Assignment:
Epidemiological studies are applicable to communicable and non-communicable diseases. Childhood obesity is an area that is receiving more attention in public health due to the multiple morbidities that emerge as a result of this condition. Below are links to a cross-sectional study and a case-control study. Imagine that you are interested in conducting a case-control or cross-sectional study proposal of childhood obesity vs. birth weight (prenatal and early life influences). Both articles below address prenatal influences on childhood obesity and birth weight using different approaches.
Using the information in the articles choose one of the following questions to focus on in your initial post:
- How would you select cases and controls for this study and how would you define exposure and outcome variables for a case-control study design? What other factors would you control for?
- How would you design a proposal measuring the effect of birthweight on childhood obesity for a cross-sectional study design? What other factors would you control for?
Answer to someone who chose a different study design than your own. Compare the similarities and differences between the two. Make sure to point out the strengths and weaknesses of each.