A grounded theory approach to understanding educator perspectives on using data to inform instruction

Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on February 21, 2013).The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file.Dissertation advisor: Dr. Peggy PlacierIncludes bibliographical references.Vita.Ed. D. University of Missouri--Columbia 2012."December 2012"In spite of the current focus on using data driven decision making in education spurred by the accountability movement, the literature indicates that many educators feel ill equipped to analyze and use data and, further, that there may be several factors contributing to why they feel this way (Jacobs et al., 2009; Ronka, Lachat, Slaughter, & Meltzer, 2008). Although the literature identifies potential factors that may contribute to why educators may have certain perspectives on using data, little is known about the interrelatedness of these factors, which of these factors may be most important, or how best to address these factors through formal coursework or professional development. The purpose of this study was to address the gap between how policymakers and educational leaders expect data to be used to inform instruction and how classroom-level educators internalize and implement these expectations. This study attempted to address this gap by exploring educators' perspectives on using data, their views of their own data analysis skills, how they value and make meaning of data, and the characteristics of their training and/or organizational cultures contribute to these views. Research regarding educators' perspectives on using data for decision making should not only address a gap in the literature but also provide an impetus for the development of professional development programs to meet the needs of educators in both leadership and practitioner roles.Includes bibliographical reference

Implementing Policy, Systems, and Environmental Change Through Community Coalitions and Extension Partnerships to Address Obesity in Rural Louisiana

Community coalitions and agents funded by the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center\u27s Healthy Communities program implemented multilevel obesity prevention interventions in 3 rural parishes (ie, counties) with an obesity prevalence of 40% or higher. The Healthy Communities coalitions appraised local health concerns through needs assessments and community forums. On the basis of local needs and the evidence base, the coalitions identified and implemented policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) strategies and supporting education to promote healthy behavior change among residents, overcoming barriers in the process. Interventions varied by parish but included Complete Streets implementation plans, healthy retail initiatives, play space improvements, downtown beautification projects, and Smarter Lunchrooms

Diet quality and its relationship with central obesity among Mexican Americans: findings from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2012.

ObjectiveUsing the Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HEI-2010), the present study aimed to examine diet quality and the impact of overall diet quality and its components on central obesity among Mexican-American men and women.DesignCross-sectional data from NHANES 1999-2012 were used. The HEI-2010 data, including twelve components for a total score of 100, were collected with a 24 h recall interview. Central obesity was defined as a waist circumference of ≥88 cm for women and ≥102 cm for men. Weighted logistic regressions were performed to assess associations between HEI-2010 scores and central obesity.SettingNational Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2012.SubjectsA total of 6847 Mexican Americans aged ≥20 years with reliable dietary recall status and non-pregnancy status.ResultsHigher HEI-2010 total score was associated with lower odds of central obesity in Mexican-American men (OR; 95 % CI=0·98; 0·98, 1·00). Among all Mexican Americans, one-unit higher score of total fruit and sodium (i.e. lower level of intake) was associated with 4 % (0·96; 0·93, 0·99) and 2 % (0·98; 0·96, 0·99) lower odds of central obesity, respectively. However, a higher total proteins score was associated with higher odds of central obesity (1·08; 1·00, 1·16). In gender-specific analyses, a higher whole fruit or sodium score was inversely associated with central obesity in men but not in women.ConclusionsHEI-2010 scores of total fruit and sodium were inversely associated with central obesity among all Mexican Americans. However, total proteins score and central obesity was positively associated. In Mexican-American men, HEI-2010 total and whole fruit scores were inversely associated with central obesity

Role of Age and Acculturation in Diet Quality Among Mexican Americans - Findings From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2012.

Age and acculturation may play a role in diet quality among Mexican Americans. This study examined diet quality in Mexican Americans by age and whether acculturation influences diet quality across different age groups, using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Diet quality, measured by the Healthy Eating Index 2010, improved with age except in categories of dairy, sodium, and refined grains. More acculturation was associated with lower scores in overall diet quality and categories of vegetables, fruits, and sodium and empty calories across almost all ages, but higher scores in grain categories, especially in younger groups. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables but low in fat and sodium should be promoted among more acculturated Mexican Americans, and whole-grain foods should be promoted among young but less acculturated Mexican Americans

Assessing influenza vaccination coverage and predictors in persons living with HIV/AIDS in Louisiana, June 2002-June 2013.

Background: Despite the burden of disease and increased risk of influenza-associated morbidity and mortality among PLWHA, influenza vaccination has been understudied in this population. Methods: We built an 11-year cohort of HIV-infected adults from medical records of PLWHA seeking care within the Louisiana State University medical system from June 2002-June 2013. Influenza vaccination uptake among PLWHA was calculated overall and for each medical facility for each influenza season. Linear regression was used to assess influenza vaccination uptake over time both overall and by facility. Data were restricted to the final influenza season (2012-13) to assess predictors of PLWHA vaccination. Individuals were nested within medical facilities in order to assess the amount of variability in influenza vaccination rates across medical facilities. Results: Influenza vaccination uptake among PLWHA increased over the study period (p<0.01). The overall proportion of PLWHA vaccinated during the 2012-13 influenza season was 33.7%. 37.9% of the variability in the model occurred at the facility-level. Conclusions: Although there was an increase in influenza vaccination within the PLWHA cohort over the course of the study, vaccination rates remained low overall. Special efforts must be made to increase vaccination uptake among PLWHA, with particular focus on those within the population who are likely to be at highest risk. The substantial variability at the facility-level indicates that there are unmeasured facility-level factors that contribute significantly to PLWHA vaccination.&nbsp

The mediating effects of barriers to vaccination on the relationship between race/ethnicity and influenza vaccination status in a rural Southeastern Louisiana medical center.

Introduction: Persistent disparities in influenza vaccination rates exist between racial/ethnic minorities and Whites. The mechanisms that define this relationship are under-researched. Objectives: (1) To evaluate racial/ethnic disparities in influenza vaccination and (2) to assess the mediating effects of barriers to influenza vaccination on the relationship between race/ethnicity and receipt of influenza vaccination. Methods: Surveys assessing barriers to vaccination were administered to outpatients in a rural medical center in Southeastern Louisiana. Survey responses were matched to patient medical records. Likert-style statements were used to measure barriers to vaccination.. A mediation analysis assessing the relationship between race and influenza vaccination mediated by vaccination barriers was conducted.  Results: The self-reported influenza vaccination rate in those surveyed was 40.4%. Whites (45.5%) were more likely than racial/ethnic minorities (36.3%) to report receipt of an influenza vaccination (p=0.02). Racial/ethnic minorities reported significantly higher vaccination barrier scores (p<0.01). The relationship between race/ethnicity and vaccination was mediated by vaccination barriers, when controlling for provider recommendation and having at least one comorbid medical condition (natural indirect effect [NIE] p-value=0.02, proportion mediated=0.71). Conclusions: Barriers to vaccination mediates the relationship between race/ethnicity and vaccination status. Providers should focus on minimizing fears that the vaccine will cause illness and emphasize that the vaccine is safe and effective at preventing severe influenza-associated illness. Additional efforts should be made to improve accessibility of the influenza vaccine, including addressing costs of vaccination and expanding the number and types of settings where the vaccine is offered

Social support modifies the negative effects of acculturation on obesity and central obesity in Mexican men.

Background: This study examined the moderating role of social support in the acculturation-obesity/central obesity relationship in Mexican American (MA) men and women. Methods: Data from NHANES 1999-2008 were used. Acculturation derived from language use, country of birth and length of residence in the U.S. Social support assessed emotional and financial support. BMI (≥30) and waist circumference (≥88 cm for women; ≥102 cm for men) measured obesity and central obesity, respectively. Weighted multivariate logistic regression models were used to describe associations. Results: Compared to less acculturation, more acculturation was associated with higher odds of obesity (ORs 2.48; 95% CI 1.06-5.83) and central obesity (2.90; 1.39-6.08) among MA men with low/no social support, but not among MA men reporting high social support. The modifying effects was not observed among women. Conclusion: Higher amounts of social support appeared to attenuate the risk of obesity/central obesity associated with acculturation. Interventions enhancing social support maybe effective among acculturated MAs, particularly among men

A novel method to assess dietary intake and obtain real-time dietary adherence data: a pilot study

Objectives: We developed the PortionSizeTM app (PS) to estimate food intake and dietary adherence based on images of meals captured before and after eating occurs. The PS app provides real-time feedback to users about their dietary intake (energy, nutrients, and food groups) and adherence to specific diets. This pilot study provided initial tests of the validity of the PS app at assessing energy and nutrient intake from simulated meals in a laboratory setting. We also explored participants’ satisfaction with the PS app. Methods: Fifteen adult participants (aged 18–65 years) were trained to use the app. Participants then used the app to estimate food intake during simulated meals, where participants were provided with a plate of food to represent food provision as well as a plate of leftovers. The amount of food provided as food provision and waste was covertly weighed. Participants completed a six-point user satisfaction survey ranked from 1 (‘extremely dissatisfied’) to six ‘very much satisfied’. Dependent t-tests were performed to compare intake of energy, macronutrients, and food groups (fruits, vegetables, grain, dairy, and protein) from the 15 meals, where intake was estimated with the PS app and compared to directly weighed food. Alpha was set at 0.05. Results: Of the 15 participants, 73.3% (11) were female, and the mean (± SD) age and body mass index of the participants was 28.0 ± 12.2 years and 24.1 ± 6.6 kg/m2, respectively. Energy intake estimated by PS at the meal level (742.9 ± 328.2 kcal) was similar to directly weighed values (659.3 ± 190.7 kcal) and the difference (83.5 ± 287.5 kcal) was not significant (P > .05). No significant differences were found between the two methods (PS and weigh back) for macronutrients (protein, total fat, and carbohydrate), and four food group servings (all P values > .05) except total grains (P value < .05). About 71% of the participants rated the app as a five or six in terms of satisfaction and ease of using the PS app. Conclusions: Results from this pilot provide preliminary support for the validity of, and user satisfaction with, the PS app. The pilot study identified ways to improve PS. Larger validation studies and further app refinement are ongoing

A Short-Term Physical Activity Randomized Trial in the Lower Mississippi Delta

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine if a short-term pedometer-based intervention results in immediate increases in time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) compared to a minimal educational intervention. Methods: A sample of 43 overweight adults 35 to 64 years of age participated in a one week pedometer-based feasibility trial monitored by accelerometry. Participants were randomized into a one-week education-only group or a group that also wore a pedometer. Accelerometer-measured MVPA was measured over 7 days at baseline and again for 7 days immediately post-intervention. Results: Minutes of MVPA increased significantly in the overall sample (p = 0.02); however, the effect of adding the pedometer to the education program was not significant (p = 0.89). Mean (6SE) MVPA increased from 12.762.4 min/day to 16.263.6 min/day in the education-only group and from 13.263.3 min/day to 16.363.9 min/day in the education+pedometer group. The correlation between change in steps/day and change in MVPA was 0.69 (p,0.0001). Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that the addition of a pedometer to a short-term education program doe