Abstract
In 2018, health statistics revealed that, despite the many preventive measures established,
cancer was the second leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause
of death in 22 states, exceeded only by heart disease. With obesity/leptin levels reaching
pandemic levels worldwide, and cancer having a well-known association with obesity,
both chronic diseases represent a large proportion of public health challenges. Guided by
the social ecological model, the purpose of this cross-sectional, quantitative study was to
examine if a significant difference exists in leptin levels among adults with different
types of obesity-associated and common cancers and those without cancer. Further, using
secondary data from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the
correlation of cancer risk factors with leptin levels among a multiethnic sample of adults
living in the United States was also examined. ANCOVA and multiple linear regression
analysis revealed that a significant difference exists in leptin levels among individuals
with different types of cancer. A correlation also exists between cancer risk factors and
leptin levels in adults with different types of cancer. The results further revealed that
those with cancer had higher leptin levels than those without cancer after adjusting for
related covariates. Health professional and educators worldwide working together to
increase awareness and health literacy to empower not only the current study population,
but all populations in adopting healthier lifestyles that will hopefully aid in reducing the
risk, incidence, and mortality rates of obesity and cancer at the individual, community,
societal and national levels may ultimately lead to positive social change.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:waldenu.edu/oai:scholarworks.waldenu.edu:dissertations-8057 |
| Date | 01 January 2019 |
| Creators | Chatman-Terry, ViLisa |
| Publisher | ScholarWorks |
| Source Sets | Walden University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies |
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