Obesity Management Strategies

This assignment delves into the multifaceted issue of obesity management. It examines various strategies employed in healthcare settings to address this growing concern, encompassing lifestyle interventions and pharmacological treatments. Furthermore, it explores the role of public policy in shaping obesity prevention and control efforts. The analysis includes stakeholder perspectives from researchers, policymakers, and healthcare professionals, alongside a critical evaluation of evidence-based recommendations for effective obesity management.

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Obesity Essay
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Obesity Essay
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
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Obesity Essay
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
Pub med Primary level Strong
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Obesity Essay
with Overweight and Obesity, (Powell
et al., 2017)
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 crucial 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
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nurses’ role in promoting positive health care practice. It shows the nursing 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 obese 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
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Obesity Essay
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 A.
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, (Haskell, 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
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Obesity Essay
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 nurse’s 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
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increasing on physical activity and improving quality of care to the public. Effectiveness of
lifestyle interventions offered by nurses is crucial in ensuring that there is behaviour change,
(Philips , Katie & Kinnersley, 2013). The need for addressing current research gaps which
hinders this engagement is paramount in ensuring that the health population is promoted.
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