Selected population and a specific public health Issue
In a community, a public health issue might be detrimental hence causing prominent debates on its remedies. This paper has selected an obese population (individuals suffering from obesity) and discusses obesity as the specific public health issue in this population. Additionally, it exploits one principle of CBPR to alleviate the problem within the concerned population. What makes obesity a public health issue is whether it is a personal choice or a public menace. From the chosen population, it is evident that obesity is a major threat among the young and the old (Schneiderman et al., 2000).
The causes of obesity incorporate improper diets composed of junk foods and the inability to exercise or execute some physical activities for the body to burn excess fats. Other causes include a sedentary lifestyle where the concerned community does not practice an active lifestyle full of physical exercises and other preventive actions. Additionally, genetic issues have also contributed to the emergence of obesity within the concerned population. Other contributing factors incorporate medicinal, psychiatric, and infectious capable of inducing the occurrence of obesity (Gumbiner & ACP, 2001).
Due to health problems caused by obese conditions, this population is concerned with how the menace can be alleviated without causing further harm to the concerned population. Importantly, other associated illnesses complicate the issue of obesity. An excessive gain in weight is a health problem. What makes it an issue is whether it is a personal choice or a spontaneous occurrence within the concerned population (Healey & Zimmerman, 2010). The incidences of heart failures, imperfect blood flow, reduced mobility, stroke, and susceptibility to other lethal health conditions comprise the demerits of obesity.
One principle of CBPR and its use in alleviating obesity
One principle of CBPR applicable in alleviating the identified health issue (obesity) is the commitment that enables sustainability of the taken measures meant to alleviate obesity within the concerned population. Notably, CBPR is a collaborative research phenomenon where all stakeholders participate in the research until the end (Israel, 2005). CBPR requires a commitment of every stakeholder to notice any reliable result.
The strengths and weaknesses of every stakeholder are considered for proper utilization. For example, if the chosen obese community wants to research whether increasing their involvement in physical exercises and reducing the number of hours taken in watching TV will alleviate obesity as a health issue, then every stakeholder will have to participate with commitment until reliable results are attained (Cohen et al., 2010). Continuous involvement in this research will require relentless exercises at regular times, reducing inactive lifestyle sessions like watching TV, and eating healthily to unveil whether physical exercises can reduce obesity incidences as claimed by previous research.
The need for proper commitment in this research is helpful and requires the concerned stakeholders to remain reliable, obligated, and dedicated. Watching TV contributes massively to fat deposition since most of the calories are not consumed in the body. Allowing the research group to reduce the durations they take while watching televisions and their indulgence in inactive lifestyles will help significantly. Precisely, the CBPR principle used in this health issue is the commitment shown by every stakeholder in the chosen community to enhance sustainability and help in alleviating obesity (Israel et al., 2001).
References
Cohen, L., Chávez, V., & Chehimi, S. (2010). Prevention is primary: Strategies for community well-being. California, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Gumbiner, B., & ACP (American College of Physicians). (2001). Obesity. Pennsylvania, PA : American College of Physicians.
Healey, B. & Zimmerman, R. (2010). The new world of health promotion: New program development, implementation, and evaluation. Sudbury, Mass: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
Israel, B. (2005). Methods in community-based participatory research for health. California, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Israel, B., et al. (2001). Community-based participatory research: Recommendations for promoting a partnership approach in health research. Education for Health. Vol 14 (2): 182–197.
Schneiderman, N., et al. (2000). Integrating behavioral and social sciences with public health. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.