Food Allergies and Intolerances - Research Paper Example

FOOD ALLERGIES AND INTOLERANCES RESEARCH PAPER FOOD ALLERGIES AND INTOLERANCES RESEARCH PAPER RESEARCH QUESTION What are the common factors causing Food allergies, Intolerances and Eating Disorders Amongst University Students Is it food borne infections Is it disturbance in the metabolic process due to intake of junk food INTRODUCTION Research studies have indicated a recent increase in illness due to eating among university students. This evident from the published resources and the number of absentees to the classes and examinations due to enteric disorders. Human digestive system is a sensitive system, which breaks down often due to various factors. The chief among them is infection due to bacterial, viral or parasitic protozoan pathogens. Another important factor is the intake of junk food items, which is prevalent among students. This research project aims to identify the common factors causing eating disorders amongst University students .The study involves graduate and under-graduate in various universities by Random Sampling and strives to Correlate the results with the causes from the data obtained. This study will help identify variables that cause the disorders and analysis of these factors will help rectify and solve the research problem to a great extent, which in turn shall reflect on the intellectual productivity of the student community. VARIABLES Variable is any event, behavior or situation that has at least two values. There are three types of variables namely dependent, independent and moderating variable. Dependent variable changes or varies on account of changes in other variables and is usually the main problem of research. Independent variables influence the dependent variable. This is often called the intervention or treatment. Moderating variable has an effect on the relationship between dependent and independent variables. Seven variables have been identified in the problem namely The Eating disorder Pathogenic Infections Metabolic disturbance Junk food Unhygienic food preparation Physical exercise and Awareness. Among the seven variables The eating disorder is the dependent variable. Pathogenic infection, metabolic disturbance, unhygienic food preparation, junk foods are independent variables that influence the dependent variable. Physical exercise and awareness are moderating variables. As discussed an independent variable influence the dependent variable. An analysis of the influence of the independent variables on the dependent variable gives a great insight on the problem. Any pathogenic infection by oral portal of entry causes enteric disorders .For example, typhoid, cholera, amoebic dysentery and viral hepatitis are food and waterborne infections that cause enteric disorder. Any infection in turn causes a metabolic disturbance of some order. Unhygienic food preparation always leads to food borne infections and Junk food causes both infection and metabolic disturbance. Physical exercise and awareness are moderating variables whose presence or absence will determine to a great extent the relationship between the dependent and independent variables. For example lack of awareness always leads to indiscriminate eating habits and thus disorders. Regular physical exercise gives a good immune system, which gives protection against the disorders. The relationship that exists between these variables can be diagrammatically represented as follows; Infections, Metabolic disturbance, Unhygienic - Leads Eating Disorders Food preparation, Junk food Dependent variable Independent variables Yes Physical exercise no Read More