This body of work focuses on a young male named John, aged 10, who was clinically diagnosed with obesity. The project’s framework is thorough, referencing established literature and professional guidelines to present data that elucidate the seriousness of this pediatric health concern. This issue underscores my pivotal role as a nurse prepared at the baccalaureate level, underlining the need to mitigate John’s obesity through proficient leadership, interprofessional coordination, effective communication, managing change, and involvement in policy initiatives. This approach, supported by scholarly research, aims to optimize care planning and implementation and distribute knowledge within the dedicated nursing practice at my facility, Kindred Hospital Los Angeles.
Patient, Family, and Population Health Problem
The identified patient health problem relevant to my professional practice is pediatric obesity. Specifically, I am focusing on a patient named John, a 10-year-old child who is clinically obese and was recently admitted to Kindred Hospital Los Angeles, where I have been working for around one and a half years. Obesity in children has reached an alarming proportion worldwide and is a significant public health issue. In John’s case, his obesity presents immediate health problems, such as the early onset of type-2 diabetes and hypertension, and overall affects his quality of life, including psychosocial and educational aspects. John is currently categorized under the 95th percentile for BMI in his age group based on his clinical obesity diagnosis. Besides genetic predisposition, unhealthy dietary habits and lack of physical activity contribute to his condition. I intend to work with John and his family during the capstone project.
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) suggests that approximately 18.5% of children and adolescents in the U.S. are obese. These figures depict the severity and prevalence of the problem within the population segment. Managing childhood obesity is also vital because it can lead to severe health complications in adulthood, like cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that obesity was 19.3% among children and adolescents aged 2-19 years in 2019-2020 (CDC, 2021). Pediatric obesity is a significant global public health problem due to its prevalence, associated health risks, and potential for lasting impact into adulthood. According to the World Health Organization, in 2019, more than 41 million children under 5 were overweight or obese (World Health Organization, 2021). Obesity during childhood not only affects the child’s immediate health but impacts their health trajectory into adulthood. Studies have shown that childhood obesity is linked to a higher risk of adult obesity, early onset of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain types of cancer (Drozdz et al., 2021).
Furthermore, obesity in children leads to psychosocial issues, including stigma, poor self-esteem, and depression. Risk factors for obesity can be divided broadly into lifestyle factors (poor diet, lack of physical activity), genetic factors (family history of obesity), and environmental factors (socioeconomic status, marketing of unhealthy foods). It is essential to address obesity early in life to prevent its persistence into adulthood (Smith et al., 2020). This problem is particularly relevant to me as a baccalaureate-prepared nurse due to the increasing rates of childhood obesity and the associated health risks. As a nurse, I play an influential role in health education and effecting lifestyle modifications for patients like John and their families. Interventions aimed at weight management, including nutritional guidance and fostering physical activity, could significantly improve John’s health outcomes, making this issue highly pertinent to my professional practice.
Evidence-Based Nursing Actions for Clinical Obesity
Evidence from peer-reviewed literature and professional sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Journal of Pediatric Health Care, provide guidance on nursing interventions for childhood obesity. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests that healthcare providers, including nurses, have an essential role in preventing childhood obesity through primary prevention and therapeutic interventions. They recommend using motivational interviewing techniques with families, encouraging them to set goals and make small changes in family behaviors (Smith et al., 2020).
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), improving the intake of
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