Adolescent Obesity - Research Proposal Example

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