The Relationship Between Methamphetamine Use and Obesity Variables

This report analyzes the relationship between methamphetamine use and obesity among Chicago youth, focusing on key variables like BMI and sexual orientation. It defines variables and covariates, clarifies study assumptions, and outlines the scope and delimitations of the research, including the exclusion of certain populations. The study acknowledges limitations related to data generalization and the selection of the research population. The report underscores the importance of evidence-based practices and the application of social cognitive theory to understand the impact of methamphetamine use on obesity and related health outcomes among the youth population. The report highlights the need for further research to address the limitations of the study and to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the complex relationship between methamphetamine, obesity, and youth.

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Variables in the Evidence-Based Practices
Student’s Name
Institution’s Affiliations
Date

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Definitions of variable and Covariates in the Study
Most research studies involve the identification of both independent and dependent
variables for effective data analysis and evaluation based on the available resources and
evidence. In research practice, independent variables are components that are changed and
controlled by scientific experiments undertaken to determine the efficacy of the research
analytics (Grove, & Gray, 2018). Examples of independent variables in the research include
methamphetamine drug. Methamphetamine is one of the illicit substances that acts as a
stimulant to the central nervous system. Being a CNS stimulant, methamphetamine affects
the normal physiological functions of the users. In this case, the height of an individual is
constant and cannot be altered through scientific analysis. Body weight and height of a
person determine his/her Body Mass Index (BMI), therefore, confirming that the independent
variables affect the dependent variables in the research. The age and gender of the selected
population cannot be changed through scientific analysis.
On the other hand, a dependent variables are those components that result after the
scientific testing has been terminated. The dependent variable is affected by the
measurements taken during the actual research (Barry, Clarke & Petry, 2010). The dependent
variables used in the study differ depending on the participants of the study. Body Mass Index
is the ratio of height squire on meters to the body weight in kilogram. For instance, Body Mass
Index (BMI) depend on body weight and height. The mathematical calculation of the BMI of
the people relies on the accuracy of the analytical devices. The evaluation of the dependent
variables forms a critical component in the analysis of the study results and potential limitations
(Gearhardt et al, 2018).
Covariates are continuous variables that are not controlled by manipulation that
occurs during data analytics (Eliason et al, 2014). The application of covariates is important

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in a research study because they help in avoiding assumptions that normally occur as a result
of the use of randomized data for analysis and evaluation, therefore, ensuring quality results.
The covariates are neighter and independent variable nor a dependent variables, but they are
important in linking the two type of variable to establish a strong data analytical operation.
For example, the measure of the size of the geographical region in which the study is
undertaken is the main covariate in this case. Another covariate in the study is the sexual
orientation of the sample population.
Socio-behavioral practices are ethical values and norms that determine the wellbeing
of people in society. Social values shape the behaviors of people, therefore, developing
morals and positive living. Irresponsible social practices have negative impacts on the
behavior of people, therefore, affecting the interaction of the people. Another complex term
used in the cohort study is a centrally planned economy. The centrally planned economy is a
type of economic system in which the public is in control of all resources, therefore, the
allocation and utilization of the resources determined by the government (Flentje, Heck &
Sorensen, 2015). Intergenerational mobility is another term with several meanings utilized in
the study. This term refers to a phenomenon in which the social status is vertically changed
from one generation to another.
Assumptions of the Study
Assumptions are part of the components of a study. First, the statistical report that
there is no close relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI) and methamphetamine is an
assumption. This statement is not true because other reviews done on some peer-reviewed
literature have shown a close relation of the BMI and the methamphetamine use. Prolonged
use of Methamphetamine leads to addiction. Most of the methamphetamine addicts have are
overweight; therefore, their BMI measurements are above the normal values (Gonzales,

THE USE OF METHAMPHETAMINE AND OBESITY 4
Mooney & Rawson, 2010). Methamphetamine is among the substance that causes addiction
among the youth in Chicago; therefore, the adverse effects result in obesity especially among
the girls and young women.
Another assumption made in this study is the statement that the relationship between
methamphetamine and Body Mass Index does not depend on sexual orientation. The use of
methamphetamine has different impacts on the body. The impacts of this stimulant may
affect the users differently depending on their gender. Evidence-based practice is important in
making a clear conclusion on the effects of drugs to users because some drugs produce
varying side effects in different users. Gender orientation is one of the factors that affect the
action of drugs on the body. The disparity is based on the mechanism of action of the drug,
for example, some drugs are absorbed and metabolized in the body in the presence of
accumulation of fats, and therefore, the drug will have different effects women and girls as
compared to boys and men.
The assumptions were necessary for the study to avoid biased information.
Assumption provides general knowledge and important concepts that can be used to describe
a particular problem. For example, the assumption that there is no association between
methamphetamine and Body Mass Index was made to provide the learner and the analysts an
opportunity to think and make an amicable solution for the problem critically.
Scope and Delimitations of the Study
The aim of the study was to identify the effects of the methamphetamine on the
addicted youth. The main aspects that were covered in the study were social behaviors
observed on the youth living in Chicago. The influence of the socioeconomic factors also
contributed to the pivotal aspects of the study. The design of the study focused on the
analysis of data provided in the Youth Risk Behavioral Surveillance System (YRBS). Body

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Mass Index (BMI) formed the basis of the study because prolonged use of drugs leads to
addiction and related health effects.
Obesity is one of the health conditions affecting most young people in America.
Socioeconomic factors increase the rates of obesity in the country. Social factor includes the
use of drugs. The use of methamphetamine increases obesity rates and other related health
conditions like increased blood pressure and diabetes (NIDA, 2018).
The boundaries of the study were based on young people, especially the school going
boys and girls in Chicago. The normal methamphetamine users are evaluated in the study
because they were willing to provide the information related to the study unlike other chronic
users. The boundaries were restricted to the school going youth, therefore, excluding other
groups of the population that would have provided essential data on the association of
methamphetamine and BMI on the addicted users in the City of Chicago. The boundaries of
the study excluded the immoral people like the homosexual group of people. The bisexual
and lesbian may also be included in the study to obtain a wide range of research results and
improve the scope of the study (Herrmann & Blackstone, 2015). The association of the
methamphetamine and BMI in these excluded groups may be different from those observed
in the included sample population. The consideration of the evaluation of all populations in
the study is pivotal in avoiding the assumptions made, therefore, reducing the nature of
biased information.
The application of social theoretical frameworks is important in ensuring effective
data analysis and identification of an appropriate social strategy that can assist in combating
the social problem in the Chicago city and America at large. The best theoretical framework
that analyses the relationship between personal and behavioral factors is Social Cognitive
Theory (Huang, Lanza & Anglin, 2013). This theory emphasis on the importance of positive

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living in society. Normative position of the young people in Chicago depends on the
behaviors. Their behaviors are determined by personal factors like biological events in the
body and cognitive functionality. The behaviors vary with the sexual orientation of the
population. In the study, the behavioral factors are the use of methamphetamine and the
impacts on obesity. The personal factor is sexual orientation.
The data analytics approach used in the study was based on the general presentation
of results. For example, the obesity percentages in various cities and the entire country were
generalized. The generalization of study results was not effective for data interpretation
because the effects of the methamphetamine and its association with obesity are different
depending gender of the users; therefore, sexual orientation is a factor to be considered in the
analysis of the study result to avoid generalization and related limitations.
Limitations of the Study
Surveys and research studies have a various limitation that arises from different stages
of the operation. The main limitation identified in the study was the exclusiveness in the
selection of the research population. For example, the selection of the school going teenagers
and youth, especially the university students affected the performance of the study. The
exclusion of other groups like lesbians and bisexuals affected the analysis of the data;
therefore, the results from the selected grouped was used as a representative of all groups in
the city. The effects of the methamphetamine its association with BMI vary with the groups
of populations. Another limitation is the assumptions made in the study that the use of
methamphetamine have no close association with the Body Mass Index of the users. The
assumptions become the limitations of the study because they do not have scientific
information to back justify the worthiness of the information (Vera-Villarroel et al, 2014).

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Evidenced-based practices are important in providing appropriate evidence to prove the
relevancy of the information in the data analysis process (Smith et al, 2010).
Lastly, the generalization of the data in the survey limits the accuracy of the information,
therefore, interfering the performance of the study. The data was based on a single group of
people, that is, school-going youth. The generalization approach affected the efficacy of the
study results (Lutzker et al, 2016). A comparison was not undertaken due to the generality of
the data. The information was not analyzed based on gender, social ideologies, and race.

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