dc.contributor.advisor | Bruce, Jared M. | |
dc.contributor.author | Norouzinia, Abigail Ness | |
dc.date.issued | 2017 | |
dc.date.submitted | 2017 Summer | |
dc.description | Title from PDF of title page viewed August 28, 2017 | |
dc.description | Dissertation advisor: Jared Bruce | |
dc.description | Vita | |
dc.description | Includes bibliographical references (pages 90-105) | |
dc.description | Thesis (Ph.D.)--Department of Psychology. University of Missouri--Kansas City, 2017 | |
dc.description.abstract | Background: Recent research indicates that obesity may exacerbate certain symptoms
of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Nevertheless, little research has examined patients’ perceptions
of how obesity may impact their MS symptoms. If MS patients are unaware of the
relationship between obesity and MS symptoms, they may be less motivated and/or adherent
to health behaviors that could reduce their symptoms.
Aims: (1) To determine whether functional differences exist between healthy weight
and overweight/obese MS patients; (2) To examine patient beliefs about the impact of health
behaviors on MS; (3)To explore MS patient beliefs regarding the impact of weight on
symptom severity ; and (4) To explore the amount of exercise patients with MS would be
willing to engage in to reduce their MS symptoms.
Methods: 81 MS patients completed neuropsychiatric tests and questionnaires.
Height, weight, and waist circumference were measured to calculate body mass index (BMI)
and waist-to-height ratio (WTHR). Participants completed novel measures designed to assess
their beliefs regarding how weight gain or loss may impact their MS symptoms, and their
willingness to exercise for symptom improvement.
Results: There was a significant association between WTHR and depression. There
was no association between WTHR and the composite measures of cognition, physical
function, or a singular measure of anxiety. As a whole, patients endorsed the belief that
excess body weight contributes to worse MS symptoms and progression. Patients reported
logical increases in exercise willingness as the percentage of hypothetical improvement
increased. Patients with higher current symptom severity reported increased willingness to
exercise for higher levels of symptom improvement relative to patients with lower current
symptom severity.
Discussion: This was the first study to examine patient beliefs about the impact of
weight on disease symptoms and how much patients are willing to exercise to improve their
symptoms. Results showed that patients with MS believe that excess body weight negatively
influences disease symptoms. Furthermore, patients reported increased willingness to
exercise as the percentage of proposed symptom improvement increases. This suggests that
providing patients with information on the amount of improvement to expect from exercise
and dietary interventions may enhance motivation for health behavior change. | eng |
dc.description.tableofcontents | Review of the literature -- Methodology -- Results -- Discussion -- Appendix A. Body Size and Symptoms Task -- Appendix B. Body Size and Symptoms Task-Fatigue -- Appendix C. Exercise Willingness Task | |
dc.format.extent | x, 106 pages | |
dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/10355/61366 | |
dc.publisher | University of Missouri--Kansas City | eng |
dc.subject.lcsh | Multiple sclerosis -- Patients | |
dc.subject.lcsh | Obesity -- Health aspects | |
dc.subject.lcsh | Obesity -- Psychological aspects | |
dc.subject.other | Dissertation -- University of Missouri--Kansas City -- Psychology | |
dc.title | Beliefs about the Impact of Excess Body Weight on Biopsychosocial Functioning in Multiple Sclerosis Patients | eng |
dc.type | Thesis | eng |
thesis.degree.discipline | Psychology (UMKC) | |
thesis.degree.grantor | University of Missouri--Kansas City | |
thesis.degree.grantor | Doctoral | |
thesis.degree.name | Ph.D. | |