Many researchers in the field of psychology have investigated the link between television and obesity in both children and adults. It has been hypothesized that watching television leads to obesity in multiple ways. Individuals have replaced physical activity with watching television while subsequently increasing unhealthy snacking habits and reducing sleep. According Epstein Valoski, Vara, et al (1995), trials designed to reduce children's TV use have found improvements in body mass index (BMI), body fat, and other inter-correlated measures (http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/obesity-causes/television-and-sedentary-behavior-and-obesity/).
There is also evidence that reducing adult's hours watching television have reduced obesity and interrelatedness measures. According to Otten, Jone, Littenberg, Harvey-Berino (2009), volunteers who used a "lock-out" device, a device that limits the amount of television watched, watched less television and burned more calories each day as well as had a reduced BMI (http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/obesity-causes/television-and-sedentary-behavior-and-obesity/). Individuals spending hours of their time watching television and being sedentary increase their chances of other obesity-related problems such as diabetes, heart disease, and even early death. According to a recent study performed by Grontved(2011), for every two hours individuals spent watching television a day, early death increased by 13, 15, and 20 percent (http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/obesity-causes/television-and-sedentary-behavior-and-obesity/).
As we can see, it is evident that increased television watching can and has led to obesity and many other health issues. Our research hypothesis suggests that decreasing television viewing in 20 year old males will decrease their BMI.
Research hypothesis: Decreasing television viewing in 20 year old males will decrease their BMI
Null hypothesis: Decreasing television viewing in 20 year old males will not affect their BMI.
Fictional data:
Average (mean) BMI for 20 year old males: 30
Standard deviation: 5
Score from our "experiment"/sample score (BMI): 25
Z score: 25-30/5 = -1
In order to use the five steps of hypothesis testing to the testing if watching television has an effect on adults males becoming obese we need to go through the five steps and apply them to find the answer. In step one of the hypothesis testing we need to research the test by testing to see if decreasing the amount of time males watch television decreases their body mass index (BMI). We also need to test the amount of hours a male watches television and test to see if their BMI increases .
We will also need to find out if the null hypothesis is correct by comparing the hours of television watching to the BMI on males to the males that do not watch television and see what their BMI looks like, if nothing changes this would be considered the null hypothesis.
Step two of the hypothesis testing is to compare the scores of the numbers of the males BMI between males that watch television to the numbers of males that do not watch television and find out if there is a difference. If the comparison has not changed then it is a null hypothesis, if the comparison is different then we need to study what the difference is and find out if the change is in whether the males BMI is in the television watching or not in the television watching and find out the scores .
Basing from these series of results from study conducted by Tucker and Bagwell (2001), the reception of distinction on how television watching affect the BMI level of adult makes could be observed closely. Relatively, the results above indicate that when it comes to obesity, television alone cannot be considered as the primary source or cause of the said case of physical irregularities. Other activities that an individual accomplishes affect the ways by which his body responds to metabolic necessities. For instance, males who work all day and watch TV by the time they get home are less prone to the growing symptoms of obesity. Nevertheless, they are not excused from the possibility of developing such physical abnormality regarding their weight especially if they accompany television watching with irresponsible habits of eating junk food and drinking alcoholic beverages. Some even engage in extended television hours making it harder for them to sleep at night. This change in the body pattern for rest and rejuvenation prompts the body to store more fats than actually burning it and repairing damaged muscles that can specifically assist in determining a better process of metabolism for a specific person.
Males in particular have a higher need to exercise. Their bodies can store fat easily and reserve such for energy. However, if not turned into energy through exercise or regular bodily movements, such fat soluble could turn into more harmful substances than helpful ones as they are supposed to be. Practically, television viewing is considered as a common and enjoyable recreation for everyone [both male and female] who reach the age of 20 and above. Particularly, having a lot of responsibilities to accomplish, these individuals find television viewing to be the most convenient recreation there is. Nevertheless, looking for other ways to relax one’s body and mind is a more beneficial choice so as not to make the body idle in its function to process and utilize fat as a a relative source of energy. Matched up with other unhealthy habits, males who engage in several hours of television watching are expected to develop obesity more likely compared to those who have controlled television watching habits.
In this referential presentation, it is then presented that the concept of television viewing does contribute to the increase of rate of obesity among adult makes. Nevertheless, it should not be considered as the only sole reason for such an occurrence. It is essential that when the onset of obesity is observed in a person or a group of persons, that their activities and all the other manners of behavior they present be examined as well to note which of the said elements strongly impact the development of obesity among the said individuals.
References
Arthur Aron, E. N. (2009). Statistics for Psychology, Fifth Edition,. Prentice Hall,Pearson Education, Inc.\\
Tucker, A and Bagwell, M. (2001). Television Viewing and Obesity in Adult Males. AM J Public Health Journal.
