Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 243-294).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. Nurs.)--University of Hong Kong, 2005.

Thesis (M.A.)--Rowan University, 2009. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Eastern Illinois University, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 61-65).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wyoming, 2008. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Nov. 10, 2009). Includes bibliographical references (p. 48-50).

M.Cur / Critical overweight is currently regarded as an epidemic by the World Health Organization (Hodgson, accessed 18 March 2007). It is one of the direct causes of illnesses such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, as well as certain types of cancer. Socio-cultural influences play a role in the life of a critically overweight person. The role models that especially young girls and women see in the media are unrealistic (Fairburn en Brownell, 2002:103). Although there is a lot of information available regarding the intake of nutrients in order to address the physical dimension of a person, Villapiana and Goodman (2001:1) believe that the critically overweight person must change his/her behaviour. The following goals were kept in mind continually throughout the research: 􀂃 to explore and describe the experiences of the critically overweight person; and 􀂃 to create guidelines for the advanced psychiatric nurse in order for him/her to facilitate the mental health of the critically overweight person. The paradigmatic point of departure of the Department of Nursing at the University of Johannesburg (2006:2-7), as worded in the Theory for the Promotion of Health in Nursing, directs the study. A functional approach to nursing, according to Botes’ model (University of Johannesburg, School of Nursing Paradigm, 2006:9-12), was followed. The researcher conducted semi-structured phenomenological interviews (Holloway and Wheeler, 1996:2) with the critically overweight persons who met the criteria of the sample. Permission for the research was obtained from the University of Johannesburg, as well as the informed permission of the eight individuals who took part in the research. Trustworthiness was maintained by following strategies of credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability (Lincoln en Guba, 1985:298-331). After the data had been analysed and a consensus conversation taken place, literature control was done in order to compare the results with that of other research. The researcher has come to the conclusion that the critically overweight person experiences a paradoxical process that is characterised by a dividedness relationship vii with the self, which then spreads to relationships with other people, as well as the environment. The inner struggle is experienced as anti-poles in which participants yearn for balance. Discord develops between thoughts, feelings and behaviour, with accompanying effects on mental health. The paradoxical process is maintained by factors that strengthen the dividedness and has certain effects that cause further discomfort for the critically overweight person. Guidelines were developed for the advanced psychiatric nurse to facilitate the mental health of the critically overweight person. Conclusions were made, limitations of the research pointed out and recommendations for nursing practice, nursing education and nursing research made.

No description available.

Development of Internet weight loss programs may be a viable method for reducing the public health burden of obesity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the Internet for delivery of weight control programs. Participants (10M, 81F; age=40.9; BMI=29.0) were randomly assigned to receive Internet Behavior Therapy (IBT, n=46) or an Internet Education program (IEd, n=45). Participants in IEd were given an initial face-to-face meeting and directed to weight loss related websites they could use to develop their own weight loss program, but were given no further help to do this. Participants in IBT received this meeting, access to the same website resources plus additional behavioral procedures, all delivered via Internet and e-mail, including a sequence of weekly behavioral weight loss lessons; prompting for submission of weekly self-monitoring diaries; personalized feedback; and an on-line bulletin board for social support. Attrition (15%) was not different between conditions. Weight losses measured at 12 weeks were significantly greater for IBT (-9.0 lbs ± 5.9lbs) than IEd (-2.98 lbs ± 5.7lbs; p<.001). Furthermore, significantly more participants in IBT lost ≥ 1 pound per week (32% IBT vs. 13% ISH; p<.05). Participants in IBT also logged into the website significantly more often than those in IEd (19.7 ± 10.3 times vs. 9.6 ± 10.5 times; p<.001). Simply providing access to weight loss related websites produced minimal weight loss. However, an Internet program incorporating behavioral procedures appears a promising new weight loss approach. / Ph. D.

OBJECTIVE: High prepregnancy maternal body mass index (BMI) is associated with an increased risk in childhood overweight and obesity. This study sought to expand upon the research of this phenomenon/trend by examining the role of placental weight in inter-generational obesity risk. METHODS: This prospective birth cohort study was conducted at Boston Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts. Between 1998 and 2016, the study recruited and tracked 1,025 mother-infant pairs who have been followed from birth prospectively up to age 19 and who had data on placental pathology along with pre-, peri-, and post-natal variables, including maternal and child BMI. This study analyzed 6 Groups defined by placental weight tertiles and maternal overweight and obesity (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) (binary). Group 0 includes lowest placental tertile and maternal not overweight and obesity. Group 1 includes lowest placental tertile and maternal overweight and obesity. Group 2 includes middle placental tertile and maternal not overweight. Group 3 includes middle placental tertile and maternal overweight and obesity. Group 4 includes highest placental tertile and maternal not overweight. Group 5 includes highest placental tertile and maternal overweight and obesity. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Child BMI z-score was calculated according to United States reference data for specific age and sex. Childhood overweight and obesity was defined as an BMI in the 85th percentile or greater for age and sex. Maternal overweight and obesity was defined as a BMI of 25kg/m2 or greater, and placental weight was classified into tertiles based on sex- and gestational age. RESULTS: The mean (SD) maternal age at delivery was 28.7 (6.6) years and the mean (SD) child age at last visit was 9.5 (4.9) years. Among 1,025 mothers, 54.15% were overweight with an average BMI of 27.0 kg/m2. 68.98% of mothers were black, 76.5% never smoked, and 62.73% had less than a high school education. Among 1,025 children 447 (43.61%) were overweight. As expected, maternal overweight and obesity was associated with the highest risk for childhood overweight and obesity, with an odds ratio of 3.752 (95% CI, 2.137-6.588) as well as the largest increase in child BMI z-score. The strong association remained after adjusting for placental weight and other covariables, including birth weight. When maternal overweight and obesity and placental weight were analyzed in combined groups (0-5), they jointly increased the risk of child overweight or obesity. Using group 0 as reference, the group 5 had the highest risk of child overweight or obese and the largest increase in child BMI z-score. CONCLUSIONS: In this urban low-income prospective birth cohort, we observed a strong inter-generational link of overweight or obesity. Furthermore, there was an additive effect of maternal overweight and obesity and placental weight on child risk of overweight and obesity. Additional studies are warranted to replicate our findings and further investigate the biological pathways underlying the inter-generational obesity risk. / 2021-06-17T00:00:00Z