General Public Health
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12503/21713
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Browsing General Public Health by Author "Dodgen, Leilani"
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Item Metabolic Biomarkers of Allostatic Load in African-American Women(2016-03-23) Mandapati, Surendra; Dodgen, Leilani; Kitzman-Ulrich, Heather; Tan, MarissaIntroduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate risk factors of metabolic biomarkers of allostatic load in African-American women in the Better Me Within (BMW) program, a community-based participatory research study testing a faith-enhanced diabetes prevention program. Methods: Baseline health measures, psychosocial and demographic survey data were collected in 136 African-American women with a mean age of 49.3 years and mean body mass index (BMI) of 37.8 during baseline measurement for the BMW study at 7 churches in Dallas County over a period of 2 years. The metabolic biomarkers of high density lipoprotein (HDL), total cholesterol/HDL ratio, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C), triglycerides, and BMI were collected. The highest risk quartile of each biomarker was assigned a value of “1,” while all other values were assigned a “0.” All biomarker scores for each participant were summed for a maximum allostatic score of 7. A Poisson Regression was used to assess the relationship between allostatic load score and behavioral determinants of health (perceived stress, depression, and spiritual locus of health), controlling for age, income, and education level. Results: Regression model that included perceived stress, income, education, depression, spiritual locus of health, and age, found the main risk factor for higher allostatic load was low income level ( Discussion: Although no statistical significance was found in the relationship of the tested behavioral determinants of health and allostatic load, the significant association between low income and high allostatic load in this study of African-American women reinforces the known relationship of poverty and poor health outcomes in health disparities. Further investigation is needed to discover whether poverty mediates poor health or whether it is a proxy for experiences of poverty-related adversity, like childhood trauma, neighborhood poverty, and chronic stress.Item Self-Efficacy in Relation to Access to a Health Provider(2016-03-23) Gant, Kisa; Mandapati, Surendra; Dodgen, Leilani; Kitzman-Ulrich, Heather; Eke, IkeBackground: Obesity is one of the most predominant health concerns within the African American community, particularly among women. It is heavily associated with diseases such as type II diabetes and high blood pressure in addition to other weight related health complications. It is perceived that patients who have access to a healthcare provider have better self-efficacy concerning health behaviors and therefore more likely to have improved health outcomes. Methods: Cross-sectional data was used to review a survey administered at baseline to participants in the Better Me Within program. The relationship between provider access, dietary habits, and confidence (measured with the PANSE survey) were evaluated. Further, these relationships were evaluated in regards to indicators of chronic diseases such as body mass index (BMI), fasting glucose level, and cholesterol to determine whether there was a relationship between access to a provider and these health markers. Results: A total of 145 African American women with a BMI at or over 25 participated in the surveys. Data showed a positive relationship between provider access and lower glucose levels. There was no significant difference in the mean confidence (PANSE) scores between those who identified as having access to a health provider and those that did not. Data also showed no significant difference in the BMI of participants with and without access to a healthcare provider. Conclusions: In our sample, self-efficacy for health behaviors was not different for individuals with and without access to a healthcare provider. However, glucose levels were healthier when individuals had access to a health care provider. Future research should explore what psychosocial variables are related to provider access to determine strategies to motivate individuals to find a medical home, which is linked to more positive health outcomes.Item The Association of Body Mass Index, Body Image, and Body Satisfaction among African American Women(2016-03-23) Eke, Ikechukwu; Holmes, Esther J.; Kitzman-Ulrich, Heather; Dodgen, Leilani; Martinez Barrera, DanielAbstract The Association of Body Mass Index, Body Image, and Body Satisfaction among African American Women Purpose Obesity is a significant health issue in the United States, especially among African American (AA) women, and is associated with chronic diseases such as hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes. Barriers to weight loss among AA women may include having a more positive body image and body satisfaction. The purpose of this study was to determine if Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) predict body perception and body image scores among AA women in the Better Me Within study, a randomized controlled trial evaluating a faith-enhanced diabetes prevention. Methods Baseline data were collected from 150 AA women (Means: Age = 48.5 ±11.7 years, BMI = 37.9±9.0, WC 42.7±5.9) to evaluate if the independent variables, BMI(kg/m2) and WC(cm), predict outcome variables including the Body Appreciation Scale score and the Pulver Figure Rating Scale (body discrepancy) score. Body discrepancy scores were determined by subtracting the scored ideal body shape from the scored current body shape. Linear regression controlling for education and age was used to evaluate the relationships. Results Greater WC predicted an increase in body appreciation (p0001), and a decrease in body discrepancy scores indicating more acceptance of current body size (ppp Conclusion Positive body image and perception among AA women with high BMI and WC may reduce motivation to participate in weight loss and dietary programs. Future research should evaluate other motivations to improve health in these high risk women.