Research Methods: Understanding Obesity's Impact on UK Youth

This report explores the impact of obesity among young people in the UK, utilizing research methods to analyze the notion of obesity, evaluate its causes, risk factors, and effects, and examine intervention strategies. The literature review covers perceptions of body size, beliefs about influences on body size, and experiences with weight reduction. It highlights the prevalence of obesity, particularly in lower socioeconomic classes and certain regions, and discusses the role of diet, lack of exercise, genetics, and environmental factors in causing obesity. Risk factors such as insufficient sleep, medical conditions, stress, and added sugar are also examined. The report concludes by outlining interventions aimed at increasing physical activity, reducing sedentary behaviors, and promoting healthier eating habits to mitigate the negative effects of obesity among young people in the UK. Desklib provides access to similar solved assignments and research resources for students.

RESEARCH METHODS

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
RATIONALE FOR THE RESEARCH...........................................................................................1
RESEARCH AIM............................................................................................................................1
RESEARCH OBJECTIVE..............................................................................................................1
RESEARCH QUESTION................................................................................................................2
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................2
Notion of obesity among young people in the UK.................................................................2
Causes, risk factor and effect of obesity among young people in the UK.............................3
Intervention for obesity..........................................................................................................5
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.....................................................................................................6
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Obesity is defined as complex and progressive disease which may usually involve an
excessive amount of body fat. In addition to this, the obesity is also not just matter is related with
the cosmetic concern. It is show the medical problem or issue that enhance the risk of other
disease and health issue such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure which is also
called as hypertension. Therefore, it also shows the aspect which may help to provide the factor
and approach that is related with the certain cancer. There are number of reason which is
showing that some of people difficulty that is losing weight, usually, obesity show the result
from inherited, physiological and environmental factor that is combined with the diet, physical
activity and showing choice of exercise. In this report, the major of discussion is based on the
obesity among young people. The research work carries specific concept, impact and
intervention studies in the literature review with proper method that include approach, choice,
database, search strategy and inclusion and exclusion criteria (Alpert and et. al., 2018).
RATIONALE FOR THE RESEARCH
The rationale for the research is showing professional and personal development as per topic
that is obesity among young people. The obesity among young people is used to face the issue on
the various level such as bullying, harassment and various disease. Therefore, while conducting
the research appropriate knowledge are used to develop that focus on the topic. The knowledge
helps to provide the better understanding that is related with the topic which foster professional
and personal growth. The professional development is usually taken because the topic is related
with health and social care. In addition, the knowledge that is related with the professional level
useful for course and within placement services. In addition, the personal growth and
development is also requiring for providing support to their friends, families and other relative
who is dealing with obesity in young age (An, 2018).
RESEARCH AIM
To understand the impact of obesity among young people in the UK.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVE
 To analyse the notion of obesity among young people in the UK
 To evaluate the causes, risk factor and effect of obesity among young people in the UK.
1

 To examine the ways and intervention used to reduce the negative effect of obesity
among young people in the UK.
RESEARCH QUESTION
 What are the notion of obesity among young people in the UK?
 What are the causes, risk factor and effect of obesity among young people in the UK?
 What are the ways and intervention used to reduce the negative effect of obesity among
young people in the UK?
LITERATURE REVIEW
Notion of obesity among young people in the UK
According to the frame of reference of Rebecca Rees, Kathryn Oliver, Jenny Woodman
& James Thomas, the prevalence of obesity & overweight among young women or men remains
regularly high over the time period of 2004 to 2008 in UK (Stefanova and et. al., 2020). In
between this time period, round about one third of young men and women are felt a higher body
weight as compare to the healthy range. By the perspective of them, future of young people is
badly affected by the condition f obesity. An increment in weight over the healthy criteria give
out to an enhanced risk of diabetes, cancer, asthma, cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis,
rheumatic disease and different respiratory illness. In young women, it creates a chances of risk
of anxiety or depression disorders in early or adult age. In UK, there are three themes areas,
which are related to the view point of young people as like:
1. General perceptions for various body size and responses of society to that perceptions.
Perceptions which are generally added in the moral terms, this is on your conscience all
the time (Pradeepkumar and Goruntla, 2020).
2. Beliefs of overweight young people in terms of influences on body size and experiences
regarding to their body size that if I would not be like this, it I had the choice.
3. Experiences of overweight young people of trying to reduce and maintain weight.
By the viewpoint of Int J Surg Oncol (N Y), Obesity is an over accumulation of fat in
body, which is usually more than 20% to the normal body weight. In 1990, obesity officially
classified as a disorder and describe as body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or more, it is the type of
chronic diseases. People working in unskilled manual profession are at risk of morbidity due to
obesity in comparison of those who are professional employee (Pechey and et.al., 2019). It is
2

analysed in report that 15 percent of women belongs to social class I and 62 percent of women
who belong to social class v are suffering from obesity. Obesity is more common in children who
are sitting at home and having over weight parents. It is calculated if single parent is obese
chances of obesity for 1 to 2 year children become 30% in comparison of children who do not
have obese parents. Lifestyle of children is also responsible for increasing prevalence of obesity.
One of the major determinants of obesity trends is ethnicity. It is concluded by analysing the data
that by 2050, 70 percent of the women of Yorkshire and Humberside will be suffering from
obesity where as 7% of women of south west of England will be also suffering from obesity.
Females will lose around fifth of year whereas male will lose around third by the middle of the
21st century if the prevalence of obesity will increase at this higher rate (Patel, 2020).
According to an article published by Susan, Jebb and Kirsten Rennie (2020) it is
summarized that prevalence of obesity depends upon body mass index. They have also
concluded that comparatively Asians are at higher risk of obesity. Prevalence of obesity do not
differentiate according to sex it means will remain same boys as well as girls (Naiem, and et.al.,
2021). This article was published to make people familiar with the prevalence of obesity in
England and risk factors which influences the prevalence. This also talks about the regions of
UK, which is at higher risk of obesity. Data collected from the 2003 health survey of England
19% of women and 21% were being suffered from obesity and calculated BMI was greater than
30 kg m -2. It is required to stop the fear and prevalence of obesity among the citizens of UK.
Extra weight gain at young age becomes a reason of obesity and heart diseases. Risk factors
influencing obesity are required to be minimized. Obesity gives rise to many more diseases such
as diabetes, atherosclerosis, myocardial infections and many more. Identifying the regions and
people who are at higher risk of obesity helps to make strategies. Implementing these strategies
to minimizes the risk factors can make UK free from obesity.
Causes, risk factor and effect of obesity among young people in the UK
Obesity is commonly caused due to high consumption of fat. Having high calories on daily basis
and do not let them burn through physical activities can cause obesity (Marty and et.al., 2020).
Three main cause of obesity: -
 diet
 lack of exercise
 genetics and environmental factors
3

It is very crucial to eat a healthy diet to maintain a healthy life style. Eating excess sugar
and fat makes body fatty and person become obese (Manios and et.al., 2018). Extra fat get
deposited at the wall of artery and it decreases the blood flow throughout the artery leads to heart
disorders. Today all the people are running behind eating junk food, having excessive amount of
calories and no nutrients leading obesity. Oily and fried street foods are on demand makes people
consume extra fat and make them gain weight. Extra calories are not burn out and make
excessive fat deposited beneath the skin. Imbalance between food and physical activity always
contributes to weight gain. Sometimes administration of certain medicines also makes body gain
weight (Jones and et.al., 2019) (Kok and et.al., 2018) .
Environmental factors may cause obesity includes some people don’t have access to
supermarkets that sell affordable healthy foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables not having
area parks, sidewalks, food advertising encourages people to buy unhealthy foods, such as high-
fat snacks and sugary drinks, sugary and fatty food items increase Americans’ calorie intake and
affordable gyms makes it hard for people to be physically active and making even more physical
activity necessary to maintain a healthy weight. It has been analysed that genetics play a crucial
role in obesity. Genes are equally responsible as external factors to weight gain as children
having fatigue parents are higher risk of obesity (Ganesan, Vazana and Stuhr, 2021).
Physical inactivity or less physical activity make person obese because extra fat do not
get burn out and get deposited beneath the skin. Now a day’s children like to sit at home and play
indoor games thus get fatigue at this younger age. They do not want to go out for outdoor games
and burn calories leads obesity. Using cars and other vehicles became so common as people are
not going for walk and using vehicles for walking distance. This makes a person look fatigue and
also decreases self-esteem. Emotional baggage or stress make person eat more and less
physically active and person starts gaining weight. Daily exercise enhances working capacity and
makes person live a healthy life. Physical inactivity does not let energy utilized provided by the
food and makes extra energy stored as fat beneath the skin. Daily exercise and playing outdoor
games enhances daily energy expenditure and help person to stay balanced. Regular exercise
minimizes the development of abdominal fat and helps to reduce total body fat.
Risk factors for obesity:
 Not enough sleep
 medical condition
4

 stress
 added sugar
 lifestyle
lifestyle play a crucial role when a person gets overweight. Risk factors such as diet,
smoking, drinking excessive amount of alcohol, sleeping disorders and stress makes a person
obese and gives rise to a number of diseases (Dawe and Coward, 2019). Eating extra calories
than use makes a person obese. Oily and sugary food items consumption make extra fat
deposited beneath the skin and causes weight gain. Not all the foods give equal amount of energy
so it is required to calculate the calories being consumed per day. A nutritionist should be
consulted if a person is gaining extra weight. A nutritionist makes a diet chart after calculating
the BMI so a person may consume all the nutrients in a fixed amount. Limiting fast food and
preparing more meals at home helps to consume healthy food. Choosing whole grain and
avoiding refined grains makes a person consume low fat food items. Consuming sugary
substance provides extra calories and makes person obese.
Obesity has a very serious effect on the financial development as it is estimated that
overall cost of obesity to wider society is increasing day by day. Obesity leads to depression and
poor self-esteem in youngsters and they stop to socialise. Majority of citizens in UK are suffering
from obesity and prevalence is high at deprived areas. 67% of obese men and 60% of women are
reported in deprived areas. Consumption of tobacco, alcohol and sugary substance are closely
linked to the obesity and gives rise to diseases such as diabetes, asthma, sleep apnoea and kidney
stones.
Intervention for obesity
Intervention and strategies used to decrease obesity includes increase physical inactivity,
reduce sedentary activities, facilitate family involvement, change eating behaviours and decrease
energy intake. Environmental factors which influence obesity should be eliminated. There is a
need to promote physical activity via conducting sports activities in school and colleges.
Government should conduct such seminar and activities which people aware of importance of
physical activities. Promoting outdoor games among children make them participate in sports
activities in order to engage them in physical activities. This reduce overall body weight and
make them live a healthy life. Eating balanced diet is also helpful for minimizing extra fat.
Eating low sugar and carbs makes a person look fit and fine. Eating calories in required amount
5

prevents the deposition or accumulation of fat beneath the skin. Government is also making
strategies to prevent the marketing of oily and sugary food items in order to promote good health.
Administration of appropriate medicine makes the fat excreted out of the body in the form of
faeces (Al-Abed, 2021). A person who is risk free is comparatively looks fit so it is required to
live happily. Stress and depression makes person less active leads to obesity. Medicines which
are causing weight gain need to be avoided and patient needs to consult a physician in such case.
Good sleep makes person live without stress which is really helpful to maintain the weight. Not
taking enough sleep makes a person irritated and he may start taking sleeping pills which can
cause obesity.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Participant selection: The participant selection is based on the research work. Therefore,
participant is usually selected from the random selection where the participant is used to selected
from different location. In the research work, participant is generally selected on random basis.
The random selection is usually referring that how the sample is well drawn from the population
as defined as whole. The random selection helps to reduce the biasness which may occur while
conducting the research work. The main aim to selected to select random selection is used to
enhance generalizability of outcome (Antelo Suárez, 2020). They also used to draw random
sample from the larger population where the goals are used to show the sample which is well
represented of the wider group and less likely show the subject and originality to bias. Random
sampling enhances the external validity or generalizability of result while random assignment
helps to improve the internal validity of the study. Overall, for the conducting of research work,
the random selection is validated for the appropriate outcome which may create evidence based
information and data. in addition to research, the 100 participant are selected from the random
selection in which 50 is male and 50 is female. The equilibrium must be maintaining in order to
configure the outcome which show accuracy as per topic that is obesity among the target
population young people (Berger, 2018).
Research design: The research design is well required with the research approach which may
help to create the aspect that is related with data collection and selection of report. The research
design usually refers as strategy which can choose to integrate the different component of study
of that is related with coherent and logical way. In this report, they also help to ensure that they
are effectively show the aspect which help to address the issue which is defined as the obesity
6

within the report or research work. In this, the research work is must be follow descriptive
research design for collection of data and information which is related with topic that is obesity
among young people or adults. The major reason to choose descriptive research design for
research work is that it has aim to obtain and gather information to systematically that help to
elaborate phenomena, situation or the population. In this, it usually helps to answer the question
which is regarding the research issue that is showing obesity among young people. In other hand,
there is a valid reason which may show their effective description for choosing of descriptive
research design that is it help to enable the in-depth understanding of the obesity that may create
complication to health within young people (Caci and et. al., 2020).
In this, major impact is determined within young people due to obesity of diabetes. The
obesity in the England is showing data that is 14.4 percent of reception age children age 4 to 5
years are generally obese with the further 13.3 percent of person is overweight at the age of 6
years. Therefore, the descriptive research design helps in research work to gather the information
which is about the topic. For instance, the report is well related with the statistics on obesity,
physical activity diet England 2020, it is well evaluated that the number of adult were is usually
overweight or obese. The figure helps to show the data which may provide the better
understanding at the 67 percent for men and 60 percent for women.
Overall, descriptive research design is well useful for creating the appropriate data
collection and selection for the research topic. The research topic is about obesity and their
impact on young adult with significant intervention which is used in order to develop sense of
information and data for topic which is usually collected while using the descriptive research
design (Hussan and et. al., 2020).
Procedure: The procedure is usually show context which may help to provide the proper
equipment, tool and protocol which may use within research process to collect data and
information (Wiss and et. al., 2020). The equipment or tool which is used for data collection
within the research process are undertaken that may help to provide in-depth analysis that may
provide evidence based data. The major of tool which is used within research process are
interview, survey, checklist and so on. For this research work, the survey is appropriate for data
collection procedure. In this, the survey as the tool which is used in order to collect data and
information may useful to make plan that provide the rationale for specific topic that is showing
7

notion, causes and effect and intervention which is used among general population with the
context of tool that is survey process and procedure for the collection of data.
With this research process, the questionnaire is also used the tool for the data collection
and selection. In this research work, questionnaire is also an aspect which may to analyse
information and data that is showing the aspect where appropriate data is collected while using
the vision of questionnaire as the procedure in the research work (Hwang and et. al., 2020).
Questionnaire:
1: How often participant eat meals in a day (including snacks, fruits and so on)?
A) More than 5 times B) One time
C) Four time D) Three times
2: How often participant drink sweetened beverage such as soft drinks and many more?
A) Once a day B) Three time a day
C) Four time a day D) More than 6 time a day
3: How often participant eat oily food or meat based food?
A) Once a day B) Three time a day
C) Four time a day D) More than 6 time a day
4: How often participant eat fruits and salad in a day?
A) Once a day B) Three time a day
C) Four time a day D) More than 6 time a day
5: How often participants eat out of the house such as party, function and so on?
A) More than 3 time a week. B) One time in month
C) Two time in month D) Occasionally
6: How many days participants exercise in a week?
A) Daily B) Two time a week
C) Three time a week D) One time a week
8

7: How much time participants spend on exercise?
A) Less than 40 minute B) More than 40 minute
C) 20 to 30 minute D)10 to 20 minute
8: How often participant taking care of their health and manage BMI?
A) Daily B) Rarely
C) Not sure D) Unjustified
Protocol:
If the research question is well constructed, all term is clearly defined and the research design is
also well explained, then collecting the data should also be an aspect which is reasonable and
east to implement. It is also analysed that the data collection is generally time consuming, tedious
and well expensive so that getting the data collection for the first time which is usually
important. In addition, before collection the data, the plan is usually help to established and well
documented that used to explain the data which is well obtained (Long and et. al., 2020). The
major protocol which follow under the research process are:
 Determine the feasibility of data collection protocol.
 Identify the unforeseen challenges.
 Analyse data which help with sample size calculation.
 Potentially save time and money.
Data analysis: The data analysis is also important aspect to interpret data and information which
may provide relevant information regarding research topic. The data analysis that is used within
the research are descriptive data analysis which may help to provide the aspect which is related
with collected data which is outline for the evidence based information. The data analysis is
important within the research because it help to make the study easier and provide more accurate
data that help the researcher to interpret the data wisely and accurately.
Inclusion and exclusion criteria: Within every research work, inclusion and exclusion play vital
role for selection of study. Whereas, inclusion criteria are characteristic that show the prospective
subject which have provide in-depth approach for the included form of study. In this, exclusion
9

criteria are defined as those characteristic that help to disqualify prospective subject from the
inclusion in the form of study (O’Shea and et. al., 2019).
Inclusion criteria Exclusion criteria
 Young people are usually taken under
the research process.
 The inclusion of obesity and their
complication for the research work.
 The English language is required for
the research process.
 Therefore, descriptive research design
is also undertaken for the research
process for the collection of data.
 Children and older people are excluded
from the study.
 Rather than English language is
excluded from the study (Olfert and et.
al., 2018).
CONCLUSION
As per the above discussion, it is well analysing that the study is related with the obesity
which may impact the young people and foster the situation which is generally related with the
diabetes, hypertension and so on. The research process is used to taken under various process
which is related with the context of descriptive research design. In addition, the research process
is usually conducted that may have related with the effect of obesity and the way which is help to
manage condition and situation.
10

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Alpert, M.A., Karthikeyan, K., Abdullah, O. and Ghadban, R., 2018. Obesity and cardiac
remodeling in adults: mechanisms and clinical implications. Progress in cardiovascular
diseases, 61(2), pp.114-123.
An, R., Ji, M., Yan, H. and Guan, C., 2018. Impact of ambient air pollution on obesity: a
systematic review. International journal of obesity, 42(6), pp.1112-1126.
Antelo Suárez, M., Magdalena, P., Reboredo Nogueira, J.C. and Reyes Santiás, F., 2020. How
Are Unemployed Individuals with Obesity Affected by an Economic Crisis?.
Berger, N.A., 2018. Young adult cancer: influence of the obesity pandemic. Obesity, 26(4),
pp.641-650.
Caci, G., Albini, A., Malerba, M., Noonan, D.M., Pochetti, P. and Polosa, R., 2020. COVID-19
and obesity: dangerous liaisons. Journal of clinical medicine, 9(8), p.2511.
Hussan, H., Patel, A., Le Roux, M., Cruz-Monserrate, Z., Porter, K., Clinton, S.K., Carethers,
J.M. and Courneya, K.S., 2020. Rising incidence of colorectal cancer in young adults
corresponds with increasing surgical resections in obese patients. Clinical and
translational gastroenterology, 11(4).
Hwang, S.B., Park, S., Jin, G.R., Jung, J.H., Park, H.J., Lee, S.H., Shin, S. and Lee, B.H., 2020.
Trends in beverage consumption and related demographic factors and obesity among
Korean children and adolescents. Nutrients, 12(9), p.2651.
Long, J.D., Ward, C.A. and Khorasani-Zadeh, A., 2020. The impact of obesity on COVID-19
disease severity. PRiMER: Peer-Review Reports in Medical Education Research, 4.
O’Shea, D. and Hogan, A.E., 2019. Dysregulation of natural killer cells in
obesity. Cancers, 11(4), p.573.
Olfert, M.D., Barr, M.L., Charlier, C.M., Famodu, O.A., Zhou, W., Mathews, A.E., Byrd-
Bredbenner, C. and Colby, S.E., 2018. Self-reported vs. measured height, weight, and
BMI in young adults. International journal of environmental research and public
health, 15(10), p.2216.
Wiss, D.A. and Brewerton, T.D., 2020. Adverse childhood experiences and adult obesity: a
systematic review of plausible mechanisms and meta-analysis of cross-sectional
studies. Physiology & Behavior, 223, p.112964.
Al-Abed, A.A.A.A., 2021. Obesity-Linked Diseases (Comorbidities). In Obesity and its Impact
on Health (pp. 97-116). Springer, Singapore.
Dawe, N. and Coward, M., 2019. Exploring the role of school nurses in the prevention and
management of childhood obesity. British Journal of School Nursing. 14(5). pp.230-240.
Ganesan, S.M., Vazana, S. and Stuhr, S., 2021. Waistline to the gumline: Relationship between
obesity and periodontal disease‐biological and management considerations. Periodontology
2000. 87(1). pp.299-314.
Jones, R and et.al., 2019. The impact of adult weight management interventions on mental
health: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Obesity Abstracts, 1.
Kok, B and et.al., 2018. The impact of obesity in cirrhotic patients with septic shock: A
retrospective cohort study. Liver International. 38(7). pp.1230-1241.
Manios, Y and et.al., 2018. Prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of overweight and
obesity in a large Pan-European cohort of preschool children and their families: The
ToyBox study. Nutrition. 55. pp.192-198.
11

Marty, L and et.al., 2020. Mandatory calorie labelling in the out-of-home food sector: an obesity
policy with multiple mechanisms of action.
Naiem, A.A and et.al., 2021. A systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the impact of
obesity on outcomes of abdominal aortic aneurysm treatment. Journal of Vascular Surgery.
Patel, D., 2020. A cross-sectional study into the general public’s awareness of obesity as an
aetiological factor for multiple cancers in the UK. Radiography. 26. pp.S11-S12.
Pechey, E and et.al., 2019. Impact of health warning labels on snack selection: two online
studies. Obesity Abstracts, 1.
Pradeepkumar, B. and Goruntla, N., 2020. Association of obesity with COVID-19
deaths. Current Medicine Research and Practice. 10(6). p.308.
Stefanova, I and et.al., 2020. A meta-analysis of the impact of bariatric surgery on back
pain. Obesity Surgery. 30(8). pp.3201-3207.
Online
The rising prevalence of obesity: part A: impact on public health, 2017 [online] available through
< https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5673154/>
The views of young children in the UK about obesity, body size, shape and weight: a systematic
review, 2011 [online] available through
https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2458-11-188
12

13