Assessing the Use of Hill, Coursework Example

Abstract

This brief study reviews the work of Campos, et al (2005) and assessing the use of Hill’s Guidelines in the determination of causality.

Assessing the Use of Hill’s Guidelines in the Determination of Causality

Introduction

The article chosen for assessment is that of Campos, et al (2005) entitled “The Epidemiology of Overweight and Obesity: Public Health Crisis or Moral Panic” published in the International Journal of Epidemiology by Oxford University Press on behalf of the International Epidemiological Association in 2006.

Question 1: Does the article use Hill’s guidelines to determine causality?

Answer:  Yes, all guidelines as set out by Hill are met in this article in that: A temporal relationship is established between failure to eat healthy and being overweight or obese. Statistics are applied to support the relation of overweight and obesity to failure to eat healthy and dose-relationship is addressed in that the more the individual overeats or eats wrongly the worse their overweight or obesity condition. This association is noted as being consistent and to have been replicated in different settings using various testing methods. The reasons given for overweight and obesity are plausible and supported in the research. Various alternative explanations are considered however, the research shows that a bad diet is closely associated with overweight and obesity. It is related that the condition of overweight and obesity can be prevented or ameliorated through the individual’s adherence to a healthy diet plan. There is no specificity related in this article as there are various dietary and exercise factors that contribute to overweight and obesity. The association made with dietary problems and overweight and obesity are coherent and adheres closely to previous study findings.

Question 2: How well do Hill’s guidelines work as a tool for determining causality for the association the article addresses?

Answer: Hill’s guidelines are quite effective for determining causality between bad dietary intake and the condition of overweight and obesity.

References

Campos, Paul, et al (2005) The Epidemiology of Overweight and Obesity: Public Health Crisis or Moral Panic? International Journal of Epidemiology 2006; 35:55. Retrieved from: http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/soc/faculty/saguy/IJE.pdf