problems with obesity research

Question 1

data collection

Answer 1

measuring food intake is very problematic-
self report studies- social desirability, underreporting of food intake is found in most populations but particulary in the obese. who tend to not report snack foods, which are generally high in fat. (Prentice et al., 1986)

Question 2

data analysis

Answer 2

most data is correlational and not causal so third party factors and indivudal differences may play a vital role in the actually underpinning causes.

lots of research is focused on a population level where other is focused on a individual level. and if we compare this research, which a lot of papers and books do, the data is open to ecological fallacy- population data can hide a multitude of indiviual differences, for the dtaa at the population level may show one pattern which is completely different to the pattern at the individual level.

Question 3

data interpretation

Answer 3

the research on fat consumption suggests undereporting of calories. this is unsupported but if a high fat diet makes us more hunrgy then why dont the obese eat more than the nonobese???????????????