In the previous chapters I discussed the problem of the lack of healthy eating promotion programs in schools are leaving parents and students uneducated about how to purchase healthy items which is leading to childhood obesity. I also discussed how the problem is being addressed, as well as the theory of social constructionism. In this chapter, I will discuss the specific methodology I plan to use and the three different types of data collection I plan to employ to carry out my study. This study will use a qualitative approach to study and address the issue of the lack of healthy eating promotion in schools. The three types of data collection I plan to use are: direct observation, focus groups and a questionnaire. These methods will be clarified later in this chapter. Rationale for Qualitative Methodology Qualitative research is an approach that attempts to situate an activity that locates the observer in the world by providing the study to occur in their natural setting and by attempting to make sense of, or interpret information (Denzin and Lincoln, 2005). A characteristic of qualitative research is to use a variety of empirical materials such as personal experience, interviews, and questionnaires. It is imperative to understand the task at hand and how to fully carry out the study when using a qualitative research approach in order to find out the information needed. One view of qualitative research is it involves examining individual’s experiences and documenting those experiences in detail (Jones, 2011). By documenting these observations the researcher is ensuring validity in his or her data and giving the correct creditability to those who participated in the study. Creditability is an important aspect of a q... ... middle of paper ... ...romoting Physical Activity and a Healthful Diet Among Children: Results of a School-Based Intervention Study. American Journal of Public Health, 81(8), 986-991. Story,M, Resnick,M.(2000). Adolescents’ Views on Food and Nutrition. Adolescent Health, University of Minnesota, 1-6. Tashakkori, A. (2003). Handbook of Mixed Methods in Social and Behavioral Research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. The Center for Disease and Prevention. (2010). Retrieved February 14, 2011 from CDC:http://www.cdc.gov. Toly, D. (2005). "What's in the Package?" Rethinking Grab-and-Go Lunches. Journal of Nutrition Education & Behavior, 37S113-S114. Trochim, W. (2006). Research Methods Knowledge Base: Cornell University: Atomic Dog Publishing. Young,E,Fors,S.(2001). Factors Related to the Eating Habits of Students in Grades 9-12. Journal of School Health, 71(10), 483-488.
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Show MoreThis documentary takes a look at how our school’s lunch programs and government play a role in the spread of obesity across the nation. The film really attempts to drive home the idea that our children are being immorally brainwashed into wanting unhealthy foods. At some points of the film, it appears that the director uses big companies and school lunches as a scapegoat for our nations crisis. It is a valid point that our nation’s children are being
Schools are meant to give our children a healthy and nurturing environment, and yet so much of the lunches in schools are fattening; does this stop schools from achieving the aforementioned goal? Childhood obesity in the United Sates continues to be a growing problem despite so any new programs to help combat it, and new research is showing how schools may be playing a large role in childhood obesity. School lunches are showing to be the problem, they encourage poor nutrition in our nation’s students, and simple reform is proving to not be enough to stop the rise in obesity rates.
Introduction: The children obesity epidemic is still present today, and the growing love of fast food is fueling it. Students are not being taught good nutrition and are paying the price. With fast food restaurants appearing in more areas, one place they have remained is on high schools campuses. Having fast food on campuses has its benefits such as fast and cheap food and it can be easily accessed. The negative aspect of having fast food on high school campuses is how much is being consumed. The students are not getting the right nutrition to fuel their minds for the school work. Students need to have proper nutrition to carry on throughout the day and preform to the best of their ability.
...on: Creating School Environments And Policies To Promote Healthy Eating And Physical Activity." Milbank Quarterly 87.1 (2009): 71-100. Academic Search Complete. Web. 14 Feb. 2014
Qualitative research has gained significant recognition in the social science sphere with its holistic and purposeful pursuit in illuminating new areas for research lacking through quantitative research. (Carey, 2012; Cleary, Horsfall, & Hayter, 2014; Reeves, Kuper, & Hodges, 2008; Stevenson, Britten, Barry, Barber, & Bradley, 2000; Thyer, 2012). Qualitative research uses a variety of methodologies to explore an individual’s inner world, expand our understanding of a social phenomenon, and advance and discover new theories (Carey, 2012; Fortune, Reid, & Miller, 2013; Saldana, 2011; Thyer, 2012). Stevenson (2000) describes qualitative research as an in-depth investigation into the inner world of reasoning, decision-making and meaning. Furthermore, qualitative research takes into account the context and history that shapes presented information and ventures to understand participant’s experiences, thoughts, opinions, and feelings towards their social reality (Ivey, 2012; Nielsen, 2011; Thyer, 2012).
Nutrition education is often promoted among adolescents to prevent diabetes, obesity and induce healthier behavior change. Nutrition intervention programs are frequently reinforced by health educators or teachers to address the importance of healthier dietary practices among teenagers. These interventions are often emphasized due to the nutritional vulnerability of this group. Indeed adolescents’ intense nutritional requirements for growth, along with their naivety in regard to mass media, or the food industry’s marketing strategies, may engender transience. Moreover, their high concerns with regard to body image oftentimes engender instability, and insecurity which may produce disordered eating among this group. Nutrition promotion and education are critical to produce a change. This handbook aims to guide adolescents to understand and respond to their daily dietary needs by applying healthy food choices.
Students all around the nation refer to lunch as their favorite subject of the day, not only does it provide a social hour, but it also supplies a day 's worth of energy in one meal. However, it centers around one of the most problematic issues school systems face today. Children are constantly reminded that it is essential for them to take care of their bodies and fuel it with needed nutrients, but, ironically, schools are the guilty of distributing some of the worst meals students could possibly consume on a daily basis, simply because they are economical and easy to distribute on a budget. Although, schools do claim to exerting an effort towards giving students healthier foods. Nevertheless, many nutritionists would not consider a diet soda,
Research methodology is analogous to a kaleidoscope (Cunningham, 2000). Just as a kaleidoscope reveals different shapes and colours of objects to the viewer depending on the angle at which it is held, a methodology provides different observations on phenomena for the researcher depending on how it is employed and implemented.
This will be a discussion of qualitative research. It will define qualitative research, as well as look at the similarities and differences in the quantitative and qualitative research paradigms. Furthermore, this discussion will look into qualitative case study research and phenomenological research, with further contemplation of purposes, methods, and limitations for these two methods.
This initiative introduced a system of Go, Whoa and Slow for children to have an understanding of what makes better choices than others. This initiative resulted in a positive lunch sale pattern towards healthier food options. Further research was suggested to see if there was increased food waste and an increase of children bringing lunches from home.
¨A report shows that fast food restaurants have stricter food standards then the school lunch programs¨(Peter Eisler). Everyday students go to lunch not knowing what the consequences are from eating the food provided for them. Schools have the obligation to provide a healthy lunch for students, they will see the academics improve, it is better for the students health, and the growth of obesity is increasing.
In the above definitions, the authors manage to succinctly capture the significant of the qualitative research. Qualitative research is used to define problem or develop an approach to the problem. Besides, it is also used to go deeper into issues of interest and explore the implications related to the problem. There a number of methods and techniques of data collection such as interviews, documents, observations and focus groups that can be adopted during a qualitative research. Researchers may adopt a variety of methods and techniques for data collection during qualitative research but appropriate methods should be identified and adopted depending to the needs of the research in order to acquire the desire result.
In this paper, I will define quantitative and qualitative research methods and provide examples in the context of social issues which will hopefully provide insight into how this methods are properly applied.
Liamputtong, P. & Ezzy, D., 2005, Qualitative research methods, 2nd ed., Oxford University Press, South Melbourne, Victoria, pp. 12-31.
Educational institutions have the potential to, first and foremost, educate and assist the young people of today with making the positive, healthful choices necessary to maintain good health. Over 4,500 students have been followed in recent research studies and these “thousands of sixth graders who participated in a school-based health program were less obese by eighth grade than a group of similar children who did not, according to a new study done for the National Institutes of Health” (Rabin). Schools need to create health programs focused on assisting all children suffering from being overweight or obese. Policies such as fitness programs, nutrition classes, and healthful meals can even impact every student by creating a strong foundation and awareness of the negative, long term effects associated with practicing unhealthy habits. Although the financial expenses would be necessary, the adaption of scho...