Question

Using the South University Online Library or the Internet, select a public health issue or topic you feel needs to be addressed in your community. Based on your research, respond to the following regarding the public health issue you selected: Explain why it is important to address your selected public health issue in your community.

Define the purpose statement for the public health issue or topic you feel needs to be addressed in your community.

Develop at least two research questions you would like to answer as a result of your research.

Design a survey that could be used to measure: The dependent variable (also known as a response variable)

The independent variable (typically the variable that is manipulated by the researcher) Explain or predict the dependent variable you will seek to measure based on your research

questions. Explain how each question relates to the variables defined.

Answer 1

Soft drink consumption – Does it affect fertility in young adults?

India is going to be a most populous country by 2020. The current population is 1,344,175,138 with more than 50 % of the population is adolescents and 65 % is young adults and 32.8% living in urban areas. India is expected to overtake china’s population by 2015 and it is going to be a promising market for long term growth concerning with young population. Worldwide, at least one-third of youngsters never or rarely consume alcohol. Hence, it creates a wide opportunity for the soft drinks to fulfill the place left by alcoholic drinks. Special occasions and celebrations welcome hands for the not alcoholics with soft drinks to fill the occasions. Soft drinks companies investing billion dollars to attract youngsters and children with their favorite celebrities to promote their individual soft drinks.

The most worrisome issue in India about soft drinks is skyrocketing incidence on its health effects and consumption rates especially by children and younger adults. It becomes an urban phenomenon with 94% in urban areas prefer carbonated drinks to satisfy thirst, satiety, considered energy provided and refreshing, considered healthy with preservatives. Consumption of soft drinks and the health issues remains endless. Obesity, type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease, stroke, dental disease, bone disease, gout, asthma, cancers, rheumatoid arthritis, behavioral problems, psychological disorders, premature aging and addiction. In spite of revealing facts and ongoing researches about soft drinks, people attraction towards soft drinks remains the same, may be due to its taste, availability even in small shops, habit, convenience to carry, their favorite celebrities promote the particular drink, cheaper, quenching thirst and addiction due to availability of caffeine content in it.

Soft drinks are useless, as there are no nutritional benefits. But people believe that there is nutritional content present. Intake of sweetened - sugar beverages are associated with obesity, the risk for diabetes and increased waist circumferences it accumulates fat in the abdomen. Soda dissolves the enamel resulting in erosion and tooth decay. In addition increased consumption of soft drinks resulting in kidney stones, hypertension, and heart burn and for the development of metabolic syndrome. Furthermore, intake of soft drinks produces a similar effect of alcoholics and put the consumer at the risk of liver cirrhosis.

Soda, an extremely acidic beverage resulting in gastro intestinal problems such as bloating, indigestion to the consumers. In spite US FDA approved aspartame (present in soda) as a safe food additive; it has enormous side effects related to its consumption. Recent researches revealed that consumption of soda resulting in cell damage which accelerates cell aging. It also has other harmful effects on health such as increased risk of asthma and lung disease, early menarche, risk factor for several diseases, increased uric acid levels and mental health problems.

Researches revealed that ill effects of soft drinks with several diseases and disorders. We want to explore the soft drink consumption health effects in reproductive ages, as it is a growing concern, especially in India with more than 65% population, were younger adults with a promising hope for soft drinks market. The purpose of the study is to assess the risk of infertility among younger adults in relation to consumption of soft drinks.

Objectives:

The objective of the study is

• To assess the risk of infertility among young adults who consume soft drinks

• To assess the incidence of soft drink consumers according to rural-urban distribution

• To assess the related health effects on soft drinks to the consumers

Independent variable: age, gender, occupation, religion, type of residence, type of family, the presence of dental caries, BMI, waist circumference, type of soft drinks, and occasion of soft drinks.

Dependent variable: Diagnostic tests measuring Hemoglobin, vitamin D, folic acid, progesterone, estrogen and cortisol of adolescents and younger adults.