Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

A Staff Educational Initiative To Improve The Use Of Childhood Obesity Guideline Recommendations, Kris Kuhlmann Louque

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Obesity affects one out every six children in the United States, which places them at risk for other chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and continued obesity into adulthood. Considering military children are more likely to enter the Armed Forces than their civilian counterparts, an increase in obesity among military families decreases the number of potential future military recruits who are physically eligible to serve. Despite this growing epidemic, providers report a lack of education and a low self-efficacy in the treatment of this condition. This doctorate of nursing practice study addresses this educational gap by attempting to improve …

Increasing Referrals Of Hospitalized Obese Patients, Tammy Elaine Cabrera

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The rate of obesity continues to rise in the United States and globally, placing populations at

increased risk of obesity related conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, cancer,

and other disease states. Literature review shows that there have been many different methods

utilized to halt obesity's progression, however rates continue to increase. The United States

Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF), American Heart Association (AHA), and other

agencies recommend obesity screening and counseling at every patient encounter, but most

hospitals do not have a current obesity policy in place to accomplish this task. The purpose of

this project is to …

Weight Bias In Healthcare: An Investigation Of Impact On Obesity, Jennifer Scheffler, Fnp

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

More than two-thirds of Americans are obese or overweight. Obesity rates have risen to an epidemic level, contributing to health inequalities and leading to reduced health-related quality of life. When obese and overweight persons face weight bias by health care providers, fragmented care may occur. Ensuring positive relationships with healthcare providers is important in helping those who are obese or overweight. The purpose of this project was to understand the factors that contribute to negative weight bias in the provider-patient relationship and to identify the most effective interventions that would reduce stigmatizing attitudes and support self-awareness, acceptance, and resolution for …

Relationship Between Exposure To Phthalate And Obesity In The United States, Gladys Chidiebere Ezem

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Obesity is a public health problem. The global obesity problem has been attributed to unhealthy diet, inactivity, and hereditary factors. However, phthalates may also contribute to the obesity epidemic. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine whether there was a relationship between exposure to phthalates and obesity among adults 18 years and older in the United States. The theoretical framework was based on the socioecological model. The quantitative, cross-sectional design, and data analysis were based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2011-2012 database. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the association between …

A Nutrition Education Program For Advanced Practice Registered Nurses Caring For Obese Patients, Kathy Lynn Wilson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Obesity is a major U.S. public health epidemic. A review of the current literature identified a lack of obesity counseling with individuals. The gap in practice was a lack of understanding of nutrition, nutrition labeling, and how foods affect health. The objective of this project was to identify the community assessment need related to obesity and then educate APRNs on ways to better communicate with obese patients. This project focused on an education program for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) on using the 5 A's framework for obesity counseling to improve their knowledge and skill in counseling their overweight and …

Perceptions Of Chiropractors In Mississippi Regarding Obesity, Phelesia Nakita Foster

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Obesity continues to be a growing problem across the United States. Chiropractors have made claims of providing health promotion services within their treatment protocol; however, there is a lack of empirical research regarding a need for the chiropractic profession to train chiropractors to address Healthy People 2020 public health initiatives. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the perceptions of Mississippi Delta Region chiropractors regarding their role in obesity management as nonmedical practitioners that implement public health objectives in their practice. The research questions aimed at addressing possible barriers and limitations that influenced chiropractors' perceptions regarding their role …

A Structured Weight Loss Program To Combat Obesity In Women, Tara English

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Rates of obesity and the associated comorbidities continue to increase for women in the United States. Despite information available, efforts at weight loss are often unsuccessful because women lack integral knowledge of how to approach the various components essential for weight loss. This doctoral project was created to address the practice question of whether obesity can be reduced through a step-wise weight loss program that identifies essential elements to reduce weight in menopausal age women. Guided by the information-motivation-behavioral skills model, this project led 17 volunteer participants from a Northwest, Florida primary care clinic through 6 weeks of protocols supplemented …

Using Social Cognitive Theory To Predict Counseling Behaviors In Registered Dietitians, Marianela Guerrero

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Obesity and morbid obesity affect more than 30% of Americans, which emulates the rate of smoking as the leading preventable cause of disease and death in the United States. The prevalence of obesity among adults in the United States increased dramatically between 1980 and 2010 (16% to 36%). The integration of the social cognitive theory (SCT) constructs such as self-efficacy, self-control, environment and expectations in the study instrument allowed identifying the impact of personal, social and economic factors on Registered Dietitians (RDs) counseling behaviors with obese clients. The goal of this quantitative cross sectional study was to investigate the association …

The Impact Of Diabetes And Obesity In The African American Population, Andrea Lynette Swails

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Within the 21st century, Type II diabetes has emerged as a public health crisis. African Americans and Hispanic Americans have the highest rates of Type II diabetes and obesity compared to European Americans. The purpose of this DNP project was to teach medical assistants (MA) to provide self-management of diabetes and obesity for the African American population in the local clinical setting. An educational tool kit for health providers was developed to guide the educational project. The chronic care model was used to guide the development of the educational toolkit. A pretest posttest design was incorporated into the educational program. …

Physical Activity And Veteran Status In Obesity And Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Erin Mcguire Kren

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There are few data available regarding the relationship between physical activity and veteran status in those with combined chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and obesity. COPD is a common illness and a leading cause of death in the United States. Veterans represent a distinct subpopulation in the United States and are more likely to have COPD, which is a disease with a high rate of comorbidities such as obesity. Physical activity can improve outcomes for those with COPD and obesity. However, recommendations for physical activity for those with COPD and obesity are vague. This study, based on the self-determination theory, …