Development of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Risk Factors in Rural Children - Research Paper Example

? The Presence of Family History and the Development of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Risk Factors in Rural Children In accordance to the American Diabetes Association (2001), type 2 diabetes is almost becoming an epidemic among children and adolescents (Adams, 2007). This can go undiagnosed for quite a long time because of the absence of symptoms in its early stages. This calls for prevention of obesity in children and proper treatment of children who suffer from overweight diseases (Ram, 2003). The study by Marshall identifies selected risk factors: that is- obesity, ethnic group, high risk, elevated blood pressure, elevated total cholesterol, increased causal blood glucose and the existence of acanthosis nigricans- that are responsible for the development of type 2 diabetes in rural children. The existence of several risk factors in the samples reporting a positive family history of diabetes Vs those with no history on diabetes was not statistically significant (Richard, 2010). According to the results, other factors apart from family history can also influence the development of this kind of diabetes in rural school going children. Purpose, problem and statement and sampling of the study The study sought to find the effect of the selected risks and how they lead to the development of the type 2 DM in rural children. The problem and purpose of the study clearly states the association between the variables used in the study. The focused population of the study is the children from rural areas and the study clearly indicates that on the problem statement. The objectives of the author were obtainable due to the inclusion of adequate information that will help achieve the purpose and hence will aid the solutions to the problem (Ogundipe, 2005). Hypothesis The study used both the combination of the null and research hypothesis. The prevalence of diabetes is related to genetic factors among the rural children There is a relationship between rural children type diabetes and family history Type 2 diabetes is prevalent among children from rural areas The study does not stop there or rather utilizes, for efficiency, the directional hypothesis. The hypotheses are having a strong base from the purpose of the study and their statements are clear and focused in the study. The hypotheses are appropriately tested using the t-statistics. Variables Independent Variable Type 2 DM Dependent Variable The family history. From the results 13.7 percent of 1255 participants recorded BMI which was greater than 27. And among the 13 percent, 46.5% reported a history of DM on their family. The independent variable is family history while the dependent variable Type 2 DM. these variables are consistent with the hypothesis, purpose and the questions of the study. However, these variables lack adequate conceptual and operational definition. Data collection methods The method of data collection employed was qualitative and qualitative techniques. For instance, open ended questionnaires were used to collect both qualitative and quantitative data. Data collection instruments The study utilizes appropriate data collection methods and instruments by applying the use of the questionnaires to collect data. Data Analysis The samples were subjected to BMI and the results analyzed statistically. These instruments represent the validity of the results hence the general validity of the study. However, I suppose more data collection and instruments such as in self-reports, medical records and observation and also the sample size would have been increased so as to increase the representation of the target of the population. Methodologies The study uses a more advanced correlation research design. The study aims at screening about 4000 rural nursery school kids through 12th grade children from families who has history of DM children from families with no history in DM, and then determines the frequency of preferred risk factors. Screen is a good method for this kind of analysis; however, a better analysis such as Body Mass Index has been used for more efficient and reliable result (Richard, 2010). But the use of Body Mass Index has been criticized not only because of lack of science but also because it has failed to differentiate between fatty and lean mass (Ram, 2003). While the study has merit, the power of the study can still be increased by acquiring a large sample size. The threats posed by internal validity should be addressed and minimized where necessary. Literature review The literature review is in the agreement with the preposition that Type 2 obesity within the rural school children is an ever rising epidemic and is associated with selected risk factors. It also supports the underlying principle that high-risk groups such as the school children might be recognized through the knowledge of contextual and demographic factors (Ram, 2003). Similarly, the literature review of this study provides a basis for expecting that a small rural community experiencing various socioeconomic and population disadvantages will apparent adolescent and childhood obesity and associated family history and health conditions at a size that justifies rural-based preventive measures. The literature review was very detailed; however, there was inadequate in text citation. The reference citations are alright and there was proper use of MLA paper format. Analysis of data and data analysis procedure The statistical analysis engages the descriptive statistics using measures of central tendencies and frequencies in analyzing the demographic data obtained from the parent questionnaires. This data was subjected to SPSS statistical package using inferential and descriptive statistics. The relationship between selected risk factors for Type 2 DM in children from rural without or with family history of DM was examined using the Pearson correlation. These statistical analysis used did not address the issue of biasness in the study. The graphs and tables are used on the table does not give the most clear visual expression that is supposed to witnessed in a high caliber study like this one. The use of the descriptive statistics such frequency, central tenancy was one of the strengths of the study. The Chi Square in the study properly measures the homogeneity, goodness of fit and the test of independence of the study. Findings From the results of this longitudinal study; of the 1255 participants present on the study, the following observations were feasible: 13.7 percent of 1255 participants recorded BMI which was greater than 27. And among the 13 percent, 46.5% reported a history of DM on their family. Eleven children had their cholesterol level surpassing 200 mg/dl and among these eleven children 16.5 percent had a family history of DM. Three children had glucose level that was more than 200 mg/dl and two of them being African America and the remaining one being Caucasian. The average glucose level was found to be around 332 mg/dl. The study though was comprehensive with the results also being adequate; however, the percentage of the sample found to have BMI was not large enough. From this percentage we again retrieve those with family history which again is minimal. Therefore, the findings do not represent the confidence as one could image following the prepositions, literature review, objectives and hypothesis of the study (Richard, 2010). Discussion This research is a very vital one in relation to addressing Type 2 DM in rural areas in the US. It aims at addressing a problem that may turn out to be a big epidemic in the future. Children population accounts for around 21% in the US rural areas (Adams, 2007). Therefore, identification of rural children who are at danger for Type 2 DM is necessary so that proper mechanism and policies can be developed to enhance a healthier lifestyle. Conclusions, recommendations and implications of the study Because there are limited studies similar to this one, more research is required in the future to ascertain some more valid results. The study identifies the relevance of the study to the medicine practice by involving the American Diabetes Association (ADA). The hypothesis of the study was not well elaborated in the study but the results were well interpreted in context of hypothesis, problem and theoretical framework (Ogundipe, 2005). References Adams MH, L. C. (2007). The presence of family history and the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus risk factors in rural children. Alaska: The University of Alabama Capstone College of Nursing. Bagchi, D. (2010). Global Perspectives on Childhood Obesity: Current Status, Consequences and Prevention. London: Academic Press. Ogundipe El-Nadeef Hodgson, H. R. (2005). Lecture Notes on Paper Critique: Research Methodology And Statistic for Critical Paper Reading in Psychiatry. New York: Trafford Publishing. Ram Kumar Menon, M. S. (2003). Pediatric Diabetes. London: Springer. Richard M. Grinnell, J. Y. (2010). Social Work Research and Evaluation: Foundations of Evidence-Based Practice. New York: Oxford University Press. Read More