The purpose of the present study was to utilize a statewide, representative sample of students in grades 6-8 in Tennessee to determine the co-occurrence of health risk behaviors such as smoking, substance use and eating disorders, among adolescents by determining the impact gender, age, race, and geographic region have on the association of these behaviors with the prevalence of adolescent obesity. We also explored the role that district, school, and class level health risk behavior variables play in adolescent obesity. Among adolescent females in the sample, 17.25% were obese, whereas 27.27% of males were obese. Stratified Hierarchical Logistic Regression Analysis demonstrated that several variables such as having ever tried smoking, having a weight misperception, and eating disorder, watching TV for more than 3 hours a day, and not engaging on a sports team remained consistent in their significant association with adolescent obesity across all groups. The findings from this study suggest that certain risk behaviors play an important role in adolescent obesity. Perhaps the most significant finding of our study that requires more investigation is the effect of education on adolescent obesity.

Adolescent obesity is a growing health concern in the United States due to its increasing prevalence and comorbidities that can reduce longevity and increase morbidity. Advanced practice nurses (APNs) providing care in school-based health centers (SBHC) located in marginalized communities are uniquely positioned to work with adolescent students challenged with obesity. The management of adolescent obesity requires advanced skills and knowledge to promote healthy lifestyles, prevent obesity, and to directly address the many factors that contribute to the condition. The purpose of this project was to develop an education program for APNs to prepare them to work with students in prevention and control of adolescent obesity in the SBHC. The Shuler nurse practitioner practice model provided the framework to guide the project. A literature search yielded evidence-based care guidelines for adolescent obesity that were used to develop the education program. The program was provided to a panel of 5 clinical experts made up of 2 APNs and 3 pediatricians who work with adolescents who are obese. The panel evaluated the program using a 5-item, Likert-style questionnaire covering the 5 objectives of the program. Results ranged from a mean score of 3.4 to 4.0, indicating that the expert panel agreed or strongly agreed that the program met the objectives. This education program was provided to the SBHC administration and will be implemented in the next school term. The project may promote positive social change through increased APN knowledge of clinical practice guidelines for managing adolescent obesity and through improved adolescent health.

This diploma thesis is based on a study of seven year old children Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) processed by Institute of Endocrinology sponsored by WHO Europe and MZ ČR and on a study of adolescents Childhood Obesity Prevalence And Treatment (COPAT) organized by Institute of Endocrinology sponsored by Norway grants and MŠMT ČR. These studies were focused on the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents and on factors possibly related to origin of overweight and obesity. Obesity is a severe chronical multifactorial disease that significantly affects health conditions and development of children. Obesity, as a risk factor, is involved in origin of cardiometabolic problems (II. type diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, dyslipidemia), cancer, musculosceletal problems and reproductive system disorders (infertility, hypogonadism, polycystic ovary syndrome, disorders of sexual development in children). Preventive programs, focused on childhood obesity, are important part of health care. These programs are based on results of factors involved in the origin of obesity. The aim of this thesis is determine and compare the prevalence of overweight and obesity in seven year old children and adolescents by classification of Czech republic, WHO...

The rate of overweight and obesity among adolescents aged 12-19 years has more than tripled since 1980, and disproportionately impacts low-income and marginalized populations. Reduction in adolescent obesity rates may result in decreased health risks, decrease healthcare costs, and increased quality of life. Effective intervention methods for adolescent participants have incorporated nutrition knowledge and culinary skill building into afterschool programs. This study examines whether building knowledge, skills, and confidence through a culinary intervention can improve adolescent participants’ choices of healthful foods through increased fruit and vegetable intake. Pink and Dude Chefs (PDC) is an afterschool nutrition education and culinary skills program for middle-school adolescents aged 11-14 years. This project aimed to improve eating behavior in participants by increasing culinary and nutrition self-efficacy. PDC was implemented in Shandon, California from Spring 2014 to Fall 2014, and in Santa Maria, Guadalupe, and New Cuyama, California from Fall 2015 to Summer 2016. Eighty-three middle school students participated and completed surveys in the 12-lesson program that covered food safety, micro- and macronutrients, meal planning, and USDA MyPlate guidelines. Participant fruit and vegetable consumption improved following participation. Girls’ frequency of overall fruit consumption increased from a mean of 1.8 (SD 0.9) to 2.0 (SD 1.0). Girls’ vegetable consumption increased from 1.2 (SD 0.8) to 1.5 (SD 0.9). Boys’ fruit consumption increased from 1.9 (SD 1.0) to 2.2 (SD 1.0), and boys’ vegetable consumption increased from 1.1 (SD 0.9) to 1.3 (SD 0.8). More research is needed to evaluate the long-term effect of participation in nutrition education and culinary skills programs. If obesity prevention programs that incorporate a skill-based culinary approach continue to show promising outcomes for adolescents, larger scale efforts may contribute to decreasing the public health and economic burdens associated with obesity.