Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Identifier

1217

Date

2014

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Psychology

Concentration

Clinical Psychology

Committee Chair

Meghan M McDevitt-Murphy

Committee Member

James G Murphy

Committee Member

Kenneth D Ward

Committee Member

Melloni Cook

Abstract

Evidence suggests that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may function as a risk factor for obesity, which is linked to a number of deleterious physical health comorbidities. Individuals with PTSD also tend to decrease their participation in exercise, which further increases risk for adverse health outcomes. However, studies suggest that exercise may be a promising intervention for PTSD and exercise is often included as an important part of weight loss treatment. Military veterans are a population at high risk for PTSD and obesity and Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMC) nationwide have instituted a weight management program (MOVE!) to address the issue of obesity in veterans. This project included two studies, the aims of which were: to evaluate the effectiveness of the MOVE weight management program in veterans with PTSD; changes in PTSD symptoms upon completion of a weight management program, and to assess differences in exercise behavior, motivation, and attitudes between veterans with and without PTSD. The first study used archival data from the Memphis VAMC computerized patient records system to examine differences between PTSD and non-PTSD patients on MOVE program outcomes (body weight, blood pressure, respiratory rate, glucose, and cholesterol). The second study used prospective data from veterans currently participating in the MOVE program to evaluate exercise behavior, motivation, and attitudes in PTSD and non-PTSD patients.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to the local University of Memphis Electronic Theses & dissertation (ETD) Repository.

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