Question

An ecological study found a strong association between the number of fast food restaurants in a community and obesity among the children living in that community. What study design would you use to further investigate this finding? What are the advantages and disadvantages to using this study design? How would you collect the data necessary for the study? What are the overall goals of any study design?

Answer 1

Ecological study refers to an observational study at which the data is collected from a large group or population. It mainly helps the researcher to identify the prevalence and incidence of disease in the community.

Fast food consumption has been associated with more risk for developing obesity among the children and adults. The reason behind obesity after eating fast food is due to presence of high energy,fat,sodium, high glycemic index. It also doesn't possess any nutritional benefit.

Cross sectional study design is used. The needed variables like age,gender,body mass index are measured. The population is identifies based on the Body mass index the children falls under the over weight category are analyzed by collecting data regarding the food habits,frequency of intaking fast food, additional variables like presence of any preexisting diseases that contributes to obesity is excluded from the study.

Cross sectional study are the cheap,quick and easy method to conduct. All needed information can be collected at one sitting. It can measure all the existing disease or factors under the research investigation. Generating hypotheses is an easier component in a descriptive cross sectional study.

Weakness of the study design includes the identification of causality . Studying the impact of disease that persists for short duration cannot be study. Interpretation of associations is difficult to interpret in cross sectional study design.