In the first part of this study, 37 commodity bag garments made and worn by one woman in rural South Louisiana between the years 1949-1968 were analyzed. The garments are currently in the collection of the Louisiana State University Textile and Costume Museum. A material culture study model, originally developed by Fleming and adapted from Severa and Horswill, was used to identify, evaluate, culturally analyze and interpret the design, construction, and fabric characteristics of garments. Access to this collection provided a rare opportunity to examine the attributes of a related group of commodity bag garments. In the second part of this study, characteristics of women's daywear commodity bag garments were compared with characteristics of prevalent ready-to-wear women's daywear fashions depicted in a national magazine targeted to women of middle socio-economic status. "Fashion" sections in 120 issues of Good Housekeeping magazine were analyzed using historical analysis methodology. The commodity bag garments were made to be worn for work on the farm where the seamstress lived and for informal social occasions. The designs were fashionable and creative and the construction was efficient and durable. Fabric, colors, and prints were consistent with those available nationally. The cotton commodity bag fabric used was also comfortable and long wearing, ideal for the temperature and humidity of the South Louisiana climate. The commodity bag garments were similar in design, construction, and fabric characteristics to fashions that appeared in Good Housekeeping magazine between the years 1949 and 1968. This finding indicated that although the commodity bag garments were primarily made for work in a rural setting, they had many of the same fashion features as mass produced garments that could be purchased in department stores nationwide.

Three studies are presented; the first epidemiological study was a survey of Baton Rouge/New Orleans physicians who manage osteoporosis. When the respondents answers were compared to selected guidelines, they displayed poor knowledge regarding osteoporosis prevention, diagnosis, and treatment (X2=39.88; P<0.0001). Rheumatologists and endocrinologists scored globally better on osteoporosis management when compared to ObGyn (OR= 6.98) (CI=2.4; 22.8). Physicians with more years of experience were more knowledgeable of osteoporosis care (OR=1.04) (CI=1.014; 1.071). The second epidemiological study was a case referent study looking at osteoporosis treatment and patient adherence of selected women in Baton Rouge. Results showed that osteoporosis management depended partly on patient adherence. Barriers to patients adherence varied from physiological to psychological reasons. Physicians need to provide more explanation and motivation to the patients. Spine was the area most affected and showed more improvement with treatment than the femur (P<0.01). Bisphosphonates were the most effective treatment for the spine (P<0.05). In patients with osteoporosis, being on just calcium and exercise is not enough to counteract bone resorption. They also need to be on an anti-resorptive therapy. Low body mass index, genetics, and history of fractures were negatively correlated to bone mineral density (BMD) increase (P<0.05). The third interventional pilot study was a non-randomized controlled study done on osteopenic postmenopausal women to examine the effect of calcium supplements and core/lower back strengthening exercises on lumbar density and muscle strength. Repeated measures analysis showed that both groups increased in isometric lumbar strength with time (P=0.02). When fosamax and exercise were taken as treatments, with baseline BMD as a covariable, the one-tailed P value of the two-way ANOVA showed a numerically positive but not significant increase in the exercise group (yearly change=2.373 ± 2.625; T value=0.9; P=0.21). Also, the exercise group showed increased feelings of well-being as opposed to the control group who showed no change or worsening. One woman in the control group fractured a bone. Ultimately, osteoporosis management relies on physicians knowledge, involvement, and patient adherence. Calcium, exercise and anti-resorptive treatments are needed in case of osteoporosis. Calcium supplements and site-specific strengthening exercises may be enough in case of osteopenia.

The primary focus of the current study was to examine the relations between childrens peer relationships and academic performance. This study involved a secondary analysis of data provided by children, parents, and teachers. In all, 585 families participated in the study. The sample is predominately middle class, generally representative of the geographical regions, and demographically diverse; 52% of the children were male, 19% were of a minority or ethnic background, and 26% lived with single parents. The current study analyzed data collected over a four year period beginning when the children were enrolled in kindergarten. Data were obtained using classroom-based sociometric interviews and teacher questionnaires. Three hypotheses were tested. The first hypothesis stated that there are concurrent associations between peer relationship experiences and academic performance. The second hypothesis stated that associations between peer relationships and academic performance also will be found when averaging across kindergarten through third grade. Analyses computed in this study indicate that better academic performance was associated with greater peer acceptance, more friends, and less rejection by peers in each grade and when averaging over the four-year period. The third hypothesis stated that there are positive associations between yearly changes in peer relationships and academic performance and a research question asked if the associations described in the hypotheses generalized to boys and girls.

Only small quantities of apparel are available to the domestic petite sector, and they do not fit well due to lack of attention to proportion. In addition, other factors contributing to improper fit are a sizing system based on outdated anthropometric data gathered in the 1930s to create the voluntary product standard PS 42-70, and a rising obesity problem, resulting in an array of figure type variations ranging from apple-shaped to pear-shaped women, as opposed to the industry focused hourglass shape. The purpose of this exploratory study was to investigate fit and design with figure type variations for petite women, five feet four inches or under, and between the ages of 20-49. Using a proprietary database, patterns were developed, muslins were created, and fit of the muslins was assessed by a panel of judges on live models. An evaluation about the fit of the muslins was completed by fit models. Results of the statistical analysis showed a sample mean distribution most similar to the size 16 petite of the voluntary product standard PS 42-70, with a pear-like silhouette supported by the literature. Findings suggested that the prototypical petite pattern resulted in improved fit as compared to the pattern based on the voluntary product standard. Figure type analysis of the sample indicated that most subjects were outside the industry silhouette definitions. None had the industry standard hourglass silhouette, indicative of a lack of accommodation for the petite silhouette and figure type variations by the voluntary product standard PS 42-70.

This is an evaluation of observation-based experiences in child care in the state of Louisiana to help determine the importance of training and its impact on caregiver responsiveness. Infant and toddler child care caregivers were observed prior to and following a six-hour statewide training provided by Louisiana State University Cooperative Extension. The focus of the training was the Right from Birth series (Ramey & Ramey, 1999). Caregiver responsiveness to infants and toddlers was measured using a multiple baseline design. Observers examined both positive and negative caregiver behaviors which were categorized as either active or passive on the part of the caregiver. Findings indicted an increase in positive caregiver behaviors and a decrease in negative caregiver behaviors. These results support the importance of training programs and requirements of regulations for training of child care providers.

In this paper I look at 12 women who were on welfare and their barriers to becoming self sufficient through education. They are in rural areas in the state of Louisiana and relied on welfare as a support system. I will examine their abilities to eventually obtain education and stable employment. In this paper, I use the qualitative data provided by Dr. Pam Monroe of Louisiana State University to examine the relationships of schooling, skills and recent work experience to the women’s paths to becoming self-sufficient. This study provides information on the extent to which education leads to job stability and the lack of education leads to poverty.

The first purpose of the research project was to examine the relationship between child weight status and adult quality of life. The second purpose of the research project was to test psychosocial variables as mediators of the relationship between child weight status and adult quality of life. A total of 164 undergraduate and graduate students from Louisiana State University participated in the study. The students completed five online questionnaires that were used to assess variables such as child weight status, adult weight status, history of childhood teasing experiences, child self-concept, and adult quality of life. Several statistical analyses were employed to test the projects 23 hypotheses. Descriptive statistics were utilized to describe the projects participants. Correlational analyses were run to determine if there were associations between some of the independent and dependent variables. Hierarchical regression analyses were also used to test the significance of the mediation models. Results of the project showed that child weight status was negatively associated with adult quality of life. Variables that significantly mediated the relationship between child weight status and adult quality of life, such as low child self-concept and a history of being teased during childhood, were also identified. Recognizing the influence that teasing and child self-concept have on an overweight or obese childs future quality of life stresses the importance of addressing the psychosocial variables when working with children who struggle with weight management.

The first study was conducted to determine if aminophylline cream application to the waist will reduce waist circumference compared to a control. Topical fat reduction from the thigh in women has been demonstrated, but local fat reduction in other areas or in men has not. Fifty men and women were randomized to 0.5% aminophylline cream to the waist twice a day or to no treatment to the waist. At week 12 there was a significant reduction in BMI from baseline that was not different between the groups. The reduction in waist circumference was 11 ± 1.0 cm in the aminophylline cream group and 5.0 ± 0.6 cm in the control group (p<0.001). The reduction in waist circumference was significant for both sexes, but women lost significantly more waist girth. The waist-to-hip ratio declined, aminophylline levels were undetectable, and there were no adverse events. The second study developed a cost-effective method of breast measurement that will allow our research team to test the concept of fat redistribution. Breast volume measurements were compared using the Grossman-Roudner cone, plaster casting, and MRI. Five women with breast sizes AA, A, B, C, and D had three volume measures repeated three times. For a single volume measurement, the costs were: $1 for the Grossman-Roudner cone, $20 for the cast, and $1,400 for the MRI. The relative cost for volume measurements using the cast was 64-189 times greater, and using the MRI was 373-33,500 greater than the cost of the Grossman-Roudner cone. The final study used a human fat cell assay to determine the capacity of currently used mesotherapy solutions to stimulate lipolysis and to determine the effect of combining a local anesthetic to the solutions. The fold induction of the mesotherapy solutions measured by glycerol generation was used to determine their capacity to stimulate lipolysis. Isoproterenol (p<0.002), aminophylline (p<0.00004), and yohimbine (p<0.001) stimulated lipolysis compared to the buffer. The lipolysis stimulated by melilotus and isoproterenol was enhanced by aminophylline (p<0.001). Lidocaine inhibited lipolysis when added to aminophylline and isoproterenol (NS compared to buffer), and when added to aminophylline, isoproterenol, and yohimbine (p<0.05 compared to control).

Purchase and consumption of energy-dense nutrient poor [EDNP] foods by low-income individuals contributes to the lower diet quality and increased risk of chronic disease (e.g. obesity, type 2 diabetes) in this population. Food purchasing behaviors, dietary energy density [ED], perceived health status, and perceived nutrition knowledge were assessed in 22 female food stamp recipients in Southeast Louisiana. Two 24-hour recalls (at the beginning and at the end of the month) and food expenditure receipts were collected; participants also completed several questionnaires. Fifty percent [%] (n=11) of study participants were food secure, and fifty percent (n=11) were food insecure. Sixty-four % (n=14) of study participants were obese. Perceived nutrition knowledge was significantly associated with body mass index [BMI] (p=0.021) and with monthly expenditures on EDNP foods (p=0.076). A significant association of perceived eating habits with BMI was found (p=0.023). Age was significantly associated with monthly expenditures on EDNP foods (p=0.007), monthly fast food consumption (p=0.090), and perceived physical health (p=0.086). Food security status significantly influenced monthly expenditures on EDNP foods (p=0.007) and monthly fast food consumption (p=0.095), but did not significantly influence BMI or perceived physical health. Income per person in the household was also found to significantly influence perceived physical health (p=0.060). The impact of food purchasing behaviors and dietary energy density on the health of female food stamp recipients in Louisiana should be studied further.

It is recommended practice for early childhood educators to provide children with extended periods of free play in which children are able to learn through hands-on experiences with the classroom environment (Bredekamp & Copple, 1997; Cryer, Harms, & Riley, 2003; Harms, Clifford, & Cryer, 1998). Early childhood educators plan meaningful experiences for each interest center on based on standards and objectives. While some children choose to participate in all the activities provided, other children require additional assistance in choosing between the variety of experiences provided in the early childhood classroom environment. Children that avoid spending time in certain interest centers or spend time not engaged in any activity miss the opportunity to practice the skills. In this study, a choice board intervention was implemented to help children participate in identified low preference interest centers more often and spend less time not engaged in any activity.