Master of Arts (MA), Ohio University, 2016, Film (Fine Arts)

The purpose of this thesis is to elucidate the fluid conception of fat women within contemporary American culture from the early 1970s to the present. Due to their non-normative embodiment, fat women typically face denigration and marginalization. Most mainstream film narratives reify the negative social positioning of fat women, often through assimilationist characters that resign themselves to fatphobia or otherwise compensate for their fatness. On the flipside, carnival and camp narratives foster liberatory fat characterization, as exemplified by the figure of “the unruly woman.” In his portrayal of both assimilationist and liberationist women, Divine functions as a barometer for subsequent fat characterization. Overall, this thesis critiques fat assimilation, argues for the importance of fat liberation, and projects a future where fat acceptance becomes the norm.

Master of Science (MS), Wright State University, 2017, Physiology and Neuroscience

The carotid bodies (CB), the primary peripheral chemoreceptors, respond to changes in blood gases with neurotransmitter release, thereby increasing carotid sinus nerve firing frequency and ultimately correcting the pattern of breathing. It has previously been demonstrated that acute application of the adipokine leptin caused perturbations of intracellular calcium and membrane ion movement in isolated CB Type I cells (Pye et al, 2015) and augmented the response of the intact CB to hypoxia (Pye et al, 2016). This study's aim was to examine, in-vivo, if elevated leptin modulated CB function and breathing. Rats were fed high-fat chow or control chow for 16-weeks. High-fat fed (HFF) animals gained significantly more weight compared to control fed (CF) animals (n=18; p<.001; 512.56 g ± 14.70 g vs. 444.11 g ± 7.09 g). HFF animals also had significantly higher serum leptin levels compared to CF (n=18; p<.0001; 3.05 ng/mL ± 0.24 ng/mL vs. 1.29 ng/mL ± 0.12 ng/mL). Whole-body plethysmography was used to test the acute hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR) in unrestrained, conscious animals. HFF animals had an attenuated 2nd-phase of the HVR when compared to CF (n=18; p<.05; 710.1 ± 41.9 mL kg-1 min-1 vs. 855.4 ± 44.05 mL kg-1 min-1). CB Type I cells were isolated and intracellular calcium measured; no significant differences in the cellular hypoxic responses between groups were observed. These data show differences in the 2nd-phase of the HVR caused by high fat feeding are unlikely to be caused by an action of leptin on the Type I cells. However the possibility remains that leptin may have in-vivo postsynaptic effects on the carotid sinus nerve; this remains to be investigated.

Master of Liberal Studies, University of Toledo, 2015, College of Languages, Literature, and Social Sciences

“All Made-Up: The Hyperfeminization of Fat Women” analyzes the way some fat women conform to cultural ideals regarding femininity with the goal of having fatness included within that ideal. Fat phobia is used by the dominant culture to oppress women and keep them `in-line' with the heternormative, white, cultural ideals of beauty in the United States. “All Made-Up” argues that fatness is socially constructed via medicalization, political rhetoric, and mother blame. It argues that hyperfeminization is an important form of fat activism, but one that is narrow in its ability to change cultural ideals. Hyperfeminization reinforces cultural ideals regarding femininity and excludes a vast group of women in the process.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Bowling Green State University, 2018, American Culture Studies

Beginning from Foucault's notion that “where there is power, there is resistance,” I uncover how fat people are at any given time accepting, resisting, and/or subverting the oppressive power embedded in social norms surrounding their bodies (95). Each chapter reveals a new layer, a new complication as to how, why, and when individuals are (un)able, (un)willing, and/or (un)certain about how they can and are treating their own and other people's fat bodies. In my study, I take as a given that behavior is fluid, ever changing, shifting, and in progress. My study demonstrates how media messages are being accepted, resisted, re-appropriated, altered, internalized, and/or ignored by individuals; thus, my study brings focus to the complex relationships fat people have surrounding their subjectivity, their sense of power, agency, and ability to resist, as well as the interplay of the intersections of their social identities, and their sense of embodiment and the performance of their fat body.

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2021, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

Background: Body mass index (BMI) is considered potentially inaccurate in athletes. Misclassification from BMI measurements can lead to inaccurate assumptions about adiposity. Body fat percentage (BF%) is a better indicator of overall adiposity, especially in athletes. Also, the distribution of adiposity is important to consider for associated health risk concerns. Objective: Determine the frequency that BMI and BF% classifications match in athletes, and analyze adiposity distribution as it relates to these variables. Methods: Data from athletes representing thirty-three collegiate teams who were scanned by sports nutrition were included in the study (n=1,288). Measures included height, weight, age, sex, ethnicity, sport, BMI, BF%, total fat mass, total lean mass, and VAT mass. BMI classifications established by the World Health Organization were used. Cutoff values to classify BF% were consistent with those established by the American College of Sports Medicine. Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 27) and SAS statistical software. Results: Classification categories for BMI and BF% matched for 53.4% of females and 39.3% of males. BMI overestimated BF% in males compared to females. The frequency of BMI category versus BF% category for overweight (49% versus 10.2%) and obesity (22.7% versus 10.6%) for males was different than the comparisons for females (overweight 20.1% versus 38.5%, obesity 1.4% versus 9.3%). Statistical analysis measuring the weighted Kappa value for BMI and BF% categorical matching in total athletes was found to be Kappa = 0.1777 (p<0.0001), indicating a weak relationship beyond what could happen by chance alone. Similarly, weighted Kappa values for both males [Kappa = 0.2701 (p=0.0001)] and females [Kappa = 0.2148 (p=0.0001)] indicated weak relationships. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the limitations of BMI for predicting adiposity and showed that BF% estimates are more useful than BMI. As predicted, BMI overestimated adipo (open full item for complete abstract)

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2020, Psychology

Background: Breast cancer patients commonly experience weight gain and increased central adiposity following cancer treatment. Prior research has not investigated the extent to which psychological factors predict longitudinal changes in body composition among cancer patients. Elevated depressive symptoms, which are common after breast cancer surgery, may contribute to increased central adiposity via decreases in cardiorespiratory fitness. Chemotherapy treatment has been tied to weight gain and impaired cardiorespiratory functioning in prior research, and may also lead to increased central adiposity. Aims: The study investigated the effect of post-surgical depressive symptoms on two-year changes in central adiposity. The effect of chemotherapy treatment, including chemotherapy type and dose intensity, on central adiposity changes was also evaluated. Cardiorespiratory fitness was tested as a mediator of changes in central adiposity. Methods: Breast cancer patients (N=111), stages I-IIIa, provided data at two time points: after surgery but prior to starting adjuvant treatment and two years after completion of adjuvant treatment. At each time point, participants underwent a DXA scan to measure central adiposity and completed a graded exercise test measuring their cardiorespiratory fitness. They also provided self-report data regarding their depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale), fatigue (Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory), sleep problems (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), pain (bodily pain subscale of the RAND 36-Item Short Form Health Survey), diet quality (Diet History Questionnaire II), and physical activity level (Godin-Shephard Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire). Information regarding participants' chemotherapy treatment was obtained using electronic medical records. Results: Breast cancer patients showed significant increases in central adiposity over the follow-up period. Women with greater depressive sy (open full item for complete abstract)

MS, Kent State University, 2020, College of Education, Health and Human Services / School of Health Sciences

Aim: The purpose of this study was to look at the differences in fat-related diet habits of college students of varying BMI statuses and sex at a large mid-western public University. Sample: It was a quantitative study with cross-sectional design. Convenient sampling was used. Materials: An online survey was conducted via filling out a fat-related diet habits questionnaire. Statistical analysis: Demographic data was summarized and presented in table of distribution frequencies, mean and standard deviations. To test the hypotheses, multifactorial two-way ANOVA was used for the main part of the questionnaire. Any p value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Outcomes: The p-values of the summary scores for sex, and different BMI categories was 0.48 and 0.31 respectively. The scores fell between “often” and “sometimes”. Similar patterns were observed between males and females and varying BMI categories. There were no significant differences found in the fat-related diet habits between sex and varying BMI statuses. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that no differences were observed between fat related diet habits of college students between males and females, and between varying BMI statuses. However, it also provides evidence of improvement in the nutritional status and dietary habits, especially fat consumption of young adults.

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2020, Dentistry

Objective: The unanticipated difficult airway is challenging to predict and can result in hypoxia or other events that can cause harm to the patient. There is currently not a single measure that can be used to predict an unanticipated difficult airway as many elements play different roles.a As a result, a combination of evaluations have been used to create a composite risk score with which to assess patients.b However, even current predictive models continue to show inaccuracy in identifying difficult cases. This study will compare fat volumes (as determined by computed tomography scan) with the Cormack-Lehane score from a general anesthetic with tracheal intubation that occurred within eight months of the scan. This goal of this study is to determine if submental or anterior neck fat volume is an indicator of difficult intubation. Methods: A total of 145 patients were included in this study. All patients will have previously undergone a tracheal intubation with a recorded Cormack-Lehane score and a neck computed tomography (CT) scan. Patients were divided into two groups dependent upon their Cormack-Lehane score with Group A being normal airway with a score of I or II and Group B being a difficult airway with a score of III or IV. Mallampati scores and intubation technique were also recorded. CT scans were performed on awake patients doing a breath hold in the supine position. The zone of interest being evaluated is the sagittal slice that corresponds from the hard palate to the inferior most tip of the epiglottis. This region is referred to as the neck volume, the area that will encompass all other structures being studied. Specific sub-parameters that will be measured include three dimensional volumes: airway volume, submental fat volume, and anterior neck fat volume. Results: Mallampati and Cormack-Lehane ranked scores were related and were found to be statistically significant, p=0.0035. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was found to be (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2018, Allied Medicine

Approximately 93 million adults and over 13 million children and adolescents across the U.S. are considered overweight or obese.1 Healthcare expenditures are shown to be 81% greater in obese adults versus those of normal-weight.2 Obesity has been linked to several chronic health conditions and severe disease risks. These health concerns include risk for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, and metabolic syndrome.3 The prevalence of type 2 diabetes and hypertension has steadily increased in the United States and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome is estimated at more than 30%.4UUnderstanding the trends in metabolic syndrome and examining those who are at an increased risk for metabolic conditions is paramount.4 Therefore, it is essential that accurate and reliable tools are used and implemented to assess patients at risk for metabolic syndrome. Currently body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) are believed to be appropriate screening measures. Expanding on the work of Hamagawa et al.5, and Suzuki et al.6, this work adds evidence for providing a cost effective, portable, accurate, and non-ionizing approach to assess an individuals' abdominal adiposity. This approach uses diagnostic medical sonography (DMS) as a tool for assessing abdominal adiposity in hopes of this method being adopted to help determine an individual's risk for metabolic conditions. Participants provided several anthropometric measures as well as imaging data, to determine if sonographic measures of abdominal fat could be an accurate screening technique for gauging the risk for heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Measurements were taken on a GE Logiq i laptop ultrasound unit to indirectly asses the participants' subcutaneous fat and visceral fat. These measures were then compared to corresponding measures of BMI, WC, and DXA (android percent body fat, subscores). Additionally, a mesenteric fat thickness measurement was taken (open full item for complete abstract)

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2008, Ohio State University Nutrition

With the increasing environmental concern for N excretion in the environment, the nutrition of dairy cows meets new challenges to maintain milk production while decreasing dietary protein. Various strategies to improve efficiency of N utilization in milk production have been developed. Decreasing protozoal abundance and the corresponding improvement of microbial protein efficiency could improve this efficiency of dietary protein utilization. The feeding of fat usually decreases the abundance of protozoa but can have detrimental effect on ruminal fermentation and milk fat production, thus needing further study to ascertain the potential benefits relative to potential detriments. In a first study, the effects of the availability of dietary fatty acids from cottonseed oil on ruminal metabolism and milk fat production were investigated. In our study, feeding a mix of pelleted and delinted cottonseeds appeared to modify ruminal fatty acid metabolic processes, decreasing the risk of milk fat depression and tending to increase dry matter intake and milk production over time compared with conventional or pelleted cottonseeds. In a second study, the effects of feeding Rumensin (R) in combination with animal vegetable (AV) fat or coconut oil were fed to six rumen-cannulated dairy cows. Using omasal collection, I measured microbial protein efficiency and nutrient digestibility. By feeding R to control the extent of amino acid deamination and combined with fat to control protozoal abundance, the efficiency of microbial protein synthesis might be improved in dairy cows. Animal vegetable fat can be biohydrogenated in the rumen and decrease its effectiveness, but diets supplemented with coconut oil (CO; rich in medium chain FA) are more consistent in inhibiting protozoa. Total protozoal abundance was decreased by CO supplementation for all genera expect for Epidinium, which maintained its numbers but was decreased by AV+R. The low acetate to propionate ratio for CO was associated (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, 2006, Physiology of Exercise (Health and Human Services)

This investigation examined the possible benefits or problems of high carbohydrate, low fat (high CHO) & low carbohydrate, high protein (low CHO) diets on row ergometry training and performance. The body's metabolism changes with different fuel sources, but the changes in metabolism during exercise stress, while on the low CHO, high protein diet still remains unclear. The study included 18 fit, non-smoking males aged 18-40 from Ohio University. During the 7 week study these subjects were asked to consume a high CHO (n =10) or low CHO (n = 8) diet and follow the same row training schedule. Anthropometric, strength & endurance, and other performance changes were collected pre- and post-training. Diet and performance data were also collected during the 7 weeks of training. It was hypothesized that there would be a difference in anthropometric measurements and performance in the low CHO group compared to the high CHO group. All statistical analysis was performed on SPSS Advanced Models 12.0 for Windows. The results showed no significant difference (p < 0.05) between the two groups in anthropometric, performance, and training variables. It was conclude low CHO diets do not provide any added benefits over a high CHO diet.

Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, 2004, Nutrition Science (Health and Human Services)

This study aimed at exploring the attitudes toward obesity and its association with dietary intake and percent body fat between dietetic and non-dietetic majors. Sample comprised of 76 dietetic and non-dietetic majors from Ohio University who were 18 years or older and females. Attitudes toward the obesity were determined using 14-item Fat Phobia Scale. Dietary intake was measured using Block 98 Food Frequency Questionnaire. Percent body fat was measured using Bod Pod. Results suggest that both groups were similar on their percent body fat and overall level of fat phobia. However, there were intriguing, but subtle differences in dietary intake and in the rating of adjectives comprising the fat phobia scale between the groups. Overall, both groups had similar macronutrient intake. The only significant differences between groups were in percent fat (17 grams) and grams of fat (5grams) consumed. Dietetic majors demonstrated a slightly healthier macronutrient and food group intake pattern as compared to the non-dietetic majors.

Master of Science in Exercise and Health Studies, Miami University, 2011, Exercise and Health Studies

The purpose of this thesis is to determine whether body fat affects the maximal rate of fat oxidation in young women during a graded exercise test. Fourteen female subjects with body composition ranging from 18.6 to 30% fat underwent testing. On day 1 the subjects performed a VO2max treadmill test. On day 2 subjects were measured for % fat and performed a maximal fat oxidation test. The rates of fat and carbohydrate oxidation were determined using gas exchange analysis. The results here were no significant differences (p>0.05) in maximal fat oxidation rates between the women in lower-fat and higher-fat groups. Fat oxidation occurred at an exercise intensity of 55.7 ± 11.1% and 59.1 ± 5.4% VO2max for the lower-fat and higher-fat groups, respectively, with no significant difference between groups (p>0.05). In conclusion, fat mass does not significantly influence the maximal fat oxidation rates during a graded exercise test in young healthy normal and overweight women.

Master of Science, University of Akron, 2006, Biology

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MA, University of Cincinnati, 2013, Arts and Sciences: Sociology

There is clear evidence from the social science literature that fat stigmatization exists in all realms of life. The purpose of this study is to examine the portrayals of fatness in entertainment media, specifically the first two seasons of the popular television sitcom Mike and Molly. This show was chosen due to its popularity and more importantly because it features two fat protagonists. Through a qualitative content analysis of 24 episodes comprised of 267 scenes, it was evident that the fat male body and fat female body are portrayed differently. Mike's body was labeled as fat more frequently as fat than Molly's body. Mike was more frequently compared to massive objects (i.e. mountains) and was also the subject of more fat jokes when compared to Molly. Labeling the fat body in negative ways and fat jokes that disparage the fat body perpetuate fat stigmatization. In contrast to previous research that found fat characters are rarely portrayed in romantic situations, Mike and Molly does portray a positive romantic relationship between the two lead characters. These findings suggest that portraying fat characters on television is complicated, especially in a fat-phobic society. This study also shows stigmatization is not solely a women's issue. Fat male bodies are increasingly scrutinized and judged for breaking the thin ideal.

Master of Science, University of Akron, 2013, Physical Education-Exercise Physiology/Adult Fitness

INTRODUCTION: Obesity has become a worldwide epidemic and is a major contributor to both cardiovascular disease and Type II diabetes. In result, there has been an increase in new technology being introduced into the field of body composition assessment. Recently, a new ultrasound (US) device was created to estimate body composition. However, to date, only one study exists comparing this device to other established and validated body composition assessment methods. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the validity of an Ultrasound System (US), and compare it to Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) and Air Displacement Plethysmography (ADP) in estimating Percent Body Fat (%BF), Fat Free Mass (FFM), and Fat Mass (FM) in college-aged students. METHODS: Eighty-four participants volunteered for this study. All participants were instructed to adhere to the following pretest protocol: 1) No food or drink 2 hours prior 2) Avoid strenuous exercise 24 hours prior to the test 3) Wear tight fitting clothing (i.e. lycra or spandex material). Body composition was assessed using the US, DEXA, and ADP in which all measurements obtained were performed in accordance with manufacture's guidelines. One-way repeated measures analysis of variance with Bonferroni adjustments to compare differences in %BF, FFM and FM between DEXA to ADP, DEXA to US, and US to ADP. The significance level for all comparisons was set to p < 0.05. RESULTS: The DEXA was greater (25.5 ± 8.5%) vs US (21.6 ± 6.29%) and ADP (19.4 ± 7.5%), p = 0.000, when measuring %BF and the US was greater (21.7 ± 6.6%) vs ADP (19.9 ± 7.9%), p < 0.03, when measuring %BF. The DEXA was greater (37.35 ± 14.97 pounds) vs US (39.38 ± 11.9 pounds) and ADP (30.58 ± 16.18 pounds), p < 0.000 when measuring FM. However, there was no significant difference in FM between US vs ADP.CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated significant differences between the DEXA, US and ADP when estimating %BF, and FM in college-aged students. T (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Arts, The Ohio State University, 1939, Graduate School

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 1969, Graduate School

Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, 2024, Clinical Psychology (Arts and Sciences)

“Feeling fat” is the subjective sensation of being overweight, which is not fully explained by one's objective body weight. Disruptions in emotion differentiation and gastric interoception may contribute to feeling fat, and it remains unclear which of these factors may be most relevant to target in interventions. I hypothesized that both poor negative emotion differentiation and poor gastric interoceptive accuracy would be associated with higher levels of feeling fat after adjusting for negative affect intensity and body fat percentage (Pre-registration: https://osf.io/93tb7/). A total of 69 cisgender female university students (M(SD) age=20.3(3.7), 60.9% heterosexual, 91.3% white) completed repeated assessments of negative affect and the two-step water load test. Neither negative emotion differentiation (r=-.11, p=.39) nor gastric interoceptive accuracy (r=-.05, p=.68) were significantly associated with feeling fat at the bivariate level. However, both negative affect intensity (r=.28, p=.03) and body fat percentage (r=.44, p<.001) were positively associated with feeling fat at the bivariate level. Regression analyses, which adjusted for negative affect intensity and body fat percentage, indicated that neither negative emotion differentiation (B=<.001, p=.52) nor gastric interoceptive accuracy (B=.01, p=.97) were associated with feeling fat. The association between negative affect intensity and feeling fat was not significant once accounting for body fat percentage (B=.001, p=.06); however, body fat percentage remained positively associated with 3 4 feeling fat (B=.987, p=.001). After restricting the sample to include only those who had elevated eating pathology, poorer negative emotion differentiation was associated with higher levels of feeling fat after adjusting for negative affect intensity and body fat percentage (B=-21.11, p=.036), but gastric interoceptive accuracy was not (p=.523). Findings suggest that gastric interoceptive accuracy may not be rele (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2024, Food Science and Technology

Butter, margarine, and spreads are commonly used in various food products. Despite their uniformity in appearance, variations in total fat content and fatty acid (FA) composition distinguish these products and impact their functionality, nutrition, health, and regulatory requirements. Our research aimed at generating a predictive algorithm to categorize butter (n=93), butter spreads (n=9), and margarine/vegetable oil spreads (n=21) according to their FA profile, moisture, and total fat content based on the spectra collected by using handheld MEMS-based FT-NIR and portable FT-MIR devices. Moisture and total fat content were determined using reference methods AOAC 920.116 and AOAC 938.06-1938, respectively. FA profile was determined using Gas Chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC-FID) (AOAC 996.06, 1996.). Pattern recognition analysis of the spectra by Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) and Soft Independent Modeling of Class Analogy (SIMCA) was employed to generate quantitative and classification algorithms. The FA profile showed that butter-containing products distinguished from margarine/vegetable oil spreads based on the presence of trans fats (TFA) (C18:1t) and butyric acid (C4:0). TFA and butyric levels in butter varied from 1.3% to 4.4% and 2.2% to 3.5%, respectively. In general, FT-NIR infrared and FT-MIR performances were similar, with a strong correlation (Rep >0.94) and low standard error of prediction for different analyzed parameters. SIMCA classification model based on FT-NIR and FT-MIR spectra effectively differentiated between butter, butter spread, and margarine/vegetable oil spreads. Portable FT-MIR and handheld FT-NIR technologies offer real-time and in situ analysis capabilities, enabling the dairy industry and regulatory agencies to make actionable decisions regarding FA, moisture, and total fat content and for nutrition, authentication, claims, and labeling purposes of these products.