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Background and Methodology of the Research Process- Childhood Obesity

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Background and Methodology of the Research Process- Childhood Obesity
Background and Methodology of the Research Process- Childhood Obesity
Abstract
For some time there has been a largely growing concern about the junk food made available in schools and how it contributes to childhood obesity. In this article it is discovered through research among fifth graders that the junk food that is available in schools does not significantly increase the BMI or obesity of these students. This research was aided from the amount of junk food available and the amount purchased.
Problem to Solve
The problem that this article focuses on is childhood obesity. Childhood obesity in the United States is highest it has ever been with practically one-third of all children and adolescents considered overweight or obese (Datar, A, & Nicosia, N 2012). Therefore most of the focus has been on the schools in hopes to find this as the cause of the epidemic. There has been debates on the nutritional value of schools competitive foods and believe them to be the largest source of junk food.
Purpose
It seems as though the purpose of this study is to inform or let the reader know about the statistics behind childhood obesity and the junk food available at schools. They may have wanted the reader to be aware of the risks of childhood obesity that comes directly from the foods that their child may be buying from the schools vending machines or from the a la carte options. This is believed to truly not be the reasons for the increase in obesity of children. This articles purpose is to make it aware that it could also come from what they are eating outside the schools and what type of exercise they are getting (Datar, A, & Nicosia, N 2012).
Competitive foods can be found in many schools, there is a difference in what is available to elementary, middle and high schools. 97% of high schools and 82% of middle schools have vending machines that students have access to, but in elementary schools there is only 17% that have vending machines. A la carte options are



References: Datar, A, & Nicosia, N 2012, 'Junk Food in Schools and Childhood Obesity ', Journal Of Policy Analysis & Management, 31, 2, pp. 312-337, Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 20 June 2013.

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