Nursing Commons^™

The Effect Of Using A Meal Tracking Smartphone Application In Overweight And Obese Adolescents With Prediabetes Or Type 2 Diabetes To Improve Bmi And Hba1c, Lauren Torhorst

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Obesity has become one of the most common chronic pediatric illnesses worldwide and is closely linked to the onset of prediabetes and subsequent Type 2 Diabetes (T2D); therefore, preventing and treating childhood obesity has become a high priority (Hampl et al., 2023). The purpose of this Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) project is to lower Glycosylated Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C) and Body Mass Index (BMI) in overweight and obese youth with prediabetes and T2D using a meal tracking smartphone application. The Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice Model (JHNEBP) was utilized to pilot this project between two pediatric endocrinology offices located in Southeast Wisconsin. …

Comparison Of Physical Activity Levels Among School-Age Adolescents In The Rural And Urban Areas Of District Swat Kpk, Pakistan- An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study, Imran Uddin

Theses & Dissertations

Background: Obesity and overweight represent significant global public health concerns. Young adolescents are in particular increasingly experiencing obesity and overweight due to their sedentary lifestyles, excessive electronic media use, and lack of physical activity (PA). This trend is linked to the development of non-communicable diseases in later life. Moreover, data regarding the lack of PA is available in Pakistan, but a gap exists in the comparative analysis of physical activity levels between rural and urban adolescents. Rural and urban areas exhibit distinctions in both geographical settings and technological advancements, potentially influencing the PA levels of their respective inhabitants.
Purpose: The …

Community Health Worker Program: Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases In Children, Julia L. Newell

DNP Qualifying Manuscripts

Abstract

Background: Childhood obesity, asthma, and untreated mental health conditions, are three examples of chronic non-communicable diseases (CNDs) that pose a host of negative consequences later in life. Community health workers (CHWs) are in a unique position to address these negative health externalities by leveraging linguistic, cultural, and socioemotional connectedness within their communities.

Local Problem: Minority children in the Central Valley of California, face additional risk factors for the development of CNDs. CHWs working in this area require enhanced training on CNDs to improve their practice.

Methods: In partnership with Save the Children (STC), the University of San Francisco (USF) …

Quality Improvement Project To Assist In Implementation Of Prediabetes Screen Protocol, Kyai Forney

Doctoral Projects

Prediabetes is a reversible condition that causes blood glucose levels to be higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. When one has prediabetes, the cells in the body do not respond normally to insulin, and insulin acts like a key to letting blood sugar into cells to use energy. The pancreas produces insulin to try to get the cells to respond, but eventually, the pancreas has a challenging time keeping up, and the blood sugar level rises causing prediabetes (Lehrman, 2021). A person can have prediabetes for years with no obvious symptoms, so …

Feasibility Of Family Focused Obesity Screening In Primary Care, Adrianne Griffiths

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Background: Obesity is associated with serious medical conditions including diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. It also contributes to decreased productivity at work and school, financial strain, and reduced quality of life.

Purpose of Project: To address this problem, a nurse practitioner-led screening and intervention program was piloted at a primary care clinic in southern San Diego. The tool provides a standardized method for screening individuals and their families for nutrition and physical activity deficits associated with obesity, as well as appropriate and effective interventions to prevent and manage obesity.

Methods: The Family Nutrition and Physical Activity (FNPA) screening tool is …

A Lifestyle Modification Intervention In Hispanic Adolescents With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Brianne Miller

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

U.S. population studies have confirmed that the Hispanic population has the highest prevalence and the worst prognosis for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (Katz et al., 2021). The purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to implement a multicomponent, lifestyle modification intervention in Hispanic pediatric primary care patients to combat the disease process and sequela of NAFLD. The PICOT question for this project was: In Hispanic adolescents aged 10-21 with obesity and NAFLD (P), what is the effect of a multicomponent, lifestyle modification intervention (I), on alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (O), over a 12-week time period (T)? A comprehensive literature search …

Prevention Of Obesity-Related Morbidity & Mortality In Adults, Rachelle Virgin

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

Poster presentation on the prevention of obesity related morbidity and mortality in adults.

The Emerging Epidemic Of Type 2 Diabetes And Obesity Amongst Young Children, Juliana Morales

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background:

In the past years childhood obesity has increased tremendously and currently ⅓ of children in the United States are obese today. Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes are illnesses that can later on lead to more severe health complications when as a child enters adulthood. Children who are obese have a greater risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, and currently more than 80% of children who already are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes are obese. In school and often by health care providers we are told daily physical activity and healthy diet are the best ways to maintain optimal health, …

Childhood And Adolescent Obesity: Related Comorbidities And Interventions, Jasmine Wong

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background

The prevalence of childhood and adolescent obesity in the United States has steadily risen over the years and has become a public health concern. Obesity is defined as a BMI at or above the 95th percentile for children and teens of the same age and sex. Obese children and adolescents are at risk for poor health and poor quality of life. Furthermore, there are numerous comorbidities associated with childhood and adolescent obesity. While some of the associated diseases are acute, others can become chronic and result in lifelong conditions.

Objective

The purpose of the present thesis is to explore …

Diet, Exercise, Self-Monitoring, Technology, And Motivational Interviewing For Weight Loss In Adults, Ashleigh D. Warburton

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Obesity, an epidemic in the United States (US), affected 42.4% of adults as of 2017-2018 (Hales, 2020). Comorbidities associated with obesity, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes (Orringer et al., 2020), are some of the leading causes of death in the US (Kochanek et al., 2020). The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to answer the following PICOT question: In adult patients aged 19 years or older who are considered overweight or obese as measured by body mass index (BMI) of ≥ 25 kg/m2 (P), how effective is diet and exercise combined with self-monitoring, a phone application, …

Increasing Obesity Education In An Underserved Latino Population, Morgan Lippert, Kelsey Beard

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Obesity is a rapidly growing health problem in the United States. Certain populations are at high risk for developing obesity including the Latino population and underserved communities. This Quality Improvement project aimed to develop a more patient centered approach for primary care providers use to deliver obesity education to an at-risk Latino population. The project was completed at a clinic in southern Illinois where the majority of the population is underserved and Spanish speaking. Obesity education tools in both Spanish and English were given to the patients in order to decrease the language barrier and improve patient education and understanding …

A Multimodal Intervention For Weight Loss In Primary Care, Amber Smith

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Obesity is a worsening pandemic that requires immediate action. It is recommended that primary care providers screen patients for obesity and provide multimodal behavioral interventions to their patients to treat and prevent obesity (USPSTF, 2018). The purpose of this evidenced-base practice (EBP) project is to implement a multimodal intervention for weight loss in adults within primary care. Five search engines were utilized, and 16 articles were ultimately selected as evidence. The evidence supported self-monitoring and close follow-up while in active weight loss. The Iowa Model for EBP to promote quality care was used as the framework to guide the project …

Increasing Physical Activity In Women With Obesity To Promote Weight Loss, Ashley N. Kohler

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Obesity is a chronic disease associated with a multitude of lifelong chronic illnesses. Obesity impacts more than 42% of the United States population (CDC, 2021b). Physical inactivity is a major determinant of obesity (Muerer et al., 2019). The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to promote a greater reduction in body mass index (BMI) of the participants enrolled in an existing wellness program at the EBP practice site by increasing the physical activity level of the participants compared to standard protocol. The existing wellness program’s standard protocol included diet modifications, physical activity encouragement, and medication management. The EBP …

Evaluating The Indirect Effects Of A Community-Based Child Obesity Prevention Program On Adult Health Behaviors, Emily K. Rocheleau

College of Nursing and Health Sciences Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Project Publications

Purpose: Community-based intervention (CBI) programs aim to change individuals’ behaviors to reduce the risk of chronic disease, often by addressing factors that contribute to obesity. To provide information for improving interventions, program evaluation is needed. In Franklin and Grand Isle Counties, childhood extreme obesity decreased where a child-targeted, obesity prevention focused CBI was implemented. It has been shown that these programs can have an indirect effect on parent health/body mass index (BMI), but it is unclear if indirect effects of such programs have an impact on adult BMI and related health behaviors. The purpose of this project was to determine …

The Physiological Benefits Of A Plant-Based Diet On Cardiovascular Health, Jenevieve Petray

Nursing | Senior Theses

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is increasingly more prevalent in today’s society and is attributed to an alarming percentage of American hospitalizations and deaths. Americans are unhealthier than ever before, and the main contributor is the Western diet. Diet is a double-edged sword that can offer benefits or detriments to one’s health. CVD encompasses numerous diagnoses originating from various underlying physiological alterations. These alterations are downstream effects of increased body weight and BMI, increased cholesterol levels, decreased insulin sensitivity and increased arterial plaque buildup. Research shows that a plant-based diet has the potential to manage and reverse all fundamental physiological alterations that …

Obesity Prevention Toolkit To Combat Weight Gain Related To Sedentary Behavior And Dietary Habits In College Students: An Evidence-Based Project, Maria Amos, Martha Fuller

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Abstract

Background: Forty percent of the US population ages 20-39 are categorized as obese,

their BMI is over 30, and 35% of college age students are obese or overweight. Issues related to obesity cost the US $147 billion annually. Between 40%-50% of college students are reported to be inactive. Inactivity can lead to increased morbidity and mortality related to increased risks of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, musculoskeletal issues, and depression. Providing dietary and physical activity education and access to nutritional information promotes behavior change in young adults.

Aims of Service Change: This evidence-based project proposal aims to provide a toolkit …

Better Together? The Effects Of Shared Medical Appointments On Bmi In Obese Adults, Amanda Larson

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

The United States (U.S.) is amidst an obesity epidemic, with Indiana ranking as the 15th worst state (Institute of Medicine, 2012; United Health Foundations, 2020). Despite current management strategies, the obesity rate in both the U.S. and Indiana continues to rise (WHO, 2020). Therefore, obesity management must change. The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to determine if the addition of shared medical appointments (SMAs) consisting of informational group sessions by specialists and brief individualized meetings with the provider will result in greater reduction of weight and body mass index (BMI) compared to standard care alone in those …

Overcoming Obesity: Provider Reminders And Education In Pediatrics, Michelle Warren

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

The prevalence of pediatric overweight and obesity is rising globally (Di Cesare et al., 2019) and results in lifelong chronic health problems and an estimated annual healthcare cost of $14.1 billion (Trasande & Chatterjee, 2009). The purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to address overweight and obesity in patients between the ages of five and 12 years through the provision of provider reminders, education, and guidelines. Primary outcomes included frequency of diagnosis, frequency of patient referrals, return to see times, and frequency of patient nutrition and activity education while secondary outcomes included patient weight, body mass index (BMI), and …

Registered Nurses’ Perceptions Of Obesity, Elizabeth Ann Pettifor

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Obesity has become an epidemic in the United States (U.S.) population. Obesity is a risk factor for many health problems that ultimately lead to death or disability. Nurses in the U.S have a higher-than-average rate of overweight and obesity. The purpose of this exploratory, qualitative case study was to identify and recommend areas for change in the hospital environment to assist bedside nurses in the U.S to have a healthier lifestyle. Social media was used to conduct a purposeful sampling technique and recruit 10 registered nurses working full time at the bedside in the U.S who struggle with obesity. Semi …

Exploring The Relationship Between Dietary Self-Monitoring With A Mobile App And Weight Change, Jason Payne

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Approximately 70% of the adult population in the United States has overweight or obesity and increased risk for developing chronic diseases. Dietary self-monitoring adherence using a paper diary is associated with weight loss; however, few studies have examined this association with dietary self-monitoring apps. Objectives: 1) explore if an association exists between app-based dietary self-monitoring and weight change among adults with overweight or obesity and 2) explore the relationships between the frequency, consistency, and completeness of self-monitoring and weight change. Methods: Participants self-monitored dietary intake for 8 weeks using the app Calorie Counter by FatSecret. Participants were assigned …

The Effects Of A Nutritional Intervention On Healthy Eating Habits And Body Mass Index, Kelley Eshenaur

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

In the US, overweight and obesity are growing concerns, as both can have life altering consequences if not prevented or treated. Since 2000, there has been nearly a 10% increase of adults who are obese, from 30.5% (85.8 million) to 39.8% (93.9 million) in 2016 (CDC, 2017). These conditions are preventable with early intervention and motivation. Obesity statistics are especially of interest during the transition to young adulthood. The purpose of this project was to improve student outcomes by identifying barriers, effective strategies, and healthy choices that would ultimately impact weight, increasing healthy food choices, and decreasing overall BMI in …

Provider-Led Intervention For Overweight Or Obese African American Women Ages 18-65 With A Bmi 25 Kg/ M₂, Tonya A. Harvey

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Overweight and obese African American women tend to suffer most from the impacts of diseases, health disparities, disabilities, and decreased qualities of life (Sutton et al., 2016). Most weight loss programs are not culturally specific, despite the benefits of dietary changes and increased physical activity for all groups. The purpose of this EBP project was to implement a provider-led program including lifestyle, dietary, and activity components to decrease weight, BMI, waist circumference and blood pressure in African American women. The Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice to promote quality care was used to guide the EBP project, aimed to address obesity …

A Multicomponent Tailored Intervention Program Protocol For Weight Loss In An Underserved Adult Patient Population With Obesity, Rita R. Arnold

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Obesity is a multifactorial, individualized, chronic disease that increases known risk factors for significant comorbidities and mortality. The primary purpose of this Evidence-Based practice project was to improve indicators of obesity (weight, BMI) among patients served by a free medical clinic, using a tailored multicomponent intervention. The secondary purpose was to determine if the weight loss intervention was associated with a decrease in blood pressure and depression symptoms. The intervention was guided by the Health Promotion Model by Nola Pender. The Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence Based Practice Model (JHNEBP) guided implementation of the project. A comprehensive literature review was completed …

Increasing Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors In Cargo Drivers, Ronda L. Bell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project was to examine the extent to which lifestyle behaviors of transportation drivers in North Texas can be improved with health education. This research study was conducted to examine the health behaviors of transportation drivers as a result of an educational partnership between nursing and the transportation industry. The goal was to improve healthy lifestyles through education to decrease chronic illness and comorbid conditions of a significantly at-risk occupational population. The impact of this education was immediate and verified with quantitative measurement and statistical analysis. Results demonstrated that after nurse-led health education, transportation drivers reported significant …

Measuring The Impact Of Rise Vt: Evaluating Community-Based Obesity Prevention Initiatives With A Standardized Intensity Score, Brianna K. Johnson Bsn, Rn, Ocn, Dnpc

College of Nursing and Health Sciences Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Project Publications

Background. Obesity is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the US. Rise VT is a multilevel community-based initiative to reduce obesity. The Community Programs and Policies Intensity Score (CPPI) is a standardized metric to evaluate multisector efforts over time, which has correlated with reductions in childhood obesity.

Purpose. The purpose of this project was to quantify the impact of Rise VT using the CPPI score. A secondary aim was to assess the feasibility of using the CPPI score for ongoing program planning and evaluation statewide.

Methods. Interviews with program managers were conducted to gather data related to …

A Behavioral Weight Loss Program For Low-Income Adults With Obesity And Hiv, Sophai Thach

Dissertations

Problem: Obesity, having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or greater, increases the risk for cardiovascular disease. For people living with HIV (PLWH), this increases their risk for myocardial infarctions by 50% and causes this life-threatening event to occur at a younger age compared to those who are not diagnosed with HIV.

Methods: With obesity disproportionately affecting people with low income, this study aims to evaluate the effects of a 12-week behavioral weight loss program that utilizes journaling as a self-monitoring tool, weekly educational classes, and individualized goal-setting on PLWH with obesity who live in …

Childhood Obesity: Getting Back To The Basics, Fanny Powell

DNP Qualifying Manuscripts

Childhood obesity is an epidemic that affects the nation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2015) states that over the past thirty years, the prevalence of childhood obesity has more than doubled in younger children and quadrupled in adolescents (CDC, 2015). Although obesity is a multifactorial health issue that is affected by genetics, metabolic factors, socioeconomic factors, and lifestyle choices (Stanford, 2018), a majority of pediatric obesity is as a result of consuming more energy than the body utilizes. There are both immediate and long-term consequences of obesity that negatively affect a child’s health which may carry over …

A Multi-Faceted Intervention To Improve Diagnosis And Treatment Rates Of Overweight And Obesity By Nurse Practitioners In Primary Care, Susan Disser

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

The United States is amid an obesity epidemic (Institute of Medicine, 2012). Indiana ranks as the tenth most overweight state. (America’s Health Rankings, 2018). Despite guidelines outlining the treatment of obesity, primary care providers seldom use these guidelines (Hayes et al., 2017). In a 2010 study, only 28.9% of obese patients received a diagnosis of obesity and less than 25% of these patients received counseling on diet, exercise, or weight loss (Bleich, Pickett-Blackely, & Cooper, 2011). The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project is to determine if a multi-faceted intervention consisting of academic detailing, reminders, audit with feedback, and …

Instrumental Role Modeling And The Sensitive Topic Of Obesity: A Grounded Theory, Tulie Blot Gay

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The nurse practitioner (NP) role is more prominent now than ever before in primary healthcare, positioning them as providers who defend initiatives and ongoing health agendas. Obesity is among those agendas. The concept of instrumental role modeling was explained as a combination of understanding and physical presence that gives meaning and quality to inspire change. It implied that health professionals are not merely insightful clinicians but suggested their expertise is complimented by demonstrations of wellness in knowledge and practice. This topic of weight was perceived as sensitive but must be addressed. In this grounded theory study, the perspectives of NPs …

Cultivating Cultural Competence To Address Childhood Obesity In Ethnic Minority Youth, Tia Knight-Forbes

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Obesity is an increasingly prevalent health issue, especially among children who live in high poverty, low income, and low education areas that lack needed resources and health care to promote quality of life. African American youth have a higher rate of obesity than other populations. The purpose of this project was to address an identified gap in practice by improving health care professionals' ability to provide culturally competent care to African American youth. An educational intervention framed by the Purnell model for cultural competence was developed to address the question, Will cultural competency staff education improve knowledge to prevent and …