Matching Items (6)
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- All Subjects: public health
- Genre: Academic theses
- Creators: Der Ananian, Cheryl
Description
The purpose of this pilot randomized control trial was to test the initial efficacy of a 10 week social cognitive theory (SCT)-based intervention to reduce workplace sitting time (ST). Participants were currently employed adults with predominantly sedentary occupations (n=24) working in the Greater Phoenix area in 2012-2013. Participants wore an activPAL (AP) inclinometer to assess postural allocation (i.e., sitting vs. standing) and Actigraph accelerometer (AG) to assess sedentary time for one week prior to beginning and immediately following the completion of the 10 week intervention. Self-reported measures of sedentary time were obtained via two validated questionnaires for overall (International Physical Activity Questionnaire [IPAQ]) and domain specific sedentary behaviors (Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire [SBQ]). SCT constructs were also measured pre and post via adapted physical activity questionnaires. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either (a) 10 weekly social cognitive-based e-newsletters focused on reducing workplace ST; or (b) similarly formatted 10 weekly e-newsletters focusing on health education. Baseline adjusted Analysis of Covariance statistical analyses were used to examine differences between groups in time spent sitting (AP) and sedentary (AG) during self-reported work hours from pre- to post- intervention. Both groups decreased ST and AG sedentary time; however, no significant differences were observed. SCT constructs also did not change significantly between pretest and post test in either group. These results indicate that individualized educational approaches to decreasing workplace sitting time may not be sufficient for observing long term change in behaviors. Future research should utilize a larger sample, measure main outcomes more frequently, and incorporate more environmental factors throughout the intervention.
ContributorsGordon, Amanda (Author) / Buman, Matthew (Thesis advisor) / Der Ananian, Cheryl (Committee member) / Swan, Pamela (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2013
Description
It is broadly accepted that physical activity provides substantial health benefits. Despite strong evidence, approximately 60% to 95% of US adults are insufficiently active to obtain these health benefits. This dissertation explored five projects that examined the measurement properties and methodology for a variety of physical activity assessment methods. Project one identified validity evidence for the new MyWellness Key accelerometer in sixteen adults. The MyWellness Key demonstrated acceptable validity evidence when compared to a criterion accelerometer during graded treadmill walking and in free-living settings. This supports the use of the MyWellness Key accelerometer to measure physical activity. Project two evaluated validity (study 1) and test-retest reliability evidence (study 2) of the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) in a two part study. The GPAQ was compared to direct and indirect criterion measures including object and subjective physical activity instruments. These data provided preliminary validity and reliability evidence for the GPAQ that support its use to assess physical activity. Project three investigated the optimal h.d-1 of accelerometer wear time needed to assess daily physical activity. Using a semi-simulation approach, data from 124 participants were used to compare 10-13 h.d-1 to the criterion 14 h.d-1. This study suggested that a minimum accelerometer wear time of 13 h.d-1 is needed to provide a valid measure of daily physical activity. Project four evaluated validity and reliability evidence of a novel method (Movement and Activity in Physical Space [MAPS] score) that combines accelerometer and GPS data to assess person-environment interactions. Seventy-five healthy adults wore an accelerometer and GPS receiver for three days to provide MAPS scores. This study provided evidence for use of a MAPS score for future research and clinical use. Project five used accelerometer data from 1,000 participants from the 2005-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Study. A semi-simulation approach was used to assess the effect of accelerometer wear time (10-14 h.d-1) on physical activity data. These data showed wearing for 12 h.d-1 or less may underestimate time spent in various intensities of physical activity.
ContributorsHerrmann, Stephen (Author) / Ainsworth, Barbara (Thesis advisor) / Gaesser, Glenn (Committee member) / Der Ananian, Cheryl (Committee member) / Kang, Minsoo (Committee member) / Vega-Lopez, Sonia (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2011
Description
"Globesity," as defined by the World Health Organization, describes obesity as a pandemic affecting at least 400 million people worldwide. The prevalence of obesity is higher among women than men; and in non-Hispanic black and Hispanic populations. Obesity has been significantly associated with increased all-cause mortality, and mortality from cardiovascular disease, obesity-related cancers, diabetes and kidney disease. Current strategies to curb obesity rates often use an ecological approach, suggesting three main factors: biological, behavioral, and environmental. This approach was used to develop four studies of obesity. The first study assessed dietary quality, using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2005, among premenopausal Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women, and found that Hispanic women had lower total HEI-2005 scores, and lower scores for total vegetables, dark green and orange vegetables and legumes, and sodium. Markers of obesity were negatively correlated with total HEI-2005 scores. The second study examined the relationship between reported screen time and markers of obesity among premenopausal women and found that total screen time, TV, and computer use were positively associated with markers of obesity. Waist/height ratio, fat mass index, and leptin concentrations were significantly lower among those who reported the lowest screen time versus the moderate and high screen time categories. The third study examined the relationship between screen time and dietary intake and found no significant differences in absolute dietary intake by screen time category. The fourth study was designed to test a brief face-to-face healthy shopping intervention to determine whether food purchases of participants who received the intervention differed from those in the control group; and whether purchases differed by socioeconomic position. Participants in the intervention group purchased more servings of fruit when compared to the control group. High-income participants purchased more servings of dark green/deep yellow vegetables compared to those in the low-income group. Among those who received the intervention, low-income participants purchased foods of lower energy density, and middle-income participants purchased food of higher fat density. The findings of these studies support policy changes to address increasing access and availability of fruits and vegetables, and support guidelines to limit screen time among adults.
ContributorsMilliron, Brandy-Joe (Author) / Woolf, Kathleen (Thesis advisor) / Vaughan, Linda (Committee member) / Ainsworth, Barbara (Committee member) / Wharton, Chris (Committee member) / Der Ananian, Cheryl (Committee member) / Appelhans, Bradley (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2010
Description
This body of research sought to explore relationships between cognitive function and physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB), and sleep, independently and in conjunction, in mid-life to older adults with no known cognitive impairment. Aging is associated with cognitive decline, and lifestyle behaviors such as PA, SB, and sleep, may mitigate this decline. First, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to examine the effect of aerobic PA interventions on memory and executive function in sedentary adults. Second, a longitudinal study was conducted to examine the association between SB and odds of incident cognitive impairment, and SB and cognitive decline in older adults. Last, a cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the joint associations between different levels of sleep with levels of PA, and sleep with levels of sedentary time on memory and executive function. This body of research provided evidence to support the association between aerobic PA and improved cognitive function, SB and incident cognitive impairment and cognitive function declines, and the joint association of sleep and different levels of PA and ST on cognitive function by hypertension status.
ContributorsHoffmann, Nicole M (Author) / Lee, Rebecca E (Thesis advisor) / Petrov, Megan E (Thesis advisor) / Marek, Karen (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2020
Description
Food insecurity is an economic and social condition involving limited or uncertain access to food. The problem of food insecurity in communities is influenced by economic conditions, food deserts, and barriers to accessing healthy food. Individuals experiencing food insecurity often endure concurrent problems of financial instability, hunger, and poor mental and physical health. Public and non-profit services in the U.S., such as the federally supported Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and community food banks, provide food-related assistance to individuals who are at a high risk of experiencing food insecurity. Unfortunately, many individuals who qualify for these services still experience food insecurity due to barriers preventing them from accessing food, which may include inadequate finances, transportation, skills, and information. Effective approaches for removing barriers that prevent individuals from accessing food are needed to mitigate the increased risk of hunger, nutritional deficiencies, and chronic disease among vulnerable populations. This dissertation tested a novel food insecurity intervention using informational nudges to promote food security through the elimination of information barriers to accessing food. The intervention used in this mixed-methods feasibility study consisted of informational nudges in the form of weekly text messages that were sent to food pantry clients experiencing food insecurity. The study aims were to test the efficacy and acceptability of the intervention by examining whether the informational nudges could enhance food pantry utilization, increase SNAP registration, and promote food security. Quantitative study results showed a lower prevalence of food insecurity in the intervention group than the control group. Qualitative findings revealed how the intervention group found the text messages to be helpful and informative. These study findings can enhance future food insecurity interventions aiming to eliminate barriers that prevent individuals who are food insecure from accessing healthy food.
ContributorsRoyer, Michael F. (Author) / Wharton, Christopher (Thesis advisor) / Buman, Matthew (Committee member) / Der Ananian, Cheryl (Committee member) / MacKinnon, David (Committee member) / Ohri-Vachaspati, Punam (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2023
Description
The health benefits of sufficient moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sleep arewell-supported, with established links to decreased cancer risk, cardiometabolic health, all-cause mortality, and psychiatric symptomatology—including stress-related phenomena—for those who engage in 150 min MVPA/week and get at least 7 hours sleep/night. The latter outcome has rapidly become a major public health concern as our nation grapples with the impact of prolonged COVID-19 pandemic stress, which has triggered an onslaught of depression, anxiety, and PTSD throughout the population. Thus, while strategies to decrease stress are desperately needed, many Americans fall short of the very MVPA and sleep recommendations that have been shown to increase their capacity to cope. The purpose of the present study was to explore time-varying associations of MVPA and sleep with momentary perceived stress in adults forced to work from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thirty remote-working adults (86.7% women; mean age 37.5 years, SD = 10.4 years) wore GENEActiv accelerometers on the wrist to capture MVPA and sleep data, and answered four Ecological Momentary Assessments (EMAs) per day regarding perceived stress, for fourteen days straight. Between- and within-person variations in MVPA, sleep quality rating (SQR), total sleep time (TST), and sleep efficiency (SE) were analyzed via multilevel models to determine whether certain changes in these parameters might lead to decreased perceived momentary stress. Between-person models revealed a significant negative effect of SQR on perceived stress levels the next day, beta= -.651, SE= .303, P= .04. Mean MVPA, TST, and SE were not significant inter-individual predictors of momentary stress. However, within persons, higher than normal MVPA (beta= -.005, SE= .002, P= .015), SQR (beta= -.277, SE= .071, P <.001), TST (beta= -.001, SE= .000, P = .004), and SE (beta= -.524, SE= .242, P = .031) were all associated with significant decreases in momentary stress, with individuals experiencing incremental benefits with each additional minute of MVPA and TST. In conclusion, daily fluctuations in MVPA and sleep habits correlate more strongly with momentary stress than do typical levels of these behaviors; this presents an attainable strategy for individuals to enhance their capacity to cope.
ContributorsLyons, Rachel Crosley (Author) / Buman, Matthew P (Thesis advisor) / Der Ananian, Cheryl (Committee member) / McCracken, Kasondra (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2021