Objectives: Coordinated School Health (CSH) is a systematic approach to improving the health and well-being of school-age children. It is recommended for its potential to promote healthy weight in adolescents through strategic programming. Resources and programming for adolescent obesity prevention varies among schools, thereby limiting the intended benefits of CSH. The purpose of this study was to understand gaps in schools approaches to healthy weight promotion and support for overweight/obese students. We evaluated perceptions of adolescent obesity and environmental factors and programs facilitating healthy weight in high schools in Appalachian Tennessee. Methods: In 2012, 17 key school personnel from 5 randomly selected high schools were interviewed. Questions addressed their perceptions of adolescent obesity, school-based physical activity and nutrition programming, and support available to overweight/obese students. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify emerging themes. Results: Participants consistently identified adolescent obesity and/ or associated risk factors as major health problems within their schools. Barriers to physical activity and healthful eating were identified at multiple levels. Because of the sensitivity surrounding overweight/obesity, no particular programs or curricula targeted overweight/obese adolescents specifically, but they were available to all students. Support is not explicitly available; therefore, overweight/ obese students must seek out these resources. Conclusions: Findings suggest that although school personnel are concerned about the impact of adolescent obesity on health outcomes, there is wide variation across schools on the types and quality of programming available to address the issue. Results can be used to encourage school-based strengths and identify gaps in the CSH infrastructure in school systems.

Purpose: The authors' aim in this study was to gain insight on the psychological risk factors related to weight loss following bariatric surgery. Method: The authors used archival data of 137 participants who underwent both a psychological pre-assessment and bariatric surgery and attended a post-operative appointment at least six months following surgery. The factors examined at the psychological pre-assessment included alcohol abuse, smoking, exercise, binge eating, depression, stress, social support, dieting history, and history of sexual abuse. These factors were examined in relation to weight loss success defined as 50% loss of excess weight at follow-up. Main Findings: No significant relationships were found between weight loss success and the predictor variables. Conclusions: The researchers evaluated the present study results in relation to previous literature on bariatric surgery. Several limitations were evaluated, including examiner bias, participant population, and the assessment tool used. Areas of future research included examining alcohol consumption, exercise behavior, and binging and purging after surgery.

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The purpose of this study was to examine adolescent obesity as it interacted with and was perceived by the family system. The study was an ethnographic analysis whose goals were to understand the meaning obesity had for the family and how the dynamics of the family interacted with the obesity. The respondents in the study were five female adolescents and their nuclear families. They participated in an interview process which included ethnographic and circular questioning, nutritional and diet histories, and Faces II. The results were analyzed in accordance with ethnographic methodology. A number of findings emerged from the study. Among these were the presence of a family obesity system, three distinct stages of obesity development within the family and the existence of a dysfunctional obesogenic family system which negatively influenced the obese adolescent. Suggestions for further study included empirical research into the findings of this study and the development of an instrument that would empirically measure the dynamics of child and adolescent obesity. / Ph. D. / incomplete_metadata

In the United States, childhood and adolescent obesity is a problem of growing concern. With nearly 17% of children between the ages of two and 19 years classified as obese, healthcare providers, clinical scientists, and program managers must collaborate to reduce the prevalence of obesity. Obese children are more likely to be obese adults, who are at an increased risk to develop type two diabetes and cardiovascular disease, compared to non-obese individuals. Children are classified as obese based on body composition. CDC, WHO, and IOTF have developed definitions to classify the weight status of children; however, these definitions are based on reference populations' data rather than physiological ideal growth and development. Physicians and scientists measure body composition with a variety of direct and indirect techniques. Although there are advantages and disadvantages to each method, there is no database to compare the measurements to determine whether the child has an increased risk for developing a disease based on his or her weight status. While the current literature debates the use of one definition or measurement tool over another, there is a need for longitudinal studies to establish a true definition for obesity and healthy model of child growth and development from birth to adulthood. This review summaries the current arguments and provides suggestions for further research to increase the understanding of obesity in children and adolescents.

published_or_final_version / Pharmacology and Pharmacy / Master / Master of Medical Sciences

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