Addressing the Prevalence of Obesity among Long-haul Truck Drivers
For this first component of your SLP, you are to choose a health science-related topic for your "term paper," and present that topic to me for feedback and approval. Only students who have received topic approval may proceed to the next section of the SLP. Present your proposal in 1-2 pages, noting the subject's novelty and relevance (defined below); also comment on the availability of library resources/materials on which you will base your paper. Relevant: Addresses an important health problem, serious, affecting many people, interesting for the research community Novel: Literature on the topic is non-existent, inconsistent, or limited. Length: The written component of this assignment should be 1-2 pages long (double-spaced). References: At least three references must be included from scholarly sources. Quoted materials should not exceed 10% of the total paper (since the focus of these assignments is critical thinking). Use your own words and build on the ideas of others. Materials copied verbatim from external sources must be enclosed in quotation marks. In-text reference citations are required as well as a list of references at the end of the assignment. (APA format is required.) Organization: Subheadings should be used to organize your paper according to the questions. Format: APA format is required for this assignment. Grammar and Spelling: While no points are deducted for minor errors, assignments are expected to adhere to standard guidelines of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence syntax. Points may be deducted if grammar and spelling impact clarity.
Addressing the Prevalence of Obesity among Long-haul Truck Drivers
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Obesity among Long-haul Truck Drivers
Although research on obesity is extensive, there are diverse groups that are affected by the condition such that it is difficult to develop sufficient literature on the dynamics of obesity in all groups of patients. Most often, unhealthy eating habits and lack of physical exercise are cited as the major causes of obesity in adults and children. While these factors are primary in the occurrence of obesity, there is limited literature of occupational-related risk factors that contribute to weight gain (Bonauto, Lu, & Fan, 2014). For instance, long distance drivers have limited time for physical exercise, and have limited diet choices while on the road. Although office workers are also affected by lack of physical exercise opportunities, long distance drivers, such as long-haul truck drivers represent a unique case because they remain seated for extended periods of time (Apostolopoulos, 2012). At the same time, their job makes it difficult to observe a normal eating pattern because they often survive on packed foods that take at irregular times while driving. For example, it is common for long distance drivers to consume large quantities of soft drinks and junk food while on the road. In this regard, being a driver is a risk factor for obesity because of the associated behavioral factors such as limited physical activity and sedentary time (A...