Nursing Practice in Managing Obesity-Free-Samples for Students

Question: Discuss the Importance or Significance of the Health Issue to Nursing. Answer: Introduction Obesity in Australia has become a major public health concern. The rise in obesity has signalled the poor eating habits often observed among the populations which are closely linked to availability of fast foods and sedentary lifestyles which people engage on a day to day life. The prevalence of obesity in Australia has reached high levels with WHO estimating that there are over 67.4 % of the population are overweight, (Giles et al., 2015)t. In this essay write up we shall focus children and young adolescents under the age of 0-0-18 years. The statistics are no less different among the children population with over 24% of the children being overweight and other 5%-6% of same demographic population being obese. Overweight and obesity among children are attributed to greater medical conditions later in life for the children, (Bell et al., 2011). Search terms which will be convenient include underage obesity, adolescent obesity , obesity among children and childhood obesity. Overweight and Obesity Overweight and obesity refers to excess body weight and is a risks factor for cardiovascular disease. As the level of obesity increases among the population so does the risks of developing other conditions and hampers control and management of other conditions. Obese overweight are often at risks of higher death occurrence. Often measurement of BMI has been used to measure obesity among the population, (Simmonds et al., 2017). The rates of overweight occurrence in Australia continue to rise immensely. In the year 2014-2015, 63.4 % of the Australian population were overweight, thus representing half of the population. There have been tremendous increases since 1995 which was estimated 56.3% hence showing the growing public health concern need. The 63.4% of the population comprised of adults above the age of 18 years were overweight which is estimated to be 11.2 million, while comprised of 35.5% or overweight with over 6.3 million and 27.9% were obese and further 35% were normal weight and 1.6 % were underweight, (da Luz et al., 2017). Australian population gets fatter as they get older. With men over 45 years and over, 79.4% were overweight while two in three women were overweight. Socio economic factors have played a role in this population set up. More women compared to men were overweight and lived in disadvantaged areas, (NHMRC, 2013) Significance of nursing practice on obesity Obesity problem as described by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, unit is a major risk for other health problems which include cardiovascular diseases, type II diabetes, musculoskeletal diseases and other cancers. The cost of health care in Australia is estimated to be more than double to $58 billion , having tremendous effects on the health care and the productivity levels related to quality of living costs. The role played by nurses on obesity management has been crucial in Australia. The interventions of nurses is crucial in ensuring that preventing, managing smoking , poor diet and physical inactivity all geared towards preventing rise in obesity. The role played by nurses is crucial in ensuring that the population achieves the health education and condition management is essential for nurses, (Aarons et al., 2015). Relevant research Search strategy involved in locating these literature was the use of Boolean operators . Boolean operators are utilised in defining relationship between search terms in research. These are commonly usable while using electronic databases which aid in narrowing or broadening the scope of study. The three common tools for this task are AND, OR and NOT which were used interchangeably with the key words of obesity Australia+ Nurses,; these words were used interchangeably. Research article Location site Evidence type Strength of evidence Nurse delivered lifestyle interventions in primary health care to treat chronic disease risk factors associated with obesity: a systematic review, (Sargent, Forrest Parker 2012) NCBI Secondary level Strong Childhood obesity prevention: a review of school nurse perceptions and practices,(Quelly, 2014 ) Pubmed Secondary levels Strong Child obesity prevention in primary health care: Investigating practice nurse roles, attitudes and current practices, (Robinson et al., 2013) CNHEL Primary research Strong Seizing the Moment: Experiences of School Nurses Caring for Students with Overweight and Obesity, (Powell et al., 2017) Pub med Primary level Strong Literature review of nursing practice in managing obesity in primary care: developments in the UK, (Brown Psarou, 2008) Medline Secondary level Fair Early Childhood Investments Substantially Boost Adult Health, (Campbell et al 2014) Google Scholar Secondary level Medium level Discussion on strength of evidence Based on the article by Quelly , (2014) and Sargent et al (2012), they all come in agreement to suggest that nurses have the critical role in managing the obesity prevalence among the children. Their perception in this care process are crucial in ensuring that adequate health care practice is fronted. These two articles address the need for nurses to have positive mind and attitude towards nursing practice in promoting health activities for the general population. The similarities in the articles portray the critical role nurses play in ensuring health care practice is adhered to and followed. Childhood obesity being prevalent among the children below the age of 18 years has been on the rise, and the need for nursing intervention is key. However Francis et al, (2014), focussed on improving interventions in an aim to boost the health of children. Hence boosting investment on nurses to increase their role in improving the state of children whom they care and are under their care is cru cial in ensuring health is promoted. These evidences have significant input in research in that they are both primary and secondary level evidence hence signifying their strength of ability. Based on these studies by Sargebt et al, (2012), Quelly, (2014) and Brown et al (2008), acknowledged the role nurses played in obesity management among children. Common similarity in these studies showed that nurses are at the fore front in their practice towards obesity management. This studies evidence type displayed secondary level of evidence because of the nature of the findings which the studies have provided. The findings found are not building any new findings but rather strengthening already known precepts as to nurses role in childhood obesity. The primary level evidence as displayed by Robinson et al (2013) and Powell et al (2017), indicate original based research findings which present new findings with regard to nurses role in promoting positive health care practice. It shows the nu rsing roles practice and experiences of nurses in obesity management. Key findings displayed showed that with key support strategies to nurses, they can impact positively on health of the children. Evidence based practices Management of obesity and overweight in general has been based on evidence which relates to increased mortality and also reducing the risk factors which affect disease. Weight loss management is thus crucial in preventing occurrence of other disease. The evidence has laid forth recommendation and practices which are aimed at affecting weight loss, blood pressure and hypertension. The practices currently being addressed correlate with the following conditions; Blood pressure In evaluating the effect of weight loss on a factor such as blood pressure, there is a strong consistency in research findings which links lifestyle factors with both overweight hypertension and those patients whom are non hypertensive, which are linked to lifestyle aspects geared towards reduction in overweight occurrences, (Renzaho et al., 2014). Randomised controls trial research has evaluated on the effect of weight loss on the plasma levels which affect on total concentrations, low density cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein and prescience of high density cholesterol. Studies done have shown that strong evidence link lifestyle modification on weight loss management and reducing serum triglycerides. Randomised controlled studies have indicated the association on the overweight and obesity management as effective ways of lowering blood pressure, (Khera et al., 2016). The strong consistencies of evidence have indicated that weight loss management is essential in ensuring that lifestyle modifications lead to lowering of blood pressure. Further the use of medication on weight management in combinations with adjuvant lifestyle changes accompanies reduction in blood pressure among patients. Thus weight loss and lifestyle changes have been grouped as evidence category able to lower blood pressure among the overweight and obe se individuals, (Alpert et al., 2014). Blood glucose levels Nursing evidence has been produced though randomised controlled trials that pharmaco therapy and weight loss medications and other lifestyle adjuvant which include caloric restriction and physical activity are important components in weight control management. Evaluation of blood glucose levels and its effect on weight loss management is crucial in ensuring that weight loss is achieved. Lifestyle modification in nursing practice is geared towards weight loss is essential in ensuring reduction in glucose levels in overweight management cases. Weight loss management recommendation to reduce the levels of blood glucose among the overweight and obese persons with type II diabetes and this has been termed as evidence category . Lifestyle management Evidence practice on lifestyle therapy in weight management has been a crucial aspect in ensuring that interventions are geared towards increasing physical activity, behaviour therapy and providing successful therapies for weight loss management and weight maintenance among patients. Research has clearly demonstrated that weight loss and weight maintenance need to incorporate lifestyle physical activity and behaviour therapy is essential in ensuring obesity is managed adequately, (Rock et al., 2010). Nurses need to have a preview of the evidence based practices which informed the nursing practice among the population. Summary of these evidence include identification of patients who need to lose weight. This achieved through weight and height measurement, use of BMI indices for assessments, advice on overweight and obesity and measuring the circumference of patients. Crucial aspect in nursing practice is the evidence linked matching treatment benefits and risks profiles in case management, (Brennan et al 2014). Other relevant evidence practices include the practice of dieting on weight loss. There is need for dietary strategies which are geared towards enabling the individuals in ensuring that appropriate dietary habits are adopted. Lastly on the most common evidence based practice in obesity management is lifestyle interventions and counselling. This involves on the weight loss management and maintenance of recommended weight status has been crucial in obesity management, (Haskel l, Lee Pate, 2007). Weight loss management strategies have shown to have an impact in fostering long term control and preventing weight gain. Usage of various weight loss strategies has been backed by evidence to include usage of multiple interventions which include diet therapy, physical activity, pharmacotherapy, behaviour therapy and surgical means which are used in combinations to effectively manage lifestyle aspects. Gaps in research practice Nursing practice has played a crucial in role in managing diseases conditions relevant in practised of health promotion. Towards implementing this evidence based practices, there is need to develop and implement interventions and polices which are geared towards modifying the perceptions that have an effect on active engagement in clinical care practice, (Jou et al., 2017). In health care practice, evidence has shown that there is effective use of evidence on the interventions which practice nurses and other health providers align themselves towards achieving success. Research has shown that these providers are often underutilised and that there is need for effective team work approach in the health care state of the people. There are gaps which have been observed which indicate preventive care is inadequately covered and there inequities towards access towards access to preventive care by the disadvantage groups. The nurses have been left to facilitate care; however support to integrate and develop stronger partnerships with other stakeholders has always been hampered. There is need for preventive services of obesity to be integrated in clinical practice and health approaches towards reducing the prevalence of obesity. Thus research needs to be geared towards care organization structure and the implementation phase of preventive activities in primary health care arena, (George et al., 2016). Thus towards research gap in health care nursing in Australia, there is need to formulate strategies of how to implement and offer effective and equitable approach to obesity preventions. Approaches to health care delivery should be aimed at the population and the funding needs should be flexible. Research gap is and has always been on how to reach consensus among the health care practitioners in respect with nurses access to health care services which ensure that nurses explore the nursing care for obesity, (Bray Bouchard, 2014). Reasons as to pertaining bridging of this gap between the research practice and healthy living resonates on the basic characteristics that inform the prevalence of child hood obesity among the children. Major contributors of the childhood prevalence revolve around modifiable factors which need to be strengthened and advocated for change. Lifestyle changes are one of the aspects which can be changed effectively and hence need to advocated for. Dietary practices which inform the current trends need to be changed adequately. Further the complications and health risks which characterises the obesity among the children are immense which calls for adequate mitigation at the early years of growth. Conclusion This essay has sought to find out how obesity has been categorised as one of the key public action areas to focus among the Australian population. The role of research in nursing practice plays a crucial role in ensuring that health intervention practices are implemented. The use of evidence based practices has been the key role in ensuring that health care promotion to the obese population is facilitated. However with the relevant research conducted there is need for thorough implementation by the nursing practitioners on evidence based recommendations. Behavioural counselling offered to nurses is significant in increasing on physical activity and improving quality of care to the public. 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