Sustainability for High School StudentsWindward’s summer program receives an $85,000 grant. Read more
British Royal Society FellowManoa’s Nicholas Kaiser elected for research in large scale structure and cosmology. Read more
Obesity and Unintended PregnancyManoa’s Bliss Kaneshiro wins first prize for research on Body Mass Index and sexual behavior. Read moreScientist of the YearThe Achievement Rewards for College Scientists honors Adelheid Kuehnle. Read moreOutstanding Faculty and StaffHilo recognizes Lorna Arita-Tsutsumi, Lynette Egusa, Neal Nagao and Cheryl Ramos. Read more
Sea Grant Books HonoredKa Palapala Po'okela honors Reef and Shore Fishes of the Hawaiian Islands and Hawaiian Reef Plants. Read moreProject LearningManoa’s Violet Harada and alumni Carolyn Kirio and Sandra Yamamoto publish Collaboration for Project-Based Learning in Grades 9–12. Read more
Obesity and Unintended Pregnancy
Manoa Assistant Professor Bliss Kaneshiro was awarded first prize for her paper “Relationship Between Body Mass Index and Sexual Behavior” by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Kaneshiro's objective was to study the impact of body mass index on sexual behavior. It is important to understand this relationship because preexisting physician biases can affect how heavy women are counseled about pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease prevention. Kaneshiro studied the relationship between BMI and sexual behavior, including sexual orientation, age at first intercourse, number of partners and frequency of intercourse.
Some studies have suggested that obese and overweight women have a higher risk of unintended pregnancy than do normal weight women, according to Kaneshiro. Although multiple factors, including contraceptive use and its efficacy, may increase the risk of unintended pregnancy among these women, sexual behavior and the frequency of intercourse could also be a factor.
"The obesity epidemic in the US has resulted in serious health consequences for many individuals and for the health care system as a whole," says Kaneshiro. "Physicians of all specialties must factor body weight into their clinical decision-making process on a daily basis."