Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Maternal wellness'

Approximately 35.5% of U.S. children ages 6-11 are overweight or obese. Obesity prevention programs in the school setting have produced mixed results, but interventions conducted in the afterschool setting may increase healthy eating (HE) and physical activity (PA) beyond efforts in a typical school day. Studies to date have shown some success in increasing PA in this setting. Moreover, 23% of children grades K-5 attend afterschool care programs. Treatment successes using a family-based approach warrants parental involvement in this setting, but few studies have examined the impact of parent inclusion. The CATCH Kids Club is a curriculum aimed to increase HE and PA in the afterschool care setting with children grades K-5. The NIH We Can! is a family-based intervention geared towards parents of children ages 8-13 and aims to assist families in increasing HE and PA as well as reducing screen time. The current study sought to understand 1) school community perceptions of child obesity, nutrition, and PA, 2) current efforts of the afterschool care program to promote HE and PA, and 3) how a combined student- and parent- focused intervention could be integrated into afterschool care. Researchers conducted focus groups and tested measurement instruments with afterschool personnel and parents of children in the afterschool care program. All personnel (N = 12; 83% Female; 92% Caucasian) agreed that greater afterschool care health promotion efforts could be made. Over half the sample (58%) described afterschool snacks as “not very healthy” or “not at all healthy” and placed the average amount of daily PA at 1 hour. Barriers to healthy habits included mandates on individually wrapped snack purchases and space available for PA. Personnel demonstrated interest in learning the CATCH curriculum. However, personnel were concerned about amount of staff needed to deliver the program, effects of varying attendance levels of students, and parent participation due to busy schedules. Results revealed that parents (N = 8; 75% female; 100% Caucasian) had little knowledge of what occurred during the afterschool care program including types of snacks provided and amount of PA received. All parents were supportive of the implementation of CATCH Kids Club, and all expressed interest in participating in the We Can! sessions. Parents reported preference for short (30-45 minute), bimonthly sessions occurring upon child pick-up. Results suggest that delivering 2012 Appalachian Student Research Forum Page 81 CATCH Kids Club and the NIH We Can! curricula in the afterschool setting would be of interest to both personnel and parents and would be feasible if time-limited and convenient. These findings will contribute to the development of an afterschool care program pilot intervention, Wellness Partners, directed at both students 5-11 years of age and their parents using modified CATCH Kids Club and NIH We Can! curricula. This cluster randomized controlled pilot study utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methodologies will provide preliminary data to further refine and conduct a fully-powered, large scale trial of the intervention’s efficacy in preventing obesity

School-based efforts to promote physical activity and healthier eating are a potentially effective approach to decreasing child obesity in rural populations. This article describes follow-up data on student activity and eating behaviors 4 years after implementation of the Winning with Wellness obesity prevention initiative. This project was based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's coordinated school health model and used a community-based participatory research approach to address health behaviors in rural Appalachian elementary students. Results suggest significant increases in daily pedometer steps and healthier food selections by students as well as teacher support for continued health promotion efforts.

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is linked to health status in a variety of conditions. Less is known about the relation between quality of life and modifiable health behaviors, especially among medically underserved populations.ObjectiveThe purpose of the current study was to examine HRQoL as it relates to physical activity, sedentary behavior, and eating patterns in youth residing in Southern Appalachia.MethodsThe Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory and questions on physical activity and eating behaviors was completed by 152 sixth grade students in a regional sample of schools participating in the Winning with Wellness child obesity prevention project.ResultsThe current study found higher physical activity levels and lower levels of screen time to be associated with reports of more positive HRQoL.ConclusionsA more comprehensive understanding of factors surrounding health behavior may hold implications for obesity prevention/intervention programs.

BACKGROUND School‐based interventions hold promise for child obesity prevention. Implemented as a part of the Winning With Wellness obesity prevention project, the “Go Slow Whoa” meal pattern (GSW) was designed to promote healthier foods in school cafeterias. This investigation determined perceived program effectiveness and impact on student's food purchases. METHODS A mixed method design was used, including focus groups with cafeteria staff (CS), quantitative analysis of CS and teacher surveys, and pre‐post analysis of cafeteria sales. A total of 37 CS and 131 teachers from 7 schools in northeast Tennessee participated. RESULTS CS recognized the important role of school nutrition services in influencing student choices, yet perceived lack of administrative support for cafeteria‐based interventions and minimal interaction with teachers were barriers. CS also believed that students choose less nutritious options due to family influence. Cafeteria sales indicated that changes were made in menu planning and production, yet students' choices improved minimally. Teachers expressed moderate levels of confidence in GSW as influential in children's dietary habits. CONCLUSIONS Successful implementation of school‐based nutrition programs requires supportive policies, administrators, and teachers. CS should be included in program implementation efforts and the role of school nutrition services should be maximized.

Studies in maternity disease usually describes characteristics, prevalence, onsets and consequences in the wellness of women and childs. The multidisciplinary model applied to this issues focused new topics like risk factors, protective factors, aggravating factors and maintaining factors of suffering state. From constructivist and cognitive perspective (Guidano, 1999), the project of research investigated clients representations in a clinical surgery for maternity support located in San Gerardo Hospital in Monza that is managed by the Panda Onlus Association for parenting. Objectives was the collection of epidemiological local data on the risk factors, diagnoses, caratteristics of desease. We also wanted to build a model for evaluating the efficacy and relaxation afforded to users. The instruments selected and used are varied and provide qualitative and quantitative data can compare the symptoms with the individual's subjective experience and make a card of welcome. Finally, the effectiveness of 'intervention is carried out through semi-structured interview on perceived change (S. Di Nuovo, 2000) which provides an indication of the vision of the patient and the therapist also reference, the protagonists of the care pathway. The results reported for a total sample of 76 subjects, confirmed the findings of the literature on risk factors and in particular highlighted the importance of a relationship supportive and devoted special attention to primiparas and to immigrant women. The type of user has an average age and educational level higher than those reported in the literature and is aimed at the counter in the form of car transmission in case of second or third child and is sent to the service if the first pregnancy by the services area of that work, therefore, as a filter. The reasons that lead mothers to seek help are pervasive and debilitating emotional feelings of sadness or anxiety and the greatest areas of impairment appear to be those related to the relationship with the partner and the emotional sharing of everyday life with baby. The intervention focuses on the personal history of development and the path that led to motherhood in order to support the maternal sense of competence, the first factor of change according to the dedicated review (Dennis, 2005). The intervention is judged positively by the users surveyed species in having been able to promote a more functional mode of expression, and manage their emotions in meaningful relationships. In conclusion, the methodology and research design proved effective in identifying the links between clinical evaluations and diagnostic symptom with subjective experience of patients, the flexibility of structuring of the instruments used allows an application to different types of intervention: screening, individual therapy, couple and group psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy, psychoeducation.

La spettroscopia nel vicino infrarosso è una tecnica abbastanza sviluppata che continua a dimostrare progressi costanti. Questo grazie agli sviluppi di nuovi spettrometri miniaturizzati d'avanguardia. Questi spettrometri possono generare rapidamente un volume elevato di dati spettrali, richiedendo metodologie avanzate come intelligenza artificiale, big data e deep learning per decifrare il contenuto nascosto di questi dati spettrali. Questa ricerca sperimentale si concentra su uno spettrometro miniaturizzato basato sulla tecnologia MEMS e sulla sua applicazione in vari campi. Dimostriamo che lo sviluppo di modelli NIR può essere impegnativo a seconda del campo applicativo. Mostriamo il caso d'uso di questa tecnologia nell'area di Healhcare e nell'industria (alimentare). Piante e Frutti sono stati oggetto delle nostre ricerche, come il Pothos e l'arancia. Anche le polveri organiche hanno trovato applicazione nella nostra ricerca. Inoltre, estendiamo la nostra ricerca sperimentale sul benessere degli animali, in particolare negli allevamenti di bovini da latte. Abbiamo utilizzato metodologie avanzate in casi d'uso specifici. Abbiamo applicato 1D-CNN per la previsione delle quantità di contenuto di materiali organici in miscele di polvere organica in cui è stato raccolto un volume elevato di dati o un modello VAE per prevedere le condizioni dell'acqua come rilevamento di un'anomalia del benessere della pianta Pothos. Mostriamo l'analisi degli spettri e gli approcci di preelaborazione per rimuovere gli artefatti del segnale. Implementiamo diversi metodi di preelaborazione efficaci: metodi di ridimensionamento, derivate spettrali e il filtro Savitsky Golay. Presentiamo i risultati di diversi metodi di ridimensionamento e trasformazione dei dati utilizzando una rete neurale convoluzionale.
Near-infrared spectroscopy is a mature technique continuing to demonstrate steady progress. This is thanks to cutting-edge developments of new handheld spectrometers. These spectrometers can quickly generate a high volume of spectral data, requiring advanced methodologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, and deep learning to decipher the hidden content of the spectral data. This experimental research focuses on a handheld spectrometer based on MEMS technology and its application in various fields. We show that developing NIR models can be challenging upon application. We show the use case of this technology in the healthcare area and the industry (food). Plants and Fruits have been subjected to our research, such as Pothos and orange fruit. Organic powders have also found an application in our research. Furthermore, we extend our experimental research into animal wellness, particularly in dairy cow farms. We used advanced methodologies in specific use cases. We applied 1D-CNN when predicting quantities of content in mixtures of organic powder where a high volume of data was collected or a VAE model to predict water conditions as a health anomaly detection in the Pothos plant. We show spectra analysis and preprocessing approaches to remove signal artifacts. We implement different effective preprocessing methods: scaling methods, spectral derivatives, and the Savitsky Golay filter. We present the results of different data scaling and transformation methods using a convolutional neural network.

Thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Magister of Technology: Dental Technology In the Faculty of Health & Wellness Sciences At the Cape Peninsula University of Technology 2013
Orthodontic archwires are made from different alloys. It is now possible to match phases of treatment with orthodontic archwires according to its mechanical properties. On this basis, the titanium molybdenum alloys (TMA) in its beta phase have an excellent combination of strength and flexibility when used as archwires to apply biomechanical forces that affect tooth movement. It has recently gained increased popularity in orthodontic treatment. There are, however, disadvantages associated with the use of orthodontic archwires, such as high surface roughness, which increases friction at the archwire-brackets interface during the sliding process. The surface roughness of dental materials is of utmost importance. Properties such as desirable tensile strengths, load deflection, hardness and low modulus of elasticity and resistance against corrosion & wear determine the area of the contact surface, thereby influencing the friction. The main object of this study was to improve the strength and surface roughness of the beta-titanium orthodontic archwires (β-Ti III) and timolium archwires (TIM), taking into account of retention of the archwires strength. The following tasks were performed. Layers of Zr were deposited on the β-Ti archwires and compared with the archwire strength before and after Zr deposition. The structure of selected archwires and its composition and surface roughness was investigated before and after Zr deposition, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The force of selected archwires before and after deposition with layers of Zr by Hounsfield deflection testing was studied. Two commercially available orthodontic archwires were used in this study, namely, β-Ti III and TIM orthodontic archwires. The archwires were cut into 25 mm long specimens. In this study, the electron beam-physical vapour deposition (EB-PVD) technique was applied to deposit pure Zr (thicknesses of 5, 10, 25 and 50 nm) on selected archwires and the effects thereof were investigated using AFM, SEM and the Hounsfield deflection test. Results of SEM and AFM analysis and deflection tests showed significant differences between Zr-coated archwires compared with uncoated archwires. Zr-coated archwires (5, 10, 25 and 50 nm depositions) had reduced surface roughness compared with uncoated archwires. A high load deflection rate was exhibited by the coated β-Ti III archwires and a low load deflection rate was exhibited by the coated TIM archwires. There was a difference in load deflection rate between the coated and uncoated archwires. Deposition of 5, 10, 25 and 50 nm Zr on both types of β-Ti orthodontic archwires is recommended for even sliding mechanics due to resulting reduced surface roughness with a good load deflection rate compared with uncoated β-Ti orthodontic archwires. KEYWORDS Surface roughness Zirconium Titanium Deflection test Beta titanium orthodontic archwires Orthodontic archwires alloys Coated materials Electron beam-physical vapour deposition Scanning electron microscopy Atomic force microscopy

This diploma thesis describes the design and elaboration of project documentation for realisation of construction of building of Guest house in municipality Ostravice. The building is situated on parcel 649/13 - arable land, in cadastral area Ostravice-1. Guest house is primarily intended for temporary accommodation of tourists in Beskydy mountains. The part of the building is restaurant as well as wellness centre with fitness gym. The building is situated in partially urbanised section of municipality. The access from the local road to parcel n. 470/20 to the main entrance into building will be enabled by newly purpose-built road with turnaround for passenger vehicles. The design respects the local plan and does not deviate from the character of the surrounding built-up area. The building has three above-ground floors and one underground floor, which is situated only under a part of the building. Project documentation is elaborated in conformity with effective laws, public notices and standards. Building of guesthouse is designed as wall system, with brick supporting walls made out of gas-silicate blocks and sand-lime bricks. The guest house is covered by two flat roofs with different inclination and with different height of ridges. The façade consists of stucco and for the third above-ground floor the façade is made out of ventilated larch-wood panelling. The building is placed in flat terrain.

The purpose of this study was to develop a substantive theory of the processes used by midwives in exercising their scope of practice when caring for women and babies during normal birthing. The grounded theory approach of Strauss and Corbin (Corbin & Strauss, 2008; Strauss & Corbin, 1998, 1990) was employed to inform data collection and analysis, including the use of participant observation and in-depth interviews with seventeen midwives practising in a hospital maternity unit. From this approach, the core category of Promoting normal birthing: Aspiring to develop a midwife-led scope of practice emerged, illustrating the processes utilised by midwives in practice to support normal birth.

Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the Master of Applied Science in Food and Nutrition, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016.
Background: The occurrence of absenteeism observed at the Coastal KZN FET College is very large. However, absenteeism of this magnitude is not inconsistent with observations from other educational institutions and work places around the world. Generally, absenteeism is coupled to the absence of good health, the presence of one or more non-communicable disease and the paucity of physical exercise undertaken by the personnel. Absenteeism in the work place results in avoidable financial costs to the employer, the employee, and the country as a whole. The wealth of literature shows that health concerns concerning adults are diet related. Diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, obesity, cancer and other non-communicable diseases (NCD’s) are increasing at an alarming rate, daily. A double-burden plagues South Africa: on the one hand there is over-nutrition (an excessive consumption of nutrients); while on the other there is under-nutrition (an insufficient intake of nutrients by certain groups of individuals). Factors such as urbanisation, globalisation, physical inactivity and consumer financial buying power have a significant influence on these health concerns. Aim: The data gathered in this study will be used to develop nutrition wellness education material as a component of a wellness programme for staff members at the Swinton Campus of the KZN Coastal FET College in Mobeni. Methodology: A needs analysis was undertaken to determine whether nutrition wellness education material as a component of a wellness programme for the institution was appropriate. Three 24-hour recall questionnaires gathered from the staff, data on eating habits and nutrient intake were undertaken/collected. A food frequency questionnaire collected data on the frequency and variety of foods eaten. A health questionnaire gathered data on self-reported illnesses, consumption of alcohol, and smoking habits. The demographics of the group, living conditions, and amount of money earned and spent on food was assessed through a socio-demographic questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements assessed included blood pressure, waist circumference, BMI and Waist-to-height-ratio (WHtR). Results: The sample consisted of 138 participants of which 44% (n=61) were men and 56% (n=77) were women. Less than 50% of the respondents were food secure: only 65 persons (47.1%) in the sample always had money to purchase food. In this group 63.93% of the men and 71.43% of the woman were obese. Subsequently 86% of the women exceeded the waist cut-off point of 88cm while 16.39% of the men were above the 102cm cut-off point. Findings revealed that 42.62% of the men and 25.9% of the women had pre-hypertension while 8.20% of the men and 5.90% of the women were hypertensive. This study indicated that this group was nutrient deficient. The fruit and vegetable intake was between 134.44g - 175.69g per day for men and 124.00g - 183.30g per day for women. Energy, dietary fibre, vitamin A, vitamin D, calcium, magnesium and iodine were below the nutrient adequacy ratio. There were positive correlations between age and systolic blood pressure, waist circumference and systolic blood pressure, waist circumference and diastolic blood pressure and waist-to-height ratio and BMI. Conclusion: Central obesity and to a lesser extent hypertension as well as deficiencies in nutrients and minerals were present in this group. Although the participants indicated a good variety of food, the quality and quantities consumed were not adequate. A link between diet, physical activity and diseases of lifestyle has been demonstrated. A need for nutrition education as a component of the wellness programme is indicated. Nutrition education is important both within and outside the workplace. To make lifestyle changes it is essential that education and knowledge is made available. Behavioural habits including eating habits are principally learnt. If bad behaviour habits can be learnt, good behaviour habits can also be instilled. The proposed intervention is aimed at reducing the incidence of absenteeism and decreasing the presence of non-communicable diseases. It is important for staff members at a FET college to be present in the classroom so that education of quality can be conveyed to learners. Further, the good health of staff members facilitates the ability of teachers to perform their important task of educating young minds at all educational institutions.
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