Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1989.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1983.

Thesis (M.S.P.H.)--University of Michigan, 1941.

Thesis (M.S.P.H.)--University of Michigan, 1940.

Thesis (M.S.P.H.)--University of Michigan, 1933.

Thesis (M.S.P.H.)--University of Michigan, 1938.

Thesis (M.S.P.H.)--University of Michigan, 1931.

This thesis deals with the mental and social health of adolescents in relation to their circadian rhythm. The theoretical part is focused on the fundamental insight into the problems of mental and social health, the definition and characterization of adolescence, the idea of circadian rhythms and sleep hygiene is also included. As for the research section, the default file survey was formed by 300 adolescents aged 15-18 years from secondary schools in České Budějovice in proportion of 150 girls and 150 boys. The average age of respondents was 16 years. Data were obtained under the project No. GAJU 101/2011/S "psychosocial and somatic parameters in comparison to the circadian rhythm" during the period September 2011 - March 2012. The method of research questions was formed by the selection of 2 standardized questionnaires. The questions of the concept of social quality of life questionnaire, Cummins (1997), ComQoL - S5 which was translated and adapted for the conditions of the Czech Republic. The issues related to the circadian rhythms are selected from the circadian typology questionnaire, CIT (Harada, Krejci, 2010). The data obtained were analyzed by using basic statistical methods and calculations.

No description available.

<p>A decade ago the World Health Organization declared obesity to be a ‘global epidemic’. Rapidly climbing rates of excess body weight resulted in Health Canada declaring obesity as one of three major health concerns facing children today. Accordingly, there is a growing body of research examining how 'obesogenic environments' contribute to increasing prevalence. To date, multiple studies have found rates of childhood and adolescent obesity especially high in low-socioeconomic status (SES) neighbourhoods but knowledge about the specific local-level factors that shape body weight is lacking. Thus, this research focuses on examining local environmental determinants of body weight in adolescent populations living in low-socioeconomic status neighbourhoods in two cities in Southern Ontario.</p> <p>Using a mixed-method, parallel case study design, this study examines the environments in two low-SES neighbourhoods in the cities of Hamilton and Mississauga, Ontario. This study utilizes the ANGELO Framework as an analytic tool to dissect local environments. In the first phase of the study, the political and socio-cultural environments in both cities are investigated through analysis of municipal policy documents, public health websites and key informant interviews. The findings reveal that the cities each held differing health priorities and values that reflected the way they approached obesity. This phase further highlighted the integrated nature of the political and socio-cultural environments and their role in shaping other environments.</p> <p>The second phase of the study involved qualitative data collection from adolescents living in low-SES neighbourhoods (based on 11 SES neighbourhood measures). Specifically, a community mapping exercise and in-depth interviews with 31 participants were conducted in order to better understand how participants define and use neighbourhood space. The results indicate that there are differences between how urban and suburban residents defined neighbourhoods and that personal factors such as age, mobility and migration status influenced knowledge of the neighbourhood. Additionally, findings suggest that social interaction is a primary factor that influences adolescents use of neighbourhood space.</p> <p>In the third and final phase of the study, adolescent perceptions of the determinants of body weight were collected using in-depth and go-along interviews. Results of the 31 interviews revealed that adolescents perceive obese bodies as the unhealthy product of individual-level behaviours. Further exploration of environmental determinants revealed that factors in the physical and economic environments were indeed important and were often influenced by the socio-cultural environment. Participants held the view that neighbourhood space was tempting and unhealthy, and required them to self-regulate their behaviour. This research makes significant theoretical, methodological and substantive contributions to the obesity, adolescent health, and neighbourhoods and health literatures. Policy implications and future research directions are also highlighted.</p> / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)