Type
Text
Type
Dissertation
Advisor
Morgan, Richard | Blau, Joel | Hayward, R. Anna | Hawkins, Robert.
Date
2014-12-01
Keywords
childhood, determinants, health, obesity, school, social | Social work
Department
Department of Social Welfare.
Language
en_US
Source
This work is sponsored by the Stony Brook University Graduate School in compliance with the requirements for completion of degree.
Identifier
http://hdl.handle.net/11401/76786
Publisher
The Graduate School, Stony Brook University: Stony Brook, NY.
Format
application/pdf
Abstract
Abstract of the Dissertation You are Not What You Eat: The Myth of School Food and Child Obesity by Elana Needle Doctor of Philosophy in Social Welfare Stony Brook University 2014 Childhood obesity is a hot topic in the research and policy literature, as well as in the popular press. However, much of the present research concentrates on one or a few variables, rather than adequately assessing the underlying structures that inherently complicate the childhood obesity epidemic. Using a logistic regression examining the school food environment in the 8th grade wave of the ECLS-K data set, this study's findings supports past research that shows poor, Hispanic and Black children that receive federally subsidized school meals are more likely to be obese. However, competitive foods available in vending machines did not impact obesity levels. The author posts that a social determinants of health theoretical approach, will expand the current obesity research paradigm to truly answer the question " why are poor children fat?" In order to make a dent in population level obesity prevalence, a social determinants approach needs to be adopted. This theoretical frame will hopefully cause a paradigmatic shift in policy and research. Once policy and research are altered, the social structures that cause the detrimental effects of the social and health gradient among the US population will follow suit. | 216 pages
Recommended Citation
Needle, Elana, "You are Not What You Eat: The Myth of School Food and Child Obesity" (2014). Stony Brook Theses and Dissertations Collection, 2006-2020 (closed to submissions). 2664.
https://commons.library.stonybrook.edu/stony-brook-theses-and-dissertations-collection/2664