Article Analysis
The authors of the article delve into the topical problem of childhood obesity and how the given health issue impacts adolescents. The main point of the selected research is that extreme overweight results in the emergence of cardiometabolic problems and the further deterioration of the health status (Valle, Laatikainen, Potinkara, Nykanen, & Jaaskelainen, 2018). At the same time, treatment provided to obese children might have a negative impact on their health as it can promote the appearance of undesired cardiometabolic short-term outcomes (Valle et al., 2018). For this reason, the article aims the investigation the results of a family-based multidisciplinary behavioral treatment for childhood obesity and answering the research question:
- What is the probability of the emergence of undesired cardiometabolic outcomes in boys and girls?
The given research question is introduced to prove the central hypothesis stating that obesity treatment might trigger the development of cardiometabolic responses that differ in boys and girls (Valle et al., 2018). In this regard, the central objective of the study is to investigate the results of interventions aimed at the reduction of weight and improvement of certain behaviors and to compare outcomes in boys and girls. To perform this task, the authors use data from Finnish pediatric clinics regarding obesity treatment and its effects (Valle et al., 2018). It helps to support their main point and formulate a credible conclusion about the existence of a certain risk of acquiring undesired outcomes.
Evaluation of the Research Methods
The authors of the article do not provide a literature review to create a theoretical background for their cogitations. Accepting the fact that the topicality of the selected health issue is undoubted, they prefer to delve into the areas not covered by previous authors. For this reason, they start the article with a short description of the roots of the problem and how it affects children, supported by recent and relevant references (Valle et al., 2018). The decision not to review the relevant scholastic literature can be justified because of the nature of the proposed research and the suggested hypothesis that is focused on the in-depth investigation of the issue instead of a discussion of already known facts.
The need for this research comes from the high relevance of the selected issue. The authors emphasize the fact that childhood obesity is one of the main causes of the significant deterioration of health status and quality of life (Valle et al., 2018). It also results in the emergence of undesired states and complications. For this reason, much attention is devoted to the investigation of treatment methods and potent interventions. However, the problem of outcomes and short-term conditions is not fully covered. Therefore, the paper can be considered current to the existing health issues and factors affecting the healthcare sector.
To collect data needed to make a credible conclusion and discuss the problem, the investigators conduct an original retrospective, register-based longitudinal study of a group of children treated for obesity in the period from 2005-2012 in three pediatric clinics in Finland (Valle et al., 2018). They used statistical methods to measure collected data. The given approach can be determined as a non-experimental research design utilized to gather all pieces of evidence needed to prove or refute the hypothesis (Valle et al., 2018). The use of the given method is explained by the nature of the research and the need to monitor the states of children after particular interventions aimed at the reduction of their BMIs and overall health improvement.
The sample size for the research consists of 654 children aged 2-18 years. The authors use reports provided by pediatric clinics about all interventions and approaches used to assist children in their recovery and about all outcomes. There is no focus on the composition of the sample, which means that the researchers do not try to create situations proving their theory. On the contrary, the selected approach to sampling can be considered appropriate for the study as it helps to trace alterations in children of different ages and genders and to conclude about the existence of the risk of complications of undesired states.
Utilizing the research design mentioned above, the authors conclude about the comparatively high risk of the emergence of minor cardiometabolic responses (Valle et al., 2018). It means that in practice, there is a significant need to continue the investigation of the issue with the primary aim to outline effective preventive measures. For this reason, the practical utility of the paper is high as it contributes to an improved understanding of the mechanisms of treatment and how they impact children. Multiple responses should be suggested to improve the existing practice and reduce the risk of the emergence of undesired complications.
At the same time, there are some ways in which the study can be improved. First of all, the introduction of a section aimed at the investigation of the ways to prevent the emergence of undesired conditions is needed. It will help to significantly increase the practical utility of the paper and provide methods to eliminate the negative outcomes found in the course of the investigation. Additionally, the analysis of the risk factors that precondition the appearance of cardiometabolic problems in children could have improved the paper and provided a new topic for consideration and discussion.
Nevertheless, the author’s writing style is concise and straightforward. They provide basic arguments logically and understandably. It means that readers can follow their thoughts and understand the basic assumptions easily. Moreover, there are no gaps in the information provided by the researchers as they support their main points with a detailed explanation and multiple references to guarantee the high credibility of the paper and its relevance. In such a way, the papers writing style helps to analyze it and broaden the knowledge regarding the problem of childhood obesity and its treatment outcomes.
Finally, the paper creates a basis for further research. The fact is that in the course of the investigation, the authors study the existence of multiple cardiometabolic complications in children. Moreover, boys and girls might have different responses to treatment. It means that there is a high need for a new investigation focused on the determination of the ways to treat these complications and preventive strategies to avoid the emergence of short-term conditions in children who have experienced various kinds of treatment.
Conclusion
Altogether, the conclusion of the study coincides with the original purpose as the authors prove the existence of minor complications in children who have undergone obesity treatment. They discuss implications for their project by outlining the need for further research to introduce a potent prevention strategy. Results of the study will affect the category of caregivers working with obese adolescents and young individuals with this health issue. The paper can be considered an in-depth investigation of the selected topic that contributes to a better understating of the problem and an emergence of a new perspective on it. It also improves my knowledge about the problem of obesity and reveals possible problems associated with its treatment.
Reference
Valle, M., Laatikainen, T., Potinkara, H., Nykanen, P., & Jaaskelainen, J. (2018). Girls and boys have a different cardiometabolic response to obesity treatment. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 9. Web.