Write A Report And Present On A Specific Topic
Write A Report And Present On A Specific Topic That Gives the Class A
Write a report and present on a specific topic that gives the class a more in-depth look. The goal of this assignment is to present in a systematic way some essential background information on the topic you have chosen to research. This gives you a chance to read up on the topic and get familiar with basic ideas, terms, questions, and debates. At the end of this process, you will have: a greater familiarity with your topic, a more focused area within your overall topic to research (a subtopic), and a plan for further research.
You are required to use at least three sources from outside databases. These might include any of the following: general interest articles from magazines, newspapers, and websites [credible]; textbooks; peer-reviewed journal articles [EBSCO Host, PubMed].
Organization
1. First, introduce your overall topic (e.g., “childhood obesity” or “fad diets”). Define key terms, provide key facts, and explain the essential ideas one should be familiar with. Your task here is to give your reader the basics. You are not trying to prove a point, just introduce the topic.
2. Next, introduce your subtopic (the specific area within your overall topic that you intend to focus on, such as “school lunches affecting childhood obesity rates” or “health risks associated with HCG drops”). It should be clear from this introduction how your subtopic is part of, but not the same as, the overall topic.
3. Point out questions that remain unanswered within your subtopic. That is, what are some things that even experts don’t know? What still needs to be researched? What information is missing to fill informational gaps?
Grading Criteria
The paper will be scored on the following categories. Each will receive a score of up to 10 points per category. The total grade will be a sum of those five categories, worth up to 50 points.
- Topic is introduced, and essential information about the topic is provided in a clear, informative, systematic, and comprehensive manner.
- Subtopic is clearly identified, distinguished from the overall topic, and appropriately focused (not too broad or too narrow), and essential information about the subtopic is provided in a clear, informative, systematic, and comprehensive manner.
- Areas for further research are clearly identified and appropriately focused.
- Publication data is listed in APA format for all sources cited, with a minimum of three different databases.
- Language: Most of the paper is in your own words; occasional brief and completely accurate quotations are provided as needed; mechanics (punctuation, spelling, grammar) are correct; the paper provides clear transitions; style is objective, formal, concise, and varied.
Note
Attached is my topic which I did a presentation on in class.
Paper For Above instruction
In this paper, I will explore the topic of childhood obesity, focusing on its causes, consequences, and potential interventions. Childhood obesity is a significant public health concern characterized by excessive fat accumulation that poses health risks. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), childhood obesity has become a global epidemic, with rates tripling over the past four decades (WHO, 2020). Key factors contributing to childhood obesity include genetic predisposition, environmental influences, sedentary lifestyles, and unhealthy dietary habits. Terminologically, childhood obesity is defined by a body mass index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex (CDC, 2021). The implications of childhood obesity are profound, encompassing increased risks for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and psychological issues such as low self-esteem and depression (Lustig, 2018).
For this research, I have chosen to focus on a subtopic within childhood obesity: the impact of school lunch programs on obesity rates among children. School lunches are a crucial environmental factor because they directly influence children’s dietary intake and nutritional status during a significant portion of their day (Rolls et al., 2020). The quality and nutritional content of these meals are often debated, with some advocating for healthier, more balanced options and others highlighting logistical and budgetary challenges faced by schools. The subtopic’s relevance is underscored by recent policy changes aimed at improving the nutritional standards of school meals in various regions (U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2019).
Despite extensive research on childhood obesity, several questions remain unresolved. For instance, to what extent do school lunch programs directly influence obesity prevalence? How effective are current policies in promoting healthier eating behaviors among children? Additionally, there is limited longitudinal data assessing the long-term impact of school-based interventions on childhood obesity rates. Researchers continue to debate the role environmental factors like school meals play relative to genetic and familial influences (Waters et al., 2011). Further research is essential to evaluate the effectiveness of implementing healthier school lunch policies and to determine ways to maximize their impact on children’s health.
In conclusion, childhood obesity remains a complex issue influenced by multiple factors, with school lunch programs being a significant but not solely decisive element. Protecting children's health requires comprehensive strategies that address dietary habits, physical activity, and broader socioeconomic determinants. Future studies should focus on long-term effects of nutritional interventions in schools and explore innovative approaches to curricula and meal planning. Understanding and filling the knowledge gaps about the direct impact of school lunches on obesity can help inform policy and create more effective public health strategies aimed at combating this growing epidemic.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021). Childhood Obesity Facts. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/childhood.html
- Lustig, R. H. (2018). The obese child: causes and consequences. The New England Journal of Medicine, 378(21), 1974-1975.
- Rolls, B. J., et al. (2020). Impact of school meal programs on childhood nutrition. Journal of School Health, 90(4), 300-308.
- U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2019). Healthy School Meals Initiative. https://www.fns.usda.gov/hsm
- Waters, E., et al. (2011). Interventions for preventing obesity in children. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (12).
- World Health Organization (WHO). (2020). Childhood Obesity. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight