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Author: Rian Davis, University of North Texas
Faculty Mentor:
Beverly Davenport, Department of Anthropology, College of Public Affairs and Community Service, University of North Texas
Department:
Department of Anthropology, College of Public Affairs and Community Service
Bio:
Rian Davis is currently a senior at the University of North Texas. She was recently inducted into Lambda Alpha National Anthropology Honor Society and has been on the President’s or Dean’s List for the last year and a half. Her current research is on issues of self-maintenance of Type II diabetes and their relation to development of other health complications. After graduation in May of 2008, Davis plans to attend graduate school to pursue a doctorate in anthropology. During her postgraduate studies, Davis plans to conduct research in the field of nutritional anthropology and the role food plays in culture at large. She wishes to combine this interest with her interest in public health and chronic disease. Davis’s ultimate goal is to make herself and her family proud by being the first person in her family to receive a Ph.D.
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Abstract: Self-maintenance of Type II diabetes requires an individual to engage in regular physical activity, consume a reasonably healthy diet, make regular visits to doctors or other health care providers, and take medications regularly, as well as consistently checking their blood sugar (ADA 2006; Reichenbach and Maish 2006). Not following these recommendations can result in other health complications in addition to diabetes. As a preliminary investigation into this phenomenon, a focus group was conducted with a local group of Type II diabetics. Through their discussion on issues that facilitate and inhibit their ability to adhere to self-maintenance practices, it has been determined that in spite of some social welfare programs there are structural issues that limit this population in being able to maintain their health with diabetes to the best of their ability.
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