General health problem
It is estimated that about two-thirds of the American adult population is overweight (Marks, 2014). This is despite the rampant and radical campaigns that have been going on around the country advising people to embrace healthier diets. According to the author, the of obesity has increased by 100% in the last forty years and this is in an alarming situation (Marks, 2014). The truth is very few Americans are in a regular exercising plan or gym sessions to reduce calories in their bodies. This article gives a very elaborate explanation of why the rate of obesity is increasing in the nation. As he articulately puts it, the author asserts that we are descendants of a generation of survivors. Our genetic makeup is designed to store nutrients.
How the health problem affects my population
Today, our technological know-how has reduced the effects of drought and we no longer need the natural mechanism to store nutrients for future use. However, while the famine and abundance structure might have changed, our genetic makeup is still the same. With the abundance of food in our stores, the body still finds a way to store nutrients in our systems. Therefore, if the nutrients stored in our bodies are not utilized, we end up adding more weight hence the prevalence of obesity. The author also laments that people are not heeding the advice given by nutritionists despite the evidence and proof of the benefits of maintaining a healthy and physically fit body (Go, Mozaffarian & Roger, 2013). As usual, people are still in the habit of eating more food than their bodies need and remaining less active physically (Flegal, Kit, Orpana & Graubard, 2013). However, there is a great concerted effort by the government and other health industry players to sensitize the masses about the rise of the epidemic of obesity. Hopefully, this will help the population to take the issue very seriously and adopt preventive measures.
Research question
With regard to the health problem discussed above, my research question will be general.
“How does the consumption of fast foods in our currently contribute to the prevalence of obesity among young adults and children?”
My research will be mostly focusing on young adults and children especially teenagers and the youths in general. My choice is based on the fact that the young generation is the future of the nation. If we end up having a generation of young people who have health complications and obesity to be precise, the future of the nation will be doomed. Promoting healthy living standards among the young generation will greatly benefit the country in the future.
This will be a qualitative research because I believe its paradigm gives a researcher the opportunity to examine the phenomena in-depth. I also prefer this method because it will allow me to examine very difficult questions that cannot be answered in a quantitative method. Qualitative research is also very flexible hence it will give me the chance to pursue other theories and come up with my own ideas. I am not limited to by my subject and existing theories or areas of research. Therefore, I believe that for this research to be successful I need a broad approach. The best method for me to achieve comprehensive information would be the qualitative research method.
References
Flegal, K. M., Kit, B. K., Orpana, H., & Graubard, B. I. (2013). Association of all-cause mortality with overweight and obesity using standard body mass index categories: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Jama, 309(1): 71-82.
Go, A. S., Mozaffarian, D., & Roger, V. L. (2013). Sugar-sweetened beverages initiatives can help fight childhood obesity. Circulation, 127(1): 6-245.
Marks, J.B. (2014). Obesity in America: It’s getting worse. Web.