The study was conducted to determine the relationship of physical activity, self-esteem, and dietary intake (kilocalories, fiber, calcium, iron, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E with obesity in 65 low-income EFNEP women. Participants were assigned to either non-obese or obese group based on 8MI calculation with 28 in the non-obese group and 37 in the obese group. A family record, three-repeat random 24-hour food recalls, a 24-hour physical activity and a self-esteem questionnaire were collected from each participant. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and MANOVA and simple t-tests were calculated (P < 0.05). Results suggest that non-obese and obese low-income women consume similar amounts of kilocalories and inadequate intakes of the same nutrients (fiber, calcium and vitamin E) and have very similar levels of self-esteem. They also have similar energy expenditure with very little planned or deliberate exercise, except that the obese group had significantly more energy expenditure in the inactive leisure-time category (P = 0.016). Calories consumed and energy expenditures were similar for obese women, but the non-obese women had significantly higher energy expenditure than caloric intake (P = 0.012). / Master of Science

The National Labeling and Education Act of 1990 (NLEA) mandates that the Food and Drug Administration overhaul existing food labeling regulations and provide the consumer with a standardized, informative food-labeling policy. The intended benefit is the elimination of the confusion currently surrounding food labeling and an improvement in the dietary practices of the American public. The aim of this study was to measure the differences in the food-label reading habits, attitudes, and understanding of low-income women participating in the Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and of women from the general population. All subjects were the primary household food shoppers. In both groups, 90% "almost always" or "sometimes" read a food label. The food label influenced a purchase decision "a great deal" for 47% of the WIC group and 56% of the control group. Of the two groups, a significant number of WIC participants found the food label significantly easier to understand yet scored significantly lower on the test of nutrition knowledge and label understanding than the control group, particularly on the subject of dietary fat. In addition to calories, the WIC group looked for iron, vitamins, calcium, and protein information, while the control group was more interested in fat, sodium, and cholesterol. Both groups relied upon the media, doctors and food labels for nutrition information. This study suggests that the education component of the NLEA must address the nutrition needs of low-income WIC participants (who are pregnant or have small children). This nutritionally at-risk population would greatly benefit from the education portion of the forthcoming labeling reform. / Master of Science

Renewable energy and economic growth are among the central issues in the two-prongeddisciplines of economics and sustainability. This study explores the impact of renewable energygeneration on economic growth. Utilizing the theoretical framework of Energy Growth Nexus,the research employs a neo-classical production function in several panel data econometricmodels. Sixty nations across the globe are categorized into high-income countries and lowincome countries equally by the World Bank´s income-classifications calculated using theWorld Bank Atlas method. Renewable energy and non-renewable energy generation along withcomponents of production functions such as labor force and investments are examined for theperiod 2000-2021 to identify their impact on GDP. All the variables explored in the study arenormalized by population to account for population differences across countries. Our findingsrobustly support the growth hypothesis, that renewable energy acts as a catalyst to economicdevelopment. The empirical results indicate that there is an association between the renewableenergy and GDP per capita regardless of the nation´s income levels. Robustness checks withdata from a decade preceding the initial analysis are also conducted to ensure the initial findingsare consistent and not an anomaly. The empirical findings from the study offers insights togovernments, energy planners, policymakers, international agencies, and associated bodies toconsider decisions regarding renewable energy transitions. Investments into renewable energyinfrastructure not only enhances the sustainability levels of planet earth but conjointlystimulates economic growth across the globe.

In recent years, programs designed to promote financial literacy among lowincome populations have proliferated. However, such programs have largely been developed by small community-based organizations operating in isolation from one another. Most have been conducted in absence of guidance explaining how to ensure that the program meets the needs of the target audience. Very few studies have been able to link the program to subsequent increases in financial understanding or improvements in financial behaviors among participants. This thesis serves as a guidebook for community organizations that intend to provide financial literacy training to low-income audiences. The subject is introduced by offering a working definition of financial literacy, a brief overview of the state of financial literacy education in the United States, and a discussion of the importance of financial literacy. The political and social climates surrounding financial literacy are then discussed, followed by a summary of previous research studies that have found financial education to be effective. The subsequent chapters provide financial educators with practical guidance on the program's design, content, delivery, evaluation, and administration. The final chapter provides insights from the fields of economics and psychology. Supplemental resources for financial educators are found in the appendices.

The goal of this investigation was to assess service use, self-management strategies, and health status of older adults (60+ years) with perceived need who sought assistance from the Virginia Medicaid Elderly and Disabled Consumer-Direction (EDCD) waiver services. A sequential explanatory mixed method design was used to address the overall research question: How do older adults manage unmet needs? Using health services data from two independent State agencies, regression techniques were used to examine predictors of service use, hospitalization, and mortality among 1,008 individuals. A purposive subsample of eight rural-dwelling waiver-ineligible individuals was identified for follow-up semi-structured telephone interviews to explore self-management strategies for confronting functional care needs. Waiver-ineligible individuals were at risk for hospitalization and mortality; rural-dwelling individuals were more likely to be waiver-ineligible and had increased risk of mortality. Analysis of interviews revealed individuals had ongoing unmet needs and relied on family and community services and used internal and external strategies to manage them; plans were not in place should their health continued to decline. For this group of near-risk older adults who are waiver-ineligible and do not have financial means to pay for more help, accessible preventive services are necessary to reduce risk of adverse health outcomes. Policymakers are encouraged to advocate for preventive services that assist individuals before care needs become unmanageable. Agencies responsible for service delivery need to target efforts toward this group, particularly those residing in rural areas. Researchers must continue forging partnerships that permit use of health services data to identify when and how older adults use services, and explore how self-management strategies influence health and functioning over time. / Ph. D. / The purpose of this research was to advance understanding of help-seeking behaviors of lowincome older adults who were deemed ineligible to receive state-funded assistance. I used health services data from two independent state agencies to assess factors associated with service use and health status; follow-up interviews were conducted to explore self-management strategies of rural older adults with unmet needs. Older adults who did not receive help were at increased risk for hospitalization and mortality compared to individuals who received helped. Rural older adults were significantly more likely to not receive help and were at increased risk for mortality, placing them in a vulnerable position. Interviews with rural-dwelling older adults that were not receiving help highlighted the challenges associated with living with unmet needs but demonstrated resilience through their use of physical and psychological coping mechanisms to navigate daily challenges and maintain health and well-being. They had to deal with numerous difficulties performing instrumental activities of daily living (IADL); mobility was an underlying problem that led to subsequent IADL limitations, such as difficulty with household chores and meal preparation. Policymakers need to advocate for services that allow older adults to address preemptively their care needs before they become unmanageable. Ensuring the availability of services for near-risk older adults who are proactive in addressing their functional care needs would benefit individuals and caregivers on whom they rely. Such services not only support older adults’ health, functioning, and well-being but may be cost-effective for public programs. Policies should reduce unmet needs among older adults by increasing service access in rural communities because even if services exist, they may not be available to this near-risk population of older adults.

The study analyzed variation among low income housing tax credit (LIHTC) allocation policies as outlined in state qualified action plans (QAP) and their impacts on the siting patterns of LIHTC properties in proximity to high performing schools. The study was performed nationwide across 37 states and controlled for factors relevant to the development location decision using census-based population characteristics and LIHTC property attributes. The purpose was to determine the effectiveness of LIHTC QAP allocation policies in motivating developers to site their developments near high-performing schools. QAPs typically use points when awarding tax credits competitively, and this study focused on points awarded for (1) access to high quality schools, (2) access to any schools, and (3) location in areas with attributes expected to correlate strongly with high quality schools. Multi-level linear modeling estimated that points for access to any schools had a significant and positive effect on location in a high performing school's catchment area, but other allocation policy variables had no significant effects. The findings inform readers about the ability of current allocation policy to influence developer actions, and discussion centers on policy recommendations and the need for further research. / Master of Urban and Regional Planning / Attendance at a high-performing school is critically important in determining short-term academic performance and long-term life outcomes in children. School choice remains limited, especially for lower-income households, and this suggests that housing policy can help children access neighborhoods and quality schools that promote their long-term success. Therefore, supporting the development of affordable housing near quality schools is an imperative social policy goal. This analysis focuses on housing policy to address the issue of a mismatch between low income students and high quality schools. The low income housing tax credit (LIHTC) program is the largest federal program for the production and preservation of affordable housing and its centrality to the geography of affordable multi-family housing in the country cannot be overstated. As shown in this and other research, LIHTC units are consistently placed in areas with access to under performing schools and a need exists for changes in state LIHTC policy. The study analyzed variation among LIHTC allocation policies as outlined in state qualified action plans (QAP) and their impacts on the siting patterns of LIHTC properties in proximity to high performing schools. This study has highlighted deficiencies in state QAPs, and changes in their allocation systems are warranted to improve LIHTC residents local school quality. The findings inform readers about the ability of current allocation policy to influence developer actions, and discussion centers on policy recommendations and the need for further research.

Yes / Greenspace is important for physical and mental health. Low-income, multi-ethnic populations in deprived urban areas experience several barriers to using greenspace. This may exacerbate health inequalities. The current study explored structural and individual determinants of greenspace use amongst parents of young children in an urban, deprived, multi-cultural area situated in the North of England, UK. Semi-structured in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with 30 parents of children aged 0–3 between December 2016 and May 2017 from a range of ethnic groups. Thematic analyses were informed by the Human Health Habitat Map and the Theoretical Domains Framework. The results show that whilst all families recognised the benefits of greenspaces, use was bounded by a variety of structural, community, and individual determinants. Individual determinants preventing use included lack of knowledge about where to go, or how to get there and confidence in managing young children whilst outdoors. Fear of crime, antisocial behaviour and accidents were the overriding barriers to use, even in high quality spaces. Social and community influences both positively encouraged use (for example, positive social interactions, and practical support by others) and prevented use (antisocial or inappropriate behaviours experienced in greenspace). The built environment was a key barrier to use. Problems related to unsuitable or unsafe playgrounds, no gardens or safe areas for children's play, poor accessibility, and lack of toilets were identified. However, the value that parents and children placed on natural blue and green features was an enabler to use. Contextual influences included external time pressures, difficulties of transporting and caring for young children and poor weather. Multi-sectoral efforts are needed to tackle the uneven playing field experienced by multi-ethnic, urban, deprived communities. Initiatives to increase use should tackle structural quality issues, addressing fears about safety, whilst simultaneously encouraging communities to reclaim their local greenspaces. / received funding through a peer review process from the Big Lottery Fund as part of the A Better Start programme. RM is partly funded by the NIHR CLAHRC Yorkshire and Humber.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of three relationships on academic achievement in mathematics in students of poverty. The three factors that were examined included: teacher-student relationships, parent-student relationships and peer- student relationships. The driving question for the research was as follows: Do external factors such as teacher-student relationships, parent-student relationships and peer-student relationships lead to academic success for students of poverty? The study employed a non-experimental, quantitative approach and utilized longitudinal data from a national database High School Longitudinal Study (HSLS) used a sample of 944 public and private high schools across the USA. A total 0f 28,240 were represented in the survey. Of these 28,240 students, 2641 were used in this study as identified by parental income below the poverty threshold. The outcome of the study indicated that there was little or no correlation between the three relationships and mathematics achievement (academic success). Correlations between the dependent variable (math achievement) and the independent variables even though some were statistically significant their weights had no concrete significance. The study recommends that several initiatives can be instated in schools to support and enhance academic achievement in students of poverty.

This case study investigated the phenomenon of the black white test score gap by seeking to determine if there was a difference in the academic performance of African American students and their White peers. The determination of student academic performance was made using scores from second semester Algebra II classes at two high schools in the Tucson Unified School District. The data covered three academic years and was analyzed via SPSS (independent samples t-test, ANOVA, and a pairwise analysis) and content analysis for qualitative analysis. Findings revealed that there was no variance in the scores of African Americans and their White peers attending an affluent school; however African Americans attending a low-income school scored lower than all groups that were compared in this study.

Thesis (MPhil (Public Management and Planning))--University of Stellenbosch, 1998. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In the past the policy for the provision of low-cost housing was not very effective because the context of development planning was characterised by fragmentation, segregation and isolation from the targeted communities. The reasons for this are that these development programmes were not participatory and that they contributed to dependency rather than empowerment of communities. Selected case studies have shown that without the involvement of the community in planning and decision-making low-income housing projects cannot meet the needs and demands of the community for improvement in an effective and efficient way. One of the basic principles of The Reconstruction and Development Programme is that development projects should be people-driven. The policy framework clearly states that delivery systems in housing will depend upon community participation. This current study sought to determine whether delivery systems in low-income housing projects have made this paradigm shift - that they are participatory and need-driven. The study is descriptive and issue-oriented limiting itself to understanding the process of low-income housing provision to newly-urbanised Africans in Mfuleni, a peri-urban settlement in the Cape-Metropole. Interviews were conducted with 100 respondents male or female heads of households, using a semi-structured questionaire. The study gave respondents an opportunity to share their experiences regarding the process of community participation in housing provision.