Results and Conclusion: Childhood Obesity
Kimberly March
HCS 465
April 24, 2013
Dr. Chris Motley

Results and Conclusion: Childhood Obesity
Childhood obesity is a public health crisis in the United States and internationally. The occurrence of childhood obesity has increased rapidly over the years. This paper will show how the results of the data collection method, the data analysis procedure, and conclusion of applying the background and methodology of the research process to problems in health care with an emphasis on childhood obesity. The following questions will be answered from the Syllabus University of Phoenix (2010):

Data Collection
In what way are the data collection procedures appropriate for this study?
In what way were appropriate steps taken to protect the rights of subjects?
In what way is the data collection tool used to support the reliability and validity of the study?
Data Analysis
In what ways are the data analysis procedures appropriate for the data collected?
In what ways are the data analysis procedures appropriate for answering the research question or questions, for testing the study hypothesis or hypotheses, or both?
What are the key distinctions between qualitative and quantitative data?

Conclusion

Summarize the findings of the study.
Identify the strengths of the scientific merit of this study. What are weaknesses?
Identify the major limitations of the scientific merit of this study? What are its weaknesses?
Explain if the findings support the hypotheses (Week 3)?

Data Collection Method

The data collection method was appropriate for this study because children were involved and the research was based on previous studies already performed. The collection method used was a reviewed and a detailed “search of CINAHL, MEDLINE, ERIC, Academic Search Premier data bases was carried out for the time period 1999‑2011” (Karnik & Kaneka, 2012, p. 1). The key words for the search were “calorie imbalance, childhood obesity, interventions, physical activity, and policy changing” (Karnik & Kaneka, 2012, p. 1). The subjects researched were children, the appropriate actions to be taken were parental consent and supervision; the identities of the children remained anonymous throughout the studies. Based on the outcomes of the research, there was no harm or negativity to the children participating in the research project. The concealment of the children was the main concern for the study this way the children would not undergo the prejudices and abuse for developing an overweight condition, eating an unhealthy diet, and not exercising. There was no communication of individual names, or identifying factor of the children researched.
Data Analysis Procedure The provisions and procedures are appropriate for the type of study conducted and the results received from the research answered the hypothesis that the researchers were considering. The study was centered on preset criteria and questions. The qualitative data is based on numerical facts, which were extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) according to Karnik & Kaneka (2012) the report stated the following:
The year 2007‑2008 estimated that 16.9% of children and adolescent in the age group of 2‑19 years were obese. Childhood obesity prevalence among preschool children between age group of 2‑5‑year‑old girls and boys has increased from 5.0 to 10% between 1976‑1980 and 2007‑2008 and it has increased from 6.5 to 19.6% among age group of 6‑11 year olds. The data collected for the same period shows that the adolescent (age group 12‑19 years) obesity has increased from 5.0 to 18.1%. (p. 2)
The following figure below shows the data showing the rapid increase of childhood obesity:

(Karnik & Kaneka, 2012, p. 2)

Qualitative research is concerned with nonstatistical methods of review and studying of social phenomena. The research is appealing to a primary process in which subjects and categories appear through analysis of information collected by techniques for example, interviews, observations, videotapes, and case studies. Samples are normally small and are often intentionally nominated. Qualitative research uses detailed descriptions from the perspective of the research participants as a means of examining specific issues and problems under study (McCroy, 2013).
The qualitative research in this article consists of the information found in relation to genetics, behavior, environmental factors, and interventions. Genetic factors may affect the metabolism, through altering fat, energy consumption, and energy disbursement. Hereditary traits may cause childhood obesity.
There are behavioral factors, which can cause childhood obesity. Many children ingest more energy through food and drinks, which are not suitably used. Children are eating larger portions of food, foods high in glucose, and carbohydrates. Energy consumption is higher than energy expenditure. So this can lead to weight gain in children causing childhood obesity (Karnik & Kaneka, 2012).
Children who are not physically active are prone to obesity. The energy gained should be properly balanced with the energy expended (Karnik & Kaneka, 2012). The realization that children and teens are absence of the required quantity of physical activity; therefore the calories are not used properly and could lead to obesity. In a recently mixed‑methods study conducted in Iran, lack of safe and easy access to places for physical activity and an unsupportive family were the main barriers to physical activity among adolescents. It is seen that sedentary lifestyles are an important factor for childhood obesity. Many children spend most of their time sitting in front of televisions, playing video games, and using computers. Children eat more goodies while watching television and spent most of their time sitting without any physical activity. These behavioral factors are a brutal cycle. Children are prone to sedentary lifestyles for example, watching television, consuming foods more energy-dense or in larger portions, and the lack of physical activity, which causes a rise in childhood obesity. Television advertising foods high in sugar influence children to make unhealthy eating choices. These unhealthy food choices can cause weight gain and childhood obesity.
The environmental factors are seen in various settings, for example, home, school, and in the community. At home, the parent-child interaction is crucial as parents have an influence over their child’s food a choices and can inspire the children to make healthy food choices and lifestyle. Children spend most of their time at school, so schools can promote healthy food choices and physical activity among children. The community’s lack of accessibility and affordability of healthy food can affect the children’s nutrition. The sedentary activity may be caused because of there are no facilities, for example, safe sidewalks, parks, and paths to ride bikes on.

Conclusion
The provisions and procedures are appropriate for the type of study conducted and the results received from the research answered the hypothesis that the researchers were considering. The study was centered on preset criteria and questions. Childhood obesity can be resolved through education, prevention, and sustainable interventions associated to healthy nutrition habits and physical activity. Children obesity can be decreased with the encouragement from children’s parents. There needs to be an implementation of schools and governmental monitoring of the success or failure of the interventions. If interventions are not working then there should be a reevaluation of intervention to prevent childhood obesity.

References
Karnik, S., & Kanekar, A. S. (2012, January). Childhood obesity: A global public health crisis.
International Journal of Preventive Medicine, 3(1), 1-7. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1287580461?accountid=35812
McCroy, R. G. (2013). Qualitative Research. Retrieved from http://www.uncp.edu/home/marson/qualitative_research.html
University of Phoenix. (2010). Course Syllabus. Retrieved from University of Phoenix, HCS465
- Health Care Research Utilization website.

References
Karnik, S., & Kanekar, A. S. (2012, January). Childhood obesity: A global public health crisis.
International Journal of Preventive Medicine, 3(1), 1-7. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1287580461?accountid=35812