How Emotional Eating Can Sabotage Weight-Loss Efforts - Research Proposal Example

Research proposal on how emotional eating can sabotage your weight-loss efforts Customer Inserts His/Her Name Customer Inserts Grade Course Customer Inserts Tutor’s Name 08, 12, 2010 Abstract This research proposal seeks to validate the hypothesis that emotional eating can sabotage your weight loss efforts; emotion is an independent variable while eating is dependent variable. Research analysis will be conducted using questionnaires and group focused interview as method of data collection. After data collection is completed, data analysis will be done using graphical methods that will show if there is any relationship between the variables which are emotions and eating. The independent variable will be plotted on the Y axis while the dependent variable will be plotted in the X axis as it varies with respect to the independent variable. The independent variable (emotion) will be varied and the corresponding dependent variable (eating) monitored for changes as a result of the variation in the independent variable. It is also important to note that ethical consideration will be considered in the process of carrying out the research process in order for the process to be authenticated. Hypothesis statement Emotional eating can sabotage your weight loss efforts; emotion is an independent variable while eating is dependent variable. The testing of the hypothesis will be subject to research analysis where the two variables independent (emotion) and dependent variable (eating) will be subject to statistical testing to validate their reliability as valid or not valid. In order for the hypothesis to be true, there should be a strong relationship between the dependent variable and the independent variable. This means that an increase in the level of emotion in a victim of weight loss should lead to increased poor choice of food, overeating or any other form of diet alteration that will consequently sabotage the weight loss process. Previous studies According to Gould (2008), people who lack strategies of dealing with situations that are stressful often make poor decision regarding their eating habits. On the other hand, people who responded to their stressful situations positively and strategized on the best ways to deal with their eating habits are often able to overcome poor eating temptation by 50 % to 60 %. More so, individuals who responded to stressful situations with positive perceptions and constructive actions were able to prevail over emotion-based eating by about 85 %. Such people encouraged positive perceptions by constantly reminding themselves that the magnitude of the problem is not as huge as it appears. Some commons strategies used by these people include; brainstorming varied approaches in order to establish the most practical approach. The study also suggested consultation of friends or family members for advice or alternatively taking a walk, taking deep breath or listening to music. Another study conducted in this field by Spangle (2004) demonstrates that people use food as a way of distracting themselves from emotions related effects like boredom and even increased levels of anxiety. Spangle (2004) recommends proper differentiation of biological hunger and other forms of urges to eat food. As an example, some unmet nurturing can be fulfilled by opting to spend time with friends or family, grooming a pet or even having a relaxing shower. As stated by Cox (2004) studies also reveal that socially, it is considered sound to take time out to eat rather than for break purposes. In order to break this norm, Cox (2004) suggests that taking a break to rest should be acknowledged as a form or refreshment and also relief from normal routine. Some of the suggested ways of releasing stress includes reading, talking a walk or even calling a close friend. Variables of the research The independent variable in this hypothesis is emotion while the dependent variable is eating. This means that emotion is the cause of excessive eating or unplanned eating and not vice versa. The level of emotions of the participants will thus be measured against the level of eating in order to get valid data for the research process. Logical validity which measures the intended expectation will be one way of validating or measuring the variables. Criterion validity which is a statistical tool for measurement using formulated criteria will be used in this case to measure the validity of the data. The level of measurement will be subject to the relationship of the variables, for instance is there increased careless eating, excessive eating or unplanned eating as a result of increased levels of emotions? In order to determine the reliability of the validity of the measurements, repetitive based on the number of participants should be consistent with the expected results with an error of 5 %. More so, the independent variable, emotions will be varied and the dependent variable analyzed for variation as a result of changes subjected to the independent variable. In this case, the hypothesis should be justified or rejected based on the number of iterations and the relationship of the collected data with respect to the stated hypothesis. Research design The format for research design will commence by selecting the target group within a given scope of time in order to prepare them for the interview process. The aim in this case will be to make them gather relevant data over a period of one month in order to be able to give relevant data for analysis. The individuals targeted will be obese people, people in the process of weigh loss through dieting and women who want to reduce their weigh for beauty or health reasons. In order to get adequate and reliable data, the participants will be grouped in three groups based on gender, age and occupation since these factors can alter the independent variable. The data collection process will be through focus group interviews and questionnaires that will be structured based on the desired response of the correspondents (Creswell, 2003). Before data collection is carried out, the participants will be informed on the desired focus of the interview process. They will therefore maintain a questionnaire list that they are supposed to fill for a period of one month in order to give a comprehensive list of findings. After the data is collected for a period of one month the process of data cleaning, preparation and final analysis will follow. Data analysis process in this research process will focus on determining the relationship between the independent variable (emotion) and the dependent variable (eating). Graphical analysis will demonstrate if these variables are related in any way. From the hypothesis stated, it is expected that with increase of emotional levels, whether negative or positive the choice of food or level of consumption should also be affected. In plotting these findings, the Y axes will the independent variable (emotion) and the dependent variable (eating) in the X axis. The relationship of these variables will justify the hypothesis of the research. Data collection technique Two techniques of data collection will be used in this case, the fist technique is questionnaires and the second technique is focus groups interviews. The rationale behind these two chosen techniques is based on the fact that this kind of data collection requires personal interaction with the correspondents since their answers determine the validity of the hypothesis. Questionnaires will help since the correspondents will be able to answer structured and leading questions about the relationship between the two chosen variables. Focus group interviews will give an opportunity to investigate the reliability of the variables chosen in this statistical analysis (Creswell, 2003). Data analysis Data analysis will begin by data cleaning which will focus on correction of the data collected in the research process. Initial data analysis will follow in order to determine the validity and the quality of the data collected in the field. It will also focus on quality measurements and variations of the data collected which could thwart the final analysis process. Final data analysis will then be performed to determine the validity of the data and if the data answers the research question or the hypothesis. Statistical tools such as SPSS and graph generating software’s like excel will be useful in information presentation based on the independent and the dependent variable chosen in this case. Ethical consideration In any project analysis, it is imperative to enhance ethical concerns of the victims being subject to research analysis. The fundamental reason for carrying out this research is to be able to strategies better ways of managing cases of increased obese and other weight related issues that develop as a result of emotional influence on the victim. This research is therefore expected to be important to the health care system of the community and the country as a whole. It is therefore important to consider a number of ethical concerns in order to ensure that the process is successful and legal. The accepted code of conduct according to the beliefs of the correspondents should be adhering; in essence no interviewee will be analyzed without notification or unclear interviewing reasons. This will promote ethical and also legal acceptance of the research process. The interviewee will also have the right for full disclosure of the purpose of the interview process in order to foster their participation in an ethical way. More so, the privacy of the interviewee will be maintained just like in any other medical profession. The privacy of the interviewee is mainly professional ethics for medical practitioners in the medical field. Expected findings of the research The findings of this research process is expected to either validate the hypothesis that the research process aims at finding out or reject the hypothesis as result of invalidation of the hypothesis which has been subjected to statistical analysis. Data analysis will demonstrate the validity of this hypothesis since the plotting of the independent variable (Y axis) and the dependent variable (X axis) will show if there is any validity. Upon data analysis, a conclusion on the success of the research process will be analyzed and further research on the field recommended in order to foster understanding of the relationship created. References Cox S.M. (2004). Food for Thought: A Menu of How to Eat and Live in Good Health. Sydney: iUniverse. Creswell, J. (2003). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method approaches. New York, NY: SAGE. Gould, R. (2008). Shrink Yourself: Break Free from Emotional Eating Forever. New York, NY: John Wiley and Sons. Spangle, L. (2004). Life is Hard, Food is Easy: The 5-Step Plan to Overcome Emotional Eating and Lose Weight on Any Diet. Canberra: Regnery Publishing. Read More