Running head: QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH CRITIQUE 1

California L. Caldwell

Bon Secours Memorial of Nursing

I pledge

A Quantitative Research Critique

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Quantitative Research Critique

This paper is intended to critique a quantitative research article titled Prevalence and

Correlates of Overweight and Obesity among School Children in Sohag, Egypt (Hadhood, et

al., 2017). The purpose of this study was to investigate and identify risk factors for obesity or

overweight in children in Egypt between the ages of 6 and 14 years old. The authors of this study

are qualified professionally, due to their role as faculty in the Pediatrics department of Sohag

University, and in the Medicine department on Sohag University. This article is presented in a

very clear manner, with precise vocabulary, minor grammar mistakes, and no jargon. The title of

this study is clear and tells the audience the purpose of the study, without being too lengthy. The

abstract summarizes the study well, and includes the background, method, results, and

conclusion. The abstract also provides a brief line about improving outcome that is not quite a

recommendation.

The background discusses the occurrence of overweight and obese children within the

chosen age group as well as the prevalence and correlating factors (Hadhood, et al., 2017). The

problem statement is the obesity and overweight prevalence in children ages 6 to 14 is well

summarized with the introduction of the study, as well as the abstract. The additional risks

aligned with being overweight or obese include metabolic issues, fatty liver, diabetes, and

cardiac issues contribute to the need to solve this concern quickly and develop resources for

education and prevention. The Egyptian Medical Association for the Study of Obesity estimates

the population of obese schoolchildren in Egypt has more than doubled from 1990 to 2010

(Hadhood, et al., 2017). This can effect self-esteem and cause respiratory problems. The purpose

of this study is obviously to better understand what causes childhood obesity and weight issues,
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and evaluate how prevalent it is. The study is very smooth to read and flows logically, meeting

every criteria. The authors reviewed a small amount of data to emphasize the shift in the health

of Egypts school children, discuss how the culture has changed in relation to health habits, and

to show the prevalence and causative factors of obesity. This literature review could have been

more comprehensive, but had the added benefit of being very recent information, and heavily

data driven with little room for misinterpretation. The literature review did support the

hypothesis and the purpose of the study. No theoretical framework is specifically identified by

the authors of this study. With no theory, there is minor structure requirements in the research.

This does not appear to hinder the authors. The study aim correlates to the hypothesis and the

literature review, as well as the purpose and problem statement. The hypothesis presented is that

obesity is multifactorial, requiring psychosocial, environmental, genetic, and behavioral

components. The authors suggest that sedentary lifestyle, and increased caloric intake has

produced obese, overweight children (Hadhood, et al., 2017). Additionally, the authors suggest

that schools, parents, and communities need to change the culture of childrearing to include

nutrition and activity level. The previous research revealed that obesity has become a larger issue

since diet and lifestyle activities have changed, which supports the hypothesis that they are

contributing factors. The secondary aim of the study is to explore relationships between maternal

education and health to childhood obesity or overweight.

The research design is clearly identified as a cross sectional study to determine

prevalence and risk factors for obesity and overweight childhood in Egypt (Hadhood, et al.,

2017). The researchers discuss the sampling method in detail, as well as the location and random

selection the occurred to develop the sample. The anthropometric instruments were accurately

identified, described, and utilized during the research. These related to the hypothesis involving
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weight, height, and BMI. A stadiometer was used, without shoes on, to measure the height of

each participant, as well as digital scales without shoes for weight, and the traditional BMI

calculation plotted against Egyptian standard BMI percentiles to accurately document each

patient. There was no clear or identifiable philosophical underpinning.

The sample population is 6 to 14 year olds of both genders, from random private and

public schools and villages in or near Sohag City. The sample method was a combination of

stratified and cluster random sampling, based on type of school (Hadhood, et al., 2017). Both

genders participated. The sample size (n=700) represents the population targeted very well. The

study utilizes multiple ethnic backgrounds, and represents both genders, as well as all incomes

and lifestyles within the area by pulling samples from multiple locations. Excluded from the

population were chronic illness children, growth hormone replacement children, and long term

steroid use children, to prevent data inaccuracy. Approval was received from the ethics

committee of the Faculty of Medicine of Sohag University. Parents of participants received

consent form requiring signatures, as well as questionnaires to fill out to participate (Hadhood, et

al., 2017). Outcomes were calculated on Windows SPSS software, using sample characteristics

summarized by using the mean and standard deviation. Chi square testing was used to determine

differences of characteristics among participants, using descriptive data. Participants were

grouped as obese, overweight, normal, or underweight. This data was used to determine

correlation between characters traits of similar grouping. Data was analyzed based on groups,

and all relevant groups were included in the results.

The findings were easy to locate and identify, and they were clearly displayed using

organized graphs and table. All the results were data validated (Hadhood, et al., 2017). The

authors presented the results in relation to the study aim and hypothesis. The results reviewed a
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high prevalence of obesity and overweight children, revealing that over thirty percent are

overweight or obese (Hadhood, et al., 2017). Additional study was done in regard to parental

health, urban areas, and breastfeeding or bottle feeding during infancy. There was a strong

correlation among urban areas, bottle feeding, and having two obese parents in relation to greater

prevalence of childhood obesity and weight issues. Additionally found was mothers education

level, lower education level contributing to great obesity prevalence. Ethical differences were not

evaluated. Gender differences were charted for comparison, but not specifically discussed.

Additional correlations found include amount of fresh fruits and vegetables eater per day. No

relation was discovered between fast food, sugar intake, juice, and daily exercise. The authors

reviewed the discovered information and connected the discoveries to the literature review

thoroughly. Through this, they verified the importance of research and the maternal role in

obesity, as well as its overall prevalence. Additionally, correlating factors between obesity links

was documented and discussed, showing that the hypothesis was supported by the data

discovered. The hypothesis stated that many variables were related in regards to overweight or

obese children, and lifestyle and intake change has greatly contributed. In the discussion section,

areas that need more research are identified, in addition to a review of the study results, and the

pros and cons of their own study. The researchers discuss how this links to other studies, as well

as other countries and a worldwide pattern. This generalization cannot be done accurately due to

possible differences in age and groups in relation to these studies.

The researchers recommended further research evaluating correlation in maternal,

locational, and infancy feeding in regards to childhood obesity or weight issues. Also

recommended was physical activity, and diet in relation to weight in children. The researchers

again stated the changes in culture and lifestyle, relating them to the changes in health and
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weight status. The authors of this study studied a population of predominantly active children,

but did list fruit and vegetable intake as the major found risk factor. More studies need to be done

in other populations to adequately conclude correlation between parents and children, and

activity levels in overweight children. All material referenced in this study were accurately

documented and referenced.

In summary, this topic is highly valued by the authors of this study. The documentation

was concise, clear, well organized, addressed necessary topics, and the information provided was

relevant, beneficial, and from qualified persons, capable of research. Limitations of this study

include the lack of diversity in the sample, but provides a baseline for further research needs and

possibilities, in a more diverse population. Childhood weight complications and obesity is out of

control in multiple countries around the world, and in Egypt, over thirty percent of children

struggle with weight control. More research needs to be done to provide conclusive evidence of

how to solve this epidemic. In the meantime, fruits and vegetables need to be the first line of

defense. Schools and parents need to implement this intervention both for treatment and

prevention. Education is going to be another large factor in this equation, which healthcare

workers can participate in.

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References

Hadhood, S., Ali, R., Mohamed, M., & Mohammed, E. (2017). Prevalence and Correlates of

Overweight and Obesity among School Children in Sohag, Egypt. Open Journal of

Gastroenterology, 7, 75-88.