Life Styles and Food Habits - Research Proposal Example

Life Styles and Food Habits: Major Causative Elements for Obesity in Canada Author note with more information about affiliation, research grants, conflict of interest and how to contact. Introduction: Recent data deriving from across the world suggests that obesity, a major public health hazard, continues to be “highly prevalent” among all populations and especially in those from ethnic minorities, lower income and lesser education groups (Jensen et al, 2013, p.9). Evidence further suggests that obesity has reached “epidemic proportions” and its prevalence has increased in Canada in “recent decades” both in the adult and child population (Lau et al, 2014, p.1). It also comes to the fore from various research studies that “overnutrition and sedentary lifestyles” are the major contributory factors for the development of obesity rather than genetic factors (p.1). Thus, in the modern day Canada, obesity has become a serious threat to the health of the citizens due to their changing lifestyles and food habits. Validity of the Research Topic: In the backdrop of the prevalence of obesity as a public health problem in Canada for the last three decades, there is an emerging need to devise appropriate intervention strategies “aimed at reducing” the problem across communities (Twells et al, 2014, p.E18). Currently, the issue has acquired alarming proportions as data reveals that 55.4% of Canadians are either “overweight (34.2%) or obese (21.2%)” (p.E22). Many studies identify sedentary life style and food habits of the modern humans as the major causative element for rampant prevalence of obesity and the researchers propose the promotion of “healthy lifestyles” and improvement of “healthy eating” as the main intervention strategies for containing the menace of obesity (p.E25). In this scenario, this study gains validity as it will enable a proper understanding of how the lifestyles and eating habits of Canadians are causing the spread of obesity in the country. Scope and Limitations of the Research: The scope of this research envisages the exploration of the role of sedentary life styles and eating habits of the Canadian people in contributing to the development of the problem of obesity in them. Some of the evidence evaluated during the course of this research has revealed that there is a dearth of investigations that explore the role of physical activity in causing obesity and the available data that connects “economic instruments” to physical activity is very “limited and indirect” (Faulkner et al, 2010, p.21). Therefore, it appears that there is much scope for the review of economic measures to encourage physical activities as an intervention strategy for the prevention of the onslaught of obesity. Similarly, food habits of the Canadians have been seen as another major contributing factor in the development of obesity and evidence suggests that the tax policies on unhealthy food items have only a “limited impact” on the level of obesity (p.19). Thus, this research will also focus on other strategies, especially measures such as subsidies for vegetables and fruits in encouraging consumption of nutritious food so as bring down the levels of obesity in Canadians. A major limitation of this study is that it focuses exclusively on secondary data, emerging from existing literature only, to explicate on the problem and to recommend remedial measures that can help in addressing the issue. Therefore, this study may not be able to assess the latest trends relating to obesity and any measures to counter them. Desired Outcomes and Value of the Research: In the backdrop of the “alarming rise” in the obesity rates in Canada, where 60% of the adult population and 25% of children are overweight, this research aims to illustrate the impact of sedentary life styles and food habits on increasing levels of obesity (Canadians’ Perceptions, 2011, p.20). Thus, the study intends to derive the outcome of creating awareness in populations at risk of obesity to change their lifestyles and to encourage in them physical activities as well as healthy eating habits. It will be of value to the stakeholders including general public and policy makers as the study will suggest some viable measures that can help in the development of the intervention strategies for countering the problem. In addition, this study will focus specifically on areas of intervention strategies that have received comparatively less attention in the current literature and thereby provide new insights into the available options in addressing the problem of rising obesity in the country. Significance of the Topic to the Readers: The old adage “Prevention is Better than Cure” applies aptly to the problem of obesity because if people take appropriate preventive measures, they can be saved from the hardships and financial costs. This study, which intends to identify sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy food habits as major causative elements in causing obesity, will create awareness in the readers about the problem. It will thus encourage the readers to adopt a lifestyle that will incorporate physical activities as a routine as well as encourage healthy eating habits. In addition, since the study also focuses on various intervention strategies that can help address the issue of obesity, this will help readers who are already affected by obesity to address the problem by using the suggested ways and means. Similarly, obesity has risen “dramatically among children” and, therefore, it needs to be seen as a major healthcare challenge to the country (Effective Public Health Interventions, 2011, p.4). In this context, this study will also help create awareness in parents as well as their children about the gravity of the problem and encourage them to take appropriate preventive measures in encountering it. Research Questions: i) To what extent does sedentary lifestyle contribute to the development of obesity? ii) To what extent do unhealthy eating habits contribute to the development of obesity? iii) What specific strategies will help encourage people to engage in physical activities? iv) What specific strategies will help people adopt healthy eating habits? References Baker, S., Kusi-Achampong, M., Walker, E. & Davison, J. 2011. Effective Public Health Interventions in the Prevention of Obesity in Children from Birth to Six Years: A Rapid Review of the Evidence. Region of Peel. Retrieved May 20, 2014, from Canadians’ Perceptions of, and Support for, Potential Measures to Prevent and Reduce Childhood Obesity. 2011. Ottawa: Ipsos Reid. Retrieved May 20, 2014, from Faulkner, G. et al. 2010. Economic Policy, Obesity and Health: A Scoping Review. Toronto, Ontario: Exercise Psychology Unit. Retrieved May 20, 2014, from Jensen, M. D. et al. (2013). 2013 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. Circulation: Journal of American Heart Association. Retrieved May 19, 2014, from http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/early/2013/11/11/01.cir.0000437739.71477.ee.full.pdf Lau, D. C. W. et al. (2007). 2006 Canadian Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Management and Prevention of Obesity in Adults and Children. Canadian Medical Association Journal, Vol. 176 (8): pp.1-117. Retrieved May 19, 2014, from http://www.cmaj.ca/content/suppl/2007/09/04/176.8.S1.DC1/obesity-lau-onlineNEW.pdf Twells, L. K., Gregory, D. M., Reddigan, J. Midodzi, W. K. 2014. Current and Predicted Prevalence of Obesity in Canada: A Trend Analysis. Canadian Medical Association Journal, Vol.2 (1): pp.E18-E26. Retrieved May 20, 2014, from Read More