According to the World Health Organization, approximately 1.9 billion individuals above the age of 18 were overweight in 2016, which amounts to 659 million adults with obesity (WHO, 2020). Of the 1.9 billion individuals, 39 percent were men, while 40 percent were women. In total, 13 percent of the world’s population was obese in 2016. Shockingly, from 1975 to 2016, the prevalence of obesity has tripled globally. The prevalence of obesity among the American population is approximately 16.2 percent among adolescents and 34 percent among adults (Healthy People 2020, 2020). Obesity is associated with diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, high blood pressure, among many others. Such conditions add a significant burden to the American healthcare system because it brings about high financial and social burden. Lack of or inefficient physical activity and poor nutritional behaviors have been evidenced by different sources to be the etiological factor for obesity among the American population. Physical inactivity and poor dietary habits have adverse effects on individuals. The research will help answer the question that states what kind of nutritional intake and physical activity mistakes are associated with obesity?
Epidemiological Study Design
the case study design will be used to assess obesity and its associated factors such as physical activity and nutritional behaviors. The use of the case study design will offer an in-depth analysis of the elements. One of the benefits of using the case study method is that the study will undergo thorough research through the use of both secondary and primary data, extensive inquiry, and statistical survey (Yin, 2017). Though people are engaging in physical activity and proper nutritional activity, the rate of obesity is still increasing will leading to negative associated factors. Through the research, the goal of the study of identifying the physical activity mistakes and nutritional intake mistakes that are associated with obesity will be identified. The information gained will be multi-sided as it will offer insight from both the obese or overweight individuals and the normal-weight individuals.
The use of the case study facilitates flexibility as different methodologies, and different sources can be used in analyzing the research problem. The use of the various methodologies and sources brings about an adequate understanding of the issue at hand despite its complexity. The case study method will offer a detailed analysis of the events and the relationships that occur (Yin, 2017). Through the case study method, one can obtain a detailed description.
Strength and Weaknesses of data sources
From the data collection instruments stated above, it is evident that primary and secondary information will be obtained. In this case, primary data is advantageous as the information is valid and reliable. For this research, primary information will be sourced from an online questionnaire. Primary data is efficient because it is consistent with the research thesis question, which aims at identifying nutritional and physical activity mistakes that individuals are making. These mistakes prevent healthy living, which leads to obesity and later burdens the health care system with the associated health care issues. Questionnaires are also time-consuming for both the researcher and the sample population. Cronin (2016), considering the inquiries are handled online, the sample population might opt to ignore and not complete the questions. The factor stated above shows that the researcher lack control over the process as the sample population might choose to be cooperative or not.
Secondary information on obesity is essential; however, one of its flaws is that the publishers or individuals might not be dealing with the same topic as the one I might be focusing on. Such factors affect the accuracy and suitability of the research. However, secondary information from various institutional databases is that it is affordable and not time-consuming (Cronin, 2016). Through secondary data, international and cross-cultural analysis can be facilitated.