Obesity Issue in the UK - Research Proposal Example

1. Research Project Rationale: Obesity is on the rise in the UK, there has been a remarkable rise in obesity rates in the of recent years – in1993 13% of men and 16% of ladies were obese – in 2011 this has risen to 24% for men and 26% for ladies. Among children, between the ages of 4-6, during 2011-12, 9.5% were obese. In 2011, 53% of obese men and 44% of obese women were found to have high blood pressure. During 2011-12 there were 11,736 hospital admissions due to obesity – this was over 11 times higher than during 2001-02. 1 Obesity gives rise to various other ailments and problems such as heart attacks and cancers along with diabetes. During the course of this research I aim to look at various factors, risks, outcomes, costs associated with Obesity. The target audience of this study will be limited to UK. 2. Literature Review: A lot of literature is available regarding obesity over the years in the UK. For example, S. S. Allender and M. Rayner survey past expense investigations of overweight and obesity in the UK. They propose a system for evaluating the investment and health expenses of obesity in the UK which could additionally be utilized by other nations in their paper “The burden of overweight and obesity-related ill health in the UK.” Y Claire Wang, Klim McPherson, Tim Marsh, Steven L Gortmaker, and Martin Brown together review the health and economic burden of obesity trends for US as well as UK. Relevant material to the UK will be used as part of the paper from them. Julie Armstrong, John J Reilly, and the Child Health Information Team propose that breastfeeding may present assurance against obesity further down the road, yet the confirmation is uncertain. They tried the speculation that breastfeeding is connected with a lessened danger of obesity in a populace based example of 32 200 Scottish youngsters contemplated at age 39–42 months in 1998 and 1999. Obesity was characterized as body-mass file (BMI) at the 95th and 98th percentiles or higher. The prevalence of obesity was altogether lower in breastfed children, and the affiliation endured after modification for socioeconomic status, birth weight, and sex etc. The balanced chances proportion for obesity (BMI 98th percentile) was 0·70 (95% CI 0·61–0·80). Their outcomes recommended that breastfeeding is partnered with a decrease in adolescence obesity. A study by Shona Hilton, Chris Patterson and Alison Teyhan offers the first extensive scale examination of the advancement and surrounding of the obesity epidemic in UK daily papers, recognizing movements in news scope about the causal drivers of and potential answers for the obesity scourge. Seven UK daily papers were chosen and 2,414 articles distributed between 1 January 1996 and 31 December 2010 was recovered from electronic databases utilizing magic word seeks. The themes of the articles were inspected utilizing manifest content analysis. Over the 15-year period there was an increment in media reporting on obesity and specifically on adolescence obesity. There was proof of a pattern far from a concentrate on people towards a more amazing level of giving an account of societal results, for example, administrative change, with the best movement in reporting happening in mid-market and genuine daily papers. Given that the media have a gigantic impact in molding public notion; this movement in reporting could be an early marker to policymakers of a developing open talk around a need for administrative change to handle the problem of obesity. Figueroa-Munoz, Chinn and Rona (2001) have found a positive correlation between obesity and asthma, when they studied a large sample of English and Scottish primary school children. Reilly, and Wilson et al (2002) concludes that there is no conclusive evidence that obesity is preventable, although, a number of treatment approaches are promising. Reilly, et al (2003) provide a critically analyzed, proof based summary of the impact of childhood obesity in the short term (for the child) as well as the long term (in adulthood). The latest World Health Organization (WHO) agreement on the standardized grouping of overweight and obese, in light of body mass index (BMI), permits an equivalent dissection of standardised rates worldwide for the first time. In Asia, on the other hand, there is a demand for a more constrained extent for normal Bmis (i.e., 18.5 to 22.9 kg/m2 as opposed to 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2) in light of the high pervasiveness of ever increasing ailments, especially diabetes and hypertension. In youngsters, the International Obesity Task-Force age-, sex-, and BMI-particular cutoff focuses are progressively being utilized. The data gathered by James, et al (2012) assess BMI data universally as a feature of another millennium analysis of the Global Burden of Disease. WHO investigated data regarding 20 or more important danger elements that contributed essential drivers of inability and lost lives in 191 nations inside the WHO. The commonness rates for overweight and fat individuals are diverse in every area, with the Middle East, Central and Eastern Europe, and North America having higher predominance rates. In most nations, ladies indicate a more stupendous BMI circulation with higher obesity rates than men. Obesity is typically now connected with poverty, even in developing nations. Moderately new data propose that stomach obesity in grown-ups, with its partnered enhanced morbidity, happens especially in the individuals who had lower birth weights. Waist estimations in broadly illustrative studies are rare however will now be required to gauge the full effect of the overall obesity plague, due to the study “The Worldwide Obesity Epidemic”. Along with the above-mentioned sources, sources from various government agencies relating to the healthcare in the UK will be reviewed for the purpose of this study. The sources given in the reference list have been reviewed and found useful for the purpose of this research thus far. It is important to note here that this is not an indication of the final list. Some sources may be added if found necessary. Research Questions: (i) What are the main reasons and impacts of obesity among men, women and children in UK? Do these differ across gender and age group? (ii) How can one evaluate the government policies to control obesity in UK? Is there a gap in policy making and implementation or the outcome? (iii) What changes can the Government induce to address the existing gaps in policymaking towards control of obesity in UK and their implementation? Methodology: This study draws on available and relevant literature in the area of obesity in the UK, which is basically secondary in nature. For secondary research, literary sources like books, Journal Articles and Reports along with several websites were used to make a comprehensive study on obesity in the UK. The scope of secondary research sources are limited as they are studies conducted in the past, and may lack updated information. However secondary research takes less time and gives readymade information for a background study. On the other hand primary research gives first hand information but takes time and might involve bias. However one key advantage of primary research is that it adds novelty to the research, if done with appropriate precautions. A survey with a correct sample can use representation and generalizes results based on a smaller number of participants. They can be easier to administer without any field work, especially when done online, through phone and emails. The survey can be repeatedly in a different setting with a different section of participants to match and compare results against the same questionnaire. If the response rate is good, the data can be available quickly. However there are some disadvantages. When the data is presented in form of tables, pie charts and statistics, the relation to theories become a problem and is often neglected. Hence a strong literature review is essential. The survey raises issues of accuracy and validity especially since researcher is often not able to understand the perception of the participant who is answering the questions. Analysis can be of qualitative and qualitative nature. Qualitative analysis tends to capture the intricacies of a study while quantitative analysis often cannot. The researcher needs to decide which method would be more suitable. For this purpose one needs to consider whether standardised and methodical comparisons are essential or would the researcher decide to study the subject in detail. One also needs to consider which method will throw more light on the subject (Blaxter et al, 2010). This report will be prepared on the basis of both primary and secondary resources. For primary research, the report will be prepared considering a questionnaire that is self-reported. Here the notion of self-reported is related to the fact that the questionnaire will be verified from the person who has created the questionnaire through the success of the data collection and analysis. The types of questions that will be used in the survey shall basically be close-ended. The questionnaire aims to find out what the people think are the main reasons for obesity, what information they have regarding the impacts obesity can have on their health, what they can do to prevent this epidemic or reverse it. Moreover, questions will be asked that will seek the people’s opinions on what changes the Government can make to its current policies that may help curb this growing problem in the UK. Qualitative analysis with some quantitative representations in terms of graphs and charts will be used to address the questions. Ethical Issues in this research: I realize that obesity can be a sensitive issue to tackle, especially among over-weight people. This study will be made in accordance with a process set out in standard operating procedures for Research Ethics Committee (REC). The research conducted, both primary and secondary will be sensitive to the feelings of obese people and not aim to demean or belittle them in anyway. The study will review obesity as a medical problem and with a casuist attitude. The research shall comply with all laws prevalent in the UK and adhere to acceptable moral and ethical standards laid out by society in general. Data Collection and Analysis: Height and weight will be measured as part of the primary data set. (this may also include habits such as smoking, alcohol/drug usage, blood pressure measurements as well as Body Mass Index – BMI. 2 Data on eating habits, including consumption of fruits and vegetables (which are considered good for health) will also be recorded. Weights will be classified as per the “population monitoring” benchmarks of the 90th and 95th Percentiles of the UK 1990 growth reference population (UK 90) which may indicate obesity or people being overweight or not. Suitable statistical models may be used to correlate certain dietary or lifestyle habits to the prevalence of obesity. (For e.g.; we may find a relation between obesity and people who consume alcohol frequently). Adjustment factors may be applied to achieve robust results. However, I realize that indicators are subject to both sampling and non-sampling error. The use of statistical models for projections or analysis may involve making assuming certain variables in the data. The model-based estimate generated for a particular area may be an expected measure for that area based on its population characteristics – and hence may not accurately provide an estimate of the actual preponderance for obesity. Time period: April 2014 to May 2014 Dates of fieldwork: April - May 2014. Country: United Kingdom Observation units: Individuals, healthcare professionals. Kind of data: Numeric data Time dimensions: One time survey and analysis. Number of units: Random sampling of 200 individuals and Chosen sample of 20 specialized health care professionals in obesity (projected) Method of data collection: Face-to-face data collection; Self-completion; Physical measurements; Questionnaire. Weighting: Several types of weighting variables may be used. Name ___________________________________________ Date _______________ Age _________ Date of Birth ______/_______/_______ Sex M F Address _______________________________ City ___________________ Zip code _________ Phone: Home (_____) ________-_______ Work (_____) ________-_______ Cell (_____) _______-______ Can we use email as a way to contact you? No Yes- Email _________________________________ Insurance ___________________________ ID# ______________________ Do you currently smoke: Yes No Current Height: ___feet ___ inches Current Weight ________ (Highest wt since age 18)_______ (lowest wt since age 18)_______ Age at onset of obesity: ___________ Condition Medication/Treatment needed (name and dosage) High blood pressure Diabetes Sleep Apnea Daytime Sleepiness Snoring Reflux (heartburn) Heart disease High Cholesterol High Triglycerides Joint pain Back pain Hip pain Knee pain Ankle & foot pain Swelling of feet Urinary stress incontinence Blood clots Stroke Shortness of breath Asthma Emphysema Headaches Migraines Kidney disease Seizures Rashes Arthritis Cancer Irregular periods Eating disorder Other (please specify) Additional space - next page Past / Now Psychiatric History Medications Hospitalized* Dates Explain (next page) Depression No Yes Severe depression No Yes Schizophrenia/Bipolar No Yes Anorexia / Bulimia No Yes MEDICAL HISTORY: (list any other conditions not addressed on previous page) ____________________________________________________________________________ Condition: _________________________ Medication: ___________________ Dosage: ______________ Condition: _________________________ Medication: ___________________ Dosage: ______________ Condition: _________________________ Medication: ___________________ Dosage: _____________ Outcome and Timescale: With the help of this study, we can have a better understanding of obesity, especially in UK, and it may be applied to other countries as well with slight modifications. The purpose of the study is mainly to gain a comprehensive understanding of the problem of obesity in UK. Armed with that understanding, it is the objective of this study to provide measures that may help reduce this epidemic in the country and provide social education to people regarding the impacts of obesity. There are numerous other health problems that can arise due to obesity. Obesity may not be a disease in itself, however, as previous works done in this field suggests, it is one of the primary causes for a lot of diseases and ailments. Another objective of this study is to provide policy makers other options to look at changes in current policy towards tackling obesity, as clearly, according to preliminary research conducted, the numbers have shown a remarkable rise in obesity in UK over the last few years. Rising prevalence of obesity is a worldwide health concern because excess weight gain within populations forecasts an increased burden from several diseases, most notably cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancers. Trends indicate 11 million more obese adults in the UK by 2030, consequently accruing an additional 6–8·5 million cases of diabetes, 5·7–7·3 million cases of heart disease and stroke, 492 000–669 000 additional cases of cancer, and 26–55 million quality-adjusted life years forgone in UK combined. The combined medical costs associated with treatment of these preventable diseases are estimated to increase by £1·9–2 billion/year in the UK by 2030. Hence, effective policies to promote healthier weight also have economic benefits. Around 25-30 days shall be required to complete this research along with findings and recommendations. The time period for each step is as follows: Process Days Literature and Research Review 4 Data Collection 20 Analysis of Data 3 Findings and providing Recommendations 1 References Allender & Rayner (2008) The burden of overweight and obesity-related ill health in the UK, obesity reviews, vol. 8, pp. 467–473. Armstrong et al (2002) Breastfeeding and lowering the risk of childhood obesity, THE LANCET • Vol 359 , June 8, 2002, vol. 359, June, pp. 2003-2004. Blaxter et al (2010), How to Research, McGraw Hill Figueroa-Munoz et al (2001) Association between obesity and asthma in 4–11 year old children in the UK, Thorax, vol. 56, pp. 133-137. Hilton et al (2012) Escalating Coverage of Obesity in UK Newspapers: The Evolution and Framing of the “Obesity Epidemic” From 1996 to 2010, Obestiy Journal, vol. 20, no. 8, August., pp. 1688-1695. James et al (2012) ‘The Worldwide Obesity Epidemic’, Obesity Research; Special Issue: Dietary Patterns for Weight Management and Health, vol. 9 S11, November, pp. 228S- 233S. NHS (2013) Latest Obesity Statistics for England are alarming, [Online], Available: http://www.nhs.uk/news/2013/02February/Pages/Latest-obesity-stats-for-England-are-alarming-reading.aspx [26 April 2014]. Reilly & Wilson et al (2002) Obesity: diagnosis, prevention, and treatment; evidence based answers to common questions, Arch Dis Child 2002;86:392–395, vol. 86, pp. 392-395. Reilly et al (2003) Health consequences of obesity, Arch Dis Child 2003;88:748–752, vol. 88, pp. 748-752. Wang et al (2011) Health and economic burden of the projected obesity trends in the USA & UK, THE LANCET, vol. 378, August, pp. 815-825. Read More