This paper critically reviews Eagle et al.'s (2012) study on the relationship between household income and childhood obesity in America. The study assessed body mass index in over 109,000 Massachusetts children and examined diet and activity patterns among Michigan sixth graders across communities with varying income levels. The review summarizes the study's hypothesis, methodology, statistical findings, and conclusions, then evaluates its strengths and limitations, including the large sample size and potential self-report bias. The author's own analysis questions whether income alone explains obesity, pointing to confounding factors such as peer pressure, teacher motivation, and psychological variables, and notes that the correlation observed may not imply causality.
The paper demonstrates effective source critique. Rather than accepting the original study's conclusions at face value, the author identifies methodological limitations (self-report bias, definition of "low income") and offers alternative explanations for the observed correlation, such as peer pressure and teacher motivation. This distinguishes correlation from causality — a key critical thinking skill in research analysis.
The paper is organized into six numbered sections: background context, prior findings and hypothesis, methodology, results with statistical interpretation, strengths and limitations, and the author's own analysis. This structure mirrors a formal research critique format and ensures each component of the study is addressed systematically before an independent evaluative conclusion is offered.
This paper reviews research on childhood obesity and its correlation with socioeconomic background. The researchers argued that attention to childhood obesity has traditionally focused on genetic and environmental factors, and there is an increasingly prevalent belief that pediatric obesity may result from a combination of both. While environmental factors can limit obesity, the researchers sought to understand what stimulates those influencing environmental factors in the first place.
A previous study conducted by the same researchers identified three primary environmental factors responsible for obesity in children. These were: low weekly levels of moderate physical exercise, high levels of daily television viewing, and routine participation in a school lunch program.
The hypothesis of the current study was that certain socioeconomic backgrounds are more conducive to introducing these factors than others — specifically, that median household income influences both nutrition and recreational activity choices. Investigation of this suggestion was the central purpose of the article.
The authors assessed body mass index (BMI) in 109,634 Massachusetts children who were screened in 2009, identifying the percentage of children who were overweight and/or obese relative to the percentage of children in each community who resided in low-income households.
The authors also compared activity patterns and diet among 999 sixth graders residing in four different Michigan communities with varying annual household incomes. Their hypothesis was that children living in lower-income towns would make poorer dietary and activity choices than those living in communities with greater resources. A standardized questionnaire was administered, results were calculated using ANOVA, and the percentage of obesity was contrasted against responses.
You’re 33% through this paper. Sign up to read the remaining 3 sections.
Sign Up Now — Instant Access Already a member? Log inAlways verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.