1. Action Research Proposal: Controlling Obesity through Nutrition and Exercise Michale D. Medina EDU671: Fundamentals of Educational Research Dr. Kathleen Lunsford May 12, 2014

2. Area of Focus Statement The purpose of this study relates to engaging students on controlling obesity through proper nutrition and exercise. Overall goal is teaching my students about eating foods that are nutritious and learn how to exercise properly.

3. Explanation of Problem Our education system has taken the focus off physical activity with more emphasis on academics. The same principles apply in the home environment. Parents need to take an active role in their children(s) health; parents have become one of the biggest problems in obesity. Meaning that children will follow the same foot-steps as their parents. Complete family involvement will be a contributing factor in reducing obesity; thirty-nine percent of Texas children in 4th,8th, and 11th grades were overweight or at risk for being overweight.

4. Variables Listed below are variables for obesity: Drinks that contain sugar and less healthy foods at home or at school Limited access to healthy foods Large portions of food to be consumed Television and entertainment systems, children 8 -18 years average 7.5 hours watching television, playing video games etc. Lack of physical exercise

5. Research Questions Does education on controlling obesity make an impact? How can I connect with each student on controlling obesity? What eating habits, technology or equipment can be incorporated in helping students become knowledgeable on learning how to control obesity? What is the average weight for students in the third grade? Has each participant reached maintained or decreased in weight according to age group Standards?

6. Locus of Control Something that can be done by influencing people Being able to teach and students learn what is being taught Have the ability to make a change or have an impact on reducing the obesity rate Giving participants enough time to complete requirements Providing tools for part of the learning process

7. Intervention/Innovation I have the ability to observe each student during his or her lunch. This gives me the opportunity to see what is being served by the school and see the types of food children bring from home. Keeping record of what the children consume will help determine a single cause in obesity. Consequences for not eating healthy are a driving force in weight gain. I can teach the students about healthy eating and the consequences of not eating healthy. I selected enquiring because this offers me opportunity for asking students questions using the informal interview, and have each student fill out a questionnaire about their daily physical activities. Students spend plenty of time at school for being able to monitor physical activity. When they are at home, the teacher does not have the opportunity to visualize each students exercise program.

8. Group Membership This research will require the school nurse for weighing participants. Parents will be part of the research providing they wish to participate. They will be responsible for ensuring nutritious food and home exercise program, and they will help with filling out a journal and log book. My third grade students will be the focus of this research project.

9. Negotiations This plan will start with getting consent from the parents for having their children take part in this action plan including a physician’s letter of good health will be required. Next step requires gathering consent forms and validating which students have been given permission to take part in this action plan. Students who have permission will become part of the entire process leading up to individual interviews, during this time height and body weight will be recorded in an excel database during the interview. This data will be retrieved from the doctor’s physical report. The interviews will be coded by first initial of last name such as M01, which means student’s last name is Medina. If the class has students with same last name, the code will consist of initials representing their first and last name i.e. MM01 meaning Michale Medina student number one.

10. Ethics In accordance with National Research Act (Pub. L. 93-348) Requires getting consent, and considering medical issues, which may contribute to obesity No harm forced upon any individual Physician clearance for exercise Providing an environment that is safe, trustworthy and honesty are common values. Take into religious practices

11. Timeline The first part of this action plan will take approximately one and half weeks to complete. Making observation to what the students are eating will take a little time to record in my logbook. If this is not done correctly, this research will take longer than 2- months. Physical activity enquiry, informal interview, and questionnaire will take at least two and half weeks to complete. The data to be collected will reflect answers to the questionnaire and starting the exercise routine. Parents and students continue to journal their healthy eating and exercise routine. Journal review will take place during the fifth week. In the final week, each student will get his or her body weight checked by physician. An excel data base will be used to chart beginning and ending body weight. A separate database will be used to track calories consumed.

12. Statement of Resources Requirements for this research will consist of a computer, questionnaires, journals for tracking food consumption, log books for tracking exercise routine, a physician health clearance letter, Consent letters, and one set of scales for weighing parents (weighing may be waived) verbal will be acceptable.

13. Data Collection

14. Conclusion Childhood obesity is: Not only a problem here in the United States It is an international epidemic Needs to be brought under control In some circumstances can be considered neglect or child abuse Healthy foods and vending snacks must be available in the school Promote more exercise in the school system Final thought: “It is not enough to do your best; you must know what to do, and then do your best.” W. Edwards Deming

15. Reference Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Overweight and Obesity: A Growing Problem. Retrieved (May 8, 2014) from http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/problem.html Cole, T. J. (2007). Early causes of child obesity and implications for prevention. Act a Paediatrica. Supplement, 96(s454), 2-4. doi:10.1111/j.1651-2227.2007.00162.x Retrieved (May 10, 2014) from http://web.a.ebscohost.com.proxy- library.ashford.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=69a3fec5-33c0-4b8a-9662- 219e146e8c8a%40sessionmgr4003&vid=6&hid=4214 Mills, G. E. (2014). Action research: A guide for the teacher researcher (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc. Teachnology. (2012). Current trends in education. Retrieved from http://www.teachnology.com/currenttrends/ Texas Health and Human Services System. (2010). Health and Human Services System Strategic Plan 2011–15 (Volume 1). Retrieved (April 19, 2014) from http://www.hhs.state.tx.us/StrategicPlans/SP11-15/Strategic_Plan.pdf U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (1979). Ethical principles and guidelines for the protection of human subjects of research. The Belmont Report. Retrieved from http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/humansubjects/guidance/belmont.html