The various health benefits of vinegar ingestion have been studied extensively in the<br/>literature. Moreover, emerging research suggests vinegar may also have an effect on mental<br/>health. Beneficial effects of certain diets on mood have been reported, however, the mechanisms<br/>are unknown. The current study aimed to determine if vinegar ingestion positively affects mood<br/>state in healthy young adults. This was a randomized, single blinded controlled trial consisting of<br/>25 subjects. Participants were randomly assigned to either the vinegar group (consumed 2<br/>tablespoons of liquid vinegar diluted in one cup water twice daily with meals) or the control<br/>group (consumed one vinegar pill daily with a meal), and the intervention lasted 4 weeks.<br/>Subjects completed mood questionnaires pre- and post-intervention. Results showed a significant<br/>improvement in CES-D and POMS-Depression scores for the vinegar group compared to the<br/>control. This study suggests that vinegar ingestion may improve depressive symptoms in healthy<br/>young adults.

In the past decade, the use of mobile applications, specifically mobile applications focused on improving the health and fitness of users, has increased exponentially. As more consumers look towards mobile health applications to improve their health through dieting, exercise, and weight management, it is important to analyze how the concept of gamification can encourage sustained interaction and approval of these health-focused applications. This thesis aims to understand the prevalence of gamification amongst a large sample of health and fitness applications, identify and code the gamification features used in these apps, and finally, understand how different gamification features relate to the popularity and willingness to advocate using eWOM on behalf of a mobile app.

Background: There is limited literature evaluating the impact of disseminating research results to past research study participants and their families. The purpose of the study was to evaluate whether disseminating results from a diabetes prevention program to past participants and their families facilitates motivation to engage in healthier behaviors. Methods: Previous youth participants from the “Every Little Step Counts” study were contacted and invited to a community dissemination event in November of 2022 at a local YMCA in the Phoenix Metropolitan area. All individuals in attendance at the event were invited to complete a 10-item questionnaire following a presentation about diabetes and the study results. 10 youth past participants, 9 adult past participants, and 13 community members completed the questionnaire to assess whether dissemination of past study results increases motivation to engage in healthier behaviors. Results: Aggregate responses revealed a 28.43% increase in motivation to eat healthier and a 33.45% increase in motivation to increase exercise. An increase in average response frequency was evident amongst all figures, indicating that overall, dissemination of research results was found to increase motivation to engage in healthier behaviors across community members, adult participants, and youth participants. Conclusions: This study supports the importance of disseminating research results from a diabetes prevention program to past participants in order to reinforce and maintain behavior change skills taught throughout the study, with the long-term goal of reducing type 2 diabetes risk in youth.

This project explores modern healthcare related disparities in Phoenix, Arizona, as well as the overarching historical structures that have influenced public health within the city. Historical and systemic racism, harmful housing policies, barriers preventing upwards economic mobility, and purposeful measures put in place by business leaders and city officials are all explored as factors impacting current disparities in access to care. In order to fully analyze the gaps in care, different areas, both high and low-income, are analyzed throughout history in order to understand shifting demographics and policies. The project concludes with an in-depth look at current public health efforts within Maricopa County, as well as with future policy recommendations.