Project4.AustinE

8/9/2019 Project4.AustinE

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Weight Analysis 1

Running Head: A Weight Analysis of Respondents

Analyzing the Weight of the Respondents By Gender and The Days Spent Walking

Eboni S. Austin

Social Work 300-01

Ms. McArthur

March 27, 2010


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Weight Analysis 2

Abstract

The data used in this research report was from The National College Health Risk Behavior

Survey. The respondents in this survey were asked a series of questions pertaining to the lifestyle

in which they live and how it affects their lives. The variables that were taken from the data set

were weight, age and the days the respondents spent walking. Since obesity is a devastating trend

among many Americans, it was a great approach to discover how many respondents describe

their current weight. The gender of the respondents will be analyzed. Also the days spent

walking will indicate how many of the respondents are making an attempt to get into shape.


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Hypothesis:

The weight of the respondent has an impact on the days a week spent walking for at least

thirty minutes. The independent variable is the weight of the respondents. Its values are

underweight, about the right weight and overweight. The dependent variable is the days spent

walking. The values of the dependent variable are 0-2 days, 3-5 days and 6 days or more. The

control variable is the respondents gender and the values are male and female. Including all the

variables, the multivariate hypothesis states females are more likely to weight more and walk

less than males.

These variables also include some missing values. There may have been respondents who

were reluctant in answering personal questions pertaining to their health. Others may not have

wanted to falsify information, therefore they left the question blank. Some respondents may have

not indicated their gender, simply because they did not want the observer of the survey to

identify the respondent of that particular survey.

Rationale:

Obesity is a disorder that is affecting many individuals. Americans tend to eat unhealthy

foods and snack constantly. As a result, they weight more and exercise less. Being overweight

can lead to several complications such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attacks, strokes and

possibly death. It is necessary for the individual to eat the proper servings of fruits and

vegetables. Also, it is important to drink eight glasses of water a day. The person also must

exercise if they want to lose weight. Exercises can include walking, jogging, running,

weightlifting, swimming or playing various sports. By changing what the person eats and

incorporating exercise in their daily routine, it is possible for the person to get in shape and live a

comfortable and healthy life.


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The bivariate hypothesis that was introduced stated that the weight of the respondent has

an impact on the days a week spent walking. If the respondent is underweight, then they may

walk more than a respondent who is overweight. The respondent who describes their weight at

about the right weight may walk three days or less, in order to stay in shape. The overweight

respondent may walk zero to two days. Since they are overweight, they may not be motivated to

walk despite knowing the risks that comes with being overweight. The control variable that was

introduced was gender. It is believed that males are more active than females, therefore, the male

may weigh less compared to the female respondents. Males are more likely to participate in

sports than women. Males are active in football, track, baseball, etc. There are a good number of

females who are active in sports, however, it is strongly believed that men are more dominate in

this area. It is expected that the results will prove the two hypotheses to be true.

Results:

Table 1

The weight of the respondent has an impact on the days a week spent walking

Days Spent Walking

Respondents

Weight

0-2 Days 3-5 Days 6 Days or more Totals

Underweight 11.7 10.0 10.4 11.1

About the right

weight

45.2 46.1 50.2 46.0

Overweight 43.1 43.9 39.4 42.9

Totals 64.9 23.5 11.7 100.0

(N) 3,089 1,118 556 4,763

Source: The National College Health Risk Behavior Survey, 1995


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Table 2:

The weight of the respondent has an impact on the days a week spent walking

Controlling for respondents gender

Days Spent Walking

Respondents

Weight

0-2 Days 3-5 Days 6 Days or more Totals

Female Respondents

Underweight 8.2 7.8 9.1 8.2

About the right

weight

42.7 41.5 44.8 42.7

Overweight 49.1 50.7 46.0 49.1Totals 64.4 24.1 11.6 100.0

(N) 1883 704 339 2926

Male Respondents

Underweight 17.3 13.9 12.2 15.9

About the right

weight

49.2 54.0 59.2 51.5

Overweight 33.5 32.1 28.6 32.6

Totals 65.5 22.7 11.8 100.0

(N) 1187 411 213 1811

Source: The National College Health Risk Behavior Survey, 1995


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Discussion:

The data that was used was from the National College Health Risk Behavior Survey .

Weight is a problem that many Americans are currently battling. This problem affects daily lives

and ruin relationships. It is essential to maintain a healthy weight in order to live a fruitful life.

As a college student, the individual may not be able to obtain healthy meals because of class

scheduling and study times. Most times, college students are snacking in the middle of the night

to fuel the time they invest in studying. Other college students may party and when they come

back to their rooms, they eat whatever is in sight. The times that they eat affect their weight and

what they consume triggers weight gain. College students who drive cars do not exercise as

much and this factor also contributes to the weight gain. Most people refer to the first year as the

time to get the Freshman Fifteen and most first year college students fall victim to this trend.

The results from the survey conclude that underweight respondents are less likely to walk

during the week. 11.7% of the underweight respondents walked for 0-2 day, 10.0% walked for

3.5 days and 10.4% walked for six or more days. The respondents who described their weight as

about the right weight had high percents of walking during the week. 45.2% walked 0-2 days,

46.1% walked for 3-5 days and 50.2% walked for 6 days or more. The respondents who were

overweight had 43.1% to walk for 0-2 days, 43.9% walked 3-5 days and 39.4% walked for six

days or more.

The hypothesis stated that the weight has an impact on the days a week spent walking.

The results proved that respondents who were about the right weight and overweight walked

more than underweight respondents. The reasons for these results could be the overweight

respondents may want to change their lifestyle and become healthier. Respondents whose weight

was about the right weight could have wanted to maintain their weight. These respondents are


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Weight Analysis 7

aware of their situation and are doing something about it. On the other hand, the respondents

who are underweight may feel that they do not need to exercise since they are underweight.

However, they could be at risk for health problems as well.

The multivariate hypothesis stated that the female respondents would weight more and

exercise less than male respondents. Underweight, female respondents reported walking 0-2 days

by 8.2%, 7.8% walked for 3-5 days and 9.1% walked for 6 days or more. The underweight, male

respondents had a higher percentage in walking during the week. 17.3% walked for 0-2 days,

13.9% walked for 3-5 days and 12.2% walked for six days or more. Male respondents who were

about the right weight had 49.2% to walk for 0-2 days, 54.0% walked for 3-5 days and 59.2%

walked for 6 days or more. The female respondents, in the same weight group, reported 42.7%

walked 0-2 days, 41.5% walked for 3-5 days and 44.8% walked for six days or more.

Overweight males had lower percentage than overweight females. 33.5% of overweight males

walked for 0-2 days, 32.1% walked for 3-5 days, and 28.6% walked for six days or more. 49.1%

of overweight females walked for 0-2 days, 50.7% walked for 3-5 days and 46.0% walked for six

days or more.

The results show that the respondents are aware of their weight issue and are taking the

initiative to fix the problem. Walking decreases the chances the respondent has for suffering

from health issues. Their weight is low and they are able to function properly. Overweight

respondents face problems such as heart attack, strokes, high blood pressure and death. If the

respondent and other Americans suffering from weight problems eat a healthy meal and exercise

regularly, then they are able to live fruitful lives.


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References:

Serdula, M., Collins, M., Williamson, D., Anda, R., & Pamuk, E. (1993). Weight Control

Practices of U.S. Adolescents and Adults. Annal of Internal Medicine, 119(7). Retrieved

from

http://www.annals.org/content/119/7_Part_2/667.abstract?ijkey=1f6bc08f3c58751bc07ff

U3a0cd5aaa1d789f0d98&keytype2=tf_ipsecsha
http://www.annals.org/content/119/7_Part_2/667.abstract?ijkey=1f6bc08f3c58751bc07ffU3a0cd5aaa1d789f0d98&keytype2=tf_ipsecshahttp://www.annals.org/content/119/7_Part_2/667.abstract?ijkey=1f6bc08f3c58751bc07ffU3a0cd5aaa1d789f0d98&keytype2=tf_ipsecshahttp://www.annals.org/content/119/7_Part_2/667.abstract?ijkey=1f6bc08f3c58751bc07ffU3a0cd5aaa1d789f0d98&keytype2=tf_ipsecshahttp://www.annals.org/content/119/7_Part_2/667.abstract?ijkey=1f6bc08f3c58751bc07ffU3a0cd5aaa1d789f0d98&keytype2=tf_ipsecshahttp://www.annals.org/content/119/7_Part_2/667.abstract?ijkey=1f6bc08f3c58751bc07ffU3a0cd5aaa1d789f0d98&keytype2=tf_ipsecsha


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Appendix:


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