The Obesity Problem in Children - Essay Example

ANALYZE AND APPRAISE EACH OF THE 15 ARTICLES Literature Analysis and Appraisal Year of Publication Research Design Data Collection Methods Sample Characteristics Key Findings Cappuccio et al. (2008) Document analysis Qualitative research using secondary data collection 634,511 participants made up of children and adults with no limitation on the population. The research concluded that for short adult and children sleepers, there is consistent increase in risk of obesity. Interestingly, the results were consistent in different settings, meaning that the findings are empirical. In terms of age also, the results showed that the problem of high risk obesity being associated with short sleepers was constant regardless of the age group being dealt with. This really is a confirmation to the multidimensional theory adapted, which shows that the causes to obesity are always varying and not just dependent on dietary issues. Summerbell et al. (2009) Survey Primary and secondary data were gathered from “studies of interventions that involved diet and nutrition, exercise and physical activity, lifestyle and social support” Children below the age of 18 who were receiving independent intervention or interventions as part of a family intervention The research found that most interventions that meet the immediate needs of children are either pre-school or school based interventions. Though community based interventions may work they are not as effective for children as school based interventions. Anna M. G. C. and Caprio S. (2008) Case study Quantitative research Sample was made up students from a basic school Children with obesity often exhibit metabolic complications and these complications are a major cause of early morbidity for such obese children. An effective intervention would thus be one that makes use of a critical understanding of the key pathogenesis of the phenotype of this group of children. Eve V. C. and Kristen L. K. (2008) Ethnography Qualitative research Children and adults from 2 years to 90 years. Curtailment of sleep was found to be a major cause of obesity in both children and adults. The same risk factor is also valid for people of different setting from different parts of the world. The reason why curtailment of sleep would increase risk in obesity is that it leads to “constellation of metabolic and endocrine alterations, including decreased glucose tolerance, decreased insulin sensitivity, and increased hunger and appetite.” French S. A, Story M and Perry C. L. (2012) Document analysis Mixed method of qualitative and quantitative research Children below the age of 15 sampled from different schools Low self esteem was recorded in children with obesity. In light of this, “weight loss treatment programs appear to improve self-esteem.” However, the research could not clarify if low self esteem is a risk factor associated with the cause of obesity. This is another confirmation on the usefulness of the multidimensional theory in tackling the problem of obesity from as many angels as possible. Ogden et al. 2012 Survey Quantitative research 4111 children from the United States whose age ranged from 0 to 19. There was higher prevelance of obesity among children and adolescents from age 2 to 19 (16.9%) than there was in infant and toddlers (birth to 2 years). In terms of sex however, there was no differences in the prevalence rate. This study is therefore essential in providing researchers with the demographic areas where they need to pay particular attention to when dealing with obesity. Zimmerman F. J. and Bell J. F. (2009) Survey Quantitative primary data collection Sample was made up of children below the age of 7 as these are “less able to understand the persuasive intent of advertising.” The results showed that the viewing of television as a sedentary activity did not in its self act as a risk factor in beginning obese. The risk however was associated with the advertisements that were put up in the cause of viewing television as they were persuasive in getting viewers purchase unwholesome food. Onis de M, Blössner M, and Borghi E. (2010) cross-sectional surveys Mixed research method 450 respondents from as many as 144 countries who were children of less than 19 years were included. The prevalence rate of obesity among children continues to increase and the rate of increase has worsened since 1990 from 4.2% to 7.4% in 2010. On a continental basis, Asia has the lowest rate with 4.9% but the quantum of affected people, which is 18 million is still a cause for worry. Gabbert et al. (2010) Cross-sectional survey Quantitative research method Children nagged 8 to 18 years who were classified according to their BMI percentile The results showed that of the children who were found to be obese, AD36 positivity was significantly (P < .05) present in their system. This means that there is “an association of obesity and higher body weight with the presence of neutralizing antibodies to AD36 in children.” Deckelbaum R. J. and Williams C. L. (2012) Document Analysis Qualitative research using secondary data collection Children 4 to 5 years of age in the United States comprising both males and females were used. The prevalence rate in obesity has been found to increase from initial percentages. Currently, the percentage stands at 8% for children 4 to 5 years of age in the United States. Among the two sexes however, it was found that girls were at higher risk than boys Daniels S. R. (2009) Ethnography Qualitative study Children and adolescents of age 2 to 18 years. The results refuted an old perception that complications associated with obesity only revealed themselves in adulthood. This is because a number of children and adolescents who were part of the research were identified to have started displaying and showing signs of complications associated with their state of obesity. Philip T. J, Eleni R. L and Shayeghi K M. (2012) Document Analysis Qualitative secondary research Respondents were selected from all continents of the world Results showed that no account can be given for a static global revelence rate as the rates of obesity varied from continent with continent with the Middle East, Central and Eastern Europe, and North America having higher prevalence rates. Females were also generally of higher risk than men. Curtin et al (2010) Cross-sectional survey cross-sectional nationally representative data collected by telephone interview of parents Parents and guardians of children from 2 years to 18 years Results from the study was another major indication of the multidimensional theory as the prevalence of obesity in children were found to be varied for children with autism who recorded 30.4% as compared to 23.6% of children without autism (p = .075). Latner J. D and Stunkard A. J (2012) Case study Mixed research approach 458 5th- and 6th-grade children from various upper-middle and lower-middle income U.S. public schools were selected Stigma was higher for children with obesity. Among the culprits of stigmatization, girls were found to be the worst offenders. At the same time, more obsess girls were stigmatized against as compared to males. Benson L, Baer H. J. and Kaelber D. C. (2009) Document analysis Quantitative secondary data collection Children belonging to Black, Hispanic and White families The results showed a trend whereby “BMI, age, and number of overweight visits were positively associated with diagnosis.” In terms of sex, females were found to be more likely to have obsessed conditions as compared to males. “Black and Hispanic patients were more likely to have been diagnosed than white patients.” Main components of theory The multidimensional theory to obesity in children is the major theory that is guiding the present study. The main components of the theory touches on the “physical aspects such as genetic and metabolism, as well as psychological schemas and environmental conditions” (Wilkins et al, 2008). Essentially therefore, the multidimensional theory of obesity tackles the problem of obesity from not just one dimension or aspect but from as many aspects as possible. In the application of the multidimensional theory of obesity, researchers are admonished to be versatile in their approach and their approach by considering multi-variant possible causes, effects, and solutions to obesity. Ideally therefore, the application of the multidimensional theory also looks at all aspects of obesity and not the solutions aspect alone. The idea behind this is that it is when the cause of the problem is known that an effective solution can be applied (Eve and Kristen, 2008). What is more, the speed at which an intervention or a solution should be applied should be dependent on the effect of the problem that the person currently faces. Rationale for selecting theory provided Much of the rational for the selection of the multidimensional theory has been justified by the literature review conducted above. For example through the literature review, it has come to be known that the causes of obesity are indeed diverse and varying for different population groups of children (Ogden et al, 2010). The literature review has also showed that at every point in time, different interventions work best for different situations of obesity (Zimmerman and Bell, 2010). To this end, there is justification in the selection of the multidimensional theory of dealing with obesity so that researchers and health experts who want to tackle the issue will do so by using as many scopes and dimensions as possible. Again, there is justification in the selection of the theory in that it identifies the differences that exist among practitioners and researchers. That is, once there is more than one dimension, practitioners and researchers will be free to choose among them, those that best serve the interest of the population they are dealing with at any point in time. Relating theory to proposed solution There is a proposed solution in the use of client-based education to tackle the prevalence of obesity in children. In terms of the selected theory of multidimensional approach, it can be seen and said that the theory relates directly with the solution. This is because with a client based approach, each person is going to be identified with unique individualized characteristics with which subsequent solutions are going to be designed. Essentially, therefore, clients are going to receive different interventions and solutions to their situations, depending on the cause and effect of their obesity status. Again, the theory supports the proposed solution because there is not going to be the use of a single solution across all identified clients with obesity. This will be done because there have always existed different variables of causes and effects for clients and so each person needs a different dimensional approach. Using theory in project The proposed project will directly be dependent on the selected theory. This will be done in a number of ways, including those outlined as follows. In the first place, multidimensional status shall be achieved in the selection of respondents or sample size. What this means is that the research shall vary the selection of sample size according to variables such as age, location and sex. In terms of causes of obesity also, the researcher shall put forth several causative preambles all of which could have some levels of relation to why clients may or may not be suffering from obesity. The effects and complications associated with each client shall also be varied; but above all, the interventions shall be taken from the perspective of the client such that each client shall be associated with a specialized solution that meets his or her needs. REFERENCES Anna, M. G. C and Sonia, C. (2008). Obesity in Children and Adolescents. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 93 (11), 31-36 Benson et al. (2009). Trends in the Diagnosis of Overweight and Obesity in Children and Adolescents: 1999–2007. Pediatrics, 123(1), 153-158. Cappuccio et al (2008). Meta-analysis of short sleep duration and obesity in children and adults. SLEEP 31(5), 619-626. Curtin et al. (2010). The prevalence of obesity in children with autism: a secondary data analysis using nationally representative data from the National Survey of Childrens Health. BMC Pediatrics 10(11). Daniels S. R. (2009). Complications of obesity in children and adolescents. International Journal of Obesity 33, 60-65 Deckelbaum R. J and Williams C L. (2009). Childhood Obesity: The Health Issue. North American Association for the Study of Obesity. 9(11), 239–243 Eve V. C. and Kristen L K. (2008). Sleep and the epidemic of obesity in children and adults. European Journal of Endocrinology. 159, 59-66 French S. A, Story M and Perry C. L. (2012). Self-Esteem and Obesity in Children and Adolescents: A Literature Review. Obesity Research. 3(5), 479–490 Gabbert et al. (2010). Adenovirus 36 and Obesity in Children and Adolescents. Pediatrics, 126 (4),721 -726. Latner J. D and Stunkard A. J. (2012). Getting Worse: The Stigmatization of Obese Children. North American Association for the Study of Obesity (NAASO). 11(3), 452–456. Ogden et al. (2012). Prevalence of Obesity and Trends in Body Mass Index Among US Children and Adolescents, 1999-2010. Journal of American Medical Association. 5, 483-490. Onis de M, Blössner M, and Borghi E. (2010). Global prevalence and trends of overweight and obesity among preschool children. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 92(5), 1257-1264 Philip T. J, Eleni R. L and Shayeghi K M. (2010). The Worldwide Obesity Epidemic. North American Association for the Study of Obesity (NAASO). 9(11), 228–233 Summerbell et al. (2009). Interventions for preventing obesity in children (Review). The Cochrane Library. 1, 56-78 Wilkins et al. (2008). Family functioning is related to overweight children. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 98(5), 572-574. Zimmerman F. J and Bell J. F. (2010). Associations of Television Content Type and Obesity in Children. American Journal of Public Health: 100(2), 334-340 Read More