Eating Habits in Managing Childhood Obesity - Essay Example

? Approach Part-2 of the of the of the Study Timeline As the research is based on analyzing and investigating childhood obesity in the 5th grade of the Long Beach area form ages 10-12 years of age; the research requires a systematic approach in terms of planning steps that will help in achieving the research aim and objectives. The purposed timeline in the form of the excel sheet has been presented as follow: Based on the chart, it is very much evident that the researcher has formed a systematic approach where every step has been divided in terms of the priorities and accordingly the research will be conducted. This also states that the researcher is well aware of his tasks and objectives that will help in accomplishing stated goals and objectives. 2. Measures Used in the Study A. Dependent and independent variables will be used to assess the childhood obesity in the 5th grade of the Long Beach area form ages 10-12 years of age. For this purpose, the researcher has formulated few hypotheses that have been stated as follow. B. Hypotheses are as follow H1: Eating habits affect the childhood obesity H2: Parents and teachers guidance helps in reducing obesity among children aged 101-2 H3: Educational and health programs help in creating awareness on obesity issues H4: Sleeping patterns and physical activities level affect the obesity among children C. Dependent and Independent Variables Based on the above hypotheses, independent variables are eating habits, parents and teachers guidance, educational and health programs, and sleeping patterns and physical activities while the dependent variable is obesity. The relationship between the dependent and independent variables will be measured using regression analysis as it helps in ascertaining the relationship between a dependent variable and independent variables in a logical way. D. Questionnaires Some of the designed questions are as follow: 1. What is the role of eating habits in managing childhood obesity? 2. What is the significance of parents and teachers’ guidance in managing obesity? 3. Do health care and educational programs help in creating awareness on managing childhood obesity? 4. What is the relationship between the sleeping pattern and physical activities in controlling obesity? E. Measuring Variables The variables will again be measured by asking simple questions in the survey. The survey questions are as follow. 1. How many hours you exercise? 2. Do you listen to parents or teachers advice and guidance? 3. What is your every day eating routine? 4. What types of food you like eating and at what time? 5. Do you eat junk food and if yes how many days in a week? Based on these questions, the researcher will be further having an idea and understanding over the behavior and attitude of children that will further help in assessing the childhood obesity in the 5th grade of the Long Beach area form ages 10-12 years of age. 3. Data Management and Missing Values Data will be managed and analysed using SPSS statistical tool and software. This will help in conducting Regression, Anova, and Mean analysis that is required in the research. In terms of missing values, the researcher will use Likert Scales where Neutral will be termed as N/A. The scale will be like; strongly disagree-1, disagree-2, neutral-3, agree-4, and strongly agree-5. This will help in including responses and no responses that is required to conduct the study in a logical and significant manner. At times, respondents do not answer to few questions and thus create issues in terms of adequate responses. In order to eliminate this issue, the researcher has offered value to no responses. 4. Statistical Analysis The researcher will use Regression Analysis, Mean Score, and Z-Score to analyze data and responses. For example; in order to investigate children not working out and eating unhealthy food, Z-Score with a confidence interval of 95% will be used to assess the obesity level. On the other hand, regression analysis will be used to ascertain the relationship between dependent and independent variables. Independent variables are eating habits, parents and teachers guidance, educational and health programs, and sleeping patterns and physical activities while the dependent variable is obesity and the relationship will be either significant or insignificant to be ascertained using the regression analysis. On the other hand, mean will be used to ascertain the average of the identified sample size. Overall, it can be said that the statistical tools to be used are good enough to test the hypotheses along with offering useful and relevant findings. 5. Dissemination of Results A. Information will be shared with parents and students based on personal interaction. At the same time, the school and the university will be offered detailed results in the hard copy form. The researcher will not advertise her work as it is meant for a social cause. B. Information Based on Results If the researcher feels that there is a positive relationship between stated independent variables and dependent variables, she will include school teachers and medical staff in sharing information with students and parents. The significant relationship between the dependent and independent variables along with positive co-relation will determine the sharing of information. C. Presentation of Information The collected information and results will be offered to the school in order to take initiatives in terms of controlling obesity among school children. Reports will also be offered to parents so that they can plan their children’s diet in an effective manner. The researcher will also submit her report in her university and to other important stakeholders like the medical staff, local grocery shops for creating awareness on healthy food and snacks, and local healthcare communities to help children in mitigating obesity through high level of mutual awareness. 6. Potential Limitations and Solutions Potential limitations can be in the form of collecting responses from the participants as students and parents may not contribute much. However, the researcher will try to establish rapport with teachers, parents, and students so that their support and cooperation can be gained in an easy manner. Moreover, the researcher feels inadequate responses from the participants may result in inappropriate findings but for this purpose, the researcher will try to collect as much responses as she can by requesting the participants to answer each and every question in order to make the study useful and relevant. 7. Preliminary Studies As an undergraduate student; the researcher has written good numbers of research papers as a part of her course requirements. The researcher has written wide arrays of papers on different health topics and possess good amount of knowledge that will come handy in conducting the present research. 8. Progress Report The progress report includes additional review criteria, protection for human subjects, inclusion of women and children, inclusion of animals, and biohazards. A. Protection for Human Subjects- the researcher will safeguard the interest of human subjects by protecting their privacy and confidentiality by not revealing their personal information. At the same time, their consent will be taken before including them in the research by offering them the consent form. B. Inclusion of Women, Children, or Animals- the research will include women and children. However, they will be treated with utmost respect like any other participants. Their personal information will not be shared with anyone and their consent will be taken before seeking their views and opinions. The research does not include any animal or any study on animals. C. Biohazards- the research does not offer any biohazards as the research will be conducted in a safe environment in an environmental protected manner. The researcher does not favour waste in any form and will make sure that potential possibilities of biohazards (if any) are avoided. Read More