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Obesity is a major public health problem and is a risk factor for hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and cancer. In addition, the prevalence of obesity appears to be increasing worldwide, making it important to determine the nature and extent of obesity in populations at risk. The aim of this study was to determine the predictors of body mass index (BMI) in Taiwanese adults 19 through 44 years old. Independent variables from the Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (NAHSIT) included biological factors (age and sex), dietary factors (energy intake and fat intake), environmental factors (educational level, residence area, and nutrition knowledge), and lifestyle factors (leisure time physical activity, smoking habits, and alcohol consumption). Results indicated that nearly 40% of the 1,182 adult survey participants were obese or overweight, by Taiwanese standards. Regression analysis found that significant predictors of BMI were residence area, educational level, and age. Taiwanese adults more likely to have higher BMIs were from the mountainous area, had less education. An increase in ten years of age was related to an average increase in BMI of 1.13 kg/m�� (p<0.0001), controlling for other variables. These three factors accounted for 21% of the variance in all adults (15% of the variance in men, and 28% of the variance in women). In addition, smoking was a predictor of higher BMI in males, and alcohol intake was a predictor for higher BMI in females. Energy intake, fat intake, leisure time physical activity, and nutrition knowledge were not significant predictors for either males or females. The findings from this study will help public health professionals identify target areas and program needs to reduce obesity in Taiwan, particularly in the mountainous areas where the prevalence of obesity/overweight was seventy percent. / Graduation date: 2004

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Montana, 2007. / Title from title screen. Description based on contents viewed Apr. 2, 2007. Includes bibliographical references (p. 87-92).

Paper [I] theoretically analyzes how the level and uncertainty of future prospects affect incentives to abstain from sexual risk taking in the presence of HIV. The results suggest that, for individuals with limited access to HIV treatment, uncertainty of future health may be an important factor driving unsafe sex practices and support the empirical finding of a weak link between sexual behavior, HIV prevalence, and HIV knowledge in poor countries; therefore suggesting that AIDS policy needs to be calibrated in order to fit within different social contexts. Paper [II] empirically tests the link between uncertainty of future prospects and sexual risk taking in a group of young adults in Cape Town, South Africa. The findings indicate that expected income and health and future uncertainty are significant determinants of current patterns of sexual risk taking. However, the empirical results only provide limited support to a link between expected health and sexual risk taking. Paper [III] theoretically analyzes effects of affect and defensive denial on incentives to engage in sexual risk taking related to HIV. The results of the theoretical analysis suggest that the effect of rationalization of personal risk depends on the risk of being HIV positive. Although rationalization causes excessive risk taking behavior for individuals with a relatively low lifetime risk, it may prevent fatalism among individuals whose lifetime risk of HIV is perceived as overwhelming. Paper [IV] theoretically analyzes the role of identity conflict for the evolution of female labor supply over time. The results suggest the fear of becoming an outsider in society may have prevented a complete transition of women from housewives to breadwinners. In addition, our analysis shows that not recognizing that the weights attached to different social identities are endogenous may imply that the long-run effects on labor supply of a higher wage may be underestimated.

College students and emerging adults have been found to be at risk for smoking cigarettes, drinking to excess, using illicit drugs, driving dangerously, and engaging in risky sexual and delinquent behaviour. Psychosocial correlates (Sensation Seeking, peer behaviour, parent behaviour, and peer and parent anti-substance use messages) from three domains of influence (personality, parent, and peer) were examined together to provide a greater context for the occurrence of such health-risk behaviours. The strongest predictor(s) of each behaviour were identified to better inform intervention practices. Three groups were compared— 1) those who never tried substances, 2) those who tried substances in the past, and 3) those who continue to use substances at present, in a population of emerging adults. Self-report data was gathered from 203 Collèges d'Enseignement Général Et Professionnel (CEGEP) students in the Montreal region. Measures included: Reckless Behaviour Questionnaire, Reckless Driving Measure, Health Behaviour Survey, Sensation Seeking Scale—Form V, and the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale. Results revealed that peer behaviour was the most significant predictor of substance use in emerging adults, whereas parent behaviour was only a significant predictor of reckless driving. Sensation Seeking, specifically Disinhibition, was found to predict more global reckless behaviours, including illegal activities, such as stealing or using marijuana (p < .01). Neither peer nor parent anti-substance messages were significantly related to any of the health-risk behaviours measured in this study. It would appear that health-risk behaviours tend to be related to the same underlying factors but to varying degrees. Intervention implications are discussed.

College students and emerging adults have been found to be at risk for smoking cigarettes, drinking to excess, using illicit drugs, driving dangerously, and engaging in risky sexual and delinquent behaviour. Psychosocial correlates (Sensation Seeking, peer behaviour, parent behaviour, and peer and parent anti-substance use messages) from three domains of influence (personality, parent, and peer) were examined together to provide a greater context for the occurrence of such health-risk behaviours. The strongest predictor(s) of each behaviour were identified to better inform intervention practices. Three groups were compared— 1) those who never tried substances, 2) those who tried substances in the past, and 3) those who continue to use substances at present, in a population of emerging adults. Self-report data was gathered from 203 Collèges d'Enseignement Général Et Professionnel (CEGEP) students in the Montreal region. Measures included: Reckless Behaviour Questionnaire, Reckless Driving Measure, Health Behaviour Survey, Sensation Seeking Scale—Form V, and the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale. Results revealed that peer behaviour was the most significant predictor of substance use in emerging adults, whereas parent behaviour was only a significant predictor of reckless driving. Sensation Seeking, specifically Disinhibition, was found to predict more global reckless behaviours, including illegal activities, such as stealing or using marijuana (p < .01). Neither peer nor parent anti-substance messages were significantly related to any of the health-risk behaviours measured in this study. It would appear that health-risk behaviours tend to be related to the same underlying factors but to varying degrees. Intervention implications are discussed.

The assessment of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) has become an area of particular interest in the field of atmospheric pollution due to their adverse health and environmental effects. This study is aimed to identify, quantify and characterize VOC in different urban areas and industrial areas in Bursa. The spatial distribution, seasonal variation as well as health risks assessment of VOC were discussed. Air samples were collected by means of sorbent passive sampling at over 50 sampling points in Bursa and analyzed by GC-thermal desorption. A total of seven weekly measurement periods were completed across the city center from 2005 to 2007. The source of VOC was apportioned with the commonly used receptor model, namely Factor Analysis. Motor vehicles and industrial solvent usage are the most abundant VOC sources to contribute to urban atmosphere in Bursa, 63% and 20%, respectively. The health risks of VOC were also evaluated. The questionnaire was filled out by selected people living in Bursa to obtain time-activity pattern for health risk assessment. Lifetime cancer risks were estimated with the measured VOC data. All the statistical parameters used to represent cancer risks for the selected compounds exceeded the stated level. Benzene had the highest adverse health effect among these compounds according to USEPA (2009) calculation with the mean cancer risk 3x10-4. In addition to intensive field sampling campaigns conducted in Bursa, the VOC measurement were completed for a period of six months to evaluate uptake rate of VOC in Ankara. Uptake rate equations depending on relative humidity and wind speed were developed for 25 VOCs.

This study utilized data from the Hispanic Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (H-EPESE) at two different time points, seven years apart, to examine the relationship between physical illness and depressive symptoms in elderly Mexican Americans. The two physical illnesses studied are coronary artery disease and type II diabetes due to their high prevalence among Mexican Americans. The relationship between physical illness and depressive symptoms is examined longitudinally and prospectively, in both directions. In addition, the relationship between depressive symptoms and three behavioral health risk factors: alcohol use, cigarette smoking, and physical inactivity, at baseline is examined. The roles of gender, acculturation, nativity, and locus of control are examined as moderators of the key relationships studied. Additionally, self-rated health at baseline is examined as a predictor of physical illness and mortality at follow-up. / text

This dissertation, through the case study approach, investigates the role of environmental action groups in raising public awareness of environmental hazards in Merewent. Merewent is a residential suburb that lies in the heart of the South Durban Basin adjacent to two oil refineries, a paper mill and other small industries. The sulphur -rich gases released by these refineries over the more than forty years have affected the health of the residents. Many today have respiratory ailments, with some of them developing related cancers. With the emergence of environmental action groups in the area, the awareness of the problem has increased. This has resulted in pressure being applied by the community on the refineries to adopt less hazardous methods of refining crude oil. Most of the people who make up these action groups had limited knowledge of the environmental pollution. However, through their involvement in the activities of these groups, they learnt and became active participants in these organisations. Using science literacy, popular education and social learning theory as the underlying theoretical basis, this study investigates the learning that took place when people participated in social action. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2002.

This research emerges within the context of rapidly rising levels of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection amongst young adults and the escalation of deaths from the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). This study critically examines the commonly used theories and models that guide HIV/AIDS communication campaigns. However, it notes that the broad ranging theories and models used during HIV/AIDS preventative and care campaigns emphasise communication linearity and individualism and therefore fail to acknowledge culture. In view of the multiplicity of cultural and language groups that exist in South Africa, culture plays a crucial role in HIV/AIDS communication interventions. Failure to acknowledge the cultural context in campaign theory has various negative implications. One is that, because these theories and models are linear, they are sender-oriented. The recipients are therefore unable to identify with the message as they are divorced from the context of its production. Furthermore, because of a lack of engagement by the recipient in the development of messages, retention of knowledge is minimal and this leads to a lack of acceptance of the message. Clearly then, there exists a need for these theories and models to be re-articulated so that they are less linear and individualistic, but rather more flexible so that they may be adapted for application within various cultural contexts. This study suggests that one of the ways of alleviating campaign linearity and including culture is by borrowing Paulo Freire's (1990) underlying principles of participation and incorporating them into communication campaign theory in the form of audience participation. Communication campaign theory would therefore include audience participation as a central component during its planning, implementation and evaluation phases. The appropriateness of this suggestion is demonstrated by applying it to and evaluating a HIV/AIDS awareness campaign targeted at young adults at a tertiary institution in KwaZulu Natal. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2002.