Obesity is a serious threat throughout the United States with two-thirds of its population at risk.  Worldwide, individuals are continuously challenged with being overweight or obese (Wang et al., 2017).  As healthcare evolves, technology has a significant effect and role in preventive care.  Preventive care can be complicated when addressing the national practice problem of obesity.  The advancement of technology in utilizing mobile and wireless platforms can improve the outcome in preventing obesity (Wang et al., 2017).  Although technology seems to be promising, ongoing research is imperative in discovering the effectiveness (Vaz et al., 2018).  Individuals are likely to become more successful with the help of others coupled with the use of technology in losing weight (Hammersly, Jones, & Okely, 2016).

Does the research design answer the research question? Explain your rationale.

Systematic reviews with meta-analysis combines data with an analysis based on a variety of studies.  This research design is based on evaluating data from several studies with similar topics that involve randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) (Ahn & Kang, 2018).  The selected library search was on a systematic review with meta-analysis addressing the intervention of eHealth models to reduce childhood obesity (Hammersly, Jones, & Okely, 2016).

Were the study sample participants representative? Why or why not?

The study sample included eight studies, involving 1,487 parent and child or adolescent dyads.  Three studies consisted of obesity prevention trials and five studies resulted in obesity treatment trials.  Study sample participants were represented but would have benefited greater from a larger study (Hammersly, Jones, & Okely, 2016).

Compare and contrast the study limitations in this study.

Limitations within this study included the sample size that could have involved a larger sample size.  Quality of the interventions were not deemed high and a longer timeframe is warranted (Hammersly, Jones, & Okely, 2016).

Based on this evidence summary, would you consider this systematic review as support for your selected practice problem? Explain your rationale.

After reviewing the evidence summary, this systematic review can be considered as support.  Parts from in-person interventions into eHealth platforms can be successful given a longer time and larger population to study.

References

Ahn, E., & Kang, H. (2018). Introduction to systematic review and meta-analysis. Korean journal of anesthesiology, 71(2), 103–112. https://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2018.71.2.103

Hammersley, M., Jones, R., & Okely, A. (2016). Parent-focused childhood and adolescent overweight and obesity ehealth interventions: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 18(7), e203. https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.5893 (Links to an external site.)

Vaz, C., Suthar, A., Pousti, B., Aye, S., Williams, K., & Zhao, H. (2018). A smartphone app-based lifestyle intervention promotes weight loss-results of a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial (RCT). Diabetes, 67(1). https://doi:10.2337/db18-2070-PLinks to an external site.

Wang, Y., Xue, H., Huang, Y., & Zhang, D. (2017). A systematic review of application and effectiveness of mhealth interventions for obesity and diabetes treatment and self-management. Advances in Nutrition, (8), 449-462. https://doi:10.3945/an.116.014100Links to an external site. 

I need a comment for this Discussion Board with at least 2 paragraphs and 3 sourses no later than 5 years.