obesity thesis

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How To Write A Strong Obesity Research Paper?

Table of Contents

Obesity is such a disease when the percent of body fat has negative effects on a person’s health. The topic is very serious as obesity poisons the lives of many teens, adults and even children around the whole world.

Can you imagine that according to WHO (World Health Organization) there were 650 million obese adults and 13% of all 18-year-olds were also obese in 2016? And scientists claim that the number of them is continually growing.

There are many reasons behind the problem, but no matter what they are, lots of people suffer from the wide spectrum of consequences of obesity.

Basic guidelines on obesity research paper

Writing any research paper requires sticking to an open-and-shut structure. It has three basic parts: Introduction, Main Body, and Conclusion.

According to the general rules, you start with the introduction where you provide your reader with some background information and give brief definitions of terms used in the text. Next goes the thesis of your paper.

The thesis is the main idea of all the research you’ve done written in a precise and simple manner, usually in one sentence.

The main body is where you present the statements and ideas which disclose the topic of your research.

In conclusion, you sum up all the text and make a derivation.

How to write an obesity thesis statement?

As I’ve already noted, the thesis is the main idea of your work. What is your position? What do you think about the issue? What is that you want to prove in your essay?

Answer one of those questions briefly and precisely.

Here are some examples of how to write a thesis statement for an obesity research paper:

• The main cause of obesity is determined to be surfeit and unhealthy diet.
• Obesity can be prevented no matter what genetic penchants are.
• Except for being a problem itself, obesity may result in diabetes, cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and many others.
• Obesity is a result of fast-growing civilization development.
• Not only do obese people have health issues but also they have troubles when it comes to socialization.

20 top-notch obesity research paper topics

Since the problem of obesity is very multifaceted and has a lot of aspects to discover, you have to define a topic you want to cover in your essay.

How about writing a fast food and obesity research paper or composing a topic in a sphere of fast food? Those issues gain more and more popularity nowadays.

A couple of other decent ideas at your service.

• The consequences of obesity.
• Obesity as a mental problem.
• Obesity and social standards: the problem of proper self-fulfilment.
• Overweight vs obesity: the use of BMI (Body Mass Index).
• The problem of obesity in your country.
• Methods of prevention the obesity.
• Is lack of self-control a principal factor of becoming obese?
• The least obvious reasons for obesity.
• Obesity: the history of the disease.
• The effect of mass media in augmentation of the obesity level.
• The connection between depression and obesity.
• The societal stigma of obese people.
• The role of legislation in reducing the level of obesity.
• Obesity and cultural aspect.
• Who has the biggest part of the responsibility for obesity: persons themselves, local authorities, government, mass media or somebody else?
• Why are obesity rates constantly growing?
• Who is more prone to obesity, men or women? Why?
• Correlation between obesity and life expectancy.
• The problem of discrimination of the obese people at the workplace.
• Could it be claimed that such movements as body-positive and feminism encourage obesity to a certain extent?

Best sample of obesity research paper outline

An outline is a table of contents which is made at the very beginning of your writing. It helps structurize your thoughts and create a plan for the whole piece in advance.

…Need a sample?

Here is one! It fits the paper on obesity in the U.S.

Introduction

• Hook sentence.
• Thesis statement.
• Transition to Main Body.
• America’s modern plague: obesity.
• Statistics and obesity rates in America.
• Main reasons of obesity in America.
• Social, cultural and other aspects involved in the problem of obesity.
• Methods of preventing and treating obesity in America.
• Transition to Conclusion.
• Unexpected twist or a final argument.
• Food for thought.

Specifics of childhood obesity research paper

A separate question in the problem of obesity is overweight children.

It is singled out since there are quite a lot of differences in clinical pictures, reasons and ways of treatment of an obese adult and an obese child.

Writing a child obesity research paper requires a more attentive approach to the analysis of its causes and examination of family issues. There’s a need to consider issues like eating habits, daily routine, predispositions and other.

Top 20 childhood obesity research paper topics

We’ve gathered the best ideas for your paper on childhood obesity. Take one of those to complete your best research!

• What are the main causes of childhood obesity in your country?
• Does obesity in childhood increase the chance of obesity in adulthood?
• Examine whether a child’s obesity affects academic performance.
• Are parents always guilty if their child is obese?
• What methods of preventing childhood obesity are used in your school?
• What measures the government can take to prevent children’s obesity?
• Examine how childhood obesity can result in premature development of chronic diseases.
• Are obese or overweight parents more prone to have an obese child?
• Why childhood obesity rates are constantly growing around the whole world?
• How to encourage children to lead a healthy style of life?
• Are there more junk and fast food options for children nowadays? How is that related to childhood obesity rates?
• What is medical treatment for obese children?
• Should fast food chains have age limits for their visitors?
• How should parents bring up their child in order to prevent obesity?
• The problem of socializing in obese children.
• Examine the importance of a proper healthy menu in schools’ cafeterias.
• Should the compulsory treatment of obese children be started up?
• Excess of care as the reason for childhood obesity.
• How can parents understand that their child is obese?
• How can the level of wealth impact the chance of a child’s obesity?

Childhood obesity outline example

As the question of childhood obesity is a specific one, it would differ from the outline on obesity we presented previously.

Here is a sample you might need. The topic covers general research on child obesity.

• The problem of childhood obesity.
• World’s childhood obesity rates.
• How to diagnose the disease.
• Predisposition and other causes of child obesity.
• Methods of treatment for obese children.
• Preventive measures to avoid a child’s obesity.

On balance…

The topic of obesity is a long-standing one. It has numerous aspects to discuss, sides to examine, and data to analyze.

Any topic you choose might result in brilliant work.

How can you achieve that?

Follow the basic requirements, plan the content beforehand, and be genuinely interested in the topic.

Option 2. Choose free time over struggle on the paper. We’ve got dozens of professional writers ready to help you out. Order your best paper within several seconds and enjoy your free time. We’ll cover you up!

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A systematic literature review on obesity: Understanding the causes & consequences of obesity and reviewing various machine learning approaches used to predict obesity

Affiliations.

• 1 Centre for Software Technology and Management, Faculty of Information Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, 43600, Selangor, Malaysia.
• 2 Centre for Software Technology and Management, Faculty of Information Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, 43600, Selangor, Malaysia. Electronic address: [email protected].
• 3 RIADI Laboratory, University of Manouba, Manouba, Tunisia; College of Computer Science and Engineering, Taibah University, Medina, Saudi Arabia.
• 4 Center for Artificial Intelligence Technology, Faculty of Information Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, 43600, Selangor, Malaysia.
• PMID: 34426171
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2021.104754

Obesity is considered a principal public health concern and ranked as the fifth foremost reason for death globally. Overweight and obesity are one of the main lifestyle illnesses that leads to further health concerns and contributes to numerous chronic diseases, including cancers, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular diseases. The World Health Organization also predicted that 30% of death in the world will be initiated with lifestyle diseases in 2030 and can be stopped through the suitable identification and addressing of associated risk factors and behavioral involvement policies. Thus, detecting and diagnosing obesity as early as possible is crucial. Therefore, the machine learning approach is a promising solution to early predictions of obesity and the risk of overweight because it can offer quick, immediate, and accurate identification of risk factors and condition likelihoods. The present study conducted a systematic literature review to examine obesity research and machine learning techniques for the prevention and treatment of obesity from 2010 to 2020. Accordingly, 93 papers are identified from the review articles as primary studies from an initial pool of over 700 papers addressing obesity. Consequently, this study initially recognized the significant potential factors that influence and cause adult obesity. Next, the main diseases and health consequences of obesity and overweight are investigated. Ultimately, this study recognized the machine learning methods that can be used for the prediction of obesity. Finally, this study seeks to support decision-makers looking to understand the impact of obesity on health in the general population and identify outcomes that can be used to guide health authorities and public health to further mitigate threats and effectively guide obese people globally.

Keywords: Diseases; Machine learning; Obesity; Overweight; Risk factors.

Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

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Decision-making in the management of obesity: a scoping review protocol

Skulsky, Samuel Lamarre 1 ; Kolozsvari, Oana 2 ; Stacey, Dawn 3,4 ; Shorr, Risa 5 ; Gu, Jeffrey 6

1 Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada

2 The Ottawa Hospital Bariatric Centre of Excellence, Ottawa, ON, Canada

3 Department of Clinical Epidemiology, University of Ottawa, ON, Canada

4 Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada

5 Learning Services, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada

6 Department of Surgery, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

Correspondence: Samuel Lamarre Skulsky, [email protected]

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Objective: 

This scoping review will evaluate the current published literature on decision-making in obesity management.

Introduction: 

Obesity is increasing in incidence worldwide. Although indications have been established for a variety of available treatment modalities, treatment selection must also factor in patient preferences, clinician expertise, and resource availability. Such considerations are crucial given the exponential expansion of new surgical techniques and pharmacologic options in the last decade. Although literature exists for decision-making on various obesity management topics, there are no scoping reviews systematically mapping the literature. This scoping review is timely given that the treatment of obesity has evolved into a multidisciplinary endeavor with myriad management decisions that both patients and clinicians must navigate.

Inclusion criteria: 

The review will consider for inclusion full-text primary studies, published in English from the year 2000 onwards, pertaining to decision-making in obesity management for health care providers involved in obesity management for patients aged ≥18 years.

Methods: 

This scoping review will be conducted in accordance with the JBI methodology for scoping reviews. Embase (Elsevier), MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus (Elsevier), Web of Science (Clarivate), CINAHL Complete (EBSCO), PsycINFO (EBSCO), and Cochrane Central (Wiley) will be systematically searched using a predefined strategy. Two independent reviewers will conduct a 3-tiered screen of identified articles, with a third reviewer resolving disputes. Data extraction will be performed using a predefined, yet flexible form. Descriptive summaries and mapping will be provided for included studies. Available evidence and knowledge gaps will be identified and summarized as they relate to specific concepts, populations, and contexts in obesity management decision-making.

Introduction

Obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) greater or equal to 30 kg/m 2 , is a chronic disease increasing in prevalence worldwide. 1 There are multiple treatment modalities for managing obesity, including surgery, pharmacological treatments, medical management, as well as behavioral modifications. Each treatment modality varies in efficacy, complications, side effects, long-term follow-up requirements, and cost, all of which may affect treatment choice. 2 These modalities can be used individually or in combination. Patients and clinicians must navigate the increasing array of management options to select an appropriate treatment plan that aligns with the patients’ values and overall goals. Improved decision-making processes may lead to improved treatment decisions and patient satisfaction.

Pharmacological agents can affect weight loss and ameliorate obesity-related comorbidities, often as adjuncts to other treatment modalities. Liraglutide and semaglutide are glucagon-like peptide-one (GLP-1) receptor agonists that demonstrate efficacy in producing clinically significant weight loss in patients with or without concomitant diabetes. 3 The combination drug naltrexone/bupropion also offers good initial weight loss. 4 In contrast to surgery, data on long-term weight loss for these medications are lacking. However, 1-year outcomes demonstrate 18%, 24%, and 15% excess weight loss for liraglutide, semaglutide, and naltrexone/bupropion, respectively. 3,5,6 However, pharmacological options may be limited by side effects and require long-term adherence, thus carrying an associated lifelong financial cost. Discontinuation of pharmacological therapy leads to weight regain and reversal of comorbidity resolution. 7

Medical management is another approach for obesity management. Although inconsistent, the literature generally equates “medical management” to medically supervised diets. Medical management can provide rapid weight loss for preoperative optimization (both bariatric and non-bariatric procedures) and is less invasive than bariatric surgery or pharmacotherapy. 8,9 Medical management focuses on caloric restriction, whether through balanced low-calorie diets, carbohydrate or fat restriction, increased protein intake combined with reduced calories, or intermittent fasting. 9 The most consistently successful diet is the very low-calorie diet (VLCD), constraining patients to 200 to 800 daily calories. In 1 review article, initial weight loss (%IWL) for the VLCD at 6 and 12 months was 16% and 10%, respectively. 10 However, VLCDs may not confer superior long-term weight loss compared with conventional diets. In a 2012 meta-analysis of VLCDs, mean %IWLs of 6% and 5% were reported for VLCDs and LCDs, respectively (mean follow-up 1.9 +/− 1.6 years). 11 Side effects from dietary approaches include hair loss, sensation of being cold, and thinning of the skin, among other symptoms. 9

Behavioral modification (also known as behavioral therapy) is another approach, used either as a primary treatment option or incorporated into a multi-modal treatment program. Behavioral modification aims for sustained weight loss by helping patients modify patterns of food intake and physical activity as well as helping address cues and/or environmental stimuli that may prompt overeating. 8 Behavior modification has been shown to improve weight loss achieved with other treatment modalities, such as dietary and pharmacological therapy. 12 Behavioral modification is provided in multiple contexts: patients may utilize established treatment programs involving direct interaction with registered dietitians, psychiatrists, and psychologists, although self-help or commercial weight-loss programs exist as do technology-based approaches such as mobile applications. 13 Regardless of the specific modality, patient adherence is a key determinant of successful weight loss when applying behavior modification. In the Look AHEAD study, obese adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus assigned to intensive behavioral modification demonstrated greater clinically significant weight loss 8 years later compared with patients assigned to upfront support groups and basic education. 14

Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for obesity and facilitates remission of obesity-associated comorbidities. 15 It is typically reserved for patients with a BMI ≥ 40 or for patients with a BMI ≥ 35 with obesity-related comorbidities. The 2 most common operations are the vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) and the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). 16 However, other bariatric procedures are gaining popularity, such as the duodenal switch. 16,17 Of the obesity management options, surgery offers the best long-term sustained weight loss and comorbidity resolution. Percent excess weight loss at 10 years is approximately 60%, 56%, and 74% for the VSG, RYGB, and duodenal switch, respectively. 18 Ten-year diabetes remission rates for RYGB and duodenal switch were 25% and 50%, respectively. 15 Although contemporary 30-day post-operative mortality rates and post-operative morbidity rates are 0.2% and 3%, respectively, 19 patients still assume this risk. Furthermore, each surgery carries its own complication profile and requires permanent adjustments, such as dietary changes and lifelong vitamin supplementation.

Decision-making in the management of obesity should ideally account for multiple factors, starting with which treatment modalities to pursue, while incorporating patient preferences and values along with those of their health care providers. Additional factors to consider include patient medical/surgical history, willingness to implement dietary and behavioral changes, expected outcomes, treatment risk profiles/side effects, ability to participate in pre- and post-operative care, fitness for surgery, as well as clinician expertise, financial considerations, and health care system resource constraints.

An important concept in decision-making is shared decision-making (SDM), a collaborative process in which both the health care provider and the patient participate in deciding on a particular treatment. The health care worker, guided by empirical evidence, provides an overview of available treatments and their alternatives, expected outcomes, and risks. Ideally, this facilitates the selection of a treatment aligned with the patient's core values, preferences, and personal or cultural beliefs. 20 Nevertheless, research suggests that SDM is inconsistently applied in health care 21 ; however, within the field obesity management, researchers and clinicians are highlighting the applicability of SDM. Already, SDM has been studied for various decisions required in obesity management, including the decision to initiate treatment, 22 initiate healthy behavioral changes, 23 choose a specific surgical procedure, 24 and select appropriate pharmacotherapy. 25

Clinicians also grapple with patient misconceptions and health care providers who may act as “barriers” to pursuing appropriate treatment. For example, 1 study of family physicians revealed that 52% were not aware that the contemporary mortality rate is less than 1% for bariatric surgery. This is striking given that, in the same study, the most common reason for non-referral was “potential for complications and death.” 26 Similarly, patient misconceptions surrounding obesity management are common. With bariatric surgery, for example, a lack of familiarity with post-operative morbidity and mortality rates, surgical candidacy, realistic weight loss expectations, and post-operative lifestyle changes are frequently encountered. 27 As a result, a patient's desired treatment and outcomes might not align. For example, 1 study reported on a subgroup of patients desiring a laparoscopic adjustable gastric band despite having “maximum weight loss” as their stated top priority; laparoscopic adjustable gastric bands do not provide the greatest degree weight loss. 24 This exemplifies the need for patient education in addition to determination of a patient's preferential values when selecting an appropriate treatment.

Patient decision aids are interventions that facilitate SDM, providing information on options, benefits and harms, and helping patients clarify their values for outcomes. 28 In addition to helping patients assume an active role in decision-making, decision aids improve their knowledge and set realistic expectations, lower decisional conflict, and enhance agreement between the option chosen and patients’ values. 29 Within the field of obesity management, the study of decision aids has focused on surgical decision-making, 29 although some research addresses multiple treatment modalities. 30,31

Given the expanding list of management options for obesity that both clinicians and patients must navigate, treatment decisions are becoming increasingly complex. Thus, our scoping review is timely and aims to determine the current body of knowledge on decision-making in obesity management. Specifically, we seek to clarify the types of decisions that have been studied, including referral versus treatment decisions from primary care providers, decisions on which categories of treatment to pursue (eg, pharmacotherapy vs surgical management or both), and deciding on treatment options within a category (eg, which surgery to choose). In clarifying the types of decisions explored in the literature, we also wish to determine the health care contexts in which these decisions have been studied, ranging from primary to specialist care. We also wish to identify studies on decision aids and SDM in obesity management, and determine which of the abovementioned types of decisions were examined.

As described, both patients and health care providers may misunderstand the risks and benefits associated with specific obesity treatment modalities. 24,26,27 Furthermore, other factors may hinder patients from pursuing specific treatments, including financial burden or the inability to quit smoking (smoking cessation is a common requirement for undergoing bariatric surgery). 32 This scoping review seeks to identify the existing primary studies on these barriers to optimal obesity management.

In addressing these questions, this scoping review ultimately aims to identify knowledge gaps in decision-making research for obesity management, with the goal of directing future research to decisions that have been understudied. Additionally, in identifying the barriers to obesity management reported in the literature, we hope to highlight factors that either require further study or could be considered by future researchers for incorporation into new decision-making tools. A search of Google Scholar, MEDLINE (PubMed), and JBI Evidence Synthesis did not identify any published or in-progress scoping reviews that address this topic in the manner proposed by our current protocol. The value of undertaking this scoping review is that it can help direct future research on decision-making in obesity and facilitate future care for patients suffering from a disease that is reaching epidemic proportions.

Review questions

What is the status of current knowledge in the published literature about decision-making in the management of obesity in relation to those involved in treatment decisions (eg, patients, clinicians) and the various clinical settings in which management decisions are made?

Sub-questions include:

• i) In the setting of obesity management, how is decision-making defined in the literature and what types of decisions have been examined?
• ii) What published literature exists on obesity management decision aids and what treatment modalities are addressed in these aids?
• iii) What published literature exists on SDM for patients and clinicians in obesity management and who are the individuals under study?
• iv) What barriers to decision-making are reported by the obesity management literature?

Inclusion criteria

The inclusion criteria have been developed using the PCC framework 33 and are outlined below.

Participants

This review will include studies examining individuals involved in obesity management, either as clinicians or as recipients of treatment. Relevant individuals include adult patients (≥ 18 years of age) living with obesity (BMI ≥ 30), primary care providers, bariatric medicine clinicians, bariatric surgeons, and multidisciplinary allied health staff, including, but not limited to, psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, and dietitians. The reason for excluding patients ≥ 18 years is that, despite increasing acceptance, controversy still exists surrounding bariatric surgery for minors, with many pediatric practitioners reporting that they would not refer their patients for surgical consultation. 34 Furthermore, pediatric patients face relatively greater challenges with access to bariatric surgical programs compared with their adult counterparts. 34 Although it is just 1 option for managing obesity, the difference in attitudes and access to bariatric surgery between minors and adults is such that a scoping review on decision-making in obesity management for pediatric patients should be a separate undertaking.

This review will examine studies on decision-making in obesity management. In general, decision-making is a cognitive process of choosing 1 course of action from several possibilities. 35 This will be our working definition when considering whether a potential source is addressing decision-making. When making a decision, the best available evidence is applied within the constraints of available clinical expertise and resources, while accounting for patient and provider preferences. In medical literature, a precise taxonomy for the various kinds of decisions made in health care is not consistently applied, 36 therefore, a study's use of the term “decision-making” can refer to myriad different types of decisions (eg, treatment decisions, choosing an investigation, choosing to consult a specialist). As such, this scoping review also aims to clarify what exactly is being studied in the decision-making literature within the field of obesity management.

A sub-categorization of decision-making important to this review is the concept of SDM. In contrast to “decision-making,” SDM is a more concrete term that has been defined as a collaborative process in which both the clinician and patient participate in arriving at a particular treatment. The clinician, informed by empirical evidence, provides an overview of available treatments and the associated risks and benefits while the patient shares their core values, preferences, and personal or cultural beliefs in order to arrive at a mutually shared treatment decision. 20 Similarly to SDM, “decision aids” is a well-defined term, and is considered interventions that facilitate SDM by making explicit the decision, providing information on options, benefits, and harms, and helping patients clarify their values for outcomes. 28

The concept of treatment modalities for obesity also requires definition to ensure clarity and a common language for the scoping review. For example, “medical management of obesity” is inconsistently defined; in the literature it has been used interchangeably to refer to medically supervised diets or pharmacological treatments. For the purposes of this review, we will categorize treatment modalities as falling into one of the following categories: surgical management, pharmacological treatments, medical management (meaning medically supervised diets), and behavioral interventions (inclusive of psychiatric and psychological management, and exercise therapy).

For the purposes of this review, a “barrier” to decision-making will be defined as any factor that might affect pursual of evidence-based management of obesity. For example, a barrier could be a primary care physician's misunderstanding of complication rates for bariatric surgery or patient unfamiliarity with treatment options.

This review aims to capture decision-making in obesity management in all health care settings where care may be provided, on a continuum from primary to quaternary care. For example, in a primary care context, possible decisions may be whether to initiate lifestyle interventions or to refer the patient to a specialized treatment center. At the tertiary level, the decisions may be focused on choosing a combination of surgical, pharmacological, medical, and behavioral interventions. This scoping review will not focus on decision-making research in the context of experimental treatments and will thus be restricted to research focusing on currently accepted treatments. Observational decision-making research, as well as controlled experiments on decision-making for currently accepted treatments, will be considered. From a geographic/cultural perspective, we will not consider decision-making research examining traditional, natural, or cultural treatment modalities without peer-reviewed evidence of their efficacy. Two of the authors (JG, NK) of this scoping review protocol are experts in obesity management; if they are unable to ascertain whether a particular treatment is sufficiently evidence-based, we will consult our multidisciplinary colleagues to determine whether the treatment is backed by evidence or is commonly used.

Types of sources

This scoping review will consider primary research studies with quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods study designs. Opinion articles, letters to the editor, book chapters, systematic reviews, narrative reviews, clinical reviews, and consensus guidelines will not be included. However, all sources that are captured by our search will have their references examined for potential primary studies to include.

The proposed scoping review will be conducted in accordance with the JBI methodology for scoping reviews. 33

Search strategy

The search strategy will aim to locate published primary studies. In collaboration with a research librarian familiar with academic and clinical health care research, an initial limited search of Embase (Elsevier), MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus (Elsevier), Web of Science (Clarivate), CINAHL Complete (EBSCO), PsycINFO (EBSCO), and Cochrane Central (Wiley) was undertaken using preliminary keywords relating to our population, context, and concepts described above. A list of the text words contained in the titles and abstracts of relevant articles, as well as the index terms used to describe those words, was compiled. Synonyms and interchangeable terms for these keywords were also collected. Using these terms, we performed a search of CINAHL Complete (EBSCO; see Appendix I). Gray literature and/or media will not be included; this scoping review is focused on peer-reviewed literature that is readily accessible to those with interest in decision-making research. The reference lists of articles selected for full-text review will be screened for additional papers. The study reviewers intend to contact authors of primary studies if information relevant to our planned data extraction is missing.

We will restrict our final analysis to articles published in English as a matter of convenience and to avoid interpretative errors in attempted translation. We recognize the potential for language bias; therefore, the initial search will include articles written in any language to quantify the extent of non-English literature excluded from our analysis.

Study selection

All identified records will be collated and uploaded into DistillerSR (Evidence Partners, Ottawa, Canada) and duplicates will be removed. Two primary reviewers (SS, JG) will independently screen all articles in 3 stages: title screening, abstract screening, and full-text screening. Standardized forms created in DistillerSR will facilitate the screening process. As part of an inclusive strategy, agreement from both primary reviewers will be required for an article to be excluded at the title-screening stage. During the abstract and full-text screening stages, conflicts will be flagged for a third expert reviewer (NK) to resolve. Articles will only be included in our analysis if they meet the following criteria: they relate to the management of obesity, are associated with a full-text article of a primary study (no abstract-only search results, guidelines, opinions, or book chapters), are written in English, published in 2000 or later, and pertain to individuals 18 years or older.

Searches will be limited to the year 2000 or later as many pharmacotherapeutic and surgical treatments for obesity prior to the 2000s are either no longer in use or have drastically limited indications, and this review aims to examine decision-making research in the context of the modern era of obesity management. Furthermore, the modern morbidity and mortality rates for today's surgical procedures are sufficiently low that the decision to proceed with surgery now is a different discussion to what it has been in the past. 37

Articles selected following full-text screening will be retrieved and their citation details imported into the JBI System for the Unified Management, Assessment and Review of Information (JBI SUMARI; JBI, Adelaide, Australia). 38 See Appendix II for the screening questions. Reasons for exclusion of full-text papers will be recorded and reported in the final review. The results of the search will be presented in a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) flow diagram. 39

Data extraction

Data will be extracted by 2 independent reviewers (JG, SS) using the questions in Appendix III. Details about the population, the treatment modalities, and context relevant to the review questions will be extracted. Additional data points will include author details, year and type of publication, country of origin, study aims, methodology, and key findings. For publications investigating a decision aid, the type of aid (eg, video, pamphlet, interactive chart) as well as its components will be recorded. Revision of the data extraction tool during the extraction process will be iterative, but prior to beginning the data extraction process, we will conduct a calibration exercise (pilot test), as outlined by Tricco et al. 40 Any disagreements that arise between the reviewers will be resolved through discussion or with a third reviewer. Authors of papers will be contacted to request missing or additional data, whenever necessary.

Data analysis and presentation

The analysis for this scoping review will predominantly consist of a summative approach for the data extracted from the published literature.

If provided, definitions of decision-making in obesity management settings will be extracted verbatim from identified sources and summarized in tabular format. References cited to support these definitions will also be presented. The actual decisions being examined by each study will be summarized as well.

Regarding decision aids, a tabular format will be used to highlight the types of aids studied and the treatment modalities they address. Regarding SDM, tabular format will be used to summarize the existing research and the individuals involved in the SDM process (eg, patients, clinicians).

Barriers that have been reported as having an impact on decision-making in obesity management research will be summarized with the frequency of selected studies that examine each barrier. If necessary, descriptive qualitative content analysis may be used to code barriers into overall categories to facilitate a useful presentation of the results. The anticipated broad categories may include concerns over financial considerations, outcomes, treatment risks, changes in lifestyle, and necessary time commitment.

To supplement our in-text discussion, overview graphs or diagrams will be used as appropriate to highlight research gaps pertaining to our review questions, in particular gaps in decision-making research regarding specific treatment modalities, health care contexts, and populations.

Author contributions

JG, SS, NK, DS contributed to the writing of the manuscript. SS, JG, NK, DS, RS contributed to the design of the protocol. RS, SS devised the search strategy and conducted the preliminary search. JG, SS, RS created the data extraction tool.

Appendix I: Search strategy

Cinahl complete (ebsco).

Date searched: January 12, 2022

Appendix II: Article screening strategy and questions

Appendix III: Draft data extraction instrument

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Obesity Essay

Last updated on: Feb 9, 2023

Obesity Essay: A Complete Guide and Topics

By: Nova A.

11 min read

Reviewed By: Jacklyn H.

Published on: Aug 31, 2021

Are you assigned to write an essay about obesity? The first step is to define obesity.

The obesity epidemic is a major issue facing our country right now. It's complicated- it could be genetic or due to your environment, but either way, there are ways that you can fix it!

Learn all about what causes weight gain and get tips on how you can get healthy again.

On this Page

What is Obesity

What is obesity? Obesity and BMI (body mass index) are both tools of measurement that are used by doctors to assess body fat according to the height, age, and gender of a person. If the BMI is between 25 to 29.9, that means the person has excess weight and body fat.

If the BMI exceeds 30, that means the person is obese. Obesity is a condition that increases the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, and other medical conditions like metabolic syndrome, arthritis, and even some types of cancer.

Obesity Definition

Obesity is defined by the World Health Organization as an accumulation of abnormal and excess body fat that comes with several risk factors. It is measured by the body mass index BMI, body weight (in kilograms) divided by the square of a person’s height (in meters).

Obesity in America

Obesity is on the verge of becoming an epidemic as 1 in every 3 Americans can be categorized as overweight and obese. Currently, America is an obese country, and it continues to get worse.

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Causes of obesity

Do you see any obese or overweight people around you?

You likely do.

This is because fast-food chains are becoming more and more common, people are less active, and fruits and vegetables are more expensive than processed foods, thus making them less available to the majority of society. These are the primary causes of obesity.

Obesity is a disease that affects all age groups, including children and elderly people.

Now that you are familiar with the topic of obesity, writing an essay won’t be that difficult for you.

How to Write an Obesity Essay

The format of an obesity essay is similar to writing any other essay. If you need help regarding how to write an obesity essay, it is the same as writing any other essay.

Obesity Essay Introduction

The trick is to start your essay with an interesting and catchy sentence. This will help attract the reader's attention and motivate them to read further. You don’t want to lose the reader’s interest in the beginning and leave a bad impression, especially if the reader is your teacher.

A hook sentence is usually used to open the introductory paragraph of an essay in order to make it interesting. When writing an essay on obesity, the hook sentence can be in the form of an interesting fact or statistic.

Head on to this detailed article on hook examples to get a better idea.

Once you have hooked the reader, the next step is to provide them with relevant background information about the topic. Don’t give away too much at this stage or bombard them with excess information that the reader ends up getting bored with. Only share information that is necessary for the reader to understand your topic.

Next, write a strong thesis statement at the end of your essay, be sure that your thesis identifies the purpose of your essay in a clear and concise manner. Also, keep in mind that the thesis statement should be easy to justify as the body of your essay will revolve around it.

Body Paragraphs

The details related to your topic are to be included in the body paragraphs of your essay. You can use statistics, facts, and figures related to obesity to reinforce your thesis throughout your essay.

If you are writing a cause-and-effect obesity essay, you can mention different causes of obesity and how it can affect a person’s overall health. The number of body paragraphs can increase depending on the parameters of the assignment as set forth by your instructor.

Start each body paragraph with a topic sentence that is the crux of its content. It is necessary to write an engaging topic sentence as it helps grab the reader’s interest. Check out this detailed blog on writing a topic sentence to further understand it.

End your essay with a conclusion by restating your research and tying it to your thesis statement. You can also propose possible solutions to control obesity in your conclusion. Make sure that your conclusion is short yet powerful.

Obesity Essay Examples

Essay about Obesity (PDF)

Childhood Obesity Essay (PDF)

Obesity in America Essay (PDF)

Essay about Obesity Cause and Effects (PDF)

Satire Essay on Obesity (PDF) 

Obesity Argumentative Essay (PDF)

Obesity Essay Topics

Choosing a topic might seem an overwhelming task as you may have many ideas for your assignment. Brainstorm different ideas and narrow them down to one, quality topic.

If you need some examples to help you with your essay topic related to obesity, dive into this article and choose from the list of obesity essay topics.

Childhood Obesity

As mentioned earlier, obesity can affect any age group, including children. Obesity can cause several future health problems as children age.

Here are a few topics you can choose from and discuss for your childhood obesity essay:

• What are the causes of increasing obesity in children?
• Obese parents may be at risk for having children with obesity.
• What is the ratio of obesity between adults and children?
• What are the possible treatments for obese children?
• Are there any social programs that can help children with combating obesity?
• Has technology boosted the rate of obesity in children?
• Are children spending more time on gadgets instead of playing outside?
• Schools should encourage regular exercises and sports for children.
• How can sports and other physical activities protect children from becoming obese?
• Can childhood abuse be a cause of obesity among children?
• What is the relationship between neglect in childhood and obesity in adulthood?
• Does obesity have any effect on the psychological condition and well-being of a child?
• Are electronic medical records effective in diagnosing obesity among children?
• Obesity can affect the academic performance of your child.
• Do you believe that children who are raised by a single parent can be vulnerable to obesity?
• You can promote interesting exercises to encourage children.
• What is the main cause of obesity, and why is it increasing with every passing day?
• Schools and colleges should work harder to develop methodologies to decrease childhood obesity.
• The government should not allow schools and colleges to include sweet or fatty snacks as a part of their lunch.
• If a mother is obese, can it affect the health of the child?
• Children who gain weight frequently can develop chronic diseases.

Obesity Argumentative Essay Topics

Do you want to write an argumentative essay on the topic of obesity?

The following list can help you with that!

Here are some examples you can choose from for your argumentative essay about obesity:

• Can vegetables and fruits decrease the chances of obesity?
• Should you go for surgery to overcome obesity?
• Are there any harmful side effects?
• Can obesity be related to the mental condition of an individual?
• Are parents responsible for controlling obesity in childhood?
• What are the most effective measures to prevent the increase in the obesity rate?
• Why is the obesity rate increasing in the United States?
• Can the lifestyle of a person be a cause of obesity?
• Does the economic situation of a country affect the obesity rate?
• How is obesity considered an international health issue?
• Can technology and gadgets affect obesity rates?
• What can be the possible reasons for obesity in a school?
• How can we address the issue of obesity?
• Is obesity a chronic disease?
• Is obesity a major cause of heart attacks?
• Are the junk food chains causing an increase in obesity?
• Do nutritional programs help in reducing the obesity rate?
• How can the right type of diet help with obesity?
• Why should we encourage sports activities in schools and colleges?
• Can obesity affect a person’s behavior?

Health Related Topics for Research Paper

If you are writing a research paper, you can explain the cause and effect of obesity.

Here are a few topics that link to the cause and effects of obesity.Review the literature of previous articles related to obesity. Describe the ideas presented in the previous papers.

• Can family history cause obesity in future generations?
• Can we predict obesity through genetic testing?
• What is the cause of the increasing obesity rate?
• Do you think the increase in fast-food restaurants is a cause of the rising obesity rate?
• Is the ratio of obese women greater than obese men?
• Why are women more prone to be obese as compared to men?
• Stress can be a cause of obesity. Mention the reasons how mental health can be related to physical health.
• Is urban life a cause of the increasing obesity rate?
• People from cities are prone to be obese as compared to people from the countryside.
• How obesity affects the life expectancy of people? What are possible solutions to decrease the obesity rate?
• Do family eating habits affect or trigger obesity?
• How do eating habits affect the health of an individual?
• How can obesity affect the future of a child?
• Obese children are more prone to get bullied in high school and college.
• Why should schools encourage more sports and exercise for children?

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Topics for Essay on Obesity as a Problem

Do you think a rise in obesity rate can affect the economy of a country?

Here are some topics for your assistance regarding your economics related obesity essay.

• Does socioeconomic status affect the possibility of obesity in an individual?
• Analyze the film and write a review on “Fed Up” – an obesity epidemic.
• Share your reviews on the movie “The Weight of The Nation.”
• Should we increase the prices of fast food and decrease the prices of fruits and vegetables to decrease obesity?
• Do you think healthy food prices can be a cause of obesity?
• Describe what measures other countries have taken in order to control obesity?
• The government should play an important role in controlling obesity. What precautions should they take?
• Do you think obesity can be one of the reasons children get bullied?
• Do obese people experience any sort of discrimination or inappropriate behavior due to their weight?
• Are there any legal protections for people who suffer from discrimination due to their weight?
• Which communities have a higher percentage of obesity in the United States?
• Discuss the side effects of the fast-food industry and their advertisements on children.
• Describe how the increasing obesity rate has affected the economic condition of the United States.
• What is the current percentage of obesity all over the world? Is the obesity rate increasing with every passing day?
• Why is the obesity rate higher in the United States as compared to other countries?
• Do Asians have a greater percentage of obese people as compared to Europe?
• Does the cultural difference affect the eating habits of an individual?
• Obesity and body shaming.
• Why is a skinny body considered to be ideal? Is it an effective way to reduce the obesity rate?

Obesity Solution Essay Topics

With all the developments in medicine and technology, we still don’t have exact measures to treat obesity.

Here are some insights you can discuss in your essay:

• How do obese people suffer from metabolic complications?
• Describe the fat distribution in obese people.
• Is type 2 diabetes related to obesity?
• Are obese people more prone to suffer from diabetes in the future?
• How are cardiac diseases related to obesity?
• Can obesity affect a woman’s childbearing time phase?
• Describe the digestive diseases related to obesity.
• Obesity may be genetic.
• Obesity can cause a higher risk of suffering a heart attack.
• What are the causes of obesity? What health problems can be caused if an individual suffers from obesity?
• What are the side effects of surgery to overcome obesity?
• Which drugs are effective when it comes to the treatment of obesity?
• Is there a difference between being obese and overweight?
• Can obesity affect the sociological perspective of an individual?
• Explain how an obesity treatment works.
• How can the government help people to lose weight and improve public health?

Writing an essay is a challenging yet rewarding task. All you need is to be organized and clear when it comes to academic writing.

• Choose a topic you would like to write on.
• Organize your thoughts.
• Pen down your ideas.
• Compose a perfect essay that will help you ace your subject.
• Proofread and revise your paper.

Were the topics useful for you? We hope so!

However, if you are still struggling to write your paper, you can pick any of the topics from this list, and our essay writer will help you craft a perfect essay.

Are you struggling to write an effective essay?

If writing an essay is the actual problem and not just the topic, you can always hire an essay writing service for your help. Essay experts at 5StarEssays can help compose an impressive essay within your deadline.

All you have to do is contact us. We will get started on your paper while you can sit back and relax.

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Marketing, Thesis

As a Digital Content Strategist, Nova Allison has eight years of experience in writing both technical and scientific content. With a focus on developing online content plans that engage audiences, Nova strives to write pieces that are not only informative but captivating as well.

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Obesity Research

Language switcher.

Over the years, NHLBI-supported research on overweight and obesity has led to the development of evidence-based prevention and treatment guidelines for healthcare providers. NHLBI research has also led to guidance on how to choose a behavioral weight loss program.

Studies show that the skills learned and support offered by these programs can help most people make the necessary lifestyle changes for weight loss and reduce their risk of serious health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.

Our research has also evaluated new community-based programs for various demographics, addressing the health disparities in overweight and obesity.

NHLBI research that really made a difference

• In 1991, the NHLBI developed an Obesity Education Initiative to educate the public and health professionals about obesity as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and its relationship to other risk factors, such as high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol. The initiative led to the development of clinical guidelines for treating overweight and obesity.
• The NHLBI and other NIH Institutes funded the Obesity-Related Behavioral Intervention Trials (ORBIT) projects , which led to the ORBIT model for developing behavioral treatments to prevent or manage chronic diseases. These studies included families and a variety of demographic groups. A key finding from one study focuses on the importance of targeting psychological factors in obesity treatment.

Current research funded by the NHLBI

The Division of Cardiovascular Sciences , which includes the Clinical Applications and Prevention Branch, funds research to understand how obesity relates to heart disease. The Center for Translation Research and Implementation Science supports the translation and implementation of research, including obesity research, into clinical practice. The Division of Lung Diseases and its National Center on Sleep Disorders Research fund research on the impact of obesity on sleep-disordered breathing.

Find funding opportunities and program contacts for research related to obesity and its complications.

Current research on obesity and health disparities

Health disparities happen when members of a group experience negative impacts on their health because of where they live, their racial or ethnic background, how much money they make, or how much education they received. NHLBI-supported research aims to discover the factors that contribute to health disparities and test ways to eliminate them.

• NHLBI-funded researchers behind the RURAL: Risk Underlying Rural Areas Longitudinal Cohort Study want to discover why people in poor rural communities in the South have shorter, unhealthier lives on average. The study includes 4,000 diverse participants (ages 35–64 years, 50% women, 44% whites, 45% Blacks, 10% Hispanic) from 10 of the poorest rural counties in Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Their results will support future interventions and disease prevention efforts.
• The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) is looking at what factors contribute to the higher-than-expected numbers of Hispanics/Latinos who suffer from metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes. The study includes more than 16,000 Hispanic/Latino adults across the nation.

Find more NHLBI-funded studies on obesity and health disparities at NIH RePORTER.

Read how African Americans are learning to transform soul food into healthy, delicious meals to prevent cardiovascular disease: Vegan soul food: Will it help fight heart disease, obesity?

Current research on obesity in pregnancy and childhood

• The NHLBI-supported Fragile Families Cardiovascular Health Follow-Up Study continues a study that began in 2000 with 5,000 American children born in large cities. The cohort was racially and ethnically diverse, with approximately 40% of the children living in poverty. Researchers collected socioeconomic, demographic, neighborhood, genetic, and developmental data from the participants. In this next phase, researchers will continue to collect similar data from the participants, who are now young adults.
• The NHLBI is supporting national adoption of the Bright Bodies program through Dissemination and Implementation of the Bright Bodies Intervention for Childhood Obesity . Bright Bodies is a high-intensity, family-based intervention for childhood obesity. In 2017, a U.S. Preventive Services Task Force found that Bright Bodies lowered children’s body mass index (BMI) more than other interventions did.
• The NHLBI supports the continuation of the nuMoM2b Heart Health Study , which has followed a diverse cohort of 4,475 women during their first pregnancy. The women provided data and specimens for up to 7 years after the birth of their children. Researchers are now conducting a follow-up study on the relationship between problems during pregnancy and future cardiovascular disease. Women who are pregnant and have obesity are at greater risk than other pregnant women for health problems that can affect mother and baby during pregnancy, at birth, and later in life.

Find more NHLBI-funded studies on obesity in pregnancy and childhood at NIH RePORTER.

Learn about the largest public health nonprofit for Black and African American women and girls in the United States: Empowering Women to Get Healthy, One Step at a Time .

Current research on obesity and sleep

• An NHLBI-funded study is looking at whether energy balance and obesity affect sleep in the same way that a lack of good-quality sleep affects obesity. The researchers are recruiting equal numbers of men and women to include sex differences in their study of how obesity affects sleep quality and circadian rhythms.
• NHLBI-funded researchers are studying metabolism and obstructive sleep apnea . Many people with obesity have sleep apnea. The researchers will look at the measurable metabolic changes in participants from a previous study. These participants were randomized to one of three treatments for sleep apnea: weight loss alone, positive airway pressure (PAP) alone, or combined weight loss and PAP. Researchers hope that the results of the study will allow a more personalized approach to diagnosing and treating sleep apnea.
• The NHLBI-funded Lipidomics Biomarkers Link Sleep Restriction to Adiposity Phenotype, Diabetes, and Cardiovascular Risk study explores the relationship between disrupted sleep patterns and diabetes. It uses data from the long-running Multiethnic Cohort Study, which has recruited more than 210,000 participants from five ethnic groups. Researchers are searching for a cellular-level change that can be measured and can predict the onset of diabetes in people who are chronically sleep deprived. Obesity is a common symptom that people with sleep issues have during the onset of diabetes.

Find more NHLBI-funded studies on obesity and sleep at NIH RePORTER.

Learn about a recent study that supports the need for healthy sleep habits from birth: Study finds link between sleep habits and weight gain in newborns .

Obesity research labs at the NHLBI

The Cardiovascular Branch and its Laboratory of Inflammation and Cardiometabolic Diseases conducts studies to understand the links between inflammation, atherosclerosis, and metabolic diseases.

NHLBI’s Division of Intramural Research , including its Laboratory of Obesity and Aging Research , seeks to understand how obesity induces metabolic disorders. The lab studies the “obesity-aging” paradox: how the average American gains more weight as they get older, even when food intake decreases.

Related obesity programs and guidelines

• Aim for a Healthy Weight is a self-guided weight-loss program led by the NHLBI that is based on the psychology of change. It includes tested strategies for eating right and moving more.
• The NHLBI developed the We Can! ® (Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity & Nutrition) program to help support parents in developing healthy habits for their children.
• The Accumulating Data to Optimally Predict obesity Treatment (ADOPT) Core Measures Project standardizes data collected from the various studies of obesity treatments so the data can be analyzed together. The bigger the dataset, the more confidence can be placed in the conclusions. The main goal of this project is to understand the individual differences between people who experience the same treatment.
• The NHLBI Director co-chairs the NIH Nutrition Research Task Force, which guided the development of the first NIH-wide strategic plan for nutrition research being conducted over the next 10 years. See the 2020–2030 Strategic Plan for NIH Nutrition Research .
• The NHLBI is an active member of the National Collaborative on Childhood Obesity (NCCOR) , which is a public–private partnership to accelerate progress in reducing childhood obesity.
• The NHLBI has been providing guidance to physicians on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of obesity since 1977. In 2017, the NHLBI convened a panel of experts to take on some of the pressing questions facing the obesity research community. See their responses: Expert Panel on Integrated Guidelines for Cardiovascular Health and Risk Reduction in Children and Adolescents (PDF, 3.69 MB).
• In 2021, the NHLBI held a Long Non-coding (lnc) RNAs Symposium to discuss research opportunities on lnc RNAs, which appear to play a role in the development of metabolic diseases such as obesity.
• The Muscatine Heart Study began enrolling children in 1970. By 1981, more than 11,000 students from Muscatine, Iowa, had taken surveys twice a year. The study is the longest-running study of cardiovascular risk factors in children in the United States. Today, many of the earliest participants and their children are still involved in the study, which has already shown that early habits affect cardiovascular health later in life.
• The Jackson Heart Study is a unique partnership of the NHLBI, three colleges and universities, and the Jackson, Miss., community. Its mission is to discover what factors contribute to the high prevalence of cardiovascular disease among African Americans. Researchers aim to test new approaches for reducing this health disparity. The study incudes more than 5,000 individuals. Among the study’s findings to date is a gene variant in African Americans that doubles the risk of heart disease.

Explore more NHLBI research on overweight and obesity

The sections above provide you with the highlights of NHLBI-supported research on overweight and obesity . You can explore the full list of NHLBI-funded studies on the NIH RePORTER .

To find more studies:

• Type your search words into the  Quick Search  box and press enter. 
• Check  Active Projects  if you want current research.
• Select the  Agencies  arrow, then the  NIH  arrow, then check  NHLBI .

If you want to sort the projects by budget size — from the biggest to the smallest — click on the  FY Total Cost by IC  column heading.