Question

Question 27 2 ptsl Studies have shown that over the past 30 years, the prevalence of obesity has gradually increased among American children. This can be considered to be an example of an): O Point epidemic O Cyclic trend O Secular trend OSpurious clustering

Answer 1

This is an example of secular trend.

Secular trend describes the occurrence of disease over prolonged period of time usually years.it may be due to social cultural change or change in biological , physical environment in which an individual stays.

Factors contributing to obesity are lack of physical exercise, indulgence in indoor activities, use of vehicle instead of active walking, overeating,etc.

Point epidemic is the response of of a group of people circumscribed in a place to a common source of infection , contamination or other epidemiological factor to which they are exposed almost simultaneously ( cited from essentials public health epidemiology 101 Robert Hill)

Cyclic trend:- disease occur in cycles and spread over a short period of time

For eg. Measles in pre- vaccination era major peaks every 2-3 yrs.

Spurious clustering:-clustering is closely grouped series of events or disease or other health related phenomenon with well defined distribution pattern in relation to time place or both.

Spurious means may be due to the operation of chance