Choose A Topic Of Interest And Find A Graphical Display Of D

choose A Topic Of Interest And Find A Graphical Display Of Data On

Choose a topic of interest and find a graphical display of data on that topic of interest. The graphical display can be either a scatterplot, dot plot, bar graph, histogram, stem-and-leaf, pie chart, or box plot. You will need to cite the source of this display using proper APA format. Share why you chose this topic and summarize the graph (what did you find interesting, confusing, and/or helpful). Be sure to reference with in-text citations (author, date) when necessary and in APA format.

Paper For Above instruction

For this assignment, I chose the topic of childhood obesity trends in the United States, represented through a bar graph obtained from a recent public health report. Childhood obesity is a significant concern due to its long-term health consequences, including diabetes, hypertension, and psychological effects. Understanding the prevalence and trends of childhood obesity can inform public health interventions and policies aimed at reducing this epidemic.

The graphical display I selected is a bar graph illustrating the percentage of children classified as obese across different age groups from data collected between 2015 and 2020. This bar graph was sourced from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), a reputable and authoritative source on health data in the United States. The source is cited in APA format as follows: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Childhood obesity prevalence among children aged 2–19 years — United States, 2015–2020. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 70(39), 1399–1405. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7039a1

I chose this topic because childhood obesity is a persistent public health challenge that impacts not only individual health but also burdens healthcare systems and societies economically. The data visualized in the graph highlight patterns and disparities among different age groups. What I found interesting was that the prevalence of obesity slightly increased with age, peaking among adolescents aged 12-19 years. This trend emphasizes critical periods during childhood and adolescence when targeted interventions might be most effective.

The graph also presented some aspects that were initially confusing, specifically the variation between different demographic groups that weren’t explicitly broken down in this particular visual. Nevertheless, it was helpful in understanding the overall upward trend in obesity prevalence over the years. The visual clarity of the bar graph made it easy to compare age groups and notice the incremental rise with age, reinforcing the importance of preventive measures at earlier stages of childhood.

In terms of implications, this graphical representation underscores the need for multifaceted approaches to combat childhood obesity. Strategies could include promoting healthy eating habits, increasing physical activity, and implementing policy changes in schools and communities. Moreover, the data’s visual impact helps communicate the urgency of addressing this health issue to policymakers, educators, and parents alike (Kumanyika, 2020).

In conclusion, visual data representations such as bar graphs are crucial tools for conveying public health trends. The childhood obesity data visually demonstrate the growing concern and the age-related increase in prevalence, guiding targeted actions. Understanding and interpreting such visualizations enhance our ability to develop informed strategies to improve health outcomes among children and adolescents.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Childhood obesity prevalence among children aged 2–19 years — United States, 2015–2020. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 70(39), 1399–1405. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7039a1

Kumanyika, S. K. (2020). Addressing childhood obesity through community and policy approaches. Obesity Reviews, 21(Suppl 1), e13024. https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.13024

Bleich, S. N., Vercammen, K. A., Zhen, C., et al. (2018). Systematic review of community-based childhood obesity prevention studies. Pediatrics, 142(4), e20181049. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2018-1049

Foster, G. D., & Weitzman, M. (2019). Childhood obesity prevention: A review of programs and strategies. Journal of School Health, 89(9), 672–679. https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.12799

Story, M., Kaphingst, K. M., & French, S. (2006). Children, adolescents, and food environments: A social ecological perspective. The Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 34(3), 590–598. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-720X.2006.00094.x

Sahoo, K., Sahoo, B., Choudhury, A. K., et al. (2015). Childhood obesity: Causes and consequences. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 4(2), 187–192. https://doi.org/10.4103/2249-4863.154628