Master of Arts (MA), Bowling Green State University, 2008, Psychology/Clinical

Involving supportive others in Behavioral Weight Loss Programs (BWLP) is related to improved participant weight loss (e.g., Black, Gleser, & Kooyers, 1990), however little is known of the influence of naturally occurring (external to the intervention situation) support. Similarly overlooked is the role of social support to the numerous behavior changes required for successful weight loss. The current study evaluated the occurrence (i.e., frequency) and experience (i.e., helpfulness appraisal) of naturally occurring support in relation to behavioral and health outcomes. The primary goals were to examine the support – behavior change relationship for evidence of specificity and to evaluate the utility of measuring support appraisals as a tool for identifying resource-need match. Within these objectives, another aim of the study was to identify potentially distinct contributions of different sources of support. Hypothesis testing returned largely null results. Small sample size and low power are important considerations in explaining the null findings. However, attention is also called to other possible factors, including stage of behavior change and the “obesogenicity” of modern environments, which may have contributed to the current null findings and warrant further attention.

Committee: Robert Carels (Advisor) Subjects:

Master of Arts, The Ohio State University, 2006, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects:

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2022, Kinesiology

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) progression represents a leading cause of mobility disability for older adults in the U.S. Being overweight or obese is a primary modifiable risk factor. It is recognized that lifestyle intervention represents an integral component of disease management efforts. However, following primary intervention, significant weight regain and behavioral recidivism is common. The overarching purpose of this dissertation was to explore the temporal relationships between key social cognitive determinants of lifestyle behavior and determine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of virtually- delivered extended care contacts for improving weight loss and behavioral maintenance. Study I: Dynamics of Self-Efficacy, Goal Commitment, and Self-Regulation was a mediation analysis of extant data from the 18-month, Collaborative Lifestyle Intervention Program in knee OA patients (CLIP-OA) trial (M [SD] age = 65.4 [7.3]; M [SD] BMI = 35.1 [6.5] kg/m2). Self-efficacy (SE), goal commitment (GC), and self-regulation (SR) for PA were measured at 6, 12, and 18-month follow-up. Path analysis using bias- corrected bootstrapped 95% confidence intervals (CI) revealed the effect of 6-month SE on 18-month SR was partially mediated by level of GC at 12 months (β = 0.053, 95% CI = 0.028, 0.085), controlling for age, explaining 32.4% of the total effect. Study I provides evidence supporting hypothesized temporal relationships among key determinants of PA adoption and adherence in overweight and obese knee OA patients. Study II: The CLIP-OA Expansion Pilot Trial was a 6-month, two-arm, randomized, controlled pilot trial examining two schedules of virtually-delivered, group- mediated cognitive behavioral (GMCB) extended care contacts in a subsample of participants from CLIP-OA (n = 32; M [SD] age = 66.2 [6.1]). Upon completing 18 months of CLIP-OA, participants were allocated to receive either traditional (i.e., monthly; TRAD; n = 16), or 2, 3-week clusters of contacts (CL (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Brian Focht (Advisor); Carla Miller (Committee Member); Jeff Volek (Committee Member); Jerome D'Agostino (Committee Member) Subjects: Aging; Behavioral Sciences; Cognitive Psychology; Experiments; Health Sciences; Kinesiology; Social Psychology

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Bowling Green State University, 2022, Psychology/Clinical

Approximately 37% of college students are overweight or obese (American College Health Association, 2021), and as a result, may face adverse health consequences (Kopelman, 2007) and psychosocial consequences (Wyatt, Winters & Dubbert, 2006). Despite college students' need and reported desire to lose weight to avoid the short and long-term consequences of obesity, standard behavioral weight loss treatments designed for adult populations have not proven to be as effective with a college student population (Plotnikoff et al., 2015). Some studies have explored ways to adapt the standard behavioral weight loss treatment (BWL) to college students and emerging adult populations, with some success (e.g., Gokee-Larose et al., 2019; Napolitano et al., 2013). The purpose of the current study was to replicate an adapted standard BWL treatment to a college student population and improve upon it by adding an emphasis on peer interaction with the aim of increasing social support and treatment engagement. As an early stage of treatment development, the current study aimed to assess the treatments' feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy using a randomized-control format. Eighty college students were enrolled and randomized into one of three arms, waitlist control (n = 26), the replicated adapted BWL treatment, HEAT (n = 26), and the adapted BWL treatment with an emphasis on peer interaction, HEAT-PEER (n = 28). There were significant differences between the groups on all weight-related variables. The HEAT group appeared acceptable and somewhat efficacious with an average weight loss of 3.83 pounds, but it was not feasible, with only 46% of participants meeting intervention completion standards. The HEAT-PEER group also appeared to be acceptable, was more efficacious with an average weight loss of 9.10 pounds, and feasible, with 89% of participants meeting intervention completion standards. Secondary analyses on treatment engagement, peer interaction, and behavioral cha (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Abby Braden Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Stephen Demuth Ph.D. (Other); Dara Musher-Eizenman Ph.D. (Committee Member); Catherine Stein Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Behavioral Psychology; Clinical Psychology; Experimental Psychology; Experiments; Health; Psychology; Therapy

Master of Science, Miami University, 2021, Exercise and Health Studies

Inflammaging, the rise in chronic low‐grade systemic inflammation during aging, and involves a rise in proinflammatory cytokines like tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) which increases susceptibility to cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and sarcopenia. TNFα converting enzyme (TACE), which cleaves membrane bound TNFα (mTNFα) to its soluble (sTNFα) and more bioactive form, has been linked to immunological illnesses and insulin sensitivity. Therefore, the PURPOSE of this study was to investigate the effect of aerobic exercise training and/or diet induced weight loss intervention on TACE in overweight older adults. METHODS: Thirty-three overweight (BMI 33±0.6 mL/kg/min), older adults (63±0.8 years old) were randomized into four groups (CON, EX, DIET, DEX) for six months of exercise and/or diet induced weight loss study. Their body composition BMI, body mass, VO2max and body fat percentage was measured pre and post intervention. Partial correlations were run controlling for baseline BMI, body fat percentage and VO2max. RESULTS/CONCLUSION: In partial support of our primary hypothesis, skeletal muscle TACE levels decreased in the EX compared to CON. In contrast to our hypotheses, no significant differences for TACE were observed in DIET and DEX. No significant partial correlations were found between percent change in TACE and change in any other variable.

Committee: Kyle Timmerman Dr. (Advisor); Kevin Ballard Dr. (Committee Member); William Berg Dr. (Committee Member) Subjects: Kinesiology

MS, University of Cincinnati, 2020, Allied Health Sciences: Nutrition

Background: Breast milk provides powerful benefits for infants. However, some newborns experience excess weight loss (EWL, loss ≥10% by DoL 4) while breastfeeding is being established. Objective(s): 1) Evaluate the Newborn Weight Loss Tool (NEWT) sensitivity and specificity in early identification of exclusively breastfed newborns who will lose ≥10% of birthweight once discharged to home. 2) Determine if NEWT trajectory is associated with breastfeeding outcomes in the home setting. Methods: We performed a secondary data analysis from California mother-infant dyads screened for inclusion in the WHO Growth Reference Study. For the present analysis, we excluded records where: newborns were given >60 mL of formula prior to DoL 4 home visit, relevant data were missing, or NEWT exclusion criteria were met (newborns admitted to special care, birthweight <2000g or >5000g, or biologically implausible weight value recorded). We examined sensitivity and specificity of in-hospital newborn NEWT status in predicting EWL. We defined NEWT test-positive status as in-hospital weight falling at or below the NEWT trajectory intersecting with eventual 10% weight loss. We defined cases as having actual EWL. Results: In the final analytic sample (n=220), in-hospital newborn weight was recorded at 15±6h, and DoL4 weight was recorded at 82±7h. NEWT correctly identified 6 of 28 cases (21% sensitivity, 95% confidence interval (CI) [8-34%]), and 158 of 192 non-cases (82% specificity, 95% confidence interval (CI) [75-89%]) of EWL. NEWT test-positive status was associated with the following outcomes at DoL 4: greater weight loss, lower breastfeeding support, and less frequent infant cueing (all, p<0.05). Conclusion: The Newborn Weight Loss Tool demonstrated poor sensitivity in identifying infant EWL; however, NEWT test-positive status was associated with less favorable DoL 4 breastfeeding outcomes.

Committee: Laurie Nommsen-Rivers Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Laura Ward M.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Nutrition

Master of Arts (MA), Bowling Green State University, 2014, Psychology/Clinical

Obesity is a major epidemic that affects nearly two-thirds of U.S. adults (National Center for Health Statistics, 2012). It is a serious public health concern because of its associated health risks, including cardiovascular disease, Type II diabetes, and premature mortality (Pi-Sunyer, 2009). As such, various interventions have been established to counteract the rising rate of obesity, such as behavioral interventions that focus on dietary recommendations, reduced caloric intake, increased physical activity, and behavioral modification. Researchers have focused on identifying specific factors, such as self-control, that may be associated with increased weight loss and health behavior change. The current study examined the relationship between trait self-control, weight loss and various health behaviors commonly associated with successful weight loss. Forty-three overweight and obese individuals participated in an 18 week behavioral weight loss program. Results showed a relationship between baseline trait self-control and baseline body fat percentage. In addition, results indicated that trait self-control increased throughout the intervention and this change in trait self-control was moderately associated with self-monitoring, calories expended through physical activity and percent weight loss from baseline to post treatment and baseline to six month follow-up. Future research should explore factors that contribute to change in trait self-control, such as motivation and creation of habits, and their relationship to weight loss.

Committee: Robert Carels Dr. (Advisor); Dara Musher-Eizenman Dr. (Committee Member); William O'Brien Dr (Committee Member) Subjects: Health; Psychology

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2009, Allied Medicine

In 2006, the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) reported an estimated 177,600 people in the U.S. had bariatric surgery.1 This is a descriptive study regarding pre- and post-bariatric surgery patients' self-efficacy toward successful adherence to recommendations of bariatric surgery. A questionnaire was completed by a group of bariatric surgery patients to measure self-efficacy pre- (n=20) and post-surgery (n=9). The results indicate weight loss and each domain show a statistical significance with overall success. This indicates that individuals with a higher pre-surgery self-efficacy toward successful adherence to the recommendations of bariatric surgery will experience greater weight loss. More specifically, it demonstrates that they were more confident towards the statements that they could lose weight after surgery, achieve their goal weight and change their diet for life.

Committee: Kay Wolf Dr. (Advisor); Shirley Kindrick Dr. (Committee Member); Jill Clutter Dr. (Committee Member) Subjects: Cognitive Therapy; Health; Health Care; Health Education; Nutrition; Surgery

PHD, Kent State University, 2008, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Sociology and Criminology

Using a purposive convenience sample (N = 400), I investigate how intentional weight loss and involvement in a weight loss and fitness subculture are related to the affective meanings (evaluation, potency, and activity) associated with aspects of the self (myself as I really am, myself as others see me, and my body), weight-related identities (e.g., a slender woman, an obese man), and weight and fitness related behaviors (e.g., to exercise, to eat three desserts). I operationalize subculture involvement with four dimensions: extensive (the size of social networks within the subculture), affective (the importance that significant others give to subculture related activities), duration (duration of involvement with the subculture), and frequency (frequency of involvement in subculture activities). I find that duration of weight loss maintenance is positively related to evaluation, potency, and activity associated with fitness behaviors (to exercise and to be physically active) and negatively related to the evaluation, potency, and activity associated with an overeating behavior (to eat three desserts). Subculture involvement, particularly extensiveness and frequency, is positively related to the evaluation and activity associated with slender identities and positively related to the evaluation, potency, and activity they see in themselves and their bodies and that they think others see in them. All dimensions of subculture involvement, except for affective involvement, are positively related to the evaluation, potency, and activity associated with fitness behaviors. Subculture involvement also tends to be negatively related to the evaluation, potency, and activity associated with overweight and obese identities and one overeating behavior (to eat three desserts). Weight loss success (e.g., weight loss and weight loss maintenance) also tends to accentuate the effects of subculture involvement on behavior meanings and to weaken the effects of subculture involvement on i (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Amy Kroska PhD (Committee Chair); Rebecca Erickson PhD (Committee Member); Kristen Marcussen PhD (Committee Member); John Updegraff PhD (Committee Member); Barbara Drew PhD (Other) Subjects: Social Psychology

Master of Family and Consumer Sciences (MFCS), Bowling Green State University, 2011, Family and Consumer Sciences/food and Nutrition

Introduction: Over the past two decades, obesity rates in the U.S. have risen dramatically by approximately 30.4%. Overwhelming evidence associates co-morbid conditions to the presence of obesity. The purpose of this research project is to determine the role of diet soda consumption in weight management. Methods: Program records were analyzed from 40 participants in a12-week nutrition and healthy weight program that included education about the possible risks of drinking at least one can of diet soda daily. Participants were divided into three groups based on their self-select behavior: Group 1) drank diet soda and maintained or increased soda intake throughout the program; Group 2) drank diet soda and decreased intake throughout the program; and Group 3) did not drink diet soda prior to or throughout the program. Paired t-test analyses were used to determine program effectiveness in reducing weight, BMI, and waist circumference (WC) of individual groups. Independent t-test analyses were used to compare these outcome measures between groups. Results: For all participants combined, weight, BMI, and WC were significantly reduced (p<.0001) at the end of the study when compared to baseline, indicating overall program effectiveness. Group 1 weight (p<.0383) and BMI (p<.0413) were significantly reduced, but WC was not (p<.0806). Group 2 weight (p<.001), BMI (p<.0027), and WC (p<.0016) were significantly reduced. Group 3 weight (p<.0033), BMI (p<.0027), and WC (p<.0016) were also significantly reduced. When the post-test data were compared by groups, there were no significant differences in any of the variables between the groups (p>.05). Conclusion: Participating in a nutrition and healthy weight program has been shown to be an effective intervention for weight loss for diet soda drinkers, those who reduce diet soda consumption, and non-diet soda drinkers alike. It is not clear whether diet soda intake is actually a factor in their success toward weight loss. This res (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Rebecca Pobocik PhD (Committee Chair); Julian Williford PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Health Education; Health Sciences; Nutrition

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2008, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects:

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2006, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects:

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2008, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects:

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2005, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects:

Master of Arts, The Ohio State University, 1980, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects:

Master of Arts, The Ohio State University, 1983, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects:

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2008, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects:

Master of Science in Engineering, Youngstown State University, 2024, Department of Civil/Environmental and Chemical Engineering

A longitudinal study in corrosion was performed on tensile-elongation dog-bones, created using 3D-printed stainless steel. The effects of exposure to an acidic environment were investigated regarding mass-loss, tensile and yield strength, modulus of elasticity, profilometry of pits and defects, and microscopy of fracture-sites. The SS316L specimens were manufactured using different print-directions, specifically overlapping unidirectional or rotated bidirectional for each layer by an additive manufacturing unit, the Mazak VC-500/5X AM HWD. The novel aspect of this research is focusing on the differences that the path the hot-wire, direct energy deposition, print-head has on its corrosion characteristics, as opposed to only focusing on the printing-parameters. The goal was to determine what printing-directions and methods were best for resisting corrosion. The research outlines the process of preparing samples for controlled weight-loss in HCl as well as the methods used to measure the mechanical properties. This allows for the results to be repeated if desired. Upon thoroughly reviewing the data and drawing connections where applicable, it was determined within the test samples that unidirectional print-directions yielded better mass-loss and mechanical attributes than bidirectional printing. It was found that some print directions, namely 90°, which is perpendicular to the printing door, performed notably better than other directions such as 0° or 45°.

Committee: Holly Martin PhD (Advisor); Pedro Cortes PhD (Committee Member); Bharat Yelamanchi PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Chemical Engineering; Chemistry; Engineering; Experiments; Materials Science

MA, Kent State University, 2024, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Psychological Sciences

Obesity is associated with adverse neurocognitive outcomes, including greater risk for cognitive impairment. Bariatric surgery (BS) patients show improved cognitive functioning postoperatively, though evidence suggests that weight loss is not the primary mechanism for this improvement. Physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) may play an important role in the cognitive outcomes of BS patients, given that greater PA and less SB is associated with better cognitive functioning in other populations. The current study prospectively examined the relationship among light-intensity PA (LPA) and SB with cognitive functioning in BS patients, as well as possible sex differences in these relationships. A total of 138 participants (42.9 ± 10.5 years of age, BMI of 46.3 ± 7.3 kg/m²) undergoing Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass or Sleeve Gastrectomy were included in the study and attended study visits at preoperative baseline, as well as at one-month, six-month, and twelve-months postoperative follow-up. Participants completed the NIH Toolbox for the Assessment of Neurological and Behavioral Function, a computerized neuropsychological battery that assesses functioning across several domains at all time points. Participants wore a waist-mounted accelerometer for seven consecutive days prior to each study visit to measure average daily minutes spent in SB, LPA, and moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA. Body mass index (BMI) and percentage of excess body weight loss (%EBWL) were calculated using height and weight at each visit. Multilevel modeling was used to examine the associations among SB and LPA with cognitive function over the course of the study, controlling for %EBWL, as well as the possible moderating role of sex in these associations. We hypothesized that greater LPA and lower SB would be associated with greater cognitive functioning, and that these associations would be stronger for women. Results showed that SB displayed a negative relationship with Lis (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: John Gunstad (Advisor); John Updegraff (Committee Member); Mary Beth Spitznagel (Committee Member); Jeffrey Ciesla (Advisor) Subjects: Psychology

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2023, Nutrition Program, The Ohio State University

Fixed, behavioral weight loss interventions produce variation in participant response and ultimately, weight loss success. Adaptive intervention designs established on theoretical underpinnings may serve to identify participants less likely to respond to standard interventions and provide “rescue efforts”. The Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) theoretical framework proposes behavior change occurs via separate processes, including the motivation to form an intention and volitional behavioral action through planning. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of an augmented weight loss intervention in slow intervention responders. We hypothesized slow responders in the augmented intervention would experience significant improvements in HAPA outcomes (action, coping, and recovery self-efficacy; action and coping planning; outcome expectancies; risk perception; behavioral intention; action control), dietary intake, and physical activity engagement (PA). Adults (n=208) with overweight/obesity and pre-diabetes who were employed at a mid-Western university met in a coach-facilitated group setting for 4-weeks. A participant was stratified to the standard Group Lifestyle Balance (GLB) intervention at week 5 if they lost >2.5% of baseline body weight, and to Group Lifestyle Balance Plus (GLB+) if they lost 2.5. Groups met weekly until month 4. Participants were then paired based on sex and percent weight change and randomized to the GLB or GLB+ curriculum (intervention sequences GLB/GLB, GLB+/GLB+, GLB/GLB+, GLB+/GLB). Groups met bi-weekly for 4-weeks, then once monthly until 12-months; participants then entered 6-months of no-contact behavioral maintenance. HAPA outcomes for dietary intake and PA and weight behaviors, usual/customary dietary intake, and minutes of PA were assessed at baseline, months 4, -12, and -18. At week 5, (n=86) participants were stratified to GLB, and (n=122) to GLB+. No differences in participant characteristics were present at (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Amanda Bird (Committee Co-Chair); Carla Miller (Committee Co-Chair); Jennifer Cheavens (Committee Member); Kentaro Fujita (Committee Member); Tonya Orchard (Committee Member) Subjects: Behaviorial Sciences; Nutrition; Public Health