Assessment 2: Group Research Proposal Project
“The effect of soft drinks on human weight”

Done By:
Dana Sahwan 201000400
Maryam Ali 201000402
Zahra Almeshaimea 201000392
Hawra Ali 201000334
Abrar Almajed 201000333

1/3/2013
Bahrain Polytechnic
Luke Snelling

Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction. 3 1.1 Abstract. 3 1.2 Relevance to the Bahrain Business Community. 3 2.0 Main Body. 3 2.1 Literature Review. 3 2.2 Methods. 7 3.0 Conclusion 8 3.1 Time. 8 3.2 Cost. 8 3.3 Examiners. 8 3.4 Sources. 9 3.5 Final Result. 9 4.0 Bibliography 10

1.0 Introduction.
1.1 Abstract.
This proposal aims to test the effect of soft drinks on the human weight. This topic is vital because obesity leads to serious deceases and stops people from participating in the simplest activities, and in terms corrupts the living of a normal lifestyle. The methods we are aiming to use are experiments and interviews.
1.2 Relevance to the Bahrain Business Community. Researches were conducted on the effect of drinking soft drinks on a human’s body, clarify that it would increase the chances of getting overweight. Overweight can lead to serious deceases, such as strokes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, Bahraini businesses would be exposed to the possibility of reduced productivity rate, because of the consumption of soft drinks on their employees. As a result of reduced productivity, a company's profit can possibly be minimized which in terms could lead to its bankruptcy. If the continuous consumption of soft drinks results in major health problems, Bahrain businesses will have to recruit non Bahraini labour which will result in increasing the rates of unemployment amongst Bahrainis and that would have a bad effect on Bahrain's economy. (Health Risks of Overweight of Children ). 2.0 Main Body.
2.1 Literature Review.

Hypothesis: the more a person consume soft drinks, the more over-weight he will be.
According to the " Television watching and soft drink consumption: associations with obesity in 11- to 13-year-old schoolchildren." paper published in 2003 in California, children between the age of 11-13 who consume 3 soft drinks per day and watch TV for more than 2 hours per night had a BMI at or above 85 percentile, which means they are at risk of overweight or are already overweighed. (J, HH, G, & AO, 2003). The method this study used is measuring 385 students BMI (186 boys and 199 girls) from 3 schools. As well as conducting a short questionnaire.

The sample that was small only 385 students and 319 completed the questionnaire. In addition to that, we do not know exactly how many liters the children are drinking; some children may drink a can each time (330 ml), others may drink less or more. Therefore, this measurement is not reliable. Furthermore, this study investigates another concept which is of hours spending on watching TV, which can be the reason of the children’s obesity not the consumption of soft-drinks.
The study focused on young children, who are more likely to carry-out these habits when they are growing up. Moreover, if a child’s Body Mass Index (BMI) continues to grow, it might affect negatively on his future. Obesity is the one of the main factors that slows down the person’s success. In fact, the most immediate consequence of being obese as perceived by children themselves is social discrimination and low-self-esteem. (Lauren Marcus).
Another study “Secular trends in children’s sweetened-beverage consumption (1973 to 1994): The Bogalusa Heart Study” which was published in US at 2005, shows that they used one method which is survey to collect the data that they need to know. The survey was applied on a total of 1548 randomly people who are in age 10 years old. This method was applied to examine their trends on consumptions of soft drink and BMI among over 21 years. Based on that, they found out that the mean gram of BMI in 1973 was (p<.01), however the mean gram of BMI rose (P>.01) from 1973 till 1994 in the children who consumed soft drinks.
This research was examine on large number of people who were selected randomly (1548 people) and this could be considered as a positive point, which in general the larger the sample size, the more accurate the data is at projecting what the entire population is doing. Therefore, it is makes it more reliable. Moreover, they have selected their data randomly, which is considered as an advantage as well, since it represent the whole population. This study is trying to examine the effect of soft drinks on 10 years old children. Therefore, it is extremely important to select children from different backgrounds. For instance, children whose parents are non-educated are more likely to drink soda, it might be because they cannot afford buying juices or they are not aware of the effect of it. Therefore, it won’t be logical to examine one group only. As it is more likely to get the same results. (Michael). Furthermore, this study was made in 21 years, which makes it more trustworthy.
On the other hand, the study used only one method to measure the effects of soft drink on the BMI which is survey. The data collected from survey method may not be accurate because the answers might be limited, and it will depend on the participant’s memory. Furthermore, some people might not comfortable answering some questions especially about their weight if they were overweighed. As a result, they may possibly lie. “Relation between consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks and childhood obesity: a prospective, observational analysis” that was published in October, 1995 to May, 1997 (for 19 months) in Massachusetts communities, in public schools, method’s was very precise. First, heights were measured without shoes (to the nearest measurement 0.1 cm) by using Shorrstadiometer (Irwin Shorr, Olney, MD, USA). And the weights were measured with light clothes (to the nearest measurement 0.1 kg) by using portable electronic scale (Seca Model 770, Seca Corporation, Hanover, MD, USA). Then they have calculated the BMI by dividing weight by height (as kg/m2). In addition, student surveys were obtained at the beginning of grades 6 and 7 in (October, 1995) with 19 months later follow-up measurements. It was found that the more sugar-sweetened drink consumed daily, the body mass index (BMI) will increase.
On one hand, the research is reliable paper, because student’s heights and weights were measured very specifically by using Shorrstadio meter, and portable electronic scale. Having accurate data can significantly help us measuring how soda affects people’s weight. On the other hand, it might not be applicable in Bahrain, because of cultural differences and lifestyles changes between US and Bahrain. For example a statistic was made in 2002 to study the soft drinks consumption by country. It was found that people live in the United States consume 216 litres per year per person. However, Bahrain or any Middle Eastern country did not reach the top 18. (Food Statistics, 2002).

According to the 'Effect of drinking soda sweetened with aspartame (APM) or high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) on food intake and body weight' research paper, published in Philadelphia in the year of 1990, to examine whether 1150g of artificial sweeteners aid in the control of long-term food intake and body weight per day of a sample that was randomly selected which includes 9 females and 21 males.
The 'Effect of drinking soda sweetened with aspartame (APM) or high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) on food intake and body weight' study aimed to examine the believe that says artificial sweeteners increase provide the benefit of a desirable taste without calories and it increases the motivation to eat. Examinations on rats report an increase in food intake after drinking saccharin solutions of aspartame (APM) at the same time, human reports indicate an increased hunger after the consumption of saccharin solutions of aspartame (APM).
This particular research or study was based upon comparing periods when subjects drank (APM), HFCS, and no soda. The experiments were held twice, once in the fall of 1987 and the spring of 1988. The participants in this study were initially attracted by an advertisement posted on local university campuses. Each potential subject was given a written description of the study and signed a participation approval form. One procedural detail that was given was the requirement to keep a dietary record. In addition the description included a notice of the requirement of attending a weekly interview and when the study ended participants were given 100$ as a satisfactory completion of the experiment.
The result shows that during the period of control (non-soda) females were found to lose more weight than males, whereas, during the examination period of drinking sweetened soda female gained weight notably more than men.
Some of the disadvantages that we deducted in this research were that the 13 female and 28 male participants were told that they will receive beverages to drink on various days, however, they cannot be told at that stage how many drinks they will receive or what they contain. During the period of examinations some of the participants were eliminated because of chicken pox, others complained about the quantity of sodas they had to drink, therefore, they withdrew from the experiment. A number of participants were eliminated because they thought the relocation of the weekly meetings is away from their areas. As a result to that, the analyses and data illustration is based on the remaining 9 female and 21 males which is a small sample to be tested and base the results upon it. Also, none of the participants guessed the experiment’s purpose; most thought it was a market research of some kind on a new brand of soda which can be considered as misleading and dishonesty.
Besides the randomly selected sample to examine the research question mentioned above, another positive point is that the research is trying to measure whether those artificial sweeteners increase the motivation to eat, which is mostly ignored in most of the researches conducted to measure the same variables we are trying to measure in this proposal.
2.2 Methods.
The research is going to be tested in two ways; through an experiment and one to one interview with the participants of the experiment will be within 2 months period of time.
The experiment will be examining the effects and the change in weight of participants whom half of them will be consuming soft drinks and the other half wouldn't. A sample of university students will be chosen on a random basis, but not more than 2 couples should participate from each university. The total number of participants shall not exceed 60 among 15 universities in Bahrain. The participants shall be selected within a certain criteria, which are at the same age range, gander, and life styles. Participants shall be collected through an advertisement posted in local universities.
Participants will be following a diet program, where we will supply them with 3 meals daily and 2 snacks. Besides, 3 cans (330 ml), which will only be given half of the participants who will be under the soft drinks effect testing. Also, each participant will be paid a fixed amount of 2BD daily to ensure the commitment of contribution. Each participant will be given a document to be filled in daily which will include the timing of consumptions. Also, there is a part to be filled on how the participant feels before and after the consumption of the soft drink.
Prior the experiment, volunteer graduate doctors will conduct tests to measure the overall health of the participants and check their weight in details of body mass weight, fat etc. Measurements will be taken precisely, where their weight will be measured after deducting the predicted clothes weight. The participant’s heights will be measured without their shoes (deducting 0.1 cm).
After the experiment and the tests are conducted, there's going to be a one on one interview with each couple. The interview panel would be done by the volunteer doctor where they'll be asking the participants about the experiment and their perception of it. Feedback and evaluation are going to take place. This type of method is good as in one on one interview, there are more options for a participant to reflect on the experiment and this kind of meeting allows the interviewer to observe facial expressions and body language.
And then, after two months, results will include the change in weight in relation to obesity will be tested by volunteer recent graduate doctors to see if our hypothesis will be proved.
By the end of the experiment, a sample of young adults with age ranges from 18 to 24 from different universities in Bahrain and from different backgrounds will have gone through the experiment and would provide us with adequate information to proof the hypothesis. Also, payment of 60BD for participants will be by the end of the experiment, after the one on one meeting to motivate and encourage committing to the program. 3.0 Conclusion

3.1 Time. * Initially 1 month will be invested in collecting the number of participants requested in order to conduct the experiment. Later on, three orientation days will be invested to guide the participants through the process of the experiment. * The experiment will be carried out during a period of 2 months and 2 weeks subsequently will be to study the results of the tests.
3.2 Cost. * 3600 BD will be needed for participant’s payment during the 2 months. * The experiment will provide diet food for all participants; we will sign an agreement with VLCC to provide meals and snacks, which will cost us 200 BD per month per person. This means the total cost will be BD 24,000. * Soft drinks can cost is 150 fils, calculating the total for 30 participants will be 270 BD. * Total cost of motivation will be BD 3600.
The overall cost will be BD 31,470.
3.3 Examiners. * Volunteer graduate doctors will be asked to conduct the tests to measure the overall health of the participants and check their weight in details of body mass weight, fat etc. That will be by giving a copy of this proposal to the Arabian Gulf University (AGU) and ask them to nominate 5 of their recent graduates and 3 undergraduates for additional assistance.
3.4 Sources.
Each couple participating will be signing a Memorandum of understanding which states their full commitment to the experiment.

3.5 Final Result.
According to the previous research papers we concluded that all of the researches were conducted within the US and they are the top one country in the consumption of soft drinks. Three papers tested the effect of soft drinks on children’s health and overweighed children have the potential to become overweighed as adults in the future.
Our chosen experiment seems to be very realistic in relation to testing the effect of soft drinks on human’s body and we have chosen certain procedures to assure the participants commitment into it.

4.0 Bibliography
Food Statistics. (2002). Retrieved December 30, 2012, from Nation Master: http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/foo_sof_dri_con-food-soft-drink-consumption
Health Risks of Overweight of Children . (n.d.). Retrieved December 29, 2012, from UCSF Benioff Childrens: http://www.ucsfbenioffchildrens.org/education/health_risks_for_overweight_children/index.html
J, G., HH, M., G, B., & AO, W. (2003, September). Television watching and soft drink consumption: associations with obesity in 11- to 13-year-old schoolchildren. Retrieved from NBCI: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12963593
Lauren Marcus, A. B. (n.d.). Childhood Obesity: The Effects on Physical and Mental Health. Retrieved December 30, 2012, from About our Kids: http://www.aboutourkids.org/articles/childhood_obesity_effects_physical_mental_health
Michael, J. (n.d.). The Advantages of a Large Sample Size. Retrieved December 30, 2012, from eHow: The Advantages of a Large Sample Size | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/list_7210190_advantages-large-sample-size.html#ixzz2GhfU7igT