This phenomenological study was aimed at investigating IPV victims' lived experiences with social support systems in Cameroon. Some of these systems are the judicial system, police officers, hospitals and clinics, and domestic violence agencies. The Health Belief Model (HBM) and the Transtheoretical Model of Change (TTM) were used to understand how 8 self-identified victims of IPV were able to discuss their lived experiences with social support systems. The research questions addressed women's …
Exploring Obesity Risk Factors In Five Regions Of Virginia, Karen Toth Carpenter
Exploring Obesity Risk Factors In Five Regions Of Virginia, Karen Toth Carpenter
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Obesity continues to weaken our nation physiologically, psychologically and financially with an overall prevalence rate of 34.9% or 78.6 million Americans affected. Variance in obesity prevalence rates, in the state of Virginia, account for over a 15% difference from one health district to the next. The purpose of this research was to better explore the regional obesogenic factors that may exist among five health districts in the state of Virginia. The socio ecological theory provides the conceptual framework of the study to understand the variance in regional obesity rates, as a function of the contributing risk factors that a region …