Traditional Form of a Scholarly, Well-Researched Article,

¶ … traditional form of a scholarly, well-researched article, beginning with an overview of previous research before delving into the independent work of the author. The article deals with a phenomenon -- the increase in obesity -- in a manner supported by much of the current scientific coverage on the topic. It specifically deals with how obesity may be caused by environmental factors, such as overeating, lack of activity, and stress. The article takes a scientific approach to understanding the complex causal relationship between these factors.

• Is the information relevant to the topic?

The article deploys a cross-sectional study of BMI and job stress, based upon the subject's perceived stressors at the job using Karasek's Job Content Questionnaire, an instrument with pre-tested reliability and validity. The test subjects' BMI was also recorded. Ultimately, the study was not able to determine if job stress caused subjects to be more likely to be obese because of hormonal factors and instigated the use of overeating as a coping mechanism or if obese subjects had more stressors on the job because of their excess body mass. However, it did find a strong correlation between obesity and stress on the job, suggesting that future study is warranted.

• Does the information reflect a bias on the author's part? If so, what is the bias?

The information appears to be unbiased. The lack of bias is further supported by the cautious conclusions of the researchers. Rather than making a broad and sweeping statement about the causes of obesity, based upon the conclusions that can be drawn from the correlation, the study's authors merely point to the correlation and suggest possible causal relationships which must be further explored, but have yet to have been proven. There may be said to be a bias because the author regards obesity as a serious concern, but other than that assumption (which reflects common scientific wisdom about human health), the study is objective in tone and did not seem to have a predetermined conclusion.

Source 2

Davis, B. & Carpenter, C. 2009, "Proximity of fast-food restaurants to schools and adolescent obesity," American Journal of Public Health, vol. 99, no. 3, pp. 505-10.

Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/215085006?accountid=10901

• Author: Davis, B. & Carpenter, C.

• Date: 2009

"Proximity of fast-food restaurants to schools and adolescent obesity" • Publication: American Journal of Public Health

Write a 100- to 150-word response to each of the following questions:

• Is the source reliable? How do you know?

The American Journal of Public Health is a peer-reviewed journal and is also widely cited in many newspaper articles in the popular press as a legitimate source of public health information. The study used a scientific approach compared adolescents' BMI and the proximity of their schools to fast food restaurants. It controlled for possible variables that could affect the final results such as income level and health status. It used an empirical analysis of a large range of students, derived from the California Healthy Kids Survey, which was submitted to over 500000 youths.

• Is the information relevant to the topic?

The degree to which consumption of specific types of food, such as fast food, has contributed to Americans' burgeoning waistlines has been hotly contested. This study attempts to shed some light on how the availability of specific types of food can contribute to obesity. The findings are relevant in determining how to create an effective 'fat fighting' strategy on the part of educators and lawmakers. The study specifically deals which childhood and adolescent obesity, which is especially critical given the degree to which habits formed early in life can affect later dietary choices.