Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

School

Public Health

Advisor

Fidelis C. Okoye

Abstract

Walden University

College of Health Professions

This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by

Fidelis Okoye

has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made.

Review Committee Dr. Vasileios Margaritis, Committee Chairperson, Public Health Faculty Dr. Srikanta Banerjee, Committee Member, Public Health Faculty Dr. James Rohrer, University Reviewer, Public Health Faculty

Chief Academic Officer and ProvostSue Subocz, Ph.D.

Walden University2021

AbstractThe Combined Impact of Race and Education on Obesity Among U.S. Adults by Fidelis Okoye

MA, Walden University, 2009BS, Marygrove College, 2001

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Health

Walden University February 2021 Abstract Obesity has reached epidemic proportions worldwide and is associated with several chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes, which are the major causes of morbidity, disability, and mortality. Although many researchers have investigated the impact of sociodemographic factors on obesity, there is a paucity of studies on the combined impact of race and education on obesity among U.S. adults. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to first assess the impact of education and race on obesity, as separate variables, controlled for age, gender, healthy diet, and physical activity, and then to investigate the combined impact of race and education (interaction variable) on obesity adjusted for the same control variables and report potential differences between the two different approaches of analysis. The social ecological model was the theoretical framework of this study. Data from 9,971 adults who completed the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015-2016 were analyzed. Regression analyses revealed that race and education level were statistically significant predictors of obesity, but the education and race interaction effect was not statistically significant. In addition, gender, age, and diet healthiness were significant predictors of obesity. Positive social change may be achieved by developing better policies that make education and healthy diet more accessible to everyone to reduce educational inequalities and help lower the odds of obesity and relevant poor health outcomes.

The Combined Impact of Race and Education on Obesity Among U.S. Adultsby Fidelis Okoye

MA, Walden University, 2009BS, Marygrove College, 2001

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Health

Walden University February 2021   Dedication This dissertation is dedicated to public health, epidemiology researchers and their mentors. My work is dedicated to public health scientists who are formally trained as such and provide the evidence on which we build our professional practice and to aspiring epidemiology researchers in the public health sciences who know there must be a better way and who take actions to test their hypotheses. My dissertation is also dedicated to the mentors who turn aspiring public health scientists, epidemiologists, and scholars into competent public health professionals and epidemiologists by the example they set, by offering the needed support, and by sharing their knowledge.

Acknowledgments It is without hesitation that I acknowledge those that supported me through the rigorous process of writing and researching this significant topic. I truly believe that without the collaborative support of those around me the words in this document would never have come together. First, I would like to acknowledge my family for their contributions to my being here and continuing my academic progress in my doctoral degree. My wife and children showed true confidence in me during those times when I fell short. Their love and compassion for me during times when I could not be available to lend the same level of support will forever inspire me that I can accomplish all things I put my mind to. Second, I would like to thank my friends for their understanding of my academic endeavors and my limited availability during critical time periods in their lives. For all the weddings, birthdays, celebrations, and paramount moments in their lives that I have missed, I thank those that continued to support me while I pursued this dream of mine. Each one has helped me through utmost difficulty, and I will never forget the strength instilled in me to pursue my goals in completing this research. Lastly, I would like to thank Dr. Vasileios Margaritis, my able chair; my committee member, Dr. Srikanta Banerjee; and Dr. James Rohrer, my URR member, for their edication to this project. It was by his grace that I was given the privilege to work with them, and this is something I will never forget. I cannot imagine the workload that Dr. Vasileios Margaritis has in his professional career; to guide me through this process is a gift that I will cherish forever. He has fulfilled a vital academic need of mine, and I hope to always seek guidance in my professional career from him and other staff here at the university.

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