Critical Appraisal essay
Today, the problem of the rapid weight growth affects many people that raises the threat to the public health as obesity is a serious challenge to the health care system. In this regard, children of the early age of three to five are also at risk because they are vulnerable to the impact of numerous risk factors. At this point, it is possible to refer to the study conducted by L.J. Griffiths and other researchers (2010) that aimed at the revelation of risk factors associated with rapid gain of weight among children at the age of three to five. On conducting the study, the researchers have revealed the fact that the weight gain among children at the early age depend not only on their development and nutrition but also on habits of mothers in the course of the pregnancy.
The study focuses on the examination of risk factors for rapid weight gain between three and five years of age. The goal of the study is very important, taking into consideration the increasing risk of overweight among children at the age of three to five. In actuality, obesity is one of the major threats to the public health and the study of the rapid weight gain in children at the age of three to five can help to understand factors that provoke obesity in children and, later, as children grow up.
The authors use the appropriate method to answer the research question. The authors used quantitative methods and conducted the z-scores calculations in the population of three-five years of age to define risk factors for the rapid weight gain. The researchers analyzed 26 risk factors, including environmental, external factors, such as the impact of family, social environment, and others. The use of quantitative methods of analysis was very important in terms of the analysis of factors influencing weight gain in children. At the same time, the researchers could have used qualitative methods of study to obtain broader results. For instance, it is possible to presuppose that food culture may influence the rapid weight gain in children but the researchers failed to take into consideration such factors. Consequently, the use of qualitative methods would enhance the accuracy of the study and could help to understand better factors that influence the weight gain in children at the age of three to five.
The cohort was recruited in an acceptable way, for the researchers selected subjects of different gender and cultural background. At the same time, the choice of subjects was random and they were selected in an acceptable way. In this regard, the weight of subjects was an important criterion for the selection of the subjects of the study.
The exposure was measured accurately to minimize the bias. In fact, the researchers focused on the adequate analysis of the results of the study. In such a way, the researchers attempted to minimize the bias through using z-scores calculations and analysis of 26 factors that influenced the weight gain in children at the age of three to five.
The outcome was measured accurately to minimize the bias. The researchers took into consideration limitations of the study before they made specific conclusions concerning the findings of the study. In such a way, they attempted to minimize the bias and to obtain accurate results of the study.
To increase the reliability and validity of the outcomes of the study, the authors identified important confounding factors. The authors took into consideration twenty six factors that influenced the weight gain in children at the age of three to five. In addition, they attempted to trace the impact of the behavior and habits of mothers in the course of pregnancy and their possible impact on the children’s weight gain.
The authors have taken into account of the confounding factors in the design and analysis. They admit the limitation of the study to quantitative methods only but they insist on the accuracy of findings made with the help of z-scores calculations.
The follow up of subjects was complete as the researchers described in details all procedures the subjects have undergone in the course of the study. At the same time, the follow up of subjects was long enough to obtain the key information on the procedure used by the researchers in the course of the study.
The results of the study basically support the hypothesis suggested by the researchers at the beginning of the study. The researchers found out that among the participants, 13% of normal weight, 63% of overweight and 88% of obese 5-year olds had experienced rapid weight gain since 3 years of age. Six biological and early life factors and two social factors were found to be significantly associated with this growth pattern. In a mutually adjusted model, children were more likely to gain weight rapidly if they had a higher body mass index at age 3 (adjusted odds ratio: 1.27, 95% confidence interval: 1.23–1.32), if they were of Bangladeshi (adjusted odds ratio: 1.88, 95% confidence interval: 1.27–2.79) or black (adjusted odds ratio: 1.47, 95% confidence interval: 1.07–2.02) ethnicity, if their mother was overweight (adjusted odds ratio: 1.32, 95% confidence interval: 1.15–1.51) or had been overweight before pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio: 1.56, 95% confidence interval: 1.36–1.79), if their father was overweight (adjusted odds ratio: 1.56, 95% confidence interval: 1.34–1.81) or if their mother smoked during pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio:1.23, 95% confidence interval: 1.09–1.38). Children were also more likely to gain weight rapidly if others smoked in the same room (adjusted odds ratio: 1.31, 95% confidence interval: 1.16–1.49) or if they were a lone child in the household (adjusted odds ratio: 1.14, 95% confidence interval: 1.01–1.30) (Griffiths, et al, 2010).
The results are credible because they are grounded on the detailed statistical analysis and calculations. In addition, the authors discuss limitations of the study. However, the study would be more credible, if the researchers used qualitative methods of analysis. Nevertheless, the findings of the study are reliable and credible enough.
The results can be applied to the local population because the researches reveal common trends in the population that has been under the study. In addition, the findings of the study are typical for many children, while factors used by the researchers as influence factors are present in virtually all families. Therefore, children living in the local community can be vulnerable to the impact of the same factors as the subjects of the study.
The results of the study fit with other available evidence. Other researchers (Paeratakul, 2002) support the idea that habits of mothers and their health in the course of the pregnancy can affect consistently the weight gain of children at the early stage of their development.
