Health Science

Books, Buffets, and Body Image: A Deep Dive into What Really Causes the Freshman 15.

Isabella Perazza

This study examines the factors contributing to weight change and related physical and mental health experiences among first-year college students during the transition to college. It was hypothesized that environmental, behavioral, and personal factors, including campus meal plans, eating patterns, cultural food preferences, access to transportation and kitchen facilities, financial resources, campus involvement, nutritional knowledge, physical activity, and mental health, would influence students’ eating behaviors and weight changes. Data were collected through a 29-question survey organized into 13 sections that compared participants’ pre-college circumstances with their first-year college experiences. The survey explored students’ access to food, eating behaviors, physical activity, mental health, and other potential barriers and protective factors associated with health-related changes during the freshman year. Results indicate intresting findings, that will be disscussed about during the presentation.These findings suggest that the transition to college may involve multiple interconnected factors that influence students’ physical and mental well-being. Understanding these influences may help colleges and students identify barriers to healthy behaviors and promote informed, sustainable health decisions. Overall, this study emphasizes the importance of early awareness and supportive resources in helping first-year students take greater control of their health and college experience.

Analyzing An Inflammation Biomarker In COVID-Era Blood Samples 
 

Daniel Vasquez
Harding University

Inflammatory biomarkers can provide immense insights into the immune response, mechanisms, and progression of COVID-19. Examples of these biomarkers, IL-6, IL-10, and C-Reactive Protein (CRP), in their elevated state, can be associated with tissue injury and severe disease (Hans et al., 2020). Although CRP is a widely used biomarker for detecting inflammation, its response following COVID infection and vaccination remains poorly understood. The purpose of this preliminary study is to measure CRP concentrations in stored serum samples and link the resulting values to diagnoses and vaccinations. Samples were separated into three groups: Vaccinated/Non-Infected, Infected/Non-Vaccinated, and Infected/Vaccinated. Selected individual samples were required to have at least two or more blood tests within a three-month span. CRP concentrations were measured using the Medica EasyRA Chemistry Analyzer, with each sample run in duplicate and averaged. With it being a preliminary study along with limited resources, a portion of the sample size will be measured. With results currently underway to be interpreted, they will mark a starting point for serum samples in the near future.

Ivan Elliott

American Indians and Alaskan Natives (AI/AN) have faced extensive historical trauma from forced relocation. This historical trauma has culminated in psychological and financial problems that still plague them today. At least some of the physical conditions more prevalent in the AI/AN population have been linked to that trauma.. Physical Therapy (PT) is a profession that is uniquely situated to be able to treat these issues and improve AI/AN health outcomes via its ability to treat the pre-existing health conditions. The aim of this study is to examine recent literature and government data on employed physical therapists by race and ethnicity to explore the need and possible utilization of PT within AI/AN health facilities. Literature and government data analyzed indicate a high need for and underutilization of PT within these facilities. Financial and geographical barriers seem to be major contributors for why PT is underutilized in this population. Cultural understanding also seems to be an important factor when helping to improve health outcomes. Future research is needed to further explore the knowledge or awareness of PT within the AI/AN population and possible distrust of the AI/AN healthcare systems.