A Comparative Report on Adolescent Obesity: Research and Interventions

This report investigates adolescent obesity, focusing on two research articles that explore the use of motivational interviewing to address the issue. The report delves into the types of research conducted, data collection methods, and the pros and cons of each study. It highlights the importance of lifestyle factors, eating habits, and genetics in contributing to obesity, as well as the potential health complications, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and mental health issues like depression and anxiety. The report examines the effectiveness of motivational interviewing as a counseling approach and discusses the barriers faced by healthcare professionals. The findings emphasize the need for effective communication between healthcare providers and adolescents, the importance of a healthy diet, and the role of physical activity in combating obesity. The report concludes with a call for person-centered approaches and effective interaction to address the root causes of the problem.

OBESITY

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................2
Type of research carried out and methods used to collect data ..................................................2
Pros and Cons of two pieces of research ....................................................................................4
Overall findings...........................................................................................................................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
Obesity is one of the major problem which is been faced by a huge number of adolescence
and teenagers. It puts young adults at higher risk of developing serious diseases like type 2
diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Report is a keen study about obesity which would be
based on two articles that are “Applying motivational interviewing to counselling overweight
and obese children” (Article 1) and “Motivational interviewing targeting diet and physical
activity improves adherence to paediatric obesity treatment” (Article 2). The focus of both the
articles is on deriving main causes of obesity in the teenagers (Furukawa and et.al., 2017).
Motivational interview is basically a counselling approach which helped in collecting
information related to the teenager suffering from obesity. It helps in identifying the main cause
of disease. It is an approach which facilitates interpersonal relationship between counsellor and
young adult. This method of interview has been used in order to enhance patient adherence.
Further, the article laid emphasis on how to make young adults follow healthy diet which can
help them in reducing weight. It has been analysed that the major cause behind obese body is
totally based on eating habits, life style and genetics. Obesity can lead to various complications
in the body because high ratio of body fat of muscles put a severe strain on bones which make
human unhealthy.
Various approaches like physical exercise are used by young adults to reduce weight.
According to studies the teenagers who are not involved in any type of recreational activities are
likely to gain more amount of weight in comparison to young adults who are involved in regular
strenuous tasks which keeps them healthy (Locke and et.al., 2015). Involving in activities like
yoga, aerobics helps in burning calories and the amount of caloric burn is based on the intensity
of the activity which has been undertaken by young adult.
Many theories like haemostasis theory of obesity has also been discussed in the article.
It reveals that the imbalances in the haemostasis is one of the major cause of disease which is
seen in most of the teenagers (Jensen and et.al., 2014). The theory reveals that, these problems
are generally faced by individual who are involved in excessive consumption of alcohol, eating
disorder, poor life style which are the main cause of unhealthy and obese population. Moreover,
it can be stated that this disorder is majorly faced by young adults because of which they undergo
health concerns like depression, anxiety, shame and guilt.
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MAIN BODY
Type of research carried out and methods used to collect data
Article 1- Applying motivational interviewing to counselling overweight and obese children
Objective- The main aim of the article is to know the effect of Motivational interview on
teenagers' attrition and adherence.
Sample- The population sample which was taken in article 1 was based on randomised
sampling method. Study was based on the teens and their assessment was done on regular basis.5
Child care nurses and six school health services nurses were also taken to conduct MI. Open
ended questions were asked by nurses to children during counselling. Focused group interview
were also conducted (Esser and et.al., 2014).
Validity- The sources of information provided in the study are valid as all the data has
been collected by using authentic sources and various data bases like Pub-Med, Med-line,
CINAHL. The research was made using inclusion and exclusion criteria. Only English language
was used while doing the search.
Reliability- The study is reliable all the information is taken from authentic and reliable
secondary sources
Gender bias- The study was done on the basis of random selecting where researcher
targeted teenagers or children. No criticism has been done on the basis of gender.
Social demographic factors- The demographic factors which were considered while
conducting as the children which were included in the research process was teenagers whose age
lies between 13- 19.
Methods- The study was conducted by using purposive sampling method and the
motivational interview was conducted by nurses for 6 months.
Measurement- The measurement was done by using Body mass index (BMI) which is
used to measure the actual body weight in order to identify the health condition of person.
Ethics and publication bias- The research conducted was approved by the ethics
committee of Linkoping University. There was no publication bias as the information was taken
form reliable sources.
Limitations of method- The only limitation of using motivational interview was that
nurses required more time for building trust with patients, who sometimes do not feel like
interacting with any stranger.
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Confounding variable- The confounding variable in the article presents that obesity is
directly related to problems like depression and anxiety in children.
Article 2- Motivational interviewing targeting diet and physical activity improves adherence to
paediatric obesity treatment
Objective- Article 2 main aim is to find out about the barriers which nurses can face
while providing counselling or taking motivational interview of obese children.
Sample- The sample of population taken for study in article 2 was motivational interview
was taken of obese children aged between 5 to 7 years. Randomised control trial method was
used in the study. Group interview was also taken of the children in order to know their
experience about MI and provide them with counselling. The sampling was focused on targeting
individuals who can helps in understanding main reason behind obesity (Motivational
interviewing targeting diet and physical activity improves adherence to pediatric obesity
treatment: results from the MI Values randomized controlled trial, 2009).
Reliability- The study in article 2 was done for 6 months and it also includes nurses and
health-care professionals
Gender Bias- Study has followed ethical guidelines and there is no gender biasness
issue. The sample of research was Adolescents of African–American, male and female both.
Social demographic factors- The study was based on the children of age group
between 5- 7 years.
Methods- The study was conducted by using randomised controlled trials and the
assessments were repeated at the baseline of 3-6 months. T-tests and chi-square analyse
teenager’s attrition.
Measurement- It was done by using chi-square test which examines attrition and
adherence by group of children.
Ethics and publication bias- The study was conducted by adhering to ethical principles
that is honesty, autonomy and beneficence. No publication bias occurred while organising
research as there was no difference between results of published and non-published studies
(Tomiyama and et.al.,2015.).
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Limitations of methods- The limitation of chi-square test is determined when research
failed to disclose actual causes of obesity.
Confounding variable- The confounding variable in the article presents that obesity is
directly relating to children suffering from acute diseases such as kidney failure, cardiovascular
disorder.
Pros and Cons of two pieces of research
The articles have used motivational interview and counselling method in order to know
about the experiences of young adults suffering from obesity. However, with the help of study it
has been identified that there are number of barriers to nurses while using motivational interview
for counselling of overweight teenagers or children. The research has used various methods like
MI which has supported in counselling of overweight and obese children. Study has supported in
improving knowledge about obesity among teenagers. (Skinner and et.al., 2015).
It acted as potential problem solver to the obese children and also helped nurses and
health care professionals in understanding the signs and symptoms related to disease. The
research used motivational interview and counselling method to conduct study which was
supported by parents of respective children. It has assisted in making them understand the severe
impact obesity on mental and physical condition of child.
Research has also helped to make teenagers understand about the necessity of following
healthy diet and involving in physical activities. According to article 1 it has been determined
that motivational counselling has supported children in reducing their health related problems.
However, from article 2 it has been determined that motivational counselling only work when
both the parties that is children and family recognise that overweight is severe health problem
among young adults. The major pros of the article 1 reflects that the nurses have applied MI only
to obese children rather than overweight adults as they consider obesity a severe health problem
in comparison to overweight (Applying motivational interviewing to counseling overweight and
obese children. 2009). However, training of nurses was conducted to make them understand
severity of obesity (Skinner and et.al., 2015). The research has helped in strengthening nurses'
role while working with obese children which helped them in focusing on high risk population.
Study has included more of secondary prevention approach than population oriented
primary prevention approach. Further, research has also improved understanding of nurses as
well as participants over research topics.
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Overall findings
After collecting the data from the two pieces of research it was found that several factors
raised as barriers or facilitators to the health-care professionals while conducting MI counselling
of obese teenagers or children. It was found out that nurses have got advantage of using
Motivational interview technique as it supported them in solving problems faced by the obese
teenagers. Also, the research signifies that effective communication between nurses and children
is very necessary as it help them in addressing the issues faced by teenagers. It was found out
that to cure obesity, the health-care professionals should be equipped with high level skills over
the problem and the solution to counsel young adults and their parents in a professional way.
Moreover, it has been determined that the exploratory nature of research and methodological
limitations has restrained the conclusion drawn from this study.
CONCLUSION
From the entire report it has been summarised that the major cause of obesity is based on
life style factors, improper eating habits and sometimes it can be seen because of genetic reason.
Assignment has discussed about the difficulties, like making parents of patient understand the
severity of obesity. Further, it discussed about barriers which health-care professionals faced
while counselling overweight and obese teenagers. Research has also laid impact on the point
that sometimes nurses might face difficulty while interacting with teenagers. It has also indicated
that health-care professionals should have used open ended questions to derive opinions of
patients and their families over research aim and objectives.
The study has also signified that health-care providers needs to build a friendly
relationship with young adults in order to make them understand about the importance of
involving in physical activities. Further assignment has also discussed the pros and cons of the
research which was undertaken. It explained health care workers need to access actual weight,
height, age of individual and according they have to provide them treatment. It has also showed
that the nurses in the present study have established considerable motivational interview
techniques which has supported in solving the problem of obese young adults. Moreover, study
demonstrated the importance of educating children about intake of healthy diet and asking them
to share their problems either to their parents or counsellors. Furthermore, report has also
discussed about the variables which are directly linked with health outcomes of children. Like
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for example obese teenagers are at risk of developing health issues like depression,
cardiovascular disease, anxiety and stress.
The research has discussed about counselling of teenagers can support them in changing
their eating pattern and habits. It has also identified that how obesity can develop fear of shame
and guilt in young adults and might make them surrounded with feelings of jealousy or
inferiority complex. All these factors can hamper their growth. Hence, it has been concluded that
health-care providers make use of person-centred approach in order to cure obese children.
However, from both the articles it can be concluded that effective communication need to be
established between patients and nurses to identify root cause of the problem. Hence, effective
interaction will help child in reducing weight and overcoming obesity.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Furukawa, S. & et.al., (2017). Increased oxidative stress in obesity and its impact on metabolic
syndrome. The Journal of clinical investigation.114(12). pp.1752-1761.
Locke, A.E. & et.al., (2015). Genetic studies of body mass index yield new insights for obesity
biology. Nature.518(7538). p.197.
Jensen, M.D. & et.al., (2014). AHA/ACC/TOS guideline for the management of overweight and
obesity in adults: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart
Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines and The Obesity Society. Journal of the
American college of cardiology. 63(25 Part B), pp.2985-3023.
Esser, N. & et.al., (2014). Inflammation as a link between obesity, metabolic syndrome and type
2 diabetes. Diabetes research and clinical practice.105(2). pp.141-150.
Tomiyama, S. & et.al., (2015). Weight bias in 2001 versus 2013: Contradictory attitudes among
obesity researchers and health professionals. Obesity.23(1). pp.46-53.
Skinner, N. & et.al., (2015). Cardiometabolic risks and severity of obesity in children and young
adults. New England Journal of Medicine.373(14). pp.1307-1317.
Online
Applying motivational interviewing to counselling overweight and obese children. (2009).
[Online]. Available through <https://academic.oup.com/her/article/24/3/442/583494>
Motivational interviewing targeting diet and physical activity improves adherence to pediatric
obesity treatment: results from the MI Values randomized controlled trial. (2009).
[Online]. Available through <https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.2047-
6310.2014.226.x >
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