StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Adolescent Obesity - Research Proposal Example

Summary
The paper "Adolescent Obesity" tells us about examination of recent systematic reviews and clinical guidelines regarding childhood and adolescent obesity. This study revealed a number of notable findings…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER93.6% of users find it useful
Adolescent Obesity
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Adolescent Obesity"

Adolescent Obesity Literature Examination Adolescent obesity is a growing concern in the modern world. With the increasing concerns regarding obesity, there is correspondingly growing concern about ways to establish preventative measures. Reilly (2010, p. 205) conducted a comprehensive examination of recent systematic reviews and clinical guidelines regarding childhood and adolescent obesity. This study revealed a number of notable findings. One of the predominant findings in this study was the recognition that many parents failed to recognize obesity in their child or adolescent. Additionally, the study recognized that many medical professionals under-diagnosed obesity in children and adolescents. Finally, the study demonstrated that the Body Mass Index (BMI) approach to diagnosing obesity was more effective than the Cole–International Obesity Task Force international approach to diagnosing obesity. Ultimately, this study is highly significant in that it provides a broad overview of obesity concerns within current research. A number of critical approaches have examined the potential causes of adolescent obesity. As one would expect the expansive nature of adolescent obesity correspondingly has an expansive amount of causes. Still, some of the most prominent causes have been established in the recent literature examining the subject. Liou, Liou, & Chang (2010, p. 1246) examined the causes of adolescent obesity between 2007 and 2008 among 40 middle high schools with 384 classes. A three-stage systematic sampling design was implemented in the analytic process. The study revealed a number of thematic tendencies that are directly linked to adolescent obesity. Among the participants 7.2% were identified as obese and 16.1% overweight. These results were correlated with findings that demonstrated individuals with obese parents were at a high risk of obesity. Additionally, the study determined that individuals who watched television more than 2 hours a day on weekends or slept for less than eight hours a day were also at a high risk for obesity. These findings are highly significant for the contributions they make to Walker et. al (2007, pg. 320) considered the way that primary care nurses and doctors perceived their role in aiding patients with childhood obesity. This study was motivated out of the recognition that obesity rates among children within the United Kingdom were rising at alarming rates. While childhood obesity was a recognized problem in the United Kingdom there were significant challenges in determining how to best treat this issue. The study then constituted an effort at determining an effective approach among medical professionals. Specifically, eighteen medical professionals were interviewed – twelve general practitioners and six nurses – regarding their perspective on their roles in treating childhood obesity. Additionally, the interview participants were asked about potential contributions they could make in future contexts. The study revealed a number of notable findings. Many interview respondents indicated that they believed their responsibility was to raise the subject, but that ultimately it was the parents’ responsibility to deal with the problem. Other respondents indicated that they believed there was a lack of training in place that would help them aid children with obesity problems. Additionally, many respondents indicated that they believed simply providing exercise or nutrition advice would not go far enough or be ineffective in treating the problem. Ultimately, there is the recognition that this study provides strong insight into the perspective of medical professionals in the United Kingdom. Research Question The recognition that adolescent obesity is a major problem in contemporary society necessitates the development of preventative methods. While a significant amount of research has been established that identifies the causes of obesity, there remains a gap in prevention strategies. To a large extent this research considers that medical professionals must increasingly adopt a greater role in diagnosing and treating adolescent obesity. Following this recognition the research implements a mixed method approach to establishing shortcomings and potential areas of improvement in treating obesity among medical professionals in the United States. The quantitative portion of the research will be collated from structured survey questions with doctors and nurses working within a cross section of the state’s medical institutions. The qualitative portion of the research involves semi-structured interviews with twelve nurses and twelve primary care physicians. The survey and semi-structured interviews specifically target the medical professional’s perspective on their role in treating obesity, how they treat obesity, and potential avenues for structural change in treating obesity. Theoretical Models and Rationale The specific literature examination revealed a number of points. Reilly (2010) is recognized as establishing a broad ranging examination of adolescent obesity. This qualitative study demonstrated that both parents and medical professionals have not gone far enough in establishing treatment methods. Liou, Liou, & Chang (2010) quantitatively examined prominent causes of obesity among a cross section of middle high students. This study placed high emphasis on parental influence and leisure time as contributing elements. Finally, Walker et al (2007) qualitatively interviewed United Kingdom medical professionals regarding their role in treating childhood obesity. This study specifically demonstrated that many medical professionals in the United Kingdom didn’t believe it was their responsibility to treat childhood obesity. A significant amount of other professionals did not feel they had the training to deal with the issue. There are three main research methods. Qualitative research methods are recognized as implementing a variety of investigative criteria in establishing particular conclusions or assertions about the subject or group under analysis (Creswell 2003, p. 17). This study method is contrasted with quantitative research with implements statistical or scientific processes in empirically establishing subject findings (Creswell 2003, p. 17). Finally, mixed methods research implements both qualitative and quantitative investigation and analytical methods (Creswell 2003, p. 17). The specific choice of study criteria is based on the research question and access to research material. This specific implements the mixed methods approach. The rationale for the implementation of the mixed methods approach is that both an expansive survey of medical perspectives on base-line issues is necessary; for instance, means of diagnosing obesity. This is best accomplished with quantitative methods. Additionally, however, it is necessary to establish more probing insights into the approach medical professionals take to obesity through the semi-structured interviews. The analysis of these interviews then is accomplished through qualitative methods. These research models will implement cultural sensitivity through administering survey and interviews to a diverse population base. References Creswell, J. W. (2003). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method approaches. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. Liou, Y., Liou, T., & Chang, L. (2010). Obesity among adolescents: sedentary leisure time and sleeping as determinants. Journal Of Advanced Nursing, 66(6) Reilly, J. J. (2010). Assessment of obesity in children and adolescents: synthesis of recent systematic reviews and clinical guidelines. Journal Of Human Nutrition & Dietetics, 23(3), 205-211. Walker et.al (2007) ‘A qualitative study of primary care clinicians views of treating childhood obesity’ BioMed Central, 8(50). 320. Read More

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Adolescent Obesity

Literature review

Literature Review There are a number of overarching considerations regarding Adolescent Obesity.... These considerations establish the direction of later research proposal as they establish the defining parameters of investigating Adolescent Obesity.... ?? In recent years, Adolescent Obesity has been recognized as a growing concern in the Western world (Alsaif 2011, p.... 205) conducted a comprehensive examination of recent systematic reviews and clinical guidelines regarding childhood and Adolescent Obesity....
3 Pages (750 words) Research Proposal

Empowerment in Adolescent Obesity

This research paper "Empowerment in Adolescent Obesity" discusses obesity as a health and societal problem that can only be eradicated if society supports the victims.... Furthermore, there is culture as a significant factor among impoverished obese adolescents, which hinders them from overcoming their obesity (Cochrane 68).... Therefore, this document analyzes obesity in adolescents and mitigation measures in controlling it.... The provided article critically analyzes measures, which nurses may use, in a bid to control obesity in adolescents through empowerment, and thus improve their health and their self-esteem (Cochran 63)....
5 Pages (1250 words) Research Paper

Sleep Deprivation the effects it has on adolescent obesity

The author focuses on the problem of the Adolescent Obesity, and how the lack of adequate sleep brings about the condition.... This essay "Sleep Deprivation the effects it has on Adolescent Obesity" outlines the factors that leads to obesity and the role of sleep in it.... This essay describes the impact of the lack of sleep on the weight and obesity.... obesity is a condition that is sometimes mistaken as a disease.... obesity is a medical condition that may be caused by several factors: the amount of energy foods that one takes, a lack of exercise and genetics....
6 Pages (1500 words) Research Paper

Obesity in Miami-Dade

This creates a systemic issue not only due to the fact that it is a precipitously higher level of obesity than the national average but due to the fact that such a high rate of childhood/Adolescent Obesity impacts negatively on the current and future health that these individuals can necessarily expect.... This essay describes the problem of obesity in Miami-Dade County and its consequences for health.... Currently, within the United States nearly 32% of all children are categorized as obese in Miami-Dade county, the actual rate and incident of obesity is higher than it is in the national average....
5 Pages (1250 words) Research Paper

Analysis of Articles about Child and Adolescent Obesity

"Analysis of Articles about Child and Adolescent Obesity" paper contains a bibliography of such articles as "Child and Adolescent Obesity: Causes and Consequences, Prevention and Management" by Burniat and "Fed Up!... Winning the War Against Childhood obesity" by Susan Okie.... Research indicates that a decrease in energy expenditure without a concomitant decrease in total energy consumption may be the underlying factor for the increase in childhood obesity....
9 Pages (2250 words) Essay

Adolescent Obesity and Medias Impact

As the paper "Adolescent Obesity and Media's Impact" tells, obesity is an epidemic sweeping around the world.... Adolescent Obesity can be examined from many angles.... These have shed light on the causes and solutions of Adolescent Obesity.... Experts theorize that individual factors influence the existence of Adolescent Obesity.... The authors of this study found that community poverty, single parenthood, and being African American, Hispanic American, or Native American are significantly positively correlated with Adolescent Obesity....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

Critique of the Validity of the Study

Authors state that the question they analyze in the study is 'at least' one of the two factors that are barriers to implementing the current recommendations for reducing Adolescent Obesity, but nevertheless we don't have information's about the importance of this question based on previous research.... Nevertheless, the literature listed as a reference to the text is relevant and we have access to previous research and studies that were done on the subject of Adolescent Obesity specifically in Switzerland (Zimmermann et al....
5 Pages (1250 words) Research Proposal

Childhood Obesity in the UK

The following discussion, Childhood obesity in the UK will be concentric upon discussing childhood obesity within the United Kingdom.... Culture and a litany of other factors impact upon the rates of obesity as they ultimately vary throughout the nation and the world.... However, one of the realities that is been noted within the current time with regards to the health and longevity of the population is with respect to the detrimental effect that obesity has upon the health of those affected by it....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us