Evaluating and Critically Appraising the Health Fair - Research Paper Example

EVALUATING AND CRITICALLY APPRAISING THE HEALTH FAIR Summary The paper discusses on the health fair that was done by a group of eight students on 9th Dec 2014 at Hendon campus’s entrance from ten Am to Five Pm. The event was efficient and effective although it had minor issues that were later discussed, and solutions given to them for a better health fair next time. The discussions, teachings and demonstrations were done effectively with the use of oral communication, audio-visual communication and one on one communication for confidential discussions from the audience (Ogden, 2012). The attendees were students, staff, and the public. People expected to attend the meeting were hundred people, but one hundred and fifty people attended the health fair. Due to the use of social media (Whatsapp), fifty extra people attended the health fair. Based on the comments by colleague students who were not among the group members, it is clear that the objective of the health fair for healthy eating was fully achieved. The paper begins with an introduction that tells about what health fair is. The body then discusses on promoting healthy eating. The article then ends by giving a conclusion that entails changes that need to be in the next welfare (Chris, Iain, and Eilidh, 2010). Introduction Health fair refers to the intervention of public health. It is an interactive and educative event designed to provide education concerning healthy eating. Health fairs are offered in schools, community, churches, and work sites or on site corporations. Health fair comprises all aspects of fitness, wellness, lifestyle improvements and health. Topics in health fair include among others hospitals, fitness clubs, acupuncture, and chiropractic. Health fairs are mostly a day’s event. The health fair of eight students was advertised to audiences through posts, cards, and social media via WhatsApp. The group used to meet twice every Tuesday; after lectures and in lectures. During the meetings attended for four days, they dedicated work to each group member, plan on welfare, mentioned and looked for sources and resources needed. They then identify the problem in the society and discuss on what to do next (Who, and Consultation, 2003).The problem in the society which is in poor eating habits is pointed out then it is solved by the group of eight students via health fair. To educate the people, both top- bottom approach and bottom-up approach are used. However, the approach of bottom-up theory is used most; valid as it deals with what people are looking for its answers (Who, and Consultation, 2003).Through bottom-up communication approach, the audience is allowed to ask questions from the group for more understanding. Also, students chose to deal with health eating as it is an interesting topic due to its importance of living healthily. The topic on health fair was chosen by the group of eight students since healthy eating is easy, but people do not know how to eat healthily. Market studies indicate that most people spend about ten percent of their two fourth night salary to work on health but still in vain. Anyone can live a healthy life without diseases only through health eating habits. The sick can improve their status irrespective of the type of disease or condition only through improved diet as seen in this paper (Yu, Cleveland, Nierman, and Bennett, 2005). The group of eight students did the analyzed on health fair at the premises of Middlesex University on 9th Dec 2014 with one hundred and fifty audiences despite the fact that they expected a hundred people. The sources used to collect data were primary sources and secondary sources. Primary sources used included demonstration, questionnaires and one to one communication hence the validity of the content. Secondary sources like books, leaflets, cards, posts and WhatsApp were also utilized for effective and efficient teachings on healthy eating. The most of the resources used were obtained from cooperative team members via contribution. Their sources bought included printed t-shirts and oils like peanut oil, sesame oil, sunflower oil, olive oil and red oil. Various types of sugar like brown sugar, honey sugar, sweetener sugar and white sugar were also bought. Extension lead, blender, knife, pens, leaflets, cards, and cups were also to be bought, but a knife was forgotten. However, some resources were donated; university catering manager provided fruits, and college canteen also provided a box of fruits (Mays, Allen, and Young 2009). The objectives of health fair, as discussed in the paper, include among others: i). To improve awareness of healthy eating ii). To develop individual assessment of learning experiences on healthy eating iii). To encourage people to take responsibility for wellness of their bodies through diet iv). To encourage individuals to participate in health behaviors at all times vi). To promote the resources of community to be used for health economic and social development via healthy eating Beginning of welfare with discussions on healthy eating with the social, economic development, and malnutrition diseases. The health fair began thirty minutes late at ten AM with a prayer from one of the group members. The audience and group members sat together to facilitate interaction; audiences and group members were chatting prior to the discussion. However, group members could be easily identified due to the similar cute t-shirts they wore. They were evenly distributed in the health fair. The method of communication used was oral communication. Question-answer approach was used effectively during the discussion. However, one on one counseling was later adopted to make the audience give sensitive issues in their eating habits that they could not say in public. The method was effective in guiding individuals on how they need to eat healthily at an individual (level Irwin, Smith, McTiernan, and Bernstein, 2008). Health eating and social, economic development The research indicates that healthy eating lead to improvement in social, economic development. Those using healthy cooked food have good health. It is advisable that people use a lot of fruits, vegetables, and drinks a lot of water for social, economic development to be. However, the majority of the people eating healthy were above fifty years. Contrary, some of the students affected severely by use of junk food were not willing to quit junk food but use it in small amounts as seen in the questionnaires. Nevertheless, the majority of the students ticked, “YES” on the questionnaires when they were asked whether they were ready to stop the use of sugary food and junk food. A student who had introduced herself to being a vegetarian two years ago had seen tremendous changes in his looks and body growth. He promised not to leave vegetables and fruits having realized the importance of eating healthy for a healthy lifestyle. Medicine is expensive hence avoiding them will empower people both economically and socially. The money that could be used for medications due to bad eating habits will be for constructive purposes. In addition, the governments will use less money on medication and use more money to other social and economic development if people eat healthily (Irwin, et.al 2011). Healthy eating and malnutrition diseases Recent research shows that malnutrition disease will make individuals have no happiness and ill health. The conditions include among others, cancer, heart complications, diabetes, hypertension, high blood pressure, constipation, and stroke. When people are suffering from malnutrition diseases, their growth becomes retarded as seen in two women suffering from diabetes during the health fair. It is advisable that people quit use of drugs. However, the majority of the people leaving drugs are above fifty years. Contrary, the students affected severely by use of drugs were not willing to quit smoking as seen in the questionnaires. The eight students ticked, “NO” on the questionnaires when they were asked whether they were ready to stop drug abuse. A student who had been using heroin quit use of drugs two years ago and had seen tremendous changes in his looks and body growth. He promised not to go back to drugs having realized the importance of avoiding drugs and eating healthy for a healthy lifestyle. Drugs are expensive hence avoiding them will empower drug abusers both economically and socially. It is advisable that people eat well to avoid suffering from malnutrition sickness that come as a result of poor health eating habits. Health issues are random in United Kingdom leading to high death rates due to cancer, diabetes and obesity (HSCIC, 2014). A growth of eight percent on health disorder occurred between 2012 and 2013 at United Kingdom. With good health eating habits, most malnutrition health diseases will be gone. However, for patients with nutritional disorders like bulimia, and binge eating disorder, it is recommended that they eat healthily and take medication (Porterfield et al., 2004). About twenty-four million people die from malnutrition diseases due to the failure of body organs hence the need to eat healthily. With medication and health eating habits, their level of immunity will be boosted thus healthy happy lives (Ebdon, 2001). Importance of healthy eating and drinking and demonstrations First, healthy eating and drinking makes one look beautiful or handsome. When one eats less starch, eats a lot of fruits and vegetables and drinks a lot of juice and water, it results in healthy skin nourishment. Further research clearly shows that real consumption of minerals and proteins is also good for health. Reducing animal fat and using oil for cooking and eating organic eggs, lean meat and creates healthy living .The time has come when people replace the eating of processed foods full of cholesterol with eating fresh vegetables and fruits. Staying away from processed junk foods is one of the ways of getting healthy. Second, people who eat healthily will have good health looking hair and healthy weight. People think eating healthily focuses on weight loss; it focuses on general health including hair growth and development. Third, bodies are free of toxins through healthy functioning of body organs. People need to avoid meat that comes from big factory farms (Heaton, 2001). One should avoid consuming pesticide residue and consume organic produce. It is also advisable that people cook food from scratch rather than buying packaged food. People eat fresh foods that are not overcooked for a healthy living (Mitchell, 2009). A student asked a question about the reason as to why many girls and women have the best hair as compared to men. She was answered, “women do not like buying food; they cook.” The question led to demonstrations. Demonstration of preparation of five-day-fresh Smoothie Juice Vegetables and fruits were to be prepared (Ewles and Simnett 2010). However, due to lack of a microwave, only the five-day-fresh smoothie juice was made. The knife was missing, but the organized group of eight produced a knife in less than ten minutes; a member ran to buy it from a neighboring shop using his pocket money. The questionnaires were distributed as the crowd was waiting for the knife. The juice was then prepared right in front of the audience. The university catering manager took a great role in providing some fruits for making the juice. The time was two Pm, but people participated fully due to the use of audio-visual means of communication. The audience also participated in the demonstration. Juice was prepared and tested, and people were happy and willing to go make it at their homes due to its sweetness (Erik, Wallace, John, and Steven2012). Other demonstrations First, various types of oil that was supposed to be in cooking vegetables were shown to the audience. They included sunflower oil, sesame oil, olives oil, red oil and peanut oil. It is advisable that people cook using such oils to avoid the high level of cholesterol. Second, brown sugar, sweetener sugar, honey sugar and white sugar were shown to make the audiences identify them in the shops. It was recommended that people use brown sugar and honey sugar as compared to white sugar to be healthy (Tannahill, 2009). Third, extension lead and blender were shown to the public and demonstrations on how to use them given for them to go and practice what they have learned. Other resources used were the knife, pen and cups, but people knew how to use them. The healthy fair group members attended a meeting to look at success and failures of the day for a better health fair in the future. The tips on healthy eating were read by the coordinator who also prayed at the end of welfare at exactly five as leaflets on how to eat a balanced diet daily were also distributed. The objective of making people eat healthily was achieved. It is expected that people contemplate on health eating, eat healthily and pre-contemplate again. The model on how to change way of eating was also shown as seen below (Chris, Iain and Eilidh2010): Model on health eating Conclusion The mission of health fair at Middlesex University by a group of eight members was achieved. It was on the participation and attendance of public members, university staff, and students. First, the audience was interested in the preparation of five-day fresh smoothie fruit juice (Boddingtons, and Raisanen, 2009). The audience participated fully by answering questions asked. Based on the active participation of clients, the group members decided that during the next health fair, both vegetables and fruits will be used for demonstration for better understanding on the health fair. More time for audio-visual communication that arouses people’s interest was enhanced hence understanding of health fair. Diverse background in health will be facilitated by adding vegetables to an experiment. Group members will also have an added task of doing further research on vegetables for the betterment of health eating. Cooking food will not be added to the little time for better understanding of healthy eating. Second, the evaluations and appraisals on health fair were done well by eight students. The venue of health fair at Hendon campus’s entrance was convenient and comfortable as it was placed in a strategic position for passersby to attend. However, the group decided after the fair that next time they will require a bigger venue. This will allow audience’s effective participation and to accommodate more audience (Cohen, Davis, Lee, and Valdovinos, 2010). Third, the group used the best methods in data collection. They used primary methods for the demonstration, one to one communication and questionnaires to achieve the desired results. Nevertheless, the group noted that next time they will need more sources to improve learning and create more understanding on practices as seen in juice preparation. Fourth, the group enjoyed teamwork as they offered their services to the public on health fair as all members participated. However, coordination among the group members was a problem. The leadership of the team needs to be structured for proper coordination in the next health fair despite the fact that all members participated. The last day rush in buying resources like fruits and knife is not good though team-work saved the situation. The next health fair will be the best. The recommendations above will be strict. The group will be well coordinated, the venue will be bigger, and more time will be for audiovisual communication, and group members will utilize more sources (McClatchey, 2002). References List Boddingtons, P. and Raisanen, U. 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