Research Critique

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Research Critique

According to Petrofsky et al. (2010) obesity has become a predisposition to numerous chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Women tend to have additional factors that promote being overweight such as pregnancy, overall decreased muscle mass, and hormonal factors in comparison to men who have increased muscle mass and lack the hormonal and pregnancy impact that may cause weight gain. In addition to the factors previously mentioned, recent studies have shown that women who are overweight going into a pregnancy tend to remain, or become even more overweight following pregnancy. The authors of the Petrofsky et al. study also look at the changes in posture and the alignment of the skeleton during pregnancy that affect posture both prenatal and postpartum, as well as the concept of self image and the role it plays in weight loss. According to Petrofsky et al.,“the greatest indicator of postpartum weight retention is weight gain during pregnancy” (p. 41). The Petrofsky et al. study investigates the use of a specialized diet and exercise program specifically designed to promote diet compliance and exercise designed to rehabilitate the muscles weakened during pregnancy and regain appropriate balance and posture with special consideration given to promoting positive self image.

Methodology

Statement of the Problem

The purpose of the Petrofsky et al. (2010) study was to “assess the benefits of an exercise and diet program in restoring posture and balance and fitness in women who have given birth to 1 or more children in the last 18 years” (p. 40). The population included 117 women broken evenly into 3 groups. The first group consisted of 40 women who were labeled in the intervention group, the second gro...

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...cted the data. There was no mention by the authors of the Petrofsky et al. study of a need for further study or research from the study (Petrofsky et al., 2010).

Works Cited

Fain, J. A. (1999) Selecting a research design: quantitative vs. qualitative. In P. Walner & S. Filderman (Eds.), Reading, Understanding, and Applying Nursing Research. (p.205). Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Company.

Petrofsky, J., Batt, J., Berk, L. Schweichler, C., Arai, D., Conas, C.,… Bains, G. (2010) The affects of an exercise and diet program on fitness, posture, and self image in women. The Journal of Applied Research, 10, 40-51. Retreived from Cinahl database.

Polit, D.F., and Beck, C.T., Sampling designs in quantitative studies. In M. Zuccarini & J. Morita (Eds.), Essentials of Nursing Research: Methods, Appraisal and Utilization. (p. 268). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

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