Abstract Childhood overweight is a serious health concern in developed countries. To help develop obesity prevention and treatment programs for children, knowledge on predisposing factors for childhood obesity and eating behavior in overweight children is needed.. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the prevalence, risk factors and parental recognition of childhood overweight and obesity in overweight children. Another aim was to investigate vegetable consumption and eating behaviour and factors associated with them. The first research material consisted of 749 school beginners in the City of Oulu in year 2003. The second material consisted of 54 eight-year-old overweight children and their 65 normal weight peers. The parents filled in a questionnaire enquiring food and physical activity habits and background information of the children and the family. Parents also evaluated weight status of their children. Food frequency questionnaire was used to evaluate the vegetable consumption of the children and their parents. Eating behaviour was assessed by a series of eating behavior specific questions. Fifth of the children were overweight using internationally accepted criteria. Risk factors for the child's overweight and obesity were as follows: parents' overweight, child’s physical inactivity, skipping breakfast and overeating. More than half of the parents did not recognise their offspring's overweight. Overweight was less likely to be recognised in boys than in overweight girls. Child’s healthy diet and high physical activity were inversely related to parental recognition of overweight status. Normal-weight children and parents ate vegetables more frequently than overweight children. Mother’s consumption of vegetables was the most significant predictor of child’s vegetables consumption. Emotional eating was more common in overweight children than normal weight children and if the child lived only with one biological parent. Mother's emotional eating was positively associated with the child’s emotional overeating. Efforts to prevent childhood overweight should begin in early childhood. A family-oriented intervention with the parents as the exclusive agents of change might be superior to a child-only approach. When guiding parents the importance of physical activity, regular breakfasts and reasonable portion sizes should be emphasized. Healthcare providers should promote awareness of childhood obesity among community. When treating overweight children more attention should be paid to the food habits and eating behaviour of the children and their parents. / Tiivistelmä Lasten ylipaino on merkittävä terveysongelma sekä Suomessa että muualla maailmassa. Ylipainon ehkäisemiseksi sekä hoidon kehittämiseksi on tärkeää saada tietoa lasten ylipainon riskitekijöistä sekä jo ylipainoisten lasten elintavoista. Tämän poikkileikkaustutkimuksen tarkoituksena oli selvittää ylipainon esiintyvyyttä, riskitekijöitä sekä ylipainon tunnistamista ja siihen yhteydessä olevia tekijöitä oululaisilla lapsilla. Lisäksi tavoitteena oli tutkia ylipainoisten lasten kasvisten käyttöä ja syömiskäyttäytymistä sekä niihin yhteydessä olevia tekijöitä. Ensimmäinen tutkimusaineistoista koostui kaikista oululaisista peruskoulun vuonna 2003 aloittaneista lapsista. Tutkimukseen osallistui 749 keskimäärin 7-vuotiasta lasta. Toisena aineistona olivat pohjoissuomalaiset 8-vuotiaat ylipainoiset lapset (n = 54) ja heidän normaalipainoiset verrokkinsa (n = 65). Lasten ja vanhempien ravitsemus- ja liikuntatottumuksia sekä perheen ja vanhempien taustatietoja selvitettiin kyselylomakkeen avulla. Vanhemmat arvioivat myös lapsensa painostatuksen. Lasten ja heidän vanhempiensa kasvisten käytön useutta selvitettiin frekvenssikyselyllä. Lasten ja vanhempien syömiskäyttäytymistä arvioitiin validoiduilla syömiskäyttäytymiskyselyillä. Tulosten mukaan vajaa viidennes lapsista oli ylipainoisia kansainvälisen painoindeksikriteerin mukaan. Lapsen ylipainon ja lihavuuden riskiin olivat yhteydessä vanhempien ylipaino, lapsen vähäinen liikunta sekä aamupalan syömättä jättäminen ja liiallinen syöminen. Yli puolet ylipainoisten lasten vanhemmista ei tunnistanut lapsensa ylipainoa. Vanhemmat tunnistivat poikien ylipainon tyttöjen ylipainoa huonommin. Lapsen ylipaino tunnistettiin heikommin, jos lapsi söi terveyttä edistävästi ja oli fyysisesti aktiivinen. Ylipainoiset lapset söivät harvemmin kasviksia kuin normaalipainoiset lapset. Äidin kasvisten käyttö oli keskeisin lasten kasvisten käyttöön yhteydessä oleva tekijä. Ylipainoisilla lapsilla oli normaalipainoisia enemmän mielialaan liittyvää runsasta syömistä. Mielialaan liittyvä runsas syöminen oli yleisempää silloin, jos lapsi asui vain toisen biologisen vanhemman kanssa. Lisäksi äidin tunnesyöminen oli positiivisessa yhteydessä lapsen mielialasyömiseen. Lasten ylipainon ehkäisemiseen tähtäävien toimenpiteiden tulisi alkaa jo varhaislapsuudessa. Perheiden ohjauksessa tulee ottaa puheeksi erityisesti liikunnan ja aamupalan merkitys. Lisäksi tulee tukea lasta syömään sopiva ruokamäärä. Terveydenhuollossa on syytä selvittää vanhempien näkemyksiä lapsensa painosta. Ylipainoisten lasten hoidossa tulisi kiinnittää huomiota paitsi lasten, myös heidän vanhempiensa ruokailutottumuksiin ja mielialasyömiseen.

There is an understanding among biological anthropologists that long bone epiphyseal shape is highly regulated by genetic and biomechanical factors. Conversely, long bone diaphyseal geometry and robusticity have been shown to respond to activity in life. The current study examined the assumption of epiphyseal consistency by exploring the relationship between a well established bony response to activity (Cross-Sectional Geometry) and shape change among the proximal humerus and femur. Long bone samples were taken from four hunter-gatherer populations: the Andaman Islanders, the Indian Knoll, Point Hope Alaskans, and the Sadlermiut. Shape was measured through landmark configurations placed on the proximal end of a total of 91 humeri and 84 femora. Cross-sectional Geometry measures (J) were taken from each specimen, as well. Principal Component Analyses were conducted on the landmark shape data to determine where the shape variation was occurring among the sample. These Principal Components were then compared via Bivariate Regression to the J values taken from the diaphysis. Significant relationships occurred between the development of the lesser tubercle and an increase in J among the humerus sample. Significant relationships were also found among the femur sample; as when J increased the proximal epiphyses were more likely to be more gracile, and the space between the femoral head and the greater trochanter increased. The humerus results indicated a more robust proximal epiphysis in groups with activities that rely heavily on the upper body, such as rowing, swimming, and harpooning. The femur results were more complex, as the relationship between activity and proximal shape is likely heavily influenced by a genetically predetermined body shape. These results indicated that there is a relationship between activity and proximal epiphyseal shape, but that it, like all relationships, is complex, and comprised of multiple factors. Ultimately, proximal long bone shape is the result of multiple influences including, activity, genetics, population adaptation, health, and many more. Future research should focus on determining if the relationship between activity and shape exists among other populations, and when and where it begins during growth and development. / Graduate

Magister Scientiae (Physiotherapy) - MSc(Physio) / Low back pain (LBP) is a significant problem among the nursing population worldwide. Manual lifting and shifting of heavy objects and patients are primary contributing factors. Nurses are supposed to be knowledgeable about the risk factors and preventive measures and effectively apply it into practice to prevent them from sustaining back injuries. Strategies to reducing the incidences of LBP in nurses have been previously implemented but with little outcomes. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between occupational risk factors and the prevalence of LBP in nurses at MOI, Tanzania. Therefore, the study examined; the prevalence of LBP amongst nurses, work-related risk factors contributing to LBP, knowledge and effectiveness of back care techniques, and barriers to effective back care techniques in clinical nurses. / South Africa

Magister Artium (Psychology) - MA(Psych) / The study investigated three aspects related to smoking, namely, smoking behaviour, risk perception and attitudes to anti-smoking legislation. The theoretical framework of the study was the Information-Motivation-Behavioural (IMB) skills model. The study was a quantitative one, making use of a cross-sectional survey design to obtain data about the three variables of interest. Responses to statements about risk perception and attitudes to anti-smoking legislation in the questionnaire were arranged on a three-point Likert scale. The inferential statistics used were one-sample t-tests and Chi-square analyses. The results showed an overall smoking prevalence of 16%, with twice as many females than males being smokers in the sample. 'Coloured' students in both genders had the highest smoking rate compared to all other race groups. The knowledge of the health risks of smoking were very high, however smokers had a lower perception of risk compared to non-smokers. Moreover, while there was a fair amount of support for anti-smoking legislation among smokers, smokers tended to show less support for legislation than non-smokers, especially to those parts of the legislation that affect them more directly. The results of the study indicate a clear connection between smoking behaviour and the effect it has on both risk perception as well as attitudes to anti-smoking legislation in individuals. / South Africa

Magister Psychologiae - MPsych / The study made use of cross-sectional design that compared the performance of younger children (6- to 7-year-olds) with that of older children (12- to 13-year-olds) on various measures of executive function. Within this, it made use of a natural experimental design, with children exposed to alcohol as the experimental group and non-exposed children as the control group.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / The study assessed the linkages between HIV infection and intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy and after HIV status disclosure in a context where HIV testing has become almost mandatory through the provider-initiated counselling and testing approach and non-disclosure of HIV status to sexual partners has been criminalised in many countries including Zimbabwe. The study also explored women’s experiences of and health workers’ perceptions of IPV during pregnancy.

Long-span bridges are flexible and therefore are sensitive to wind induced effects. One way to improve the stability of long span bridges against flutter is to use cross-sections that involve twin side-by-side decks. However, this can amplify responses due to vortex induced oscillations. Wind tunnel testing is a well-established practice to evaluate the stability of bridges against wind loads. In order to study the response of the prototype in laboratory, dynamic similarity requirements should be satisfied. One of the parameters that is normally violated in wind tunnel testing is Reynolds number. In this dissertation, the effects of Reynolds number on the aerodynamics of a double deck bridge were evaluated by measuring fluctuating forces on a motionless sectional model of a bridge at different wind speeds representing different Reynolds regimes. Also, the efficacy of vortex mitigation devices was evaluated at different Reynolds number regimes. One other parameter that is frequently ignored in wind tunnel studies is the correct simulation of turbulence characteristics. Due to the difficulties in simulating flow with large turbulence length scale on a sectional model, wind tunnel tests are often performed in smooth flow as a conservative approach. The validity of simplifying assumptions in calculation of buffeting loads, as the direct impact of turbulence, needs to be verified for twin deck bridges. The effects of turbulence characteristics were investigated by testing sectional models of a twin deck bridge under two different turbulent flow conditions. Not only the flow properties play an important role on the aerodynamic response of the bridge, but also the geometry of the cross section shape is expected to have significant effects. In this dissertation, the effects of deck details, such as width of the gap between the twin decks, and traffic barriers on the aerodynamic characteristics of a twin deck bridge were investigated, particularly on the vortex shedding forces with the aim of clarifying how these shape details can alter the wind induced responses. Finally, a summary of the issues that are involved in designing a dynamic test rig for high Reynolds number tests is given, using the studied cross section as an example.

Introduction: Mood disorders are a serious burden on Canadians. Physical and sedentary activity are easily modifiable risk factors for many diseases. An association with depression could have important implications Objective: To investigate any cross-sectional or longitudinal association between physical activity, sedentary activity, and depression in the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (NLSCY). Methods: These studies used both a stacked cross-sectional and a trajectory/latent class analysis design Univariate and multivariate multinomial logistic regressions were used to assess the relationship between physical and sedentary activity and depression using the emotional disorder-anxiety scale for children and youth available in the NLSCY. Results: When accounting for covariates, physically inactive respondents had increased odds of higher depressive symptom scores. Sedentary activity was only statistically significantly associated with depressive symptoms in the cross-sectional design. Conclusions: Physical inactivity is significantly associated to depressive symptomatology. The relationship between sedentary activity and depression is inconclusive.

The diploma thesis focus on elaboration of economic analysis of company Mlékárna Hlinsko, a. s. The thesis includes the basic characteristics of the industries in which the company operates, including the composition of Porter's five forces model. In the thesis are used profitability ratios, leverage, activity, liquidity and capital market. At the same time, it analyzes the degree of operating leverage and impact assessment of financial leverage. To determine the incremental impact on the return on equity is used Du Pont decomposition. As part of a comprehensive evaluation were applied credibility and bankruptcy models - Altman model, Index IN05 and Index bonity. Company Mlékárna Hlinsko, a. s. was compared with relevant competitors in the market and industry averages. In conclusion of the thesis were drawn appropriate advices and recommendations for the future. The thesis is drawn up with regard to the specifics of the food industry and the connection with company Agrofert, a. s.

Orientador: Maria Rita Donalisio Cordeiro / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-07T11:53:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Francisco_PriscilaMariaStolsesBergamo_D.pdf: 1732128 bytes, checksum: e40308a72ae69b30999c757a5f111ac4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006 / Resumo: O aumento da proporção de idosos no país associado à maior longevidade modificou o perfil de saúde da população com considerável aumento da demanda por prevenção e assistência à saúde nas faixas etárias mais avançadas. Neste contexto, destaca-se a importância relativa das doenças respiratórias nos idosos, com impacto econômico e social. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar os fatores associados à vacinação contra influenza e doença pulmonar em idosos, com a utilização de diferentes técnicas de análise em estudos transversais de delineamento complexo. Os dados foram obtidos do "Inquérito de saúde de base populacional em municípios do Estado de São Paulo" (ISA-SP), cuja coleta foi realizada entre 2001 e 2002, e se referem a 1.958 registros de indivíduos de 60 anos e mais, analisados por meio de regressão logística e regressão de Poisson. Os resultados desta tese são apresentados em capítulos que se referem a três artigos publicados em revistas científicas. No primeiro artigo, "Fatores associados à vacinação contra influenza em idosos", os achados apontaram maior adesão à vacinação contra influenza entre os indivíduos com idade igualou superior a 70 anos (OR = 1,47; IC 95%: 1,09 -:- 1,99) e entre os hipertensos (OR = 1,39; IC 95%: 1,03 - 1,87), enquanto os idosos com nove anos ou mais de estudo referiram menor adesão à vacinação (OR = 0,64; IC 95%: 0,41 - 0,98). No segundo trabalho, "Vacinação contra influenza em idosos por área de residência: prevalência e fatores associados", pôde-se verificar diferenças no perfil do idoso quanto à referência de vacinação segundo subgrupos específicos e locais de residência. Nos municípios mais populosos apenas a menor escolaridade esteve associada à vacinação referida (RP = 1,26; IC 95%: 1,02-1,54), já na área composta pelos municípios menos populosos, idade mais avançada (RP = 1,15; IC 95%: 1,02-1,31), hipertensão arterial (RP = 1,21; IC 95%: 1,02-1,45), diabetes (RP = 1,16; IC 95%: 1,01-1,33) e doença crônica de pulmão (RP = 1,30; IC 95%: 1,03-1,64) referidas, estiveram associadas. No estudo, "Fatores associados à doença pulmonar em idosos", os resultados indicaram associação independente entre doença pulmonar referida e tabagismo (RP = 2,03; IC 95%: 1,39 - 2,97), uso de medicamentos (RP = 2,05; IC 95%: 1,11 - 3,79), auto-avaliação do estado de saúde atual como ruim ou muito ruim (RP = 1,89; IC 95%: 1,20 - 2,96) e depressão, ansiedade ou problemas emocionais (RP = 1,86; IC 95%: 1,11 - 3,10). Com o envelhecimento e a crescente importância das doenças respiratórias entre os idosos, os achados desse estudo apontam para a necessidade de ações que priorizem a manutenção da saúde do idoso, por meio de programas de promoção e prevenção que considerem as especificidades desse segmento / Abstract: The increase in the proportion of elder1y persons in Brazil, associated to increased longevity, has modified the health profile of the population, with a considerable increase in the demand for prevention and healthcare among the older age groups. In this context, the relative importance of respiratory diseases among the elder1y, along with its social and economic impact, is worthy of note. The aim of the present study was to investigate the factors associated with influenza vaccination and pulmonary disease in the elder1y population, using different analytical techniques in cross-sectional studies with complex design.The data were obtained from the Population-based survey of municipalities of the State of Sao Paulo (ISA-SP), whose data collection took place between 2001 and 2002 and inc1uded 1.958 records of subjects aged 60 years or older, and were analyzed using logistic regression and Poisson regression.The results of the present thesis are presented as chapters that refer to artic1es published in scientific journals. In the first article, "Factors associated with influenza vaccination among elderly persons", our findings indicate greater adherence to influenza vaccination among subjects aged 70 years or older (OR = 1.47; 95%CI: 1.09 - 1.99) and among subjects with hypertension (OR = 1.39; 95%CI: 1.03 - 1.87), whereas elder1y subjects with nine or more years of schooling reported lesser adherence to vaccination (OR = 0.64; 95%CI: 0.41- 0.98). In the second paper, "Influenza vaccination among elderly persons according to place of residence: prevalence and associated factors", we observed differences in subject profile in tenns of self-reported vaccination according to specific subgroups and places of residence. In more populous municipalities, only lesser schooling (PR = 1.26; 95%CI: 1.02-1.54) was associated with vaccination. Among the less densely populated municipalities, older age (pR = 1.15; 95%CI: 1.02-1.31) and 'reported hypertension .(PR = 1.21; 95%CI: 1.02-1.45), diabetes (pR = 1.16; 95%CI: 1.01-1.33), and chronic pulmonary disease (PR = 1.30; 95%CI: 1.03-1.64) were associated with the outcome. In the paper entitled "Factors associated with pulmonary disease among the elderly," our results indicate independent associations between self-reported pulmonary disease and smoking (pR = 2.03; 95%CI: 1.39 - 2.97), medication use (pR = 2.05; 95%CI: 1.11 - 3.79), self-perception of current health status as poor or very poor (RP = .1.89; 95%CI: 1.20 2.96), and depression, anxiety, or emotional disorders (pR = 1.86; 95%CI: 1.11 - 3.10).With the aging of the population, and the increasing importance of respiratory diseases among the elderly, the findings of the present study indicate a need for measures that prioritize the maintenance of health among this population, through promotion and prevention programs that take into account the specificities of this segment / Doutorado / Epidemiologia / Mestre em Saude Coletiva