Matching Items (6)
Filtering by
- All Subjects: Obesity
- Creators: School of Human Evolution and Social Change
- Member of: Theses and Dissertations
Description
Epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation have been found to affect metabolic processes, which leads to conditions like type 2 diabetes and obesity. The aim of this project was to validate differentially methylated cytosines (DMCs) identified in skeletal muscle from seven obese, non-diabetic women pre- and 3 months post- Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. DNA samples extracted from skeletal muscle were sent to the Mayo Genotyping Core to undergo reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS). Differentially methylated cytosines at chr14.105353824 of the gene CEP170B, chr19.16437949 of the KLF2 gene, chr7.130126082 of MEST, and chr15.62457572 of C2CD4B were captured from the RRBS analysis using MethylSig. Bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP) was performed on all DMCs listed above which resulted in no significant changes in methylation post-surgery. It was concluded that an alternate, more precise method should be used for validation of the RRBS, such as pyrosequencing.
ContributorsKelley, Conley Lane (Author) / Coletta, Dawn K. (Thesis director) / Roust, Lori R. (Committee member) / School of Human Evolution and Social Change (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-05
Description
Obesity has become a major area of research in many fields due to the increasing obesity rate not only in The United States, but also around the world. Research concerning obesity stigma has both physical and mental health implications. Weight bias and obesity stigma represent important research areas for health professionals as they confront these issues on a daily basis in interactions with their patients. To explore how gender, ethnicity, and a person's own BMI affect the stigma of certain weight related terms, a set of 264 participant's surveys on weight related situations on the campus of Arizona State University were analyzed. Using univariate analysis to determine frequency of words deemed most or least acceptable as well as independent t-test for gender and ANOVA for ethnicity and own BMI, we found that participant's view more clinical terms such as "unhealthy BMI" and "BMI" as acceptable words for use during a physician-patient interaction. Analysis across genders revealed the highest number of differences in terms, with females generally ranking terms across the board as less acceptable then men. Differences varied little between ethnicities; however, own BMI revealed more differences between terms; underweight participants did not rank any terms as positive. We analyzed average ATOP (Attitudes Toward Obese People) scores and found that there was no significant difference in average ATOP scores between gender and a participant's own BMI, but a statistical significance did exist between ethnic categories. This study showed that the term "obese/obesity", although normally considered to be a clinical term by many was not ranked as very positive across gender, ethnicity, or own BMI. Based on these findings, new material should be created to inform physicians on how to talk about weight related problems with certain populations of patients.
ContributorsBlasco, Drew Adair (Author) / Wutich, Amber (Thesis director) / Brewis Slade, Alexandra (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Politics and Global Studies (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / School of Human Evolution and Social Change (Contributor)
Created2014-12
Description
I began this thesis with one goal in mind: to discover which career path is best for me. The plan was to take a critical look at my life using deductive logic and Information Measurement Theory (IMT) to determine who I am and through that knowledge ultimately align my future with where I would be best suited career-wise. I was interested in this because I was fascinated with IMT and I wanted to apply it to something that I would find useful. I knew that I would be graduating and I also knew that I had no idea what I wanted the rest of my life to look like. For me, it was like killing two birds with one stone: delving deeper into a fascinating theory as well as determining what to do with my future. I began my project by analyzing my own life and creating a timeline of major events in my life. Then, I pieced together the characteristics of my family to gain perspective of their lives and how their lives have influenced mine. As I explored this information and the implications this knowledge had in my life, my thesis began to take a new direction. The more I began to understand myself, the more I realized that I needed to spend more time on this area of my project. I realized the importance of understanding who I am at the core in order to be the best person that I can be. To reach happiness, be fulfilled, be a good person, I needed to spend time understanding myself rather than just jumping forward into my future.
ContributorsCrepeau, Megan Grace (Author) / Kashiwagi, Dean (Thesis director) / Kashiwagi, Jacob (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Human Evolution and Social Change (Contributor)
Created2015-05
Description
This project explores a variety of ways of framing the problem of obesity, beginning with a multidisciplinary assessment of genetic, environmental, cultural, nutritional, and socioeconomic factors involved in the structure and the consequences of each frame. How obesity is framed as a problem has a profound impact on the kinds of solutions that may be deemed scientifically appropriate. But frames are not entirely evidence-based, inasmuch as political and moral values infuse debates about the nature of obesity. Drawing on interdisciplinary resources from bioethics and the philosophy of science, I strive to offer strategic insight in to how to navigate the complexity of these issues.
ContributorsYanamandra, Meghana (Author) / Robert, Jason (Thesis director) / Wharton, Christopher (Committee member) / Drago, Mary (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Sustainability (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / School of Human Evolution and Social Change (Contributor)
Created2014-05
Description
Background:
Pediatric obesity is associated with lower quality of life (QOL) and populations with high obesity rates, such as Latinos, are especially vulnerable. We examined the effects of a 12-week diabetes prevention program on changes in weight-specific QOL in Latino youth.
Method:
Fifteen obese Latino adolescents (BMI%=96.3±1.1;age=15.0±1.0) completed a 12-week intervention. Youth completed weight-specific QOL measures at baseline, post intervention, and 1-year follow-up. For comparison purposes, intervention youth were matched for age and gender with lean controls.
Results:
At baseline, obese youth exhibited significantly lower weight-specific QOL compared with lean youth (70.8±5.4 to 91.2±2.2, p<0.005). The intervention did not significantly impact weight (90.6±6.8 to 89.9±7.2kg, p=0.44). However, significant increases in weight-specific QOL were observed (70.8±20.9 to 86.2±16.9, p<0.001). Post-intervention QOL scores were no longer significantly different than lean controls (P=0.692). Data from nine youth who returned for follow-up indicated that increases in weight-specific QOL were maintained over time (90.5±4.5 to 85.8±5.9, p=0.74).
Conclusion:
These results indicate that a community-based diabetes prevention program can result in sustained improvements in weight-specific QOL among obese Latino youth. Lifestyle interventions that focus on social interaction and physical activity, rather than weight-loss per se, may help improve the psychosocial health of obese Latino youth.
Pediatric obesity is associated with lower quality of life (QOL) and populations with high obesity rates, such as Latinos, are especially vulnerable. We examined the effects of a 12-week diabetes prevention program on changes in weight-specific QOL in Latino youth.
Method:
Fifteen obese Latino adolescents (BMI%=96.3±1.1;age=15.0±1.0) completed a 12-week intervention. Youth completed weight-specific QOL measures at baseline, post intervention, and 1-year follow-up. For comparison purposes, intervention youth were matched for age and gender with lean controls.
Results:
At baseline, obese youth exhibited significantly lower weight-specific QOL compared with lean youth (70.8±5.4 to 91.2±2.2, p<0.005). The intervention did not significantly impact weight (90.6±6.8 to 89.9±7.2kg, p=0.44). However, significant increases in weight-specific QOL were observed (70.8±20.9 to 86.2±16.9, p<0.001). Post-intervention QOL scores were no longer significantly different than lean controls (P=0.692). Data from nine youth who returned for follow-up indicated that increases in weight-specific QOL were maintained over time (90.5±4.5 to 85.8±5.9, p=0.74).
Conclusion:
These results indicate that a community-based diabetes prevention program can result in sustained improvements in weight-specific QOL among obese Latino youth. Lifestyle interventions that focus on social interaction and physical activity, rather than weight-loss per se, may help improve the psychosocial health of obese Latino youth.
ContributorsBrito, Elizabeth (Author) / Shaibi, Gabriel (Thesis director) / Barroso, Cristina (Committee member) / Patrick, Donald (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Human Evolution and Social Change (Contributor)
Created2013-05
Description
The deductive logic and leadership techniques presented in Dr. Dean Kashiwagi's Information Measurement Theory (IMT) and the Kashiwagi Solution Model (KSM) provide the tools to implement positive change within one's life and environment. By altering the way that I perceive the world, I have made progress in self-improvement through action. This project utilizes self-evaluation as a method to learn from dominant information and experience. In establishing that natural laws govern the world, there is no randomness; events and decisions are all cause-and-effect. When seen through this lens, life becomes simpler and manageable. Through my own implementation of IMT and KSM, I live a more productive lifestyle and feel that I have a meaningful plan for my future.
ContributorsRoot, Shawn Michael (Author) / Kashiwagi, Dean (Thesis director) / Kashiwagi, Jacob (Committee member) / Industrial, Systems (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-05