Critique of an Article Altered Glucose Metabolism - Assignment Example

Nutrition and dietetics Critique of an article Introduction Bellan, et al. ed the article, ‘Altered glucose metabolism rather than naïve type 2diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is related to vitamin D status in severe obesity’ that Cardiovascular Diabetology published in the year 2014. The authors commence their study because of the trend of literature that existed on the relationship between vitamin D and glucose homeostasis. Even though many researchers had shifted focus to th relationship, uncertainties still existed in the effects of vitsmin D and glucose management among obese patients. The uncertainty stimulated the researchers’ interest and justifies the need into the study for knowledge development and for clinical practices. The research is therefore important to other researchers who may be interested in any of the study’s variables, care personnel, and patients with obesity. Researchers can use the study’s findings and conclusions to frame and advance more focused studies while care personnel may apply the developed knowledge to improve efficiency of their services to patients with insulin related complications. Introduction into the study also identifies review of literatures that the authors suppazised and applied in justification of the study and in formulation of the study’s objective. The researchers aimed to investigate the relationship between “vitamin D and glucose abnormalities in severely obese individuals,” who had not reported irregular glucose metabolism, an objective that is clear and precise. The objective could further infer the following research question and hypothesis, though the researchers did not state any (Bellan, et al., 2014, p. 1). Research question: Is there a relationship between vitamin D levels and glucose abnormalities in severely obese individuals? Research hypothesis: No significant relationship exist between vitamin D levels and glucose abnormalities in severely obese individuals Jargon use is limited to proper nouns and even though the authors offered no explanations, the terminologies’ meanings can be derived from general knowledge or from the scope of the paper. Methods Sufficient details exist on the research procedure to allow for replication as the authors describe applied steps into data collection as well as measured variables and applied tools in data collection. A quasi experimental design was implemented on a single center study in which laboratory procedures were used to collect data. there was however no control group. Description of data collection procedure and instruments is not specific as it does not specify the types of tests that were conducted and the specific instruments that were used in the tests. There is also no explicit discussion of the dependent and independent variables in the study but inference from the study’s objectives identifies vitamin D status as the independent variable and glucose homeostasis as the dependent variable. adults with grade II or grade II obesity formed the study’s population and this limits generalizability to patients with the two levels of obesity. Sampling strategy is not defined but convenience sampling is evident from the arbitrary selection of a facility for the study (). No justification of sampling procedure, subject selection, or sample size is offered. Quantitative data analysis using SPSS software was used in accessing the data normality was used to validate data. Results The results section describes demographic features of the research participants through gender and age. Other descriptive characteristics used in identifying participants are BMI and fat mass among others. The number of subject in each group was further used in data analysis’ descriptive statistics. The results were specific to the study’s objective of determining possible relationship between vitamin D levels and glucose homeostasis and the time frame, though not longitudinal, was sufficient for the type of data collection used. The researchers also used tables and graphs for presenting their results. Each of the visuals has precise titles and their contents are precise and clear that the audience can understand them with ease. They can be inteprated independently (Bellan, et al., 2014). Discussion Discussion section identifies with the study’s objective but does not identify secondary findings to the objectives. The discussion further related results to findings in previous studies but did not identify the results with a theoretical framework. The study’s approach, being quantitative, and its associated validity that it derives from test measures justifies the authors’ positions in their statements of discussion. Alternative explanations such as extensive effects of obesity were also offered to the observed results in the study. The results develops confidence in the existing literature on the relationship between vitamin D levels and insulin related complications and therefore informs future research and empower care givers through contributions that can be used in evidence-based practice in the care for diabetic patients (Bellan, et al., 2014). References Extensive references were used in the study and even though most of them were current, some were not. Such an integration however ensures a historical perspective of literature review and therefore facilitate reliability towards informed research objectives and hypotheses. Design of a research project Introduction Obesity is a chronic condition and its incidence and effects identifies its significance in the society. Apovian (2010) explains that prevalence of obesity has been increasing in the United States and globally, and this calls for measures for preventing it. In addition, obesity has been associated with risk of other chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, a factor that means that prevention of obesity and managing its significance in a person that has it are significant approaches to ensuring quality of life. The author further report several proposals for achieving this need and identifies measures such as awareness campaigns, implementation of health programs, changes in the food supplies industry, eating habits and lifestyles, and community based and workplace based physical activity programs. It is therefore necessary to investigate and determine effectiveness of these proposals towards a suitable approach that can resolve the obesity problem in the society and improve public health. This discussion offers proposal for a study on significance of community structured programs for exercise and work related physical activities as strategies for prevention and management of obesity. Objective of the study Availability of many options for managing the obesity problem and scarcity of resources means need for efficient and effective strategies. this study, as an element of a series of studies, seeks to establish significance of community structured programs for exercise and work related physical activities in prevention of obesity and management of symptoms and effects of obesity among patients. The study will therefore investigate the following research hypothesis. Community structured programs for exercise and work related physical activities do not have significant positive effects in prevention and management of obesity Design Experimental design’s randomized controlled trials will be used to inform the study. This is a quantitative approach in which research participants are randomized into experimental and control groups, treatment offered to the treatment group and observations made for analysis. Methodological issues Data to be collected Types of statistical analyses Read More