Contemporary Design Issues

Reflection:

At the end of this module, i understand the Methodologies of research and how to go through in handling and conducting a research. As a designer, i have learnt how interpretation should be developed and how other interpretation should be evaluated. Moreover, academic paper preparing skills are also attached to me as what i gained from this module. I have improved in using bibliographies and citing all the sources that i have used as reference. Even though, for the topic that i have selected has very limited data, i have  used it well to interpret it into my research paper. Determining issues, and problem solving in this carrier is very important and this helped me to ensure and it also something new of what i learn.

Each and every single part in this module is to introduce a better way to understand problems, issues, and to define contemporary design. All the sources that is not under my effort are all cited for this module. It is also a part of study in this Module.

For this module :

How would you inspire your peers about your work?

• Every single part of my work in this Module is my better outcome than the previous of all the modules.
• never add irrelevant data/ information

How would you transfer the knowledge between modules?

Before starting a task, try to involve issues and topic from other modules then determine the other methods and skills gained from different module. Keep in mind that every learning subject and skills might related anyhow.

Contemporary Design Issues

Research study

information :

Control and prevention of obesity focus on the promotion of healthy diets or increasing levels of physical activity, or both, and should be a shared responsibility (Figure 1). They cannot be seen as the sole responsibility of any one sector. To be effective, strategies should be multi-sectoral, with the coordinated participation of the health, educational and agricultural sectors. Active participation should be sought from governments, the food industry, the media and the individual consumers. The support of professional bodies, non-governmental organizations and international agencies dealing with obesity and related non-communicable diseases (NCD) is essential. The prevention and management of overweight, obesity and associated co-morbidities require the synergism of national health policies on nutrition and NCD control as well as in relation to sports, housing environment, urban planning as well as transportation.

We must collectively build on existing programs in both the public and private sectors, identify current gaps in action, and develop and initiate actions to fill those gaps. Publicprivate working groups should be formed around key themes or around the major settings in which obesity prevention and treatment efforts need to take place. The design of successful interventions and actions for prevention and management of overweight and obesity will require the careful attention of many individuals and organizations working together through multiple spheres of influence.

Figure 1

My opinion on this is, the responsible bodies are working on the ways to overcome obese stage by stage but, there are some circumstances that causes this problem to get worse. It might be the arrogance of public not to going on and challenging themselves by accepting quest in reducing weight.

Reference :

Figure 1:

Healthy weight for all- a shared responsibility. modified from WHO [Online] http://3.bp.blogspot.com-/v4BPiorlnQ/Uar4ZLWYjtI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/UPqav0ykkcc/s1600/figure10.jp [Accessed on 2 May 2015]

Eat well live well obesity campaign:Recommended prevention studies.[Online] http://stopobesitymalaysia.blogspot.com/2013/06/recommend-prevention-strategies.html

[Accessed on 2 May 2015]

WHO. (1998). Obesity: Preventing and managing the global epidemic.Report of a WHO Consultation on Obesity. Geneva: World Health Organisation. 

Contemporary Design Issues

Research study

Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) [NGO]

Malaysia has the most number of overweight and obese people in Asia: 54% of adult Malaysians are either obese or overweight, compared to only 24.1% ten years ago. Among youngsters, 38% aged between 12-18 are proven as overweight. As a result seven out of 10 Malaysian adults suffer from chronic diseases. Obesity can lead to chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease and even cancer. To achieve a healthy society, CAP launched its Healthy Lifestyle Campaign to promote healthy eating habits and urge consumers to avoid unhealthy foods, especially processed ones. In relation to this campaign CAP organized the Health Exhibition at the Penang General Hospital. The exhibition highlights the problems related to high sugar, salt and trans-fat intake. It also looks at cancer-causing chemicals in cosmetics and other important health issues. The exhibition also shows which products have high dangerous ingredients thus helping consumers to avoid such products. High sugar intake causes obesity and aggravates diabetes. Malaysians consume 26 teaspoons of sugar a day and are the eighth highest sugar users in the world. In another worrying trend, meat is fast becoming a staple-diet in Malaysia. A diet rich in red meat causes cancer and high cholesterol which leads to cardio-vascular disease. More Malaysians are keeping awake till late to indulge in what is becoming a top national pastime – tucking it in at 24-hour eating joints. Most 24-hour restaurants serve food that is high in fat, calories and cholesterol. These shops have sprouted up all over the country to satisfy the cravings of Malaysians who are gorging on calorie-packed late night meals with hardly a care – and getting obese in the process. As the metabolic rate is very low at night it makes it easier for fat to accumulate in the body. In view of the high prevalence of non-communicable disease in Malaysia, CAP urged the government to:

•  Ban the use of High Fructose Corn Syrup as a cheap and unhealthy substitute for sugar.
• Create stringent guidelines to reduce fat, sugar and salt in food products. 
• Require manufacturers to label clearly the amount of sugar, fats and salt in their food. 
• Stop the advertisements of highly-sugared and other junk food and drinks during children’s television viewing hours.
•  Ban the sale of junk food in school canteens and food hawking within a fixed perimeter around schools so that school children are not tempted to purchase unhealthy food.
•  Initiate the removal of vending machines dispensing junk food and sugary drinks from areas such as hospitals, airports and schools. Instead provide drinking water in water dispensers at these places.
•  Stop the issuing of licences to restaurants to operate for 24 hours.

Consumers are also advised to refrain from eating unhealthy foods and to engage in physical activities to avoid being obese.

My point of view :

The restriction which is urged to the government by CAP is what have already exist but not in greater range. Although, the problem is still in the same state and as reverse it gets worse from year to year.

reference:

Malaysia, Ministry of Health (n.d.) National Health and Morbidity Survey 1996–1997. Ministry of Health, Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysia, Ministry of Information (n.d.) Advertising Code of Television and Radio.Ministry of Information, Kuala Lumpur.

Sources

CAP: http://bit.ly/ML8xNu

The Star : http://bit.ly/Qb3kVA

Contemporary Design Issues

Campaign issues in Malaysia

Malaysians are not drastically changing their lifestyles despite the millions spent by the Government to woo them with health campaigns. Are Malaysians lackadaisical and to be solely blamed for the ineffectiveness of the various health drives initiated, and for taxpayers’ money pumped into these campaigns going to waste?

The Government and the people should not be too shocked with the recent disclosure that more than RM 500 million spent on health campaigns by the Health Ministry since the 1980's has not produced the desired lifestyle changes.

In a nutshell, what this means is that the message is either not reaching ordinary Malaysians or not having the needed impact to motivate them to transform their lives.  Before we put the blame squarely on the shoulders of the people, we need to examine side-by-side the millions going into health campaigns against the advertising and patronage extended to the multinational corporations which produce the very products that are targeted.

Health campaigns can only work if there is a concerted government effort and is not ‘sabotaged’ by other ministries proffering  support to the advertising, promotion, and cultivation of these products.

Other than all this factors, targets of every campaign are same but the motives are manipulated and there begin the ineffectiveness of it.

GO and NGO in Malaysia never compete in producing campaign but there been just simple and same methods and scopes being covered. In additional, the campaigns by health ministry are to the Smokers, public littering habits and so on. But NGO expect more and organising more on Obesity tackling.

Now,it is therefore not surprising that Malaysia occupies the top spot in Southeast Asia, sixth in Asia and 39th in the world for obesity, according to WHO statistics. We are also placed 7th in Asia and 44th in the world for overweight individuals.

There is an upward trend of obesity among Malaysian kids and adults. It is obviously clear that our health campaigns cannot match the aggressive, high-cost promotions by sugar-rich food and beverage companies, as well as by fast-food corporations. There is a fast-food culture created from small among our kids, which is compounded by unhealthy snacks and rich foods sold in school canteens.

"The government should act now, act concertedly and act with a single-minded purpose to bring out a change in the mindset of Malaysians, and get them to adopt healthy lifestyles, be it smoking, alcohol or dietary habits.  All government agencies must work for the interest of the people instead of turning a blind eye, keeping silent or throwing their support to these offending companies lest their corporate sponsorships comes to a halt. Let us all remember that “health is wealth”.

The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) calls for the federal government ministries to exhibit a united front and undertake serious campaigns, which are matched and supported by strict regulations and control. Otherwise, the campaign actions will not bear fruit and it would be just money down the drain since the Health Ministry’s measures are circumvented by most, if not all, other ministries.

People must know that there is a real danger lurking, and they must be convinced to change their habits and lifestyle, by a well-intentioned government. There must be strong preventive policies and legislations, not half-hearted ones that are doomed to fail and will clearly fall on deaf ears."

(said by a secreted person by a letter to the editor of Consumer association of Penang)

Reference:

Consumer association of penang.[Online] Health campaigns must be concerted and supported by every government body. http://www.consumer.org.my/index.php/health/healthcare/474-health-campaigns-must-be-concerted-and-supported-by-every-government-body [Accessed on 30 March 2015]

Contemporary Design Issues

Research data:

Strategy for the Prevention of Obesity – Malaysia

Associated with certain foods or eating response, thus creating the craving for food. Therefore, such situations may lead to patterns of overeating. Learning theories also state that an eating behaviour is reinforced or strengthened when it is followed immediately by a pleasurable activity or experience. These reinforces can be in the form of the positive psychological and physiological experience of satiety, pleasant taste (e.g. foods high in fat, salt or sugar), social approval or acceptance, and distraction from negative events (e.g. relationship problems). In addition to inducing an individual to eat more, these reinforces also change behaviour dynamics in eating, such as bigger bites, eating faster and piling on food on the plate. On the opposite of reinforcement, there is punishment, which is an unpleasant experience. Non-food-related behaviour can also lead to obesity. These behaviours are sedentary behaviours such as sitting or sleeping for long hours, using lifts as compared to stair- walking, driving to places that are within walking distance. In the modern world, mechanisms that reinforces sedentary behaviours include comfort in not moving much, discomfort when walking in hot and humid conditions, rewards for inactivity (e.g. being able to play computer games, having pleasant discussion, pleasant sleep), and punishment for over activity, especially in children. Many sedentary lifestyle- promoting factors such as the television, motorised transportation, computers and other labour-saving devices are increasingly available thus reducing the need for physical activity (French et al. 2001). In today’s working world, the opportunities for physical activity seem to be decreasing as the current lifestyle trends seem to be more geared towards daily career work. Moreover, there is little availability or accessibility in recreation spaces for people to participate in regular physical activities (French et al. 2001). Therefore, there is little behavioural reinforcement for physical activities, thus encouraging more sedentary behaviours.

Since Malaysians having bad BMI state, the government has been united with some of the GO and NGO by intention of organising campaigns consistently year by year to hike the health graph of Malaysian in the eye of the world. As responsibility to overcome obesity problem in Malaysia, as a Non-Government Organisation organised a campaign called ‘My Weight My Health’. This campaign was initiated by Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society. The program consist of a pharmacists, nutritionists and dieticians, to provide counselling and education for obese Malaysians. Then, in 2009, the Malaysian government commenced ‘10,000 Steps a Day’ campaign, to reduce the sedentary lifestyle. This is especially for those who drives to places which is within walking distance. It is more to lecture and increasing Malaysians to walk more than they walk during daily responsibilities where health is not noted well in society as the most essential point of life. For being a country which stands still over the obesity problem, more campaigns were held for promoting the importance of healthy lifestyle. Thus, another program proposed by Malaysian Health Promotion Board which is ‘My Sihat ’. Since clearly campaigns organised for overcoming obesity, still obese are being the biggest sick among Malaysians and biggest group in South East Asia.

Attitudes and the tie of tummy is the best way to be said as a campaign to overcome Obesity in Malaysia. This is not partly said that food is the cause of obesity, human understanding and awareness are the most importantly to be highlighted for the obese problem which never had an end previously in Malaysia. Self-awareness are the best for overcoming obese.

Other than these factors, the technologies are another factor that causes obesity to increase in Malaysia. The tech as online transactions of utilities are one example why people in Malaysia move less from where they sit. Doing work at home system were introduced years ago, unwantedly this method was being overused for being lazy. Since handy electronic appliances are available, looking for things has drop and instead of this, things are coming door by door looking people who is in need. As an example, E-billing is one way where Malaysians prefer more than queuing a row for the utility. Initial intention of technology and the growth pointed as deflating daily tasks for a simple way of solution. So, physically, reduction process of calories are lesser than before and heading towards obese in this country. Tech development in Malaysia land are an opportunity for growth in society and positively pops for the growth of obese too. 

Reference:

1. Mazlan N, Horgan G & Stubbs RJ. (2001). Mandatory snacks rich in sugar, starch or fat: effect on energy and nutrient intake. International Journal of Obesity. 25(Suppl 2): S54. 

2. Poh BK, Ismail MN, Zawiah H & Henry CJK. (1999). Predictive equations for the estimation of basal metabolic rate in Malaysia adolescents. Malaysian Journal of Nutrition. 5:1-14.

Contemporary Design Issues

Task A

(Argument)

Obese As The Main health problem In Malaysia 

Campaigns Are Effective or its Not?

Malaysia government are always being active in organising campaigns for realisation of the importance of health especially on Obese and Diabetic. Even though, Malaysia still consistently in a place where it is a country which is top in the list in South-East Asia for obese and Diabetic.

“Malaysia recorded the most number of overweight and obese in Asia, so we are bringing this healthy lifestyle campaign nationwide to other states such as Kuala Lumpur and Perak. CAP is targeting some 10,000 visitors to the campaign over the duration of the event,” CAP president S.M. Mohamed Idris told reporters, as reported The Star newspaper. CAP called on consumers to keep away from products that damage health and to carry on a healthy lifestyle. The consumption of unhealthy foods rich in sugar, fat, salt and chemicals and the modern sedentary lifestyle of Malaysians have led to steep rises in non-communicable diseases.

(Star Newspaper 2012)

The latest statistics from Ministry of Health showed that more than 17 million Malaysians or 60.7 per cent of the population are currently living with non-communicable disease with many more undiagnosed. Malaysia has the most number of overweight and obese people in Asia: 54% of adult Malaysians are either obese or overweight, compared to only 24.1% ten years ago. Among youngsters, 38% aged between 12 to 18 are classified as overweight. As a result seven out of 10 Malaysian adults suffer from chronic diseases.

figure 1

Obesity can lead to chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease and even cancer.

Humans have the ability to override signals of hunger and satiety and eat whenever they wish, especially when presented with circumstances that stimulate them to do so. Hence, overeating is a learnt process with regards to modelling, conditioning and habituation. The main behavioural factors that contribute to obesity include:

Excessive energy intake, and diminished rate of physical activity or energy output,

• Greater responsiveness to stimuli associated to food (especially energy dense food),

• Large bites of food and rapid eating –rapid eating allows greater amount of food to be consumed before satiety signals are recognised.

According to learning theories, certain types of food can be associated with certain pleasures, (e.g. eating while watching favourite TV program); or sets of personal beliefs, (e.g. the impropriety of wasting food).

For the main issue here, male faces less obese and diabetic than females in Malaysia. This might be the reason that most of the women are busy chasing dreams by working equally as men does. But according to research restless women is up to face obese and diabetic.

figure 2

Reference:

figure 1:
[Online]http://cdn.healthworks.my/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/overweight-populations-326x159.jpg [Accessed on 2 April 2015]

figure 2 :
[Online]http://archives.thestar.com.my/archives/2008/3/2/health/sf_03chart.jpg[Accessed on 2 April 2015]

1. Mazlan N, Horgan G & Stubbs RJ. (2001). Mandatory snacks rich in sugar, starch or fat: effect on energy and nutrient intake. International Journal of Obesity. 25(Suppl 2): S54. 

2. Poh BK, Ismail MN, Zawiah H & Henry CJK. (1999). Predictive equations for the estimation of basal metabolic rate in Malaysia adolescents. Malaysian Journal of Nutrition. 5:1-14.

Contemporary Design Issues

What is Analysis?

Analysis is a part of research where it will cause activities such as collecting data and information, interpreting alternative and matters that seems to be an issue.

For more clearly said, analysing process will appear when someone or some organisation is going through a survey or research in order to find something or to perform something better than the previous subject.

These are the main methods that have been involved in an analysing process:

1. selecting a judgement or issue

2. defining parts / significant matters of how they are related to the issue 

3. make the implicit/ explicit

4.look for patterns

5.keep on reformulating questions /explanations

Analysing an issue depends on what cases are the analysis for. All types of research never have he same types of method in analysing the issue or judgement.

Contemporary Design Issues

Malaysia, among countries in South East Asia, seems to have the highest count of people who is obese. Obese in Malaysia starts in a young age where parents see their kids healthy when they look fat but on the other side they never know that a healthy child should not be in a round shape.

Image 1

Malaysia has an interesting food culture, but instead they don’t involve much in healthy activities such as exercising, cycling, jogging, walking and etc. All this are also a major factor that causes majority adult and child is not in shape.

According to the Health Ministry, Malaysians are preferring more on relaxing themselves just sitting at home during the weekend. Besides, even when they have to go somewhere, they just drive even though it is just a walking distance. No cycling public seen in the city, instead of that, seen people in a huge count of number eating at night after 10 pm. This is due to the shops and restaurants are opened for 24/7.

Let’s move on to the prevention methodologies. Campaigns are the main subject highlighted to be watched either it is helpful or not?

Why campaigns in Malaysia is not effective and why the messages given never reach the public as well as they understand the consequences? Who to be blamed?

Reference :

Image 1:

Malaysia highest obese in SEA. [Online] http://investvine.com/wp-content/uploads/Pages-from-obesity.jpg. [Accessed in March 2015].

Mazlan N, Horgan G & Stubbs RJ. (2001). Mandatory snacks rich in sugar, starch or fat: effect on energy and nutrient intake. International Journal of Obesity. 

Contemporary Design Issues

What I understand about Analysis and Critical Awareness.

In Contemporary Design Issues, arguments are the main power in understanding the current situation of an issue. For a strong argument, concrete supportive documents and information are needed or instead the argument will never be approachable. So, here for details, analysing doubtful fact in all aspects are essential.
As analysis is an important part in an argument, I should understand what is Analysis.

 Analysis
- collecting data which will be still in a fresh form of information
- the collected details are to be arrange or organised well so that can debated following point by point
- taking relevant part of details on a the issue selected
- some part where re-experiment is essential (if necessary)
- analysis is a method of segregating or dividing raw data for more detailed solution/information
- analysis is also a overview on facts, objects, or any phenomenon
- breaking down an issue into small components to be easily understood
- when necessary, some data from the analysis will be related to a different issues for more information that might help on the subject issue.

In most researches and reading which involves the Data collection, analysis is the most important part of it.
This is because of the collective data will the back bone for the related research. A research is useless when the data is inappropriate and it will end as a waste of energy and time. As a designer, analysis of an issue is very important , it is really good to be well practiced.

Contemporary Design Issues

Contemporary Design Issues

Week 1
-Academic skills required in this Module.

In the first week of this semester for the module Contemporary Design Issues, an induction onto the module requirements, including for the submissions for blog seminar and assessment.

A short clear brief in form of presentation were held about the Academic writing skills which is necessary. This is due to the critical arguments around aspects or contemporary design.

A clear explanation of Rhetoric :
its a way of communication used to modify the perspective of others.

As the Rhetoric is defined, it stands by two which is the Author and the Audience.

• Author -is someone who creates communication to be delivered as information/facts

division of author :
1.informative-is to:
-inform
-describe
-define
-review
-notify
-instruct
-etc.. which relates all in way of informing


2.persuasive-is to :
-persuade
-convince
-influence
-argue
-recommend
-advocate
-etc..which relates all in way of justifying and strongly agree


Audience- is someone who receives the communication from author
division of audience :

1.passive-is to
-receive note
-feel assured
-be entertained
-enjoy
-hear advice
-etc..all that relates accepting information in any form

2.active-is to
-examine
-quantify
-assess
-interpret
-evaluate
-etc..all that relates of doubting due to confusion.

Argument

An argument must be in a debatable claim. Issues that not debatable are waste for an argument.

To make sure the argument is to be effective and reasonable, research is needed here to justify and interpret the argument. An argument not just to say about something that runs in our mind. It should be something that makes other to evaluate the point that we are arguing about. So, here is where types of research : Primary Research & Secondary Research is really important. 

Before proceeding an argument, some questions are important to be questioned by ourselves...

For organising the argument, the Toulmin Method is a basic and it follows as;

Claim, data, warrant, backing, counterclaim and rebuttal.

All this basic methods is to ensure the argument are sufficient according point by point for being debated.