Browsing by Author "Melton, Forest"

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    Metabolic Syndrome Among American Indian and Alaska Native Populations: Implications for Cardiovascular Health
    (Springer, 2022) Godfrey, Timian M.; Cordova-Marks, Felina M.; Jones, Desiree; Melton, Forest; Breathett, Khadijah; Medicine, School of Medicine
    Purpose of review: The latest national data reports a 55% prevalence of metabolic syndrome in American Indian adults compared to 34.7% of the general US adult population. Metabolic syndrome is a strong predictor for diabetes, which is the leading cause of heart disease in American Indian and Alaska Native populations. Metabolic syndrome and associated risk factors disproportionately impacts this population. We describe the presentation, etiology, and roles of structural racism and social determinants of health on metabolic syndrome. Findings: Much of what is known about metabolic syndrome in American Indian and Alaska Native populations comes from the Strong Heart Study as there is scant literature. American Indian and Alaska Native adults have an increased propensity towards metabolic syndrome as they are 1.1 times more likely to have high blood pressure, approximately three times more likely to have diabetes, and have higher rates of obesity compared with their non-Hispanic White counterparts. Culturally informed lifestyle and behavior interventions are promising approaches to address structural racism and social determinants of health that highly influence factors contributing to these rates. Summary: Among American Indian and Alaska Native populations, there is scarce updated literature evaluating the underlying causes of major risk factors for metabolic syndrome, and progression to cardiometabolic disease. As a result, the actual state of metabolic syndrome in this population is not well understood. Systemic and structural changes must occur to address the root causes of these disparities.
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    Race and Gender-Based Perceptions of Older Septuagenarian Adults
    (Mary Ann Liebert, 2022-11-14) Melton, Forest; Palmer, Kelly; Solola, Sade; Luy, Luis; Herrera-Theut, Kathryn; Zabala, Leanne; Knapp, Shannon M.; Yee, Ryan; Yee, Erika; Calhoun, Elizabeth; Thomas Hebdon, Megan C.; Pool, Natalie; Sweitzer, Nancy; Breathett, Khadijah; Medicine, School of Medicine
    Objectives: Older adults face racism, sexism, and ageism. As the U.S. population ages, it is important to understand how the current population views older adults. Methods: Participants recruited through Amazon's Mechanical Turk provided perceptions of older Black and White models' photographs. Using mixed-effect models, we assessed interactions between race and gender of participants and models. Results: Among Participants of Color and White participants (n = 712, 70% non-Hispanic White, 70% women, mean 37.81 years), Black models were perceived as more attractive, less threatening, and sadder than White models, but differences were greater for White participants (race-by-race interaction: attractive p = 0.003, threatening p = 0.009, sad p = 0.016). Each gender perceived their respective gender as more attractive (gender-by-gender interaction p < 0.0001). Male and female participants perceived male models as happier than female models, but differences were greater for male participants (p = 0.026). Irrespective of participant age group, women were perceived as more threatening (p = 0.012). Other perceptions were not significant. Discussion: Participants had few biases toward older Black and White models, while gender biases favored men.