Obesity Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5500 words

Obesity - Dissertation Example Obesity is defined in the American Heritage Dictionary as a condition of increased body weight that is caused by an excessive accumulation of fat. Obesity has also been termed the new â€Å"epidemic† in both adults and children. In 1998 the World Health Organization (WHO) designated obesity as a global epidemic (Anrig, 2003). Healthcare professionals can measure the percent of body fat in children by using Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI is calculated from a person’s height and weight and provides a reasonable indicator of body fatness and weight categories that may lead to health problems. Establishing healthy habits in youth can help prevent many health problems later on in life which will drastically reduce the costs of healthcare. For this reason many public health professionals are interested in working with school systems to reach children in school settings. If we look back over the past 50 years we can see dramatic changes in the way children play, eat meals, and soc ialize. Today lifestyles are busier but less active. (See table 1 in appendix A). Since 1950, the amount of nutritional information available to the public has roughly doubled every seven years. In the years between 1950 and 2000, â€Å"obesity rose by 214% until today, where 64.5 percent of adult Americans (about 127 million) are categorized as being overweight or obese† (Weiss, n.d.). Even though technology has taken away the need for most physical activity, there must be steps taken to provide cost effective solutions and provide a healthier lifestyle for children that will lead to healthy adults. The good news is that schools nationwide are becoming aware of this epidemic and are working with health professionals by taking steps to provide a healthy lifestyle for children. Schools can play an important role in improving the health of children and the adults they will become. Children generally attend school 5 days a week throughout the calendar year. During childhood and adolescent years habits develop that determine physical activity and eating habits. These health habits will determine the development of such diseases as cardiovascular, cancer and diabetes which are now major causes of premature death and disabilities in the United States and the Western World. Public Health professionals are very interested in funding school based programs that can provide a foundation for lifelong healthy behaviors and greatly reduce the burden of these preventable health conditions for both individuals and society as a whole. There is largely an unmet need for effective school-based programs that promote healthy behaviors. It has not been an easy task engaging these partnerships for many reasons, one being funding. With the embracing of these school based programs by public health professionals, it is imperative that these programs be rigorously evaluated to show effectiveness. To be considered effective these programs must undergo systematic measurement and an alysis using solid research methods and study designs. The Center for Disease Control’

Five structural differences between the farmhouse in Tales from the Assignment

Five structural differences between the farmhouse in Tales from the Green Valley and the medieval cruk house - Assignment Example The Tipi in both accounts is a conical shape; however, several material differences prevail. The animal skin and wooden poles in Green Valley presents a much difference from medieval Cruck, which takes a more nomadic pastoralist perspective. The skills, tools and technology used in both explorations presents a structural replication in thatching. The primitive dwelling pit house in Green valley has a grass roof meant to protect belonging from any environmental harm. The extreme weather in the medieval period; however, brings into light a series of materials such as wood and sticks that represent cultural beliefs. The dazzling social appearance of igloo in the contemporary world presents digital imagination. Nevertheless, in Green Valley igloo and earth lodges only shape presents a notable difference. Apparently, both have the same materials to put up the structure. Arguably, both accounts have the best proclamation of past construction features. Most importantly, the tales can form a primary step to counter faulty digital discoveries (Suggett

BHP Billiton Limited Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

BHP Billiton Limited - Essay Example The concept of corporate governance can be defined as the procedures which are used to direct and control an organisation in alliance with its determined mission and vision. The extended role of corporate governance further exhibits a proper structure specifying the delegation of rights as well as the responsibilities bestowed upon the participants of an organisation including its board members, lower and middle level managers, stakeholders, shareholders and other interest groups (OECD 2005). The corporate governance comprises the three basic factors. In this context, it provides with adequate transparency in its decision-making process. Transparency in turn provides scope for accountability that entails the responsibilities of the decision makers within an organisation. It also provides accountability for the conservation of the concern with respect to the shareholders’ interests as well as the commitment of the organization towards its stakeholders. Indeed, accountants and o ther financial decision makers play a vital role in determining organizational effectiveness to mitigate such concerns through high degree of ethical commitments. Thus, it can be stated that the accounting theories and the corporate governance are interrelated as the underlying function of the corporate governance is to control organizational activities and the utilization of the corporate resources (Clark 2011). Based on this understanding, the objective of the paper reflects the corporate governance practices of BHP Billiton Limited (BHP) to alleviate the risk related to the corporate factor with further reasons to such conventions. Areas of Corporate Governance in BHP Billiton Limited to Alleviate the Risk of the Corporate Failure The corporate governance system practiced in BHP entails the approaches to provide the value that has been created on a long term basis complying with a high-quality governance framework (FRC 2012). The company believes that the governance must not be l imited to the Board, but it must be spread within the organisation. Through its governance system, BHP aims to foster a culture that values as well as awards the ethical standard prevailing in the organisation along with the personal and the corporate integrity and the standard to have respect deciphered aptly for its stakeholders on the whole. The company hereby aims to establish an appropriate ‘Code of Business Conduct’ for the employees, the suppliers and the customers constituting a major proportion of its stakeholders group. The application of these approaches related to the governance further attempt to foster the long-term goodwill of the company playing a major role to alleviate the risks of the corporate failure on the basis of accounting discrepancies (BHP Billiton 2012). Notably, the corporate governance structure of the company entails the diversified perspective of the Board of Directors. The structure in BHP comprises of the shareholders, the Board of Dire ctors, the functional committee, the Chief Executive Officers and the group management committee. The framed structure helps the company to

Film Close Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Film Close Analysis - Essay Example The next clip is also edited. 4 seconds Camera closeup of Douzi’s mother, Douzi is standing in the frame too but his image is blurred. His mother refuses to raise him at the brothel. She is crying and making sniffing sounds. Then she smiles and tried to cajole him. 5 seconds Long-shot of all three characters, Douzi’s mother sits down on her knees. Guan is seated far right of the frame across the table. He rises so his back is to the camera and asks her to leave. 2 seconds. Camera takes a close-up of Douzi and his mother. There is a loud clicking sound of the sharpening blades in the background. She covers his face with a scarf. Douzi tells her he can’t feel his hands they are so cold. 4 seconds Camera shows a medium shot of Douzi bent on a bench with this mother on the opposite side holding a knife. There is a loud clicking sound of a butcher’s knife. Douzi shivers several times and then removes the scarf. He looks at his decapitated hand. 5 seconds Medium shot of doors bursting open as Douzi’s mother rushes in carrying him. She has blood on her face, both are screaming and crying as she carries him. The camera stays focus on them as they move across the school. Other students rush after her. 3 seconds Next is a clip from the same room where they were holding a meeting with Guan. Douzi has escaped his mother’s grasp and is hiding under the table. He runs when she tries to reach for him. The camera shows a long shot of Douzi jumping across stairs and running into the veranda of the school. Other boys follow him. Boys try to grab him as Douzi runs. The finally catch him. Loud music plays. In this scene the character Douzi is introduced in the film, previously he was a by-stander to a street performance. From this point forward Douzi’s take up the main role in the film. In this scene, Xiao Douzi is taken to an Opera school by his mother. The teacher Master Guan spots his superfluous finger and refuses to admit him as his student. His

BHP Billiton Limited Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

BHP Billiton Limited - Essay Example The concept of corporate governance can be defined as the procedures which are used to direct and control an organisation in alliance with its determined mission and vision. The extended role of corporate governance further exhibits a proper structure specifying the delegation of rights as well as the responsibilities bestowed upon the participants of an organisation including its board members, lower and middle level managers, stakeholders, shareholders and other interest groups (OECD 2005). The corporate governance comprises the three basic factors. In this context, it provides with adequate transparency in its decision-making process. Transparency in turn provides scope for accountability that entails the responsibilities of the decision makers within an organisation. It also provides accountability for the conservation of the concern with respect to the shareholders’ interests as well as the commitment of the organization towards its stakeholders. Indeed, accountants and o ther financial decision makers play a vital role in determining organizational effectiveness to mitigate such concerns through high degree of ethical commitments. Thus, it can be stated that the accounting theories and the corporate governance are interrelated as the underlying function of the corporate governance is to control organizational activities and the utilization of the corporate resources (Clark 2011). Based on this understanding, the objective of the paper reflects the corporate governance practices of BHP Billiton Limited (BHP) to alleviate the risk related to the corporate factor with further reasons to such conventions. Areas of Corporate Governance in BHP Billiton Limited to Alleviate the Risk of the Corporate Failure The corporate governance system practiced in BHP entails the approaches to provide the value that has been created on a long term basis complying with a high-quality governance framework (FRC 2012). The company believes that the governance must not be l imited to the Board, but it must be spread within the organisation. Through its governance system, BHP aims to foster a culture that values as well as awards the ethical standard prevailing in the organisation along with the personal and the corporate integrity and the standard to have respect deciphered aptly for its stakeholders on the whole. The company hereby aims to establish an appropriate ‘Code of Business Conduct’ for the employees, the suppliers and the customers constituting a major proportion of its stakeholders group. The application of these approaches related to the governance further attempt to foster the long-term goodwill of the company playing a major role to alleviate the risks of the corporate failure on the basis of accounting discrepancies (BHP Billiton 2012). Notably, the corporate governance structure of the company entails the diversified perspective of the Board of Directors. The structure in BHP comprises of the shareholders, the Board of Dire ctors, the functional committee, the Chief Executive Officers and the group management committee. The framed structure helps the company to

Management Capacity Resume Essay Example for Free

Management Capacity Resume Essay The purpose of this letter is to express my interest in working with your company in a management capacity.   I have over 15 years experience working for a major bottling company utilizing my Sales and Operations management skills which would be an asset to your organization. My diverse background includes serving in the United States Army Reserve.   In both my military and professional career, I have demonstrated excellent leadership abilities and exceptional customer service skills.   I successfully built a solid sales team consistently mentoring and motivating staff to meet and exceed company sales quotas. In addition to the skills noted on my resume, I can also offer your company: An enthusiastic individual seeking new endeavors, accomplishing personal and professional goals. A multi-tasking individual leveraging sales and marketing skills to exceed sales quotas. Excellent analytical ability with solid verbal and written communication skills. I look forward to speaking with you further to discuss my skills and qualifications.   You can reach me at the number listed above.

Impact Of Theories Relating To Risk Social Work Essay

Impact Of Theories Relating To Risk Social Work Essay To what extent do theories relating to risk inform our understanding of an aspect or aspects of contemporary social work? I am going to briefly discuss the meanings of risk. Whilst I am aware that there are many theories of risk, I have identified three main themes and will be exploring these in relation to contemporary social work, the themes of governmentality, cultural theory and risk society. Present day social work is concerned with matters of vulnerability and risk (Kemshall et al, 1997), (Dalrymple and Burke, 2006), (Parton, 1996), (Titterton, 2005), (Hothersall and Mass-Lowit, 2010). Media coverage of serious case reviews regarding the deaths of children have led to an onslaught of criticism into social work practice. In looking for definitions to define risk, I found several meanings. Traditionally risk was defined neutrally as a chance or likelihood a behaviour or event will occur (Lishman, 2002: 154), (Munro, 2002:64), for example the possibility of a gain as well as a loss. Kemshall (2002) discusses the uses of risk to insurance and a mathematical probability approach to risk. In postmodern society, risk is now attributed to the terms of danger or hazard (Lupton, 1999 a: 12). The concept of Governmentality was developed by the French philosopher Michel Foucault in the later years of his life between the late 1970s and his death in 1984. His concept provides an understanding of power, not just in terms of the power of the state from a top-down approach, but in the more subtle forms of power exercised through a network of institutions, practices, procedures and techniques which act to regulate social conduct (Joseph 2010:225). Power is noticeable in a positive way through the production of knowledge and discourses that are internalised by individuals, guiding the behaviour of populations and leading to more efficient forms of social control. Parton (1994) cited in Pease (2002) writes how individuals permit government at a distance through being encouraged and supported to exercise freedom and choice. Because power is de-centred individuals play a role in their own self-governance. Criticisms of Foucault argue that he fails to recognise that power is not equal to all. It can also be argued that he lacks reference to the exercise of power in relation to race, age, gender and class, especially how accessible power is between different social groups. Cooper (1994: 450) argues about the character of the technologies of power regarding racist and gendered discourses being used. It was argued that Foucault was not attentive to how people respond to discourses in their daily lives (Lupton: 1999 b: 102). Critics also believed that Foucault lacked awareness in the power institutions had over individuals and that individuals behaviour in society was down to following rules of conventions (Hoy: 1986:151). Feminist critics such as Hartstock (1990:171-172) believe Foucaults understanding of power diminishes individuals to objects of power than individuals able to resist. Foucaults work on defining the relations and mechanisms of power like governmentality can support social workers to think about their position of power within the structures (that maintain the oppression of service users) in their work. Empowerment uses social science to solve social problems and is a social justice discourse in social work. It allows social workers to redistribute power and knowledge in their practice, whilst challenging and combating injustice and oppression. Empowerment develops capacities of individuals, whilst emphasising individual responsibility. Pease (2002:137) argues that there is an assumption that power is something that can be given and empowering someone is to confer. Therefore as Braye and Preston-Shoot (2003:100) discuss, empowerment is about oppressed people taking the power and demanding to be heard. Because knowledge is central to understanding power within society, in order to empower service users there must be a reallocation of knowledge, an ins urrection of subjugated knowledge as indicated by Foucault (1977). Listening to service users and allowing them to have more control over seeking solutions to their problems or identifying their needs within the wider social context, is another example of empowerment. We belong to many social groups, some by choice and some because they are forced upon us. Within these groups, some have more or less power over others. Social workers need to be aware of difference and diversity and develop a greater sense of self awareness about the risks of labelling, stereotyping and holding subjective beliefs. The term Risk Society describes a society that is exposed to harm as a result of human activity. German sociologist Ulrich Beck (1992) first used the term, although British sociologist Anthony Giddens has also written on the same subject matter. Both authors argue humans have always been subjected to risk, e.g. natural disasters but these are seen as being caused by non-human forces. Modern society is now exposed to risks such as terrorism, chemical pollution and nuclear power. Giddens (1999) defines these as external and manufactured risks, external being risks arising from nature (e.g. flooding) and manufactured risks being the result of human activity, e.g. developments in science and technology. As humans are responsible for manufactured risks, both Beck and Giddens argue that societies can assess the level of risk being produced in a reflexive way that can alter the planned activity itself. People are now more wary of what professionals tell us, which is different to the view of the older generation. We are more critical of professionals and more likely to question them They believe there is an increase in reflexivity (the idea that society can adapt to new risks) as a response to risk and uncertainty in postmodern soci ety, but Beck (1992:21) relates this to more risks and hazards being produced, where Giddens (1999:3) believes in human subjectivity being more sensitive to risk. Criticisms of risk society question the level of risk in postmodern society. Turner (1994: 180) questions whether life has become more risky in the present day, than how it affected individuals in the past. Ungar, cited in Goode and Ben-Yehuda (2009: 82) argues that the threats of today infuse fear as well as, not instead of the past fears. Culture, race and gender do not feature in both Beck and Giddens writings and it could be argued that it would be difficult for an individual to be reflexive regarding conflicts of this nature. Joffe (1999) argues that there had been a failure to recognise emotion in respect to how people cope with living in a risk society. Delanty (1999:171) draws from the criticisms by Lash, arguing that Beck and Giddens do not recognise the cultural dimension of reflexivity, due to disregarding collective agency such as the community in favour of individualism. Social work has changed from a concern with need to one of risk (Kemshall, 2002). The media perception of social workers failing in their duty to prevent the deaths of children or protect the public from individuals known to be mentally ill, has led to more bureaucratic solutions, through legislation, procedures and guidelines (Ferguson, 2004). Blame is allocated due to the emphasis in risk (Douglas, 1992). The regulation of risk replaces need as a focal point and reasoning for social work intervention. Lishman (2007: 164) writes how working with risk will always remain a risky business, but with the assistance of sound methods and defensible decision-making it can be well managed. Titterton (2005:50) argues there is no such thing as a risk free option: all options hold potential risks. Lishman explains further that in the climate of the blame culture, risk assessments need to be of a standard that contain defensible decisions that can hold up in cases where there has been a risk failure (2007:157). There is the danger that in using risk assessments to check availability for a service, there is the potential for the social worker to be distanced from the service user. Involving the service user to do their own risk assessments and explain what they believe are the risks is a form of empowerment, which places them at the centre of the process. Clutton et al (2006: 18) links the involvement of the service user to empowerment, Risk assessment may be empowering if it allows the service user to take an informed decision on future action. Social workers have to be able to asses the predicted outcomes of a potential risk to a service user but this is not always easy. Differing interpretations of a situation due to the cultural and social background of people and groups can make understanding risk and risk management difficult in decision making (Reed et al, 2004:149). Service users have started to make choices in how they interact with social services e.g. self-referral. In order to make plans about their lives, social workers need to interact with families in new ways that recognise their disadvantage and oppression in society. It could be asked if service users really have choice or do they have options within choice? Harris and White (2009:100) consider choice to be a key element of the governments modernisation agenda and are established in services such as direct payments and choice of hospital. Labelling of service users in assessments as disturbed, at risk, in need, describes behaviour from a value perspective (Dalrymple and Burke, 2006). Slovic (1999) writes how risk assessments are coloured by subjective judgements of the social worker at every stage of the assessment process. Hall et al (2006:23) argues however that categorisation of service users in reports, meetings and in the court is an expectation of social workers as a practical and professional duty to provide assessments and provide a course of action or services. The notion of Culture Theory developed by Mary Douglas (1966, 1798) and Douglas and Wildavsky (1982) has been influential in looking at perspectives on risk. Cultural theory aims to explain how personality and cultural traits influence risk perceptions and why different people and social groups fear different risks. Douglas argues the relation of risk to politics and its link to accountability responsibility and blame (Lupton, 1999:39). Douglas and Wildavsky (1982) introduced the grid/group concept to explain how cultural proportions can compare society. It defines how people can be divided into four types that predict how they react to different types of hazards- Individualist, Egalitarian, Hierarchists and Fatalist. Thompson et al (1990:5) explain group as referring to how much the individual is integrated into enclosed units and grid to how much a persons life is restricted as a cause of exterior compulsory instructions. Douglass theory is not without criticism. Lupton (1999:7) questions the medias contributory role to the risk knowledge of their audience. It can be argued that you cannot foresee how anyone will behave in response to a particular circumstance and that cultural theory is opaque, not taking into account the complexities of modern society (Rayner, 1992, Boholm, 1996). Tansey and O Riordan (1999) argue the theory is deterministic and takes no account of the free will of individuals. Ostrander (1992) makes a prominent argument, suggesting that cultural theory should apply to social environments in order to distinguish social systems as a whole. It could also be argued that as Douglas does not explain how risk perceptions regarding to individuals and organisations change over time, her theory could be seen as static (Bellaby (1990). Gross and Rayner (1985:18) argue that Douglas fails to explain, what economic inducements or deprivations dispose persons to change their social position. Accountability means being answerable to others for the quality and efficiency of ones efforts. Social workers are accountable to service users, the community, their department and their supervisors. They must be able to explain what it is they do, how it is done and that their work meets professional standards for competence. Mishra (1984), cited in Wilson et al, (2008:39) writes how there is a reduction in professional autonomy and control due to accountability and structural demands being placed on agencies. Social workers, through fear of miscalculating a situation can undertake cautious and defensive practice which falls short of considering the implications, risks and benefits to the service user of the decisions made and measures taken. Bamford (1990) writes how social workers must develop a system of accountability which does not lose sight of the needs of the clients and their support systems. O Hanlon, cited in Parton and O Byrne (2000: 88), separates blame from accountability in that accountability features responsibility, is empowering and promotes self agency. Blame does not invite co-operation, is alienating and closes down possibilities. An example of the links between risk and blame is the case of baby Peter, who was killed by his mothers partner and was the subject of a multiple amount of media attention, proportioning blame on the social workers in his care. The description of harm and danger portrayed by the media, the government and organisational responses to complaints and legal action, resulting in a blame culture is a consequence of risk aversion employed by some social workers (Furedi, 2002). This could leave social workers feeling the need to protect themselves and hesitant, leading to passing the blame onto other people. Webb, (2006:70) links blame culture to risk avoidance being the main priority, resulting in tighter measures of accountability and trans parency being involved. Kemshall (2002: 94) suggests blame serves to strengthen accountability, but also subtly to control information flow and usage and to reinforce loyalty and solidarity with particular viewpoints on risk. Responsibility of the social worker is linked to accountability. These are sustained in codes of practice, the law and daily verbal exchanges. Hall et al (2006: 16) describes how professionals are mindful of their interactions, should their speech causes their conduct to be accountable. Parton and OByrne (2000: 183) discuss the ethics of responsibility in which service users are able to talk freely about themselves, their situation and the best way to solve their problems. Social workers are supporting service users to take responsibility for their own actions, which replaces concepts of cause and determination Howe (1986), cited in Parton (1996:88). The responsibility of the social worker is to the well-being of service users, but there are times when they work in situations that are conflicting. Dominelli (2009:11) offers one explanation of this in a care-control dilemma, when there is a need to balance the determination of the service user with harm. The social workers responsibil ity to the wider society and adherence to the law mean that at times the well-being of the service users may not take priority. In conclusion we have considered the impact of risk in the field of social work. In doing so we have identified three main theories, that of Govermentality, Risk Society and Culture Theory. We have analysed the impact of social work on these theories. Govermentality Theory helps us to understand power and the production of knowledge that enables individuals to govern themselves. Empowerment, as discussed previously enables service users to gain control over decisions that affect their lives. Risk Society Theory helps us to understand how communities are organised in its response to risk. This has been discussed in relation to social work in the media and the bureaucratic defensive practices that have developed as a result of extensive coverage of high profile service failings. Culture Theory seeks to explain how the social context in which we operate affects our responses to risk. As considered earlier, accountability is a means for social workers to explain their actions and the rea soning behind them, blame culture leads to social workers feeling apprehensive and self-preserving of their role. The social worker also has responsibility to the service users, but also to the wider society. Word count 2563