Introduction

Background:
Due to our diets, obesity is becoming a wide spread epidemic. Recent
advancement in food technology has facilitated this phenomenon, mainly
due to the improvement in chemical fertilizers and genetically modified
foods. According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) over
the past three decades childhood obesity has more than doubled in children
and quadrupled in adolescents. Furthermore the percentage of children aged
611 years in the United States who were obese increased from 7% in 1980
to nearly 18% in 2012. Similarly, the percentage of adolescents aged 1219
years who were obese increased from 5% to nearly 21% over the same
period. Undoubtedly this is alarming as many Caribbean societies tend to
adopt American culture and food.

Statement of the problem

This research project is an investigation into the myriad of factors that can
influence obesity especially during childhood and adolescence in the country
of Trinidad with in the Chaguanas area.
Obesity is defined according to medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com
as an abnormal accumulation of body fat, usually 20% or more over an
individual's ideal body weight. Obesity is often confused with an individual
being overweight. In many Caribbean countries fast food is readily available
and relatively inexpensive therefore many people can afford it. In fact
Trinidad and Tobago is ranked 6th in the world as the most obese country and
the 1st in the Caribbean according to United Nations Food and Agriculture
Organization (FOA). This really shows the severity of the problem that not
only Trinidad but the entire region faces.

Purpose of study
The purpose of this study is to analyse the various factors that can lead to
obesity amongst students at Presentation College Chaguanas.
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The problem of obesity is of vital importance to all citizens of Trinidad and

Tobago. Obesity is primarily caused by ones lack of exercise and poor diet.
This can lead to the development of physiological diseases such as Type2
diabetes. Obesity can be described as a social problem because of the
stigma that is often attached to it.

Value of Study
Obesity is an inimical problem that affects most people of todays society. By
acquiring knowledge and information about obesity is extremely beneficial to
all individuals adults and children alike. Therefore the educational value of
this research project is high.

Definition of technical terms

Obesity: the state of being fat or overweight

Literature Review
In order to fully understand the effects and social implications of
obesity, a number of sources were examined.
Part of the problem of obesity is ones diet. The Daily Express
newspaper published an article on child obesity within Trinidad and Tobago
on Feb 3, 2014 written by Anna Ramdass. Via interview, the minister of
health Dr Fuad Khan claims that this countrys children are becoming more
obese than that of America. The article then goes on to say that the main
reason for this is the chemicals used in the processing of food. She further
added that children from urban areas were more susceptible to obesity than
rural areas. However she failed to mention the social implications associated
with obesity. The Health Minister Dr Khan has no statistical data to back up
his notion thus, this impact on the validity of his statements. Furthermore
due to this his statements are open to his personal bias.
One of these social implications is discrimination. Kelly D. Brownell,
Rebecca M. Puhl, Marlene B. Schwartz and Leslie Rudd did an in-depth
analysis into the obese being discriminated in their book Weight Bias:
Nature, Consequences, and Remedies. They went on to explore the nature
causes and consequences of this, primarily the stigmatisation and
victimisation of individuals within the work place and schools. However this
book may not be relevant to the Caribbean, more specifically Trinidad and
Tobago because it was written in America.
Obesity takes a toll on ones emotions and self-esteem. Dr Michael D.
Lebow expressed this in his book Overweight Teenagers: Don't Bear the
Burden Alone. This book summarised how sensitive teenagers are to obesity
and shows how stress can be brought about through verbal abuse inflicted
by peers. He went on give possible solutions for this problem; Dr Lebow
stated that parents, doctors and teachers can provide possible solutions for
this along with government assistance. However this book is somewhat
outdated since it was published in 2003 and therefore may not be relevant to
todays society.
Obesity is often linked to ones lack of exercise and physical activity
which can cause unnecessary diseases and death. Michael Gard and Jan
Wright published a book entitled The Obesity Epidemic: Science, Morality,
and Ideology analysed the problem of obesity from various angles examining
the science of it and what is portrayed by popular media. They encapsulated
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the scientific, moral and ideological assumptions about people and their
lives. Given the nature of the book published the results found may only be
applicable to the country in which it was conducted.
Diseases that are often categorised as being only applicable to adults
are being to become more prevalent in children such as high blood pressure,
early symptoms of hardening of the arteries, type2 diabetes, non-alcoholic
fatty liver disease, polycystic ovary disorder, and disordered breathing during
sleep. This was presented in an article written by Steven Daniels the
Consequences of Childhood Overweight and Obesity in The Future of
Children, Vol. 16. He then analysed the anatomy of the human systematically
surveying the body's systems, showing how obesity in adulthood can
damage and how childhood obesity exacerbates the damage. This book is
highly subjective and the findings may not be appropriate for this research
project.

Data Collection Sources

Primary Sources:
The type of research method used was applied research. This study will
collect data from students of Presentation College Chaguanas on the problem
of obesity and how it impacts an individual. Therefore quantitative methods
of the collection of data were used. The method of applied research is
suitable for this project because this method can be used to acquire and
apply knowledge to the problem of obesity.
A questionnaire was used to collect data. This is an appropriate
method of data collection because it is relatively inexpensive and can be
done quickly. It provides quantitative data and can be easily dispersed.
The approximate student population of Presentation is 600.
A
questionnaire was formulated consisting of 15 questions in order to fulfil the
objectives of this project. A fairly small sample size of 35 students was used.
The students were selected based on a systematic process of 3 students per
class. Out of these 35 questionnaires 32 were usable.
The questions were administered on Friday 24 th January 2014 during
the lunch break and all responses were kept to the strictest confidentiality
and were returned on the completion of lunch.
The data will be analysed through the use of tables and graphs along
with descriptive and analytical text.

Secondary Sources:
In evaluating the secondary sources al sources are valid and reliable,
furthermore they reflect the situation in todays society. A variety of
secondary sources were used such as: newspaper articles, internet blogs,
research papers and electronic books. All sources are valid and the authors
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are authorised to give information in this research project on childhood

obesity despite being conducted in foreign countries such as in England and
America. These sources greatly helped the research in conducting this
project as they showed various areas of agreement and contradiction with
this research study.

Presentation of Data
Figure 1.1: Column graph illustrating the frequency of fast food that is
consumed in Presentation

Bar graphing show how often fast food is consumed

18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0

No. of students

Figure 1 is a simple bar graph shows the number of students from

Presentation who selected how often they ate fast food. As shown above the
majority of students i.e. 16 consumed fast food once a week. 7 of them
indicated that they ate this twice a week which was the second highest.

Figure 1.2: A pie chart showing the importance of having knowledge on

obesity

Pie chart showing the importance of having knowledge on obesity

Very important

Important

Neutral

Not very important Not important

9%

6%
42%

15%

27%

Figure 2 above shows a pie chart illustrating the importance of having

knowledge of obesity. As seen above students think that acquiring
knowledge on this is very important where 43% of the sample population
choose this. 23% of them also believe that having knowledge on obesity is
important.

Figure 1.3: Line graph illustrating the urgency of this problem to be solved
on a scale from 1-10
8
7
6
5
Frequency

No. of students

3
2
1
0
1

10

The line graph above shows how urgent the students of Presentation College
think obesity is. Where 7 students choose 9 out of 10; 5 students chose 6 out
of 10 which were the second highest and 3 students chose 7 &10 out of 10
respectively.

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Table 2.1: Table showing the percentages of the major causes of obesity

Major Causes of obesity

Results
Amou
nt

Percenta
ges

Hereditary

6%

Lifestyle

10

31%

Both

15

47%

Neither

16%

Figure 2 depicts a table which shows the various percentages of what

students believed was the major cause of obesity. The majority of students
(47%) selected both hereditary and lifestyle was the main causes of obesity.
The remaining causes of obesity were: 31% for lifestyle only, 16% hereditary
only and the remaining 6% neither.

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Text 3.1:
Upon examining the question of who is to blame for this problem a
respondent said that, Parents are mainly to blame as they are responsible to
control the diets of their children another said that Teachers have to take
some of the blame also because theyare supposed to educate their students
about a healthy lifestyle.
Also when students were asked what can be done to solve this problem
one said that, Education of obesity is important so that people can know the
various negative effects of obesity.
When question of how the problem of obesity can be resolved some of
the students indicated that healthier food needed to become more readily
available in school. Another said that, parents needs to prepare more
home cooked meals and students need to live a healthier more physically
active lifestyle said a respondent.

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Picture 4.1: A picture showing the effects of childhood obesity

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Analysis of Data
Based on the findings from the usable sample, the majority of students
were between the ages of 13 and 15 (69%), 28% of the sample size were
between the ages of 16 and 18 and the remaining 3% were between 19 and
21. All of the students were male.
The 72% majority of them did not consider themselves to be obese and
overweight. However 94% of them ate fast food at least once a week. Of this
half the sample size ate fast food once a week. This explains why most of
them did not consider themselves obese or overweight. Only 2 responds said
that they ate fast food every day. A trend was found because of the 9
respondents who considered themselves obese ate fast food at least three
times a week and of these 9 respondents all of them indicated that people
who lived in urban areas are more susceptible to obesity due to the ready
availability of fast food.
When asked if the discriminate some of their peers 5 honest individuals
indicated they did, 20 of them said they did not and the remaining seven
chose the N/a option. When questioned if obesity can demoralise and
demotivate people 22 respondents indicated that such a problem can do this
to an individual and of these 22 respondents 18 of them also indicated that
obesity can lead to stress.
The most of the student of presentation takes obesity seriously
because when they were asked on a scale from 1 to 10 how urgent obesity
needed to be solved the majority of them i.e. 29 students said that obesity is
an urgent problem that is greater than or equal to 5 out of 10.
Obesity is a major problem that is needed to be solved due to the
physical and social implications indicated by individuals. Although the
majority of the sample size does not see themselves as obese they indicated
that it is a possibility that they may become obese in the future.

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Discussion of Findings
The research project indicated that students from Presentation College

Chaguanas did not consider themselves to be obese. However they said that
children in urban areas are more susceptible to obesity this supported Anna
Ramdass report in the Daily Express Newspaper. In addition my research
indicated that children who eat fast food were more susceptible to obesity as
was said by the Minister of Health Dr Fuad Khan in this same article.
Obesity can lead to various illnesses not only on the health of an
individual but also on their state of mind. Students who are obese are usually
discriminated against this was revelled in this investigation which was done
by Kelly D. Brownell, Rebecca M. Puhl, Marlene B. Schwartz and Leslie Rudds
book about the social implications of obesity relating to discrimination and is
in compliance with that of the results.
In this research it was evident that obesity can take a toll on a persons
emotions especially if they are discriminated against by their peers this was
reinforced by the sample population in which the majority of them said that
obesity negatively impacts ones self esteem and further backed up by Dr
Michael D. Lebows book about the emotional implications of obesity. Obese
children often suffer from teasing by their peers. Some are harassed
or discriminated against by their own family. Stereotypes abound and may
lead to low self-esteem and depression this was again expressed in Dr
Michael D. Lebows book .
Obesity can have many long term illnesses and to life-threatening
conditions including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart diseases,
sleep problems, cancer, and other types of disorders. Further children who
are obese usually grow up to be obese adults. All of these health effects are
contributing to a shorter lifespan for these obese children this was conveyed
both by Michael Gard and Jan Wright and Steven Daniels.
Obesity is usually caused by ones lack of exercise because children
who fail to participate in consistent physical activity are at larger risk of
obesity this trait can also be carried on to adulthood in many cases. The
major reason for this trait is because when one is physically inactivate for
prolonged period this leaves unused energy within the body which can store
as fat under the skin and around organs this was illustrated by Michael Gard
and Jan Wrights book.

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Conclusions, Limitations and Recommendations

Conclusions
In summary the study was based on the effects of childhood obesity. It
sought to obtain information on how prevalent obesity was in Presentation
College Chaguanas, how often the students ate fast food, the various health
effects both mentally and physically associated with obesity, the
stigmatisation and discrimination that can impact ones self esteem and
what solutions can be implemented to solve this problem.
It was noted that all results found are in compliance with all the other
literature identified.
Based on the findings it can be said that students within Presentation
College Chaguanas are not obese and do not consider themselves obese.
Discrimination amongst the obese is prevalent within the school which can
lead to stress and other mental related illnesses which can further amplify
the problem.

Limitations
Data collection was limited s only a small portion of the student
population was chosen because only 35 questionnaires were administered
and of this 3 of them were unusable. The information obtained from the
students may not be valid because some respondents may not have given
accurate answers.
Furthermore the findings may only be applicable to Presentation
College Chaguanas only and not be generalised to all secondary schools
within the region since the dynamics of all secondary school may not be the
same. The majority of the students interviewed were male and therefore the
information cannot be generalised to that of females.

Recommendations
Parents can help prevent their children from becoming obese by
changing the way the entire family eats and exercises together. The best way
children learn is by example, so parents need to lead by example by living a
healthy lifestyle so that children in turn lives a healthy lifestyle.
School officials can be very instrumental in solving this problem by
providing a safe and supporting environment for students so that healthy
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behaviours may be supported and also so that healthier food be made more
available for the consumption of students.
Peer councillors should work hand in hand with administration in order
to control the problem of obesity with Presentation. Also peer councils have
to be aware about the sensitivity of the issue so that correct measures can
be implemented.

Bibliography
Books:
Mohammed, J. (2007). CAPE Caribbean Studies: an Interdisciplinary
Approach. Oxford, UK: MacMillan Publishers
Kelly D. Brownell (2005). Weight Bias: Nature, Consequences, and Remedies.
Guilford Press
Michael D. Lebow (2003). Overweight Teenagers: Don't Bear the Burden
Alone.
Michael Gard, Jan Wright (2005). Obesity Epidemic: Science, Morality, and
Ideology. Psychology Press

Articles:
Mark Fraser (2013). Obese & healthy a myth. Daily Express Newspaper
created on Dec 6, 2013
Julien Neaves (2012). Obesity on the rise. Daily Express Newspaper created
on Mar 5, 2012

Websites:
http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-images-childhood-obesity-medicalillustration-effects-image35669974
http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/obesity/facts.htm

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Appendices
Appendix I

Questionnaire
My name is Brandon Akai and I am a sixth form student of Presentation
College Chaguanas. I am carrying out an investigation about the problem of
obesity affects an individual. The information you provide on this
questionnaire would be kept to the strictest confidentiality. Thank you in
advance.
Please fill out accordingly:
1. What gender are you?
Male
Female
2. What age group do you fall into?
13-15
16-18
19-21
21+
3. Do you consider yourself to be obese?
Yes
No
4. How many times a week do you eat fast food?
Once a week ______________
Twice a week______________
Three times a week ______________
Everyday ______________
Less than 4 times a month______________
5. Do you think that people who live in urban areas are more
susceptible to people to than of people who live in rural areas?
Yes
No
6. Do you stigmatise and discriminate your peers for being obese?
Yes
No
Not sure
7. How likely do you think you are for being obese in the future?
Very likely
Likely
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Not likely
Never
8. Do you think such a problem can demotivate and demoralize
people?
Yes
No
N/a
9. Do you think that obesity leads to stress?
Yes
No
N/a
10.
Which of the following do you think is the main cause of
obesity?
Hereditary
Lifestyle
Both
Neither
11.
How important is gaining knowledge of obesity is to you?
Very important
Important
Neutral
Not very important
Not important
12.
On a scale from 1-10 with one being the lowest and 10 the
highest how urgent do you think that this problem needs to be
solved?
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

13.
Who do you think is most likely to blame for this problem?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
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14.
How do you think you can raise awareness of obesity
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
15.
How do you think obesity can be solved?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

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