Thesis (Ed.S.)--Marshall University, 2008. / Title from document title page. Includes abstract. Document formatted into pages: contains 28 p. Includes bibliographical references (p. 25-27).

Thesis--Boston University. / Bibliography: p. 157-167.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Aberdeen University, 2009. / Title from web page (viewed on Feb. 18, 2010). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin. School of Nursing, 1976. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1981. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 144-153).

Background: The issue of obesity is an important one because in some communities obesity is perceived in many ways such that it is not recognised as a problem as typified by the black community of Khayelitsha with high levels of obesity and associated diseases but low levels of concern and recognition of the problem. This study aimed to explore this by trying to understand how people think and feel about their obesity in a peri-urban Xhosa community, with a view to improving interventions that will reduce the burden of disease related to overweight and obesity as well as with prevention programmes targeted at obesity as a risk factor. Methods: A qualitative study was carried out using recorded interviews of 8 purposively selected subjects who are long term Xhosa-speaking residents, 18 years and older, with BMI more than 30 and no Diabetes, Hypertension or Osteoarthritis at Nolungile CHC, Khayelitsha, a peri-urban black community in Cape Town, South Africa. Results: Interviewed subjects identified various dietary factors for their obesity. These include overeating widely available fatty diets from street vendors, with a perception that cheap food is fatty food. They also attributed their obesity to other factors like poverty and clearly expressed that it is expensive to eat healthily. Other reasons given are a sedentary habit, fear of embarrassment, safety issues and a poor support system regarding exercise. Respondents also differ in their behaviours towards their obesity but generally accept their obesity. Furthermore, they experienced various effects of their obesity. Other than being viewed as affluent and in good health by the community, respondents are aware of effects like compromised daily activities, associated chronic illnesses, dressing difficulties, aging and other negative effects. Conclusions: A few concepts, in agreement with previous linked studies were identified in relation to the Burden of disease, diet, exercise, socio-economic and perception issues. However, the effects of environmental influence on perceptions and behaviour regarding exercise and diet were found. This seemed to indicate an evolving culture in transition. Based on these understandings, health intervention should be directed at addressing such local beliefs and behaviour at the community level, with a need for control of environmental factors. Further studies regarding weight loss was suggested.

This study reviews the methods and degree of success of treatment for obese children at the newly-founded Metabolic Clinic at the Vancouver Health Centre for Children. The Clinic has confined itself to the treatment of children from low-income families. The extent and significance of emotional and physical maladjustments is related to the causes of obesity and the efficacy of treatment given; this indicates the considerable significance of social casework as a treatment aid. Current doctrines on the causes and attendant problems associated with obesity in children are reviewed as a background against which to evaluate the Clinic, drawing heavily for this purpose on the experience and findings of Dr. Hilde Bruch in her work with a clinic in New York. The specific evaluation of the work of the Clinic is made through case, summaries and illustrations. (The writer worked at the Clinic during the school session and during the summer of 1950.) A tentative statistical interpretation of the progress with the twenty-six cases, treated during this period, is made in terms of the percentage of weight loss or gain in relation to the amount by which each child exceeds the estimated normal weight. The very limited extent, to which treatment of individual cases has been successful leads to rather negative conclusions. The importance of clinical teamwork and particularly of social casework in diagnosis of the underlying causes of the patient’s obese condition is clear. But the degree to which the clinical team's efforts can take effect depends upon the amount of cooperation which it is possible to obtain from the patient and his family. Evaluation must bear in mind that the format ion of a MetaboLic Clinic for children at Vancouver is of very recent origin. It is concerned with the treatment of a condition about which medical science has not hitherto devoted much attention, so that the Clinic work must be seen as the exploratory and pioneer. / Arts, Faculty of / Social Work, School of / Graduate

Approximately 63 percent of the U.S. adults are overweight or obese, however all groups are not affected equally. Little research has observed the obese compared to the overweight. This study aims to examine how measures associated with health differentially influence overweight and obesity. Data from the 2007 BRFSS were analyzed using logistic regression to assess variations due to socioeconomic, demographic, and health risk measures on overweight and obesity. Variations were assessed by age groups and sex. Differences across the subgroups were tested. The results showed that associated effects of overweight and obesity for young adults differ little from those of all adults. Overweight and obese young adults were also found to be more similar than different. When the analyses were sex-stratified, overweight young men were found to be significantly different from obese young men. Age-stratified analyses found that the youngest age groups differed more in their associated effects.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Cincinnati, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 49-57). Also available via World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Cincinnati, 2006. / Title from electronic thesis title page (viewed Jan. 30, 2007). Includes abstract. Keywords: obesity; Samoan population; anabolic neuropeptide pathway; candidate gene association study; neuropeptide Y. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 49-57).