Contributing Factors for Obesity in the U.S.

Team: 85

School: McCurdy High

Area of Science: Health and Medicine

Interim: Team Number: 85
School Name: McCurdy High School
Area of Science: Health and Medicine
Project Title: Contributing Factors for Obesity in the U.S.

Problem Definition:
During the past twenty years there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States, and it is estimated that as many as one in five Americans are obese. The prevalence of fast food restaurants has also dramatically increased in the U.S. and the fast food retail has increased by 900%.

The goal of this project is to find a correlation between the prevalence of fast food restaurants and obesity levels, and to find a correlation between obesity and the frequency of state parks and recreational opportunities.

We would like to create a model using star logo to demonstrate the affects of fast food restaurants on an individual’s weight, depending on the state they live in. It will also demonstrate the affects that recreational opportunities will have on that same person in each specific state.

Problem Solution:
We will conduct a statewide statistical analysis of the prevalence of fast food restaurants in each state, and the square mileage of recreational opportunities. Using this we will compare the data of each state to its obesity levels, trying to find a correlation. A model will be made to demonstrate how these two factors affect an individual person.

Progress to Date:
Currently, we are doing research and gathering data. Statistics are not accessible to find the number of fast food restaurants in each state, so we are in the process of acquiring them. Research is also being done on previously written code so that we can modify it to our own computer model.

Expected Results:
We expect to find a correlation between obesity and the number of fast food restaurants prevalent in each state. We also expect to find a correlation between obesity and the amount of recreational opportunities offered in each state.

(2005, May 2). Retrieved October 29, 2009, from American Obesity Association:
http://obesity1.tempdomainname.com/subs/fastfacts/obesity_US.shtml

Overweight and Obesity. (2009, October 26). Retrieved October 28, 2009, from Centers for Disease Control and prevention: http://www.win.niddk.nih.gov/statistics/index.htm

The Endocrine Society. (n.d). Statistics. Retrieved October 29, 2009, from Obesity in America: http://www.obseityinamerica.org/statistics/index.cfm

United States Census Bureau. (n.d.). Retrieved October 28, 2009, from U.S. Census 2000: http://www.allcountries.org/uscensus/index.html

Team Members:

  Lindsay Redman
  Isabel Garcia
  Marisa Griego

Sponsoring Teacher: Irina Cislaru

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