Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2021 Association Between Bisphenols, Acrylamide, Glycidamide, Fast Food, and Obesity: An Obesogenic Perspective Morgan Murphy Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Public Health Education and Promotion Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Health Professions This is to certify that the doctoral study by Morgan P. Murphy 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. Julia Leischner, Committee Member, Public Health Faculty Dr. Sanggon Nam, University Reviewer, Public Health Faculty Chief Academic Officer and Provost Sue Subocz, Ph.D. Walden University 2021 Abstract Association Between Bisphenols, Acrylamide, Glycidamide, Fast Food, and Obesity: An Obesogenic Perspective by Morgan P. Murphy MPH, Kent State University, 2018 BA, Hampton University, 2016 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Public Health Walden University May 2021 Abstract Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are exogenous man-made substances that have the ability to interfere with hormone action and are believed to be a contributing factor to chronic illnesses, including but not limited to obesity. Recent studies have suggested that environmental agents (environmental obesogens), such as food additives, plasticizers, and personal care products are contributors that aid in the altering of hormone receptors and hormone mimicry. Such environmental obesogens have the potential to promote adipogenesis and fat accumulation. In this study the social ecological model was used to determine the factors that can influence increased exposure to obesogenic chemicals at the intrapersonal, interpersonal, organizational and community levels of an individual. This correlational cross-sectional quantitative study analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2015–2016 cycle investigated the possible relationship between the dependent variable of body mass index (BMI) and the independent variables of bisphenols A, F, S, acrylamide (AA), and glycidamide (GA) while controlling for confounding variables that served as markers for each level of the social ecological model. Linear regression analysis indicated that the endocrine disruptors BPA and AA/GA were the only significant predictors of BMI (p < 0.05) among the confounding variables of income, race, food security, and times healthcare was received over the past year. This study can promote positive social change by offering insights on the levels of exposure to endocrine disruptors, which can be useful for longitudinal epidemiological and biomonitoring studies, conducted by national and international environmental agencies, for precautionary toxicological assessments in the future. Association Between Bisphenols, Acrylamide, Glycidamide, Fast Food, and Obesity: An Obesogenic Perspective by Morgan P. Murphy MPH, Kent State University, 2018 BA, Hampton University, 2016 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Public Health Walden University May 2021 Dedication This paper is dedicated to my Mother and Father, Marian and Steven Murphy; thank you for always believing and loving me. I am, and will always be forever grateful of your compassion that made me the woman I am. I love you! This paper is also dedicated to the little girl who had big dreams of being somebody. This paper is a testament to her resolve, courage, intelligence, and determination to succeed in any arena. Little girl, you are on your way to do great things! Continue to choose the hard work, don’t stop, soar like the phoenix and shine bright like the whitest star. Never forget the passages that inspired you, William Blake’s “Tyger, Tyger, burning bright, In the forests of the night; what immortal hand or eye, could frame thy fearful symmetry? In what distant deep or skies, burnt the fire of thine eyes? On what wings dare he aspire? What the hand, dare seize the fire? Adding the immortal words of Dr. Seuss, “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose! And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! 98 and ¾ percent guaranteed”! Little girl, you have gone the distance, you found your way, you were strong; every mile has been worthwhile, and you are right where you belong. Dr. Morgan has got if from here. Congratulations, Dr. Morgan Paige Murphy. Acknowledgments I would like to acknowledge and thank my God for blessing me with His everlasting grace and mercy; I would be nothing without Him. I would also like to express gratitude to my amazing Chair, Dr. Vasileios Margaritis, for his continuous support, knowledge, and patience. His guidance was instrumental in making sure that I kept the course with the doctoral capstone guidelines. Besides my Chair, I would like to thank Dr. Julia Leischner and Dr. Sanggon Nam for their insightful comments and encouragement. In addition, I would also like to thank my Doctoral Advocate, Jen Rothamel, for her abundance of compassion and communication. She has been a pilar of stability during the strenuous time of completing all steps concerning this milestone. Lastly, I would like to show thanks to the Walden University Administration, Faculty, and Staff for their instruction and resources. Table of Contents List of Tables .......................................................................................................................v List of Figures ................................................................................................................... vii Section 1: Foundation of the Study and Literature Review .................................................1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................1 Problem Statement .........................................................................................................4 Purpose of the Study ......................................................................................................6 Research Questions and Hypothesis ..............................................................................6 Theoretical Foundation for the Study ............................................................................8 Nature of the Study ........................................................................................................9 Literature Search Strategy............................................................................................10 Literature Review Related to Key Variables and/or Concepts ............................. 10 Definitions....................................................................................................................16 Assumptions .................................................................................................................18 Scope and Delimitations ..............................................................................................19 Significance, Summary, and Conclusions ...................................................................19 Section 2: Research Design and Data Collection ..............................................................22 Introduction ..................................................................................................................22 Research Design and Rationale ...................................................................................22 Methodology ................................................................................................................24 Population ............................................................................................................. 24 Sampling and Sampling Procedures ..................................................................... 25 i Data Access ........................................................................................................... 26 Power Analysis ..................................................................................................... 26 Justification for Effect Size ................................................................................... 27 Instrumental and Operationalization of Constructs .....................................................28 Published Instruments ........................................................................................... 28 Developer Permission ........................................................................................... 29 Reliability and Validity ......................................................................................... 29 Laboratory Quality of AA and GA ....................................................................... 30 Laboratory Quality of BPA, BPF, and BPS .......................................................... 31 Operationalization ........................................................................................................31