Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Agricultural Economics / Hikaru H. Peterson / The prevalence of obesity and overweight has heightened over the last 40 years. Over two thirds of the US adult population is overweight or obese. Further, 18% of adolescents, ages 12 to 19, are obese, which is an increase of over 13% since the late 1970’s. Food environment and peer influence have been emerging areas of study and are thought to be catalysts to unhealthy eating choices. College students present a unique opportunity to look at the impact of a changing food environment, including changes in peer groups. This study is concerned with how students’ peers impact their food consumption and ultimately weight. College freshmen were recruited during their first month on campus at Kansas State University. The students participated in a year-long, three-part study to track their eating habits, weight and height. The students’ parents were also asked to participate by filling out a survey on eating habits. The students also asked one friend they ate with at least once a week to fill out a food record with them. The collected information was transformed into daily average calories for each of six food groups and for macronutrients. A peer ratio was created from the parents and friends calorie intakes to determine the similarity in consumption by each food group or macronutrient. A system of equations was specified and estimated for both food groups and macronutrients. For the food group model, beverages were the only food group with a statistically significant peer ratio term. The coefficient on the ratio was positive, indicating that students would consume more calories from beverages, as their college friends consumed more calories from beverages relative to the students’ parents at home. In the macronutrient model, protein had a statistically significant and positive peer ratio. An examination of the impacts of predicted calories consumed from food groups, along with other individual characteristics, on student’s BMI in the spring term, indicated that increasing snack consumption led to an increase in BMI while increasing bread consumption caused a decrease. Eating more meals at the university dining center also increased BMI. An analysis for the predicted macronutrient values revealed a similar relationship with eating more meals at the dining center, but the predicted macronutrients did not have statistically significant impacts on BMI.

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1966 L735 / Master of Science

Objectives: the specific objectives of the study are identified as follows: 1) to determine the influence of impulsivity on alcohol abuse, (2) to determine the peer group influence on alcohol abuse, (3) To determine the interplay of gender on alcohol abuse and (4) to determine whether interaction between impulsivity, peer group influence and gender has any an effect on alcohol abuse. Method: data was collected from three hundred (300) student participants randomly selected. Age of participants ranged from 17-40 years with mean age of 21. The statistical analysis used was a three way analysis of variance. Results: Results revealed a significant main effect of impulsivity on alcohol abuse, F (35.696, p < 0.001) as well as gender, F (20.869, p < 0.001) but there was no significant effect of peer group influence on alcohol abuse. In addition, it was noted that the interaction between the three variables had no significant effect in predicting alcohol abuse. Recommendations: Universities should create educational programmes for students and this should be done preferably in the first quarter of the year while recognizing that there are transition issues related to entering universities and adaptation could be negatively at its peak especially during the first few months, which makes it a critical period for prevention and intervention activities. / Thesis (Soc.Sc.(Clinical Psychology) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2014

Denna studie har gjorts för att se hur en delaktighetsmodell i kommunal verksamhet fungerar i praktiken och om huvudsyftet, att ge personer med funktionsnedsättning ett ökat inflytande och en större delaktighet uppnås i realiteten. Detta då modellens utförande är tänkt att fungera utifrån ett nerifrån och upp perspektiv där personer med funktionsnedsättning själva ska ha möjlighet till inflytande och att få känna sig delaktiga i sin vardag.  Forskning som finns om delaktighetsmodellen är begränsad men forskarna är eniga om att det finns en problematik kring bemötande och kommunikation gentemot de funktionsnedsatta och att detta kräver utbildning hos personal och vägledare. Vi har använt oss av en kvalitativ metod med semistrukturerade intervjuer utifrån ett fenomenologiskt perspektiv. Deltagarna i studien är chefer, personal och vägledare från kommunal verksamhet i Västra Götalands region och de arbetar med personer med funktionsnedsättning. De teorier vi använt oss av är Habermas kommunikationsteori och Foucaults maktteori. Frågeställningar som respondenterna fick reflektera över, var bland annat deras syn på vad delaktighet hos personer med funktionsnedsättning är för dem och om de upplever någon förändring i sitt bemötande. Vi har även haft ett intresse i att ta reda på om det är personerna med funktionsnedsättning själva som får bestämma vilka ämnen som anses relevanta att vara delaktiga i och om besluten de fattar verkligen träder i kraft. Förhållningssättet vi utgått ifrån har varit kritiskt med fokus på dialog, makt och dold makt. Vad som har framkommit i resultatet är att modellen har bidragit till ett förändrat arbetssätt hos personal. Makten har omfördelats mellan personal och brukare. Alla intervjupersoner tror på modellen men har farhågor över att modellen kommer att stanna upp och endast bidra med en tillfällig delaktighet, något som vi problematiserar i diskussionen. / This study has been made to see how a participatory model of municipal activities works in practice and whether the main purpose, to give users greater influence and a greater participation  is achieved in reality.  This  is  because the  model's  design  as  a  bottom -up perspective, where users themselves should have the opportunity to influence and to feel involved in their everyday lives. Even though the research about the participation model is limited the scientists agree that there is a problem about the behavior and communication to the clients, this will require training of staff and counselors. We have used a qualitative method of semi-structured interviews based on a phenomenological perspective. Study participants are managers, staff and counselors from local government activities in the Västra Götaland region, and they work with clients who have disabilities. The theories we have used is Habermas's communication theory and Foucault's power theory. Questions that respondents did reflect on included their views on the participation of the clients and if they experienced any change in the approach towards clients. We also had an interest in finding out whether it is the users themselves who should determine what themes they considered relevant to be involved in and if the decisions they make actually give effect. The approach we have assumed has been critical and of focus on dialogue, power and hidden power. What has emerged in the results is that the model has contributed to a changed approach of the staff. The power has been shifted between staff and clients. As we have problematized the discussion, all interviewees believe in the model but fear that the model will not be continued and only be a temporary activity.

The Problem.- Retail trade is larger in some cities of smaller population than in others of a greater population. Wealth, which indicates purchasing power, seems to play some part in directing the pattern of retail trade in different cities. An investigator wishing to find whether the retail market is over- or under-developed in a city or group of cities may find that, although the population is slightly smaller than in a similar city, indications of wealth are sources of a potential purchasing power greater than that of a city with a larger population. He must consult authorities who have studied similar problems scientifically or work out some method of determining which city to select as a potential market for development. He will find some statements by marketing experts concerning the part played by population and wealth, but in general he will find that available works contain vague, conflicting, or indefinite statements concerning the tendency of retail trade to follow population or wealth without many scientific attempts being made to evaluate these factors and prove these statements. The present study, working on the hypothesis that of the two, population and wealth (purchasing power), one exerts a greater influence on retail trade than the other. To test this hypothesis, this investigation makes use of correlation techniques. Specifically, since the value of a study of this nature would be lessened by attempting to generalize about all parts of the United States, we shall select southeastern cities which are similar to those in Georgia. Next, we shall select a trade which is not affected to a great extent by purchasers from outside the limits of the city. Finally, we shall classify all factors under the headings of trade, population, and purchasing power. Importance of the Problem.- If the analysis shows that either population or wealth is relatively more important than the other, it should be possible to make some generalizations about trade in urban Georgia and in similar southeastern cities. This study may add to the slowly accumulating knowledge of markets which is assuming more and more the aspects of an accurate science. The business census of 1930 first gave the United States and its research workers something more definite than the guesses and estimates with which they were forced to work in former years. Method of Procedure and Data.- The factors relating to population and weal.th are selected by logical methods. We shall make use of factors which have been found to be associated with trade by other investigators, and shall employ the data which are available for 1929. The year 1929 is selected because it is the only year for which accurate data are available on population, retail trade, and income factors. The censuses of business taken in 1933 and 1935 are forced to estimate population, since an accurate count of population is taken only every ten years. The cities, representative of Georgia urban areas, are selected by arranging all states in the Southeast, as defined by Odum a.nd Moore, 1 according to rank in income per capita in non-farm centers. The states selected are Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, and Virginia. The cities are above 30,000 in population. The information on cities with smaller population is too meager to allow the factors to be classified and studied. To measure wealth, we construct an index of purchasing power composed of the most potent factors relating to income properly weighted. This index will be correlated with the population data, estimates of relative importance arrived at, analyzed, classified, and used as the basis for the conclusions of this study. All available models of such a study are analyzed, and their conclusions are compared with conclusions reached in this study. There are limitations to such a study. Many complex factors are hard to measure, such as location, transportation facilities, and competition, which are not taken into account. This is partly overcome by selecting cities which are in the Southeast and which are similar to cities in Georgia in respect of per capita personal income. Selecting a trade not affected by external trade to a great extent should overcome the difficulty caused by rural trade flowing into cities for shopping goods. The data consist of statistics gathered by governmental and business agencies1 for the period of 1929. Summary of Work by Other Investigators.- There is a. relative scarcity of work on problems of this type for at least two reasons: (1) the methods of multiple correlation are relatively new, and only recently scatter diagrams and other graphic devices have been used to reduce the tremendous amount of mathematical work involved; (2) data on business end economic features of the United States have only become available since the first census of retail distribution was taken in 1929 by the United States Bureau of the Census in that year and in 1933 and 1935. For this reason it is difficult to secure data which could be used to construct an index of purchasing power. A number of studies have been made of the effect of out-of-town trade on urban trade and location of stores within cities, but few of these studies have made use of multiple correlation or purchasing power indexes. The following summary illustrates the difficulties encountered in trying to find a general agreement among authorities on the relative influence of wealth and population. Converse and Mitchell feel that larger towns attract more trade than smaller towns. Dr. Margaret G. Reid states that retail activity and centers increase with the population of the community. The U.S. Bureau of the Census stresses the influence of population on wholesale trade and finds a correlation of .84 with population by the rank data method. J. M. Cassels finds that retail trade is concentrated where population is most dense and where consumers have less opportunity to be self-supporting. Inez K. Rolph concludes that population is the more important factor influencing intra-city trade. 5 This group of authorities stresses population. The following group emphasizes wealth or purchasing power. Lawrence B. Mann finds income and banking resources are more important than population. Dr. Ennna Winslow emphasizes the importance of purchasing power in the study of consumer markets and recommends the construction of a statistical index of purchasing power. Riggleman and Frisbee recognize population's importance but lean heavily toward purchasing power as the vital factor in a market. Eaton Van Wert Read stresses purchasing power and likens shopping dollars to magnetized particles drawn more by shopping goods and less by convenience goods. He employs simple, partial, and multiple correlation. John A. Pfanner, Jr. minimizes population and uses multiple and simple correlation as well as scatter diagrams to test twenty four variables connected with wealth.

The purpose of my study is to identify which approach that the teachers believe that they use in their work with children's influence. The aim is also to investigate whether or not the teachers experience any consequences when giving the children a chance to influence and if so, what kind of consequences. I have used qualitative interviews to answer the questions of my thesis. My conclusion, based on the result of the interviews, indicates that teachers believe children experience limited influence in routine situations. The results also indicates that teachers who demonstrates a conscious democratic approach while teaching, believed they helped children get a better understanding of the concept of democracy already at an early age. / Syftet med mitt examensarbete är att få kunskap om vilka olika arbetssätt pedagogerna anser att de använder för att inkludera barnen i verksamheten. Syftet är också att undersöka om pedagogerna upplever några konsekvenser med att ge barn infly-tande i förskolan och i så fall, vilka konsekvenser. Jag har använt mig av kvalitativa intervjuer som metod för att besvara mina frågeställningar. Resultatet av mina intervjuer visar bland annat att pedagogerna upplever att barnens inflytande blir begränsat i olika rutinsituationer. Jag kom också fram till att pedagogerna påvisar att de eftersträvar ett medvetet demokratiskt förhållningssätt och att de anser att det hjälper barn att få en tidig förståelse för vad begreppet demokrati betyder.

No description available.

This thesis is an investigation into the development of glass as an expressive medium in China through direct contact with Western methods of making, decoration and forming glass. The investigation proceeds through an analysis of the parallels between glass objects produced from Kangxi (1662-1722) to Qianlong period (1736-96), and contemporary practitioners’ (2000-2009), which is complemented by my own practice. The investigation mainly looks at three aspects and their inter-relationship within these strands. They are: 1) the history of glassmaking from 1696 to 1795 in the Qing dynasty with Western influences; 2) the analysis of Contemporary Chinese studio/academic glass within the imported UK model; 3) the development of my personal glass practice within this matrix. Practical work is of two components: reproductions of historical examples and personal creative pieces. The inter-relationship/comparison between these three strands seeks to identify themes, such as the influence of the imported models, reactions to them (the nature of hybrid), and the development of Chinese identity within glassmaking. The purpose is to draw similarities and differences from the comparisons in terms of philosophy, attitude, cultural reference and technique, between Qing and contemporary China, to provide general principles in practice and guidance for future development. Basic information has been gathered from a wide range of sources both in China and in the UK using libraries, museums and galleries / literature from books, journals, archives and websites. Some information has been derived from direct contact (emails, interviews, conversations and questionnaires) with practitioners and scholars. The nature of the research has involved the examination of real historical objects and their technical repetitions, visits to Chinese Universities and personal exhibitions. These investigations included the identification of almost all of the extant examples of the Qing dynasty and their examination in terms of the identified aims of the research, especially in terms of physical evidence within the objects themselves. A body of personal work has also been developed and presented as a case study and used as an investigative tool for analysing the contemporary movement and the making of suggestions. The techniques addressed in this research were developed as examples to illustrate the diverse possibilities of practice. The whole study has been complemented by practice, the outcome of the research naturally consisted of a written thesis and a body of personal work. The written part contains the interpretation of contemporary Chinese studio glass and the analysis of its actual influences from Western practice. Furthermore the comparison of historical experiences is given through the viewpoint of a glass practitioner. A series of similarities and differences and the experiences from other practical models (Western Studio Glass Movement) have been illustrated from the comparison, as well as a set of recommendations and a vision for future development in China. The use of visuals, including image comparisons, technical and process illustrations, drawings, videos and actual samples, are designed to give new insights on the research of Chinese glass and provides an added dimension for presenting and encouraging discourse within the research of Art & Design. Additionally, a comprehensive appendix at the end of the thesis records almost all of the existing Qing glass objects while concentrating on the highest quality of the same category both in and out of China. Further information on relative exhibitions, publications and contact lists are useful for those who are willing to pursue a further study.

published_or_final_version / Environmental Management / Master / Master of Science in Environmental Management

<p>Abstract</p><p>The main purpose of this essay is to examine if media-sport influence pupils in their physical education and if the teachers understands it. At the same time the aim has also been to investigate how the teachers can get along with the media influence in their teaching. We have also investigated what teachers in physical education think about the curriculum and if there is space for a teaching method that respect the pupils will.</p><p>The essay is an empirical qualitative study built on open-ended interviews with 3 respondents from two schools in the county of Värmland, Sweden. The range of qualified teacher is restricted at this school. We asked 5 teachers to join, but only 3 were accepting to join our study. Because there was not much time left of the school term we had to get started with the interviews as soon as possible. But first of all we had to make an extensive litterateur study. Not much literature is written about our subject. After that we made the interviews and transcript them into our paper.</p><p>This qualitative study shows that</p><p>- The main result of the research is that media influences pupils. Especially in physical education.</p><p>- The teachers are trying to satisfy the pupil’s wishes. Though it is hard for the teachers to do this because of deficient resources.</p><p>- The environment around the school is also important for the teachers. But if the school can’t satisfy the pupils, the teachers recommend them to join their local sport society.</p><p>Keywords: Media influence, Health, Physical education</p>