Thesis (M.A.)--York University, 2005. Graduate Programme in Kinesiology and Health Science. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 61-81). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:MR19689

Thesis (M.S.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of Health Science. / Electronic thesis. Bibliography: leaves 32-33. Also available in print ed.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Tufts University, 2006. / Adviser: Andrew Greenberg. Submitted to the School of Nutrition Science and Policy. Includes bibliographical references. Access restricted to members of the Tufts University community. Also available via the World Wide Web;

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Drexel University, 2010. / Includes abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 80-92).

Background: Pregnancy is a trigger point for the development of obesity with maternal obesity being associated with significant adverse effects in the mother and child. Nigeria is experiencing a double burden of under- and over-nutrition with rising levels of obesity particularly in women. However, there is scarcity of data on maternal obesity in Nigeria and other African countries. Aims and Objectives: This thesis aimed at identifying crucial components of potential interventions for maternal obesity in Nigeria. The objectives were to assess the prevalence, effects and distribution of maternal obesity; assess the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of pregnant women and maternal healthcare providers and identify existing interventions for maternal obesity in Nigeria. Methodology: A systematic review and meta-analysis was initially conducted. Following this, a quantitative questionnaire survey of the KAP of pregnant women and a qualitative interview study of the KAP of Health Care Workers (HCW) were conducted in seven secondary and tertiary hospitals across Nigeria. Quantitative data was analysed with SPSS statistical software, while thematic analysis was conducted for qualitative data. Results: Twenty-nine studies included in the systematic review showed significant prevalence, socio-demographic associations, and adverse effects of maternal obesity on labour, maternal, and child outcomes in Africa. The questionnaire survey of 435 mothers revealed a maternal obesity prevalence of 17.9% among mothers who registered for antenatal care in the first trimester. Mothers had insufficient knowledge of the causes, complications, and safe ways to manage maternal obesity. However, majority felt that excess gestational weight gain be avoided and some practiced weight management during pregnancy. For the qualitative study, four main themes were identified: 'Concerns about obesity in pregnancy', 'Barriers to care for obese pregnant women', 'Practice of care for obese pregnant women', and 'Improving care for obese pregnant women'. Conclusions: Culturally adaptable/sensitive interventions should be developed for the management of obese pregnant women in Africa. Education and training of mothers and health care workers, and provision of guidelines are some of the components of potential interventions in Nigeria.

Thesis (M.S.)--Michigan State University. Dept. of Epidemiology, 2008. / "Thesis committee: Drs. Claudia Holzman (chair), Ellen Velie, and Hwan Chung"--Acknowledgements. Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on July 30, 2009) Includes bibliographical references (p. 53-58). Also issued in print.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and present food intake and morbidity patterns of obesity in men (n = 162) and women (n = 286) 15 to 80 years of age. Data were collected in a community-based longitudinal study from 1983 to 1985 in a semi-rural Egyptian village. Degree of obesity was estimated using body mass index (BMI) and a derived measure of adiposity from principal components analysis of several anthropometric variables. BMI was significantly correlated with other available measures of adiposity, lean mass and age and uncorrelated with height. Derived measures of adiposity were related to all other measures of relative weight and adiposity in both sexes and related to age in women. Within agricultural households, men were shorter and had higher adiposity levels, and women were taller than non-agricultural households. The presence of chronic disease was unrelated to BMI in men. However, chronic disease and respiratory difficulties occurred more often in overweight and obese women. There was no difference in the prevalence of acute illness for lean and normal weight compared to overweight and obese men. Skin problems occurred more often in overweight and obese women. There was a risk of low pregnancy weight gain across the range of BMI. Obese women produced heavier infants than normal weight or overweight women; overweight women produce heavier infants than leaner women. Infant birthweight was predicted by prepregnancy BMI or adiposity level, pregnancy weight gain and height. For men, animal products contributed to the higher intakes of fat, vitamin A and zinc in overweight and obese, and fats and oils contributed to higher vitamin E intakes. For women, bread contributed to higher intakes of dietary fiber and lower intakes of calcium in overweight and obese.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Rhode Island, 2005. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 83-90).

Thesis (M. Ed.)--University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2007. / Title from PDF title page (viewed Feb. 1, 2010). Includes bibliographical references (p. 13-15).

The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file. Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on March 19, 2010). Thesis advisor: Dr. Anna Bardone-Cone. Includes bibliographical references.