Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs about Food Additives and Obesity by Lorna Theresa Ingram MS, Long Island University, 2007 BA, Florida International University, 1999 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Walden University November 2019 Obesity is a chronic health problem that affects the health and well being of its population. The purpose of this cross-sectional, descriptive study was to examine whether there is a relationship between individuals’ knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding food additives and obesity. The research questions concerned knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs participants had regarding food additives and obesity. The theoretical foundation for this study was the social learning theory. The participants for this study were recruited from a religious organization in central Florida via announcements in the church bulletin. The method of study was a survey using Survey Monkey online website and the data analysis method was using SPSS software program. According to study results, on average, the level of knowledge regarding food additives and obesity was a score of 5 out of 7, and there was no difference in knowledge, attitudes, or beliefs among the study participants based on age, income, gender, education, or racial group. The linear regression model indicated that there was a statistically significant relationship between associate degree and knowledge; however, assumption testing revealed that there were issues of heteroscedasticity indicating that the results should be treated with caution. Social change implications based on the findings of this study include a need for additional education regarding the relationship between food additives and obesity, particularly among individuals with lower levels of education.

Magister Artium (Development Studies) - MA(DVS) / South Africa is currently experiencing the global phenomenon of water shortage. Current water requirements for domestic use, industries and agriculture far exceed local supplies in many parts of the country. It is for this reason that the South African government has to formulate a variety of policies that govern and regulate the use of water.

There have been few investigations employing the level of aspiration as a motivational independent variable. The problem of the present study was to investigate the effect of an expressed level of aspiration on a subsequent level of performance on a cancellation task and to relate this effect to socio-economic classifications.

Thesis submitted in accordance with the requirements for the award of the Degree of the Master of Arts in Social Work At the University of Zululand, Department of Social Work Faculty of Arts, 2011. / The major objective of this study was to assess the impact of socio-economic status of the people at uMhlathuze municipality on participation in developmental programmes. A qualitative and quantitative mixed method was applied to investigate perception and attitude on participation of people in development programmes. To guide and direct this study four research questions were formulated and transformed into research hypotheses. The multi-stage random sampling technique was used to sample sixty respondents from eight communities in the research area who completed all the questionnaires items were actually used in the analyses. The hypotheses formulated were tested using the Statistical Programme for Social Science, version 18.0 (SPSS), the Pearson Chi-square test and minimum likelihood expected count ratio analysis were used. Results revealed that income level have significant impact on participation of people in developmental program in the study area; also that alternative income in terms of incentives or stipends provided by the facilitators improves participation in development programmes. Employment statuses have not contributed towards participation in development programmes and that time constraints were a major factor. Prior occupational status and prior satisfaction of previous programmes enhances participation. Small family sizes have impacted significantly to participation. Educational attainments have impacted significantly towards participation. The study found out that, programmes such as the SMMES on skill acquisition, Craft, Tourism and Housing development, have not contributed to alleviate poverty in that people are not aware or well informed of such programs. The study recommended that information dissemination, political tolerance, formation of pressure groups, regular meeting attendance, and provision of supportive policies were factors that would encourage and enhance participation in developmental programmes. Further studies should be geared towards policies that should enhance workers and business peoples’ participation in development programmes.

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There is an abundance of literature that focuses on the standardized test score difference between minority and non-minority students. Within this literature, socio-economic factors, parental influences, and school-level resources have been used to explain the difference in test scores. The purpose of this study is to identify the variables that are thought to significantly influence test score achievement. The data come from the Florida Department of Education and the US Census. Linear regression analyses results are used to examine the relationship between the independent and the dependent variables. The results showed that overall economic factors are more closely related to FCAT scores than race. More specifically, the percent of students receiving free lunch was negatively correlated with FCAT scores.

This research studied two predominantly rural counties in Virginia to understand whether residents have equal access to uncontaminated drinking water by socio-economic status. Statistical associations were developed with the total value of each residence based on county tax assessment data as the independent variable to explain levels of nitrate, the presence of bacteria (total coliform and Escherichia coli), and specific household well characteristics (well age, well depth, and treatment). Nearest neighbor analysis and chi-square tests based on land cover classifications were also conducted to evaluate the spatial distribution of contaminated and uncontaminated wells. Based on the results from the 336 samples analyzed in Louisa County, rural residents with private wells may have variable access to household drinking water free of bacteria; particularly if lower-value homes in the community tend to be older with more dated, shallower wells. This study also suggested that, in Louisa County, the presence of water treatment devices was also significantly related to total home value as an index of socio-economic status. Analysis of the 124 samples taken from household wells in Augusta County did not result in any significant associations among selected well characteristics, total home value, and water quality. Lower community participation in Augusta County as a result of a more expensive water quality testing fee may have contributed to the lack of hypothesized relationships in that county's case study. / Master of Science

The purpose of this study was to determine if specific characteristics of male students in a low socio-economic urban setting predispose them to successful high school completion. Rather than focusing on dropouts, this research focused on male students who are successful high school completers. They were compared to one another in order to find correlations among variables which made them successful in completing high school. While research exists detailing the reasons students choose to drop out of school, the factors that lead to successful graduation from high school have yet to be determined. This research addresses that gap. This study addresses two research questions: (a) are there common factors among male students from a low socio-economic urban setting which predispose them to successful high school completion and (b) what are the common factors among male students from a low socio-economic urban setting which predispose them to successful high school completion? The information found in the review of related literature and research indicated that the variables (preschool education participation, sports/extracurricular activity participation, family configuration, participation in faith-based organizations, parents’ educational attainment, sibling educational attainment, attendance, parental employment, participation in vocational studies, and participation in tutoring programs for high stakes exit exams) were appropriate for this study. An instrument was piloted to obtain information on the variables. Forty male students were randomly selected from 240 male students who graduated from Meridian High School during the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 school years. After collecting and analyzing the data using binomial distribution and chi-square analysis, the researcher drew several conclusions. Preschool participation, sibling educational attainment, attendance, family configuration, participation in a faith-based organization, parent educational attainment, parent employment, vocational program participation, and extracurricular activity/sport participation were reported by participants at statistically significant frequencies which could not be attributed to chance. The chi-square values indicate nine of the fiftyour possible variable pairs have statistically significant correlations. Conclusions and recommendations based on the findings of this study indicate that certain characteristics of students do contribute to high school completion. This study should be replicated with a larger sample in other locations to validate the findings.

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