Article critique:All in the Family: Correlations Between Parents’ and Adolescent Siblings

Article critique:All in the Family: Correlations Between Parents’ and Adolescent Siblings

Background

The article ‘All in the Family: Correlations Between Parents’ and Adolescent Siblings’ Weight and Weight-Related Behaviours’ discuss how the relationship between adolescents’ and parent weight and weight-related behavior. Primarily, the background section of research outlines previous research conducted on the topic and provides a general view about the topic to help in understanding the problem to be investigated by the research. Developing an appropriate background section of a study should use relevant research such as government report to establish the cause or drivers of the problem being investigated. The research has done effectively in incorporating these aspects in the research especially in using other research conducted on the same topic According to the author it is important to investigate how the behaviors of multiple family members influence weight-related behavior given that most children in the United States live with more than one family member. Typically family plays a significant role in shaping dietary behaviors among teenagers. Previous studies identified in the research depict that factors such as parent feeding practices, parenting styles, the frequency of family meals

The background of the research is, therefore, understandable as it provides a clear explanation of the different concepts of the study and what prompted the investigation. For instance, the author adequately explains how factors such as feeding practices, frequent family meals, and authoritative parenting styles promote unique dietary behaviors among adolescents. Moreover, the author utilizes simple language in explaining the different concepts, thus enabling easy understanding from users.

The article is also appropriate for practice as it aids in understanding some of the factors contributing to an increase in obesity among adolescents. The condition is one of the chronic illnesses affecting the American population and understanding its drivers. It will, therefore, impact practice through challenging how strategies are developed and applied in fighting or managing obesity among the young population. It will also enable identification of some of the preventive factors that can prompt reduction of the disease among teenagers and their families.

Design

The study does not have a theoretical framework to help in identifying the relationship between different variables. In any research, a theoretical framework entails a combination of different concepts whose connection is used to identify the existing relationship between them. Its absence in the study leads to complexities in identifying which aspects are the independent and dependent variables. The information obtained in the study was evaluated using Generalised Estimating Equations (GEE), which helped in specifying different correlation parameters.

The study also has a proper plan since it starts by identifying the method of collecting data, the target population for the study, after that analyzing it using the identified tools. Primarily, a study plan involves the summary of all requirements of the research and what the researcher is expected to cover. A good research plan has different aspects, including proper mechanisms used in collecting data, sample selection implementation of the intervention. For research to be conducted effectively, the study design must be in line with the purpose, specific objectives, and hypotheses. The research also demonstrates enough feasibility by highlighting some of the mechanisms that would be used in collecting, analyzing, and presented. It also provides general characteristics of the population considered for the study and generalizes the application of the findings.

Literature Review

The article does not have a clear literature review section but has an extended background that contains information from previous research done by other researchers on the topic under study. The literature review section is designed to provide previous researches conducted on the same topic or other related topics that could be essential on the topic. The data used is not within the last five years since they range from 2000 to 2010. All the sources used are, however, related to the topic. Most of the data utilized are secondary, which are mainly from previous studies conducted on the topic. The information aligns with the problem of the study as they try to identify some of the family factors that promote obesity among teenagers. This means that all the data provided is about obesity among teenagers and how factors such as multiple siblings and patenting methods contribute to the development of the complication. Since the literature review is not included in the study, other aspects such as introduction and summary. It, however, uses the family system theory in guiding hypotheses and data analysis.

Question/hypothesis

The research does not have a research question but has two hypotheses, which are clearly stated to match the purpose of the study. The hypothesis is the expressed relationship between different variables in the research. It is usually developed from the research question and is considered part of statistical testing. The family systems theory has been used in trying to establish the relationship between the hypotheses and does not include independent and dependent variables. The use of such a good theory in research plays a significant role especially in trying to establish the expected outcome rather than the provision of different contradictory and vague outcomes

Study Sample

The population sample to be used in the research was limited to adolescents with siblings. The sampling process entails choosing elements from a population and using them to make inferences about the entire population. Alternatively, it can be explained as the process of choosing events, people, behaviors, or other elements and using them to conduct research. The method used in selecting the sample affects the results obtained, and the general information made about the selected sample. The data to be used in the research was obtained from two based population studies, which included EAT 2010 and project F-EAT. 35 adults and 56 adolescents did the Pretesting of the data. The survey was completed by 2,793 adolescents from 20 different public schools in Minnesota. The researcher provides adequate reasons why the population was chosen, including being in a family with more than one sibling. However, it does not provide any ethical considerations made before collecting data from the sample population.

Data Collection

The data for the study was collected from two population-based studies, which include project F-EAT and EAT 2010. The study does not, however, indicate how long the data was collected or the instruments/ tools used for the collection process. It is, therefore, not possible to measure the validity and reliability of these instruments in the research; however, the data analysis procedures used for the study were very appropriate. There were also different ethical considerations addressed before the collection of the information, including adhering to the procedures laid down by the board.

Recommendation and Consideration

The research does not have a recommendation and consideration section. However, it provides one recommendation in the discussion section. Normally, the recommendation section of the research contains the researcher’s thoughts that are based on the findings. These thoughts provide an overview of what he/she considers important and may help in solving the problem if implemented. The author advises that for future research on the same or related topic, researchers should consider using mixed methods design to enable examination of more relationships in the home environment that promote obesity and the role played by each family member in promoting weight-related behavior among adolescents.

The overall analysis of the article

The article has effectively evaluated different aspects that provide extensive information about the topic. It looked at different aspects that may contribute to diabetes among adolescents. Some of them include dietary patterns, dieting, weight status, and physical activity patterns. However, to make the study more reliable, I would incorporate the use of primary data and data collection tools to provide first-hand information regarding the topic. Considering the type of research being conducted and the participants involved, using primary data enables better accuracy, a high level of control, up-to-date, information and provides room to monitor participants’ reactions when answering the questions or conducting different activities. Some of the benefits available in using the information provided in the study are improved approaches towards fighting obesity and the implementation of better treatment approaches. Over the last decade, there has been an increased emphasis for providers to promote preventive healthcare system. The research will, therefore, enable the development of policies such as family initiatives or community education to enhance awareness on the best mechanisms to use in avoiding the development of obesity among children and adolescents.