Effects of the American Children Obesity - Essay Example

          "Effects of the American Children Obesity" is an astonishing example of a paper on child development. 
    The participants of this research are 60 students randomly selected from a group of students (3rd -5th grade) at Lucy Elementary School in Newton County, Georgia. The population at the school consist of 55% African Americans, 40% Caucasian, 5% other.

 Instrumentation:

              The BMI will be obtained using a skin calliper and the weight obtained by using a digital scale.  

NAME

BMI

WEIGHT

Design: 

Quantitative Approach

The design used in this research was experimental pre-test post-test control group. This design requires at least two groups, each of which is formed by random assignment. This design was selected because the whole research is based on the study of the effectiveness of the experiment on the one the groups and comparison with the other group on which experimentation is not performed. One control group will carry the experiment on the first group and the other will simply monitor the results without experimentation on the second group. The pre-test and post-test results of both groups will determine the effectiveness of experimentation and will help to check the validity of the hypothesis.

Procedure:

According to research, 17% of the total population of children are obese.  Approximately 30% of the students in this school are obese. 

As the first step of this experimental research, I will obtain the BMI and the weight of each participant.  The experimental group will be involved in a rigorous exercise program for 30 minutes daily.  This group will also be placed on a low cholesterol diet.  Parents will be asked to follow the diet plan at home with their children.  The control will follow their regular daily routine.   This exercise program will last for one semester, approximately 4 months. Games, exercises, and diet are included in the experimental group.  At the end of the study, data will be obtained by rechecking the BMI and weight of each participant. The results will be compared by the pre-test results at the beginning of the semester with the post-test results showing BMI and weight at the end of the semester, then conclusions on the validity of the hypothesis will be drawn on the basis of this. The effectiveness of the experiment will be inferred and these results can be used to estimate the effectiveness of this experiment among the kids of the whole of America.

Each student will

• Be weighed and their BMI will be calculated before the experiment.
• Be divided randomly into two control groups containing an equal number of students in each group. Group 1 comprising students to be experimented on and Group 2 comprising students who will not be experimented.
• The new dietary charts will be prepared consulting nutritionists that will be effective for the total span of the research along with exercising schedule.
• The parents of the students of group 1 will be sent letters to follow the new diet and make the children exercise regularly according to the schedule.
• Observations are noted throughout the research and post-test data is collected and compared with the pre-test data.
• Effects and changes in obesity rates are carefully observed and noted.
• The results are estimated for the entire population of America and inference is drawn.
• The validity of the hypothesis is retained or rejected on the basis of results.
• Interactive awareness programme scheduled for the families of all participating children and inviting schools from the district to encourage healthy living habits among the children.

Conclusion:

              From the research literature review, it can be concluded that the main reason behind the increasing rate of obesity is unhealthy eating habits of Americans and less physical labour. People find it easier to buy cheap fast food instead of cooking costly and healthy vegetables saving time and money but not realising that they do so on the cost of their lives.       

                            The obesity in children of America is now taking the form of a serious epidemic. The new digital age has restricted the physical activities of children as well as that of the adults, resulting in less calorie consumption and accumulation of fat which is the main cause of obesity. Children are more exposed to electronic media for entertainment and seldom prefer going outdoors and play games which will give them a good physical exercise and keep them healthy and fit. From the study, we find that an unhealthy style of living of Americans is the main cause of the increasing rate of obesity among the children.

 So, if people change their eating habits and involve in physical exercises, this rate can be lowered and controlled. Awareness among the people and little effort on their part can help control serious health problems in the future. The hypothesis of the research can be hence retained. 

 Abstract:

              Child obesity is one of the major health concern in America today. Obesity is causing a considerable decrease in the life expectancy of the children by 5-20 years (Miller, Rosenbloom, and Silverstein, 2004, para. 2). Study on the eating and exercise habits of the people shows that people in America follow very unhealthy habits. People don’t have time to think about health in their busy lives. Keeping this in consideration we wish to proceed with this research which can help in deriving adequate results and effects of changed healthy living habits among people of America. Along with the formulation of an appropriate diet plan, it is equally important for the parents to engage their children in regular exercise.