Ashar Nadeem

01/19/17
Intern Mentor G/T
Annotated Source List
Benorach, Roy. "Preventing Obesity in Children, Causes of Child Obesity, and More." WebMD.
WebMD, 03 Sept. 2016. Web. 31 Oct. 2016.
Summary
The first problems to occur in obese children are usually emotional or psychological. Obese children
often experience teasing by their peers, as well as harassment or discrimination by their own family.
Stereotypes are applied to these children, leading to long term psychological effects. Childhood obesity
however can also lead to life-threatening conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart
disease, sleep problems, cancer, and other disorders. Some of the other disorders would include liver
disease, early puberty or menarche, eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, skin infections, and
asthma and other respiratory problems. Asthma severity is not affected by obesity however. The early
physical effects of obesity in adolescence include, almost all of the childs organs being affected,
gallstones, hepatitis, sleep apnea and increased intracranial pressure. Overweight children are also more
likely to grow up to be overweight adults. Obesity during adolescence has been found to increase
mortality rates during adulthood. A 2008 study has found that children who are obese have carotid
arteries which have prematurely aged by as much as thirty years as well as abnormal levels of
cholesterol.
Application to Research
This study can be used in my research of child obesity. I plan to research the graphs relating to the
patient's weight over a period of time, such as toddler to teen, and see the effects they suffer from now
and whether their reasons for visiting the hospital are in correlation to effects of obesity.
Cawley, John. The Economics of Obesity: New Tools for Examining a National Epidemic. The
Economics of Obesity: New Tools for Examining a National Epidemic, 18 Apr. 2015,
www.human.cornell.edu/outreach/upload/che_pam_economicsofobesity.pdf.
Summary
Economically, the United States has seen a large shift towards children becoming extremely obese
because of their economic status. The background of their family and how much expendable income they
have has become the trademark of a child's weight. From money that goes towards gym fees and sports to
better food and homemade lunch, the wealthier people are seeing a correlation where their children are
extremely fit and in better condition. The author notes many statistical anomalies that show how
possessing a larger income allows better allocation of resources, which in turn allows for a healthier
lifestyle. He also discusses different studies on children in regards to changing the quality of their
nutrition etc.
Application to Research
The presence of my hospital in a lower income area shows how these children are much more obese than
children in other, higher income areas. Also, a lot of immigrants also see their children being overweight,
as these people tend to live in much lower income areas. The schools affect these children, as well as the
quality of goods available to them in stores and supermarkets.

Childhood Obesity Facts. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, 15 Mar. 2015, http://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/obesity/facts.htm.
Summary
The exponential growth of obese children in America has been well studied and observed over the past
decade. An increasing trend in overweight children entering doctors hospitals with heart related diseases
has many medical experts vying to change the future of these children. Currently, one third of children
age 6-11 are considered obese. The health factors are, in the long term, extremely life threatening.
Cardiovascular disease, such as high blood pressure and cholesterol levels are increasingly common
among adolescents. Prediabetes is moving away from the disease of the elderly to the disease for all.
These same children are considered 80% more likely to be obese as adults, multiplying risks of
cardiovascular disease, cancer, strokes, and diabetes and eventual death. Experts are focused on the
prevention of obesity, and how to encourage children to adapt healthier lifestyles. Physical activity and a
better diet are the obvious ones. However, doctors suggest schools play a critical role in supporting this
healthy lifestyle. From mandatory physical education to healthy school meals, the future of the children
indirectly lies in the hands of the public education system.
Application to Research
A potential research topic of mine is the true correlation of obese children in America. I plan to study the
children who are patients in KinderMender and, as part of my duties, weigh them in for their physical. I
also have planned surveys I plan to implement to study the diet and exercise habits of children and
correlate it to their obesity level. I long term research plan is to prove that the numbers of obese children
in the United States is skewed, as my study will hopefully prove.
Childhood Overweight and Obesity. World Health Organization, World Health Organization,
25 Mar. 2015, http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/childhood/en/.
Summary
Low and middle low income countries have been very hard hit when it comes to obesity. In 2013 the
number of overweight children under the age of five was about 42 million. Of these, 31 million were in
developing countries. Malnourishment is also a huge problem. Diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are
becoming very common in children, whereas once this was unheard of. The worst part to this dilemma is
that obesity is by far the most preventable disease out there. Healthy eating, walking, less tv, and
moderate exercise are all amazing cures of obesity, unlike other diseases where surgery and costly
medicine is needed. However, the easiest disease to cure is killing the most people.
Application to Research
I want to study the incentives people respond to when faced with healthy eating habits. Although it is very
easy to cure obesity, people opt to stay obese just for monetary satisfaction, like junk food, sweets, and
candy. I can use two different sweets, healthy and unhealthy, and use them as a study to show what a child
chooses to eat.

Coy, Peter. "Thirteen Facts About the Economics of Obesity" Bloomberg.com, 13 Jan. 2014,
www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-01-13/thirteen-facts-about-the-economics-of-obesity
Summary
Obesity is spreading outside the bubble of being a social and personal problem and has started to affect
the professional world. The military is seeing a staggering 22% of its applicants rejected solely on the

basis of high obesity levels. Studies show that for each ten pounds that a professional white collar
working woman puts on, her wages decrease by 4%. This number is 2% for the white collar working
male. Another industry affected by obesity is sports. In the sport of wrestling, the wages received by the
heavyweight wrestlers are disproportionate to the feather and bantam weight wrestlers. Despite heavy
weight wrestlers regularly being the stars of the wrestling event, and being featured on the main event
card, studies show that the average heavyweight wrestler earns 16% less than their counterparts.
Application to Research
This topic also ties in with my reverse question of obesity on socioeconomic dynamics. I can also
research the wide gap in pay for people who are more obese compared to the average person, and how it
is further affecting the lifestyle of obese patients.

Davis, Alyssa, and Diana Liu. "Obesity Rate Lowest in Hawaii, Highest in West Virginia." Gallup Poll
News Service 11 May 2016: 17-19. Print.
Summary
Studies have shown that the states along the Bible belts, and below the Bible belt, tend to be states with
higher percentages of obese people than any other region in the United States. Studies have shown that
one possible cause of this is the extremely poor nutrition available as well as a lack of education in this
region with regards to obesity. As the Bible Belt tends to run very conservative on a political scale, the
psychological thinking and actions of people also tends to be conservative. This includes eating the
traditional American food steaks, ribs, burgers that are soaked in unhealthy ingredients like oil and
grease. Supermarkets also reflect this by carrying these types of food. Beer is also a very common drink
in the region, a drink that is the essential component to any meal. Statistics show that on average, a
middle aged male in the Bible Belt consumes six cans of beer a week. Beer is an extremely unhealthy
drink that slows down metabolism and digestion, causing increased conversion of food into fat.
Application to Research
Life choices can play huge effects in the obesity of a person. Smokers, alcoholics, and regular beer
drinkers tend to be more obese due to the effects of their life choices. All of the above slow down
metabolism and digestion, making the intestines and stomach stop functioning over time. This leads to
food becoming converted into fat rather than be digested and the waste thrown out.

Eric A Finkelstein. Eric A Finkelstein. The Economics of Obesity, 1 May 2010,

ajcn.nutrition.org/content/91/5/1520s.full.
Summary
Internationally, third world countries are seeing the effects of income on obesity. In 2013, almost 50
million children around the world were obese. 40 million of these occurrences were in developing
countries. Mis-dieting is a huge problem. Diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and malnourishment is
exponentially increasing in children, and it is surprising considering no children had ever been diagnosed
with diabetes before the 80s. Diabetes and cardiovascular are trumping the spread of cancer and tumors,
and it is sad considering how easy it is to limit this spread.
Application to Research

I want to study the incentives people respond to when faced with healthy eating habits. Although it is very
easy to cure obesity, people opt to stay obese just for monetary satisfaction, like junk food, sweets, and
candy. I can use two different sweets, healthy and unhealthy, and use them as a study to show what a child
chooses to eat.

Finkelstein, Eric, and Laurie Zuckerman. The Fattening of America: How the Economy Makes Us
Fat, If It Matters, and What To Do About It. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2008. Print.
Summary
New studies are being released which show a correlation between poor neighborhoods and obesity.
Children raised in middle to upper middle class areas are 17% less likely to be diagnosed with obesity.
Similarly, neighborhoods with lower levels of education were also at higher risks of obesity. The
relationship between the two is being studied, but hypothesis are being tested. Upper middle class
families typically have access to healthier food options and are able to send their kids to more luxurious
schools. The elite teachings their raise self-awareness and conscious about obesity. Also, these families
tend to enroll their children in recreational and travel sports early on, a luxury unfortunately not shared by
the families closer to the poverty line.
Application to Research
This study can be used in my research of child obesity. With waived clearance forms, I may be able to
request information on patients, on which potential salary may be listed. These statistics can then be
recorded and correlated with the percentage of children who are obese in regards to financial support.
Galvin, Mary. Overweight and Obesity. Overweight and Obesity, 15 Oct. 2016.
Summary
The nutrition kids are taking today seems to be affecting the chances of them running into childhood
obesity very severely. A high percentage of children in urban areas are being fed food high in saturated
fats, such as fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and out of the box macaroni and cheese. This development,
seen in urban areas due to more availability of fast food, has direct links to childhood obesity. To burn off
one serving of fried chicken, the average person must run for 1 hour and 25 minutes. In addition, many of
the foods available at these fast food restaurants are not even made of organic materials, as seen in
popular items like chicken nuggets, bread used by big restaurants, and even vegetables that have been
artificially grown.
Application to Research
It is still to be seen how big a role nutrition plays in obesity. Their is no doubt that the junk being fed to
children in this day and age is nothing less than garbage. Chemicals thrown together in a vat with traces
of meat are being sold in places such as McDonalds, and this is affecting the health of children. I want to
see to what extent children are affected, by surveying them of their eating habits and comparing what they
eat to the results of their weight.
Graham, Michael. Economics and Obesity: Causes and Solutions | Federal Reserve Bank of
Minneapolis. Economics and Obesity: Causes and Solutions | Federal Reserve Bank of
Minneapolis, 1 Sept. 2010, www.minneapolisfed.org/publications/the-region/economicsand-obesity-causes-and-solutions.
Summary

With the sharp rises in healthcare premiums, as well as increasingly limited coverage for patients, the
costs for treatment are going higher and higher. People are no longer able to afford their basic insurance
and treatment, let alone additional problems caused by obesity. Heart diseases and strokes, common side
effects of increased obesity, are among the most costly to treat, and health care providers do not want to
take on the burden of having to insure such people. The obese people end up having to pay immense
amounts of money in order to pay for their treatment.
Application to Research
With the looming abolishment of the Affordable Care Act by the Trump administration, this article is once
again brought back to life, as it appeared to be outdated. The Affordable Care Act made insurance
extremely cheap, and was able to guarantee coverage for everyone. However, with the initial stages of the
repeal completed, millions of Americans could lose their insurance for covering their diseases that
stemmed from obesity.

Haelle, Tara. "Consumption Junction: Childhood Obesity Determined Largely by Environmental

Factors, Not Genes or Sloth."
Https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/childhood-obesity-determined-largely-byenvironmental-factors/. N.p., 09 Apr. 2013. Web.
Summary
More and more studies are being conducted to show the correlation between obesity and environmental
factors. The studies have proven time and time again that genetics and eating habits play a significantly
smaller role in the weight of a child than environmental factors. These factors include socioeconomic
factors, living location factors, as well as the attitude of the people around them. In some studies, weather
is also shown to affect the obesity of children. These new studies are helping to reduce this epidemic in
our country as the problem that is childhood obesity can be approached from a different and unique
aspect, one where children are not told to stop eating unhealthy but one where steps are taken to improve
the surroundings of children in order to combat this disease. This significantly impacts the fight against
obesity, as new ways can be explored to stop obesity compared to the boring, conventional, and
ineffective stop eating junk food method.
Application to Research
This applies to my research topic as I am exploring socio economic impact on children when it pertains to
obesity. These studies reinforce my theory that there is far more to childhood obesity than bad eating
habits ex. Sweets, soda, fried foods etc. This applies to my research as I will explore what other factors
along with socioeconomic factors tie in together to play their effect on children, and how far they affect
obesity when not affected by other factors like genes.
Hall, Mimi, and Nanci Hellmich. Michelle Obama Aims to End Obesity. USA Today, Gannett,
Sept. 2010, http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/health/weightloss/2010-02-091afirstlady09_cv_n.htm.
Summary
Michelle Obama is a front line representative in the fight against childhood obesity. She has promised to
end childhood obesity by the coming of the new generation, and this is interesting in the plans she puts
forward to fight obesity. It has to be noted that Mrs. Obama is not focusing on much as breaking bad
eating habits as she is on improving the lifestyle and environment of the children. These include transition
to higher income areas, raising a political agenda centered on a more liberal view points, and raising

awareness on obesity issues rather than forcing healthy eating habits on children. This is due to the fact
that the forcing of these habits on children has no significant impact on the weight of children.
Application to Research
Similar to the previous study, I plan to see the impact of these studies on children. Some of these include
the fluctuation of weight in children according to the fluctuations in income of their parents/guardians, as
well as other factors. These include where they may be living (high income or low income area), the
policies of their schools and county, as well as the change over time as political agenda has changed.
(2008-2016) Another plan is to see and compare the effects of forced healthy eating habits on children
compared to improving socioeconomic conditions around them, and how each of them affect the children.
Hammond, Ross A., and Ruth Levine. "The Economic Impact of Obesity in the United States."
PubMed Central (PMC), 30 Aug. 2010, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3047996/.
Summary
The authors review the extremely high medical costs related with the obese population. Patients are
spending thousands of dollars on treatment for diabetes and cardiac arrests, all resulting as a direct result
of their obesity. These costs are extremely high for the disease, as it is one of the more preventable
diseases affecting the American population. The true cost for obesity, if taken dynamically, is the $30 a
month at the local gym and the extra $50 spent a month for healthier food option. Instead, people prefer to
keep these bad eating habits and lifestyles, and pay the thousands of dollars that they do on these
treatments for these diseases.
Application to Research
I can take my research topic, socioeconomic impacts on obesity, and link it with the reverse question,
effect of obesity on socioeconomic issues. It is very easy to study and analyze the effect obesity has had
on the lifestyles of individuals, and chart it in a way where the direct effect of obesity is studied.

Hanoon, Richard. The History of Obesity - Stone Age through the Renaissance - SERMO.
SERMO, 2015, blog.sermo.com/2015/06/24/history-obesity-stone-age-renaissance/.
Summary
The article talks about how obesity has evolved through the ages. Once seen as a sign of power,
dominance, wealth, and superiority, obesity has now become the sign of an extremely low standing in the
social world. Whereas once kings and queens were extremely obese, and thought to be attractive for it, we
find in today's world that the obese people struggle with the bullying and social pressure of losing weight.
They often push themselves to the limit of their body's ability, starving themselves through fad diets and
put their bodies into states of depression all in order to gain acceptance in today's society.
Application to Research
Social issues is one half of my research topic, and studying the effects that they have on obese people, as
well as how they lead to people becoming obese or not obese. Social issues also have an impact outside of
obesity, as their being obese results in severe depression and chronic illness, which can be stemmed back
to obesity and easily followed.

Hausman, Sandy. The Economics of Taking on Obesity. WVTF, 19 Aug. 2016,

wvtf.org/post/economics-taking-obesity#stream/0.
Summary
The government is indirectly subsidizing the increase of obesity by reducing the costs and placing price
ceilings on foods made by big industry, which are almost always high in fats, sugar, and corn syrup. They
also cave in to the big lobbyists who fight to keep the health organizations away from their profits. This
leads to people being able to afford, and being encouraged to buy these foods that result in life risking
diseases.
Application to Research
The historical data pertaining to the party in the White House shows signs of obesity increasing
drastically in the times of Republican reigns, particularly Nixon and Reagan. This data can be measured
and delved into to see the extent to which lobbyists won the battle against the health organizations.

Healey, Melissa. Life Span and Obesity. Life Span and Obesity, 8 July 2014, pp. 2628.
Summary
Obesity is a disease that is starting to leak into other aspects of life. Studies have been coming out that
show a high obesity level has a direct correlation with an increased chance of migraines, tumors, heart
attacks, diabetes, and certain types of cancers. A new study by UCLA has shown that a person with a BMI
ten points over the normal has cut their lifespan by over 14 years. A person with a BMI five po
Application to Research
I plan to shadow my mentor and see how they choose to diagnose and help patients out with obesity. The
level of treatment obese people are getting is microscopically low compared to regular patients, and this is
resulting in much more deaths and mortality rates. It is the job of the doctor to correctly diagnose any
illnesses a person has and not blame it on their fat, as well as to help the patients cut their weight to
normal amounts. This includes tracking the weight of the patient as time goes on, as well as helping them
with diets.
Kolata, Gina. Why Do Obese Patients Get Worse Care? Many Doctors Dont See Past the Fat.
New York Times, 25 Sept. 2016, pp. 1718.
Summary
Doctors have been growing increasingly unhelpful in obesity related visits. One reason they have failed to
help out is due to the limited level of technology available to help obese people. For example, almost all
doctors offices use the standard weight scale that goes up to 350 pounds. Their are thousands of people
living in America who weigh more than that limit. Doctors cannot help these people track their weight
loss progress, nor give them advice in their diet plans. These patients get worse off in the end as they are
resorting to fad diets, which may end up increasing their weight, and they would never know as doctors
cannot help them track this progress. Also, these same doctors are always blaming all issues on the
patient's weight, even things such as headaches and pains. This results in misdiagnoses, which ends up
putting these patients at life threatening risks, as their serious symptoms may continue to evolve.
Application to Research
I plan to shadow my mentor and see how they choose to diagnose and help patients out with obesity. The
level of treatment obese people are getting is microscopically low compared to regular patients, and this is
resulting in much more deaths and mortality rates. It is the job of the doctor to correctly diagnose any
illnesses a person has and not blame it on their fat, as well as to help the patients cut their weight to

normal amounts. This includes tracking the weight of the patient as time goes on, as well as helping them
with diets.
L, Bloomberg. Obesity Is Hurting the U.S. Economy in Surprising Ways. Bloomberg, 5
Mar. 2015. Web. 9 Dec. 2016.
Summary
Scientists argue the claim that improving your lifestyle via social and economic change is far more
effective than simply changing your diet, dieting, or going on an exercise plan. Plainly put, your
economic lifestyle and social lifestyle have a much larger impact than simply the food you consume or
the exercise you do. Studies in the past year have shown that two people were taken. One person was put
on a strict diet and made to exercise at a medium to high level 4 times per week. The other person was put
in a better economic position, as well as in a higher income neighborhood. After the year long period was
over, the person on a diet and exercise plan lost 15 lbs of weight, while the person who was put in a better
economic position lost 12 lbs. As no one can maintain the levels of exercise and diet strictness that test
subject one was put at, accounting for margin of errors, person two lost more weight, and with far less
effort, by simply becoming richer, so to say.
Application to Research
The test results of this study fit in perfectly with my research, as we both have the same hypothesis and
the same conclusion. Also, they provide me a valuable source of case study that I can try to manipulate
and use in my own research.

Marchant, Joe. Obesity through the Ages. CultureLab: Obesity through the Ages,
www.newscientist.com/blogs/culturelab/2010/06/obesity-through-the-ages.html.
Summary
Baby fat plays a vital role in determining whether a person will be obese or not. Everyone is technically
born obese, and it is the progression and loss of baby fat over time that decides how they ultimately turn
out. The early stages of childhood are key in determining body weight, as baby fat is extremely easy to
burn off when you are young. In fact, most children burn baby fat once they hit puberty without any
change at all in their diet or exercise. However, after the age of about 20, baby fat becomes very hard to
burn off and hardens into permanent fat that we can see in people around us.
Application to Research
The exercise done by people when they are in the early years, until the age of 20, can play a large factor
in how their weight turns out during their middle ages. This quantitative data can be easily collected via
survey forms and interviews with patients.

Mujib, Khalid. Enduring Long Waits in the Emergency Room. 22 Sept. 2016.
Summary
Despite being urgent care centers, recent studies have shown that the waiting times in urgent care
centers have been increasing. Some patients are given priority over others, resulting in abnormally long
waiting times for particular patients. Another reason for long wait times is that you can't schedule
emergencies. There is no organizational structure to keep order within the centers, resulting in common

overcrowding. Another reason for these unusually long wait times is the persistence patients with very
mild conditions like the common flu or a simple stomachache to enroll themselves in urgent care. This
leads to bottlenecks in the lines for people who otherwise are actually in need of emergency care.
Application to Research
A potential research topic of mine is the true waiting times in urgent care centers. As KinderMender is
also an urgent care center, I want to see how urgent care waiting times compared to the postings on
websites. A very common complaint of patients is the unacceptable amount of time they must wait in life
threatening situations, and I want to see what exactly is the reason behind this. Possible ways to achieve
the results is surveys of patients waiting, and observing different injuries and how serious they are in
respect to the amount of time the patient has waited.
Nadeem, Ashar, and Ruth Agwuna. The Economy and Health. 4 Jan. 2017.
Summary
Patients of all economic backgrounds find themselves attending the pediatric center of Dr. Agwuna. This
allows her, as well as myself, to get a better understanding of the effects obesity has on them. Throughout
their treatment, patients are asked about the variables that affect their lives, and the outcome obesity has
had on them. A vast majority of patients agree that this disease has had an economic toll, as they have
found themselves to be spending more money now on treatments and forced spending on better quality
food, as well as supplements and medicine to offset the effects of obesity. A lot of patients also have to
pay money for physical therapy, as they are not capable of carrying out proper exercise themselves.
Application to Research
Depending on the responses of patients, a plan can be created in order to universally tackle the problem of
solving obesity through economic means. Personal trainers, physical therapists, supplements, and weight
loss medicine can all be bypassed by introducing diet plans and physical exercise that helps to prevent the
problem before it is a problem. Instead of having to eat expensive, healthy foods every day due to obesity,
they can be eaten once in awhile along with regular food in order to cut costs, but retain the health
benefits.

Napton, Sarah. The Meals Your Parents Made for You Are Now Too Calorific for Modern Lifestyles .
The Telegraph, Telegraph Media Group, 27 Dec. 2015,
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/12/26/meals-parents-made-now-calorific-modern-lifestyles/.
Summary
Changes in lifestyle as well as the economy has made the old rules of eating irrelevant. The 2500 calorie
suggested lifestyle implemented at the end of the First World War no longer applies, and scientists say
that we really should be consuming no more than 2000 calories. The lifestyle lived by our parents in
which we were raised does not fit us at it does them. Most jobs now are stationary, done from behind a
desk. Commute to work and other places is now largely vehicle based, with walking non existent. The
prices for food have been slashed, meaning people can afford to eat more. Times have changed, socially
and economically, requiring a need for adaption in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Application to Research

Social change envelopes economic change, clearly seen by the correlation of cheap foods and heavy
foods. The progression of people who lived through a large portion of the 20th century and how their
body developed to these changes can be interesting to note and record.

"Prehistory to Present - Obesity." Telephone interview. 08 Jan. 2017.

Summary
Human evolution has proven to have brought many changes to obesity. Environmental factors have been
one such cause of this change. The emerging dominance of the human race led us to become predators
and hunters rather than prey for large animals, which lead to a spike in the availability of food. Also, the
receding polar ice sheets that caused the end of the ice age made humans be able to travel the world more
expansively, leading to a further increase in food. Human activity was also increased, allowing for freer
travel. This led to humans populating across Europe and Asia. The introduction of industrialization was
what really made obesity a problem. Jobs were no longer kinetic, and people no longer had to undergo
extensive physical labor to make money or to get food. Transportation went from walking and horses to
steam engines and bicycles. Obesity became a sign of wealth and prosperity. Eventually, obesity died
down and was looked down upon due to globalization and the international spread of culture, where
celebrities and sports stars set standards for body weight.
Application to Research
Transportation, work, and other daily tasks can be analyzed to see the causes behind the obesity of some
patients. People who suffer extreme obesity can be treated by a change in lifestyle in order to save their
health.

Spurlock, Morgan, dir. Super Size Me. 07 May 2004. Television.

Summary
The diets of a large number of people in the United States has been a leading cause of the obesity rate.
The food we are being served in our restaurants is extremely high in calories, often contributing the 2500
calorie goal in a single serving. Studies conducted during the course of this movie show the weight gained
by the consumption of fast food over the course of a month, with fast food being the place to eat twice a
day, is at an astounding 25 pounds. This number is easy to see once you compare the people who do
indeed eat fast food every day to those who avoid it at all costs.
Application to Research
The number of children who are being denied the privilege of home cooked meals is increasing. As
society tends to accept and shift towards the concept of both parents working, box dinners and regular fast
food consumption is also increasing, creating a direct correlation. I want to understand whether these
eating habits have different effects on different people, or regardless of other factors, such as genetics and
activity, these eating habits cause a substantial gain in weight. One such study I can conduct is to create
surveys which patients carry out, in which they can answer their activity level, how often they eat fast
food, and basic family history and I can analyze the results.
Stiles, Laura. "Evidence Against Palliative Care in Long-term Eating Disorders." Psychiatry Advisor.
N.p., 11 Jan. 2017.

Summary
Viewing obesity as a social problem can be one way to fight it. People suffer from psychological issues
that may be causing their obesity, such as severe anxiety which leads to over eating, or body complexes
that they look too skinny. The media and fashion industry has set unrealistic body standards for the
common population, which often leads to depression and other issues. On the other hand, some people
also starve themselves for days on end in order to get skinnier, to the point of where their body are
breaking down essential DNA code in order to survive. These people often get body deformities as a
result of their extreme diet, like developing Downs syndrome in extreme cases, or protruding ribs.
Application to Research
Psychological centers are now being started for the sole purpose of fighting obesity and other eating
disorders. Patients can be tested using a psychological test in order to diagnose possible causes of obesity
and it can be fought using the results of their test.

Super Size Me. Dir. Morgan Spurlock. Perf. Morgan Spurlock. The Con, Samuel Goldwyn Films, 2004.
DVD. Web.
Summary
The average fast food meal contains immense amounts of sugars, which are detrimental to the health of
the average person. In the movie, the person ate at McDonalds every day for a month. At the end of the
month, over 35 pounds of sugar had been consumes. That is the recommended sugar consumption for an
entire year! Fast food restaurants often add sugars to their food in order to enhance taste without having to
sacrifice costs, and it works. People are increasingly looking towards fast food as a means of every day
meals.
Application to Research
The lobbyists for the corporate world persuade Congress not to enact laws regulating nutrition among
food sold, which is hurting the people. Any proposed laws are swiftly blocked before they can even be
introduced into voting. In fact, research coming out shown that lobbyists from Dairy Queens in the 80s
actually falsified information and tampered with evidence in order to make the accusations against fast
food seem false.

Targeted Drug Melts Fat in Obese Monkeys. SciVee, doi:10.4016/36244.01.

Summary
Drugs are being introduced that may be synthetically be able to help people fight obesity. Fat, adipose
tissue, is highly reactive to certain types of drugs that may be able to destroy these cells, similar to the
way cancer cells are destroyed. Despite being an extremely costly treatment, medication like this could
soon make its way to the shelves of local pharmacies, such as the CVS of Walgreens down the street. This
could be a very significant step in helping people who are otherwise helpless in fighting obesity.
Furthermore, the introduction of exercise and physical activity with the use of these drugs could help to
significantly lower the weight of people affected by obesity. However, the side effects of such medication
are yet to be seen, and as such this medication is still in the prototype stages. Monkeys are the main target
of these studies, as they contain a very similar genetic makeup to humans.
Application to Research
I want to discuss with parents of patients as well as patients the steps they implement in order to help
fight obesity. Many parents who are worried about the health of their children opt to implement fad diets,

starve their children to a point, implement necessary physical activity, and stop the consumption and
purchase of junk food in the house. I want to know how many people would be willing to introduce
medication into the lives of their children to fight obesity, as it clearly comes with an opportunity costs.
The Fellows of Harvard. Social costs. Obesity Prevention Source, 21 Oct. 2012. Web. 9 Dec. 2016.
Summary
Peer pressure plays a big role on adolescents as they struggle to lose weight. Children in counties with
lower obesity rates tend to be a lot less obese and more driven to lose weight than children living in areas
where obesity rates are very high. This is due to children feeling left out, singled out, and bullied in
schools and neighborhoods where people are all generally fit, as they are the only obese person. However,
in counties in Texas such as Bexar County where everyone is obese, children see this as acceptable and do
not change their habits at all.
Application to Research
Social pressure on obese children makes them lose weight, which is quantitative data that can be
measured. People living in Maryland (Howard County), originally from Texas or other parts of the Bible
Belt, can be measured to see how their weight changes from a shift in social culture.

Vista Hospital. 10 Things Emergency Rooms Wont Tell You. Hot 99.5. Baltimore, Maryland, 20 Sept.
2016. Radio.
Summary
Numerous techniques are used by patients in order to reduce their waiting times. These include harassing
nurses and doctors, exaggerating the severeness of injuries, simply entering the emergency room itself, or
asking patients ahead in line with less severe conditions to take their place. Doctors also provide the
inside scoop on urgent care centers, including hazardous moves on the hospital's part, and how they
decide between the severity of cases.
Application to Research
This study can be used in my research of urgent care centers. I plan to observe patients in an observational
study. With my previous experience of taking my brother to the urgent care center, many patients fake a
lot of injuries, such as sudden blackouts and extreme pain, as well as exaggerating injury in order to cut
the line and be the first ones treated. I want to see the extent to which patients go in order to skip the line,
as well as how that affects their total waiting time.
Zubat, Nikola. Decreasing Age of Cardiovascular Diseases. 28 Oct. 2016.
Summary
The increasing trend in childhood obesity has seen staggering numbers over the past decade. Medical
experts are astounded at recent studies showing just how severe these cases are becoming, and are
struggling to find long term, safe solutions to the increasing weight among children. A staggering one
third of children age 6-11 are considered obese. With outcomes that are potentially life threatening,
including cardiovascular disease which includes high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, the average
age for the future generation is considered to drop to an all-time low for America in the 21st century,
just 62 years. Prediabetes is moving away from the disease of the elderly to the disease for all. These
same children are considered 80% more likely to be obese as adults, multiplying risks of cardiovascular
disease, cancer, strokes, and diabetes and eventual death. Experts are focused on the prevention of

obesity, and how to encourage children to adopt healthier lifestyles. Physical activity and a better diet
are the obvious ones. However, doctors suggest schools play a critical role in supporting this healthy
lifestyle. From mandatory physical education to healthy school meals, the future of the children
indirectly lies in the hands of the public education system.
Application to Research
A potential research topic of mine is the true correlation of obese children in America. I plan to study
the children who are patients in KinderMender and, as part of my duties, weigh them in for their
physical. I also have planned surveys I plan to implement to study the diet and exercise habits of
children and correlate it to their obesity level. I long term research plan is to prove that the numbers of
obese children in the United States is skewed, as my study will hopefully prove.