NURS1018 - Obesity in Australia - Essay - Desklib
11 Pages3644 Words1292 Views
University of Notre Dame Australia
Introduction to public health (NURS1018)
Added on 2020-03-01
About This Document
This essay will seek to find out how obesity will categorize as one of the key public action areas to focus on among the Australian population. The need for addressing current research gaps which hinder this engagement is paramount in ensuring that a healthy population is promoted.
NURS1018 - Obesity in Australia - Essay - Desklib
University of Notre Dame Australia
Introduction to public health (NURS1018)
Added on 2020-03-01
ShareRelated Documents
UNIVERSITY:NAME :STUDENT ID:COURSE CODE COURSE NAMEASSIGNMENT Obesity Essay1
Obesity EssayIntroductionObesity 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 estimatingthat 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 11.2million, 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 2 | P a g e
Obesity Essaya 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 articleLocation siteEvidence typeStrength 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)NCBISecondary levelStrong Childhood obesity prevention: a review of school nurse perceptions and practices,(Quelly, 2014 )Pubmed Secondary levelsStrongChild obesity prevention in primary health care: Investigating practice nurse roles, attitudes and current practices, (Robinson et al., 2013)CNHELPrimary researchStrong Seizing the Moment: Experiences of School Nurses Caring for Students with Overweight and Obesity, (PowellPub medPrimary levelStrong 3 | P a g e
Obesity Essayet al., 2017)Literature review of nursing practice in managing obesity in primary care: developments in the UK, (Brown & Psarou, 2008)MedlineSecondary levelFairEarly Childhood Investments Substantially Boost Adult Health, (Campbell et al 2014)Google ScholarSecondary levelMedium levelDiscussion 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 adequatehealth 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 thechildren 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 boostthe 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 nurses’ role in promoting positive health care practice. It shows the nursing roles practice andexperiences 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.4 | P a g e
End of preview
Want to access all the pages? Upload your documents or become a member.
Related Documents
Obesity among People with Low Socioeconomic Statuslg...
|12
|2890
|68
Food Policy Assignment PDFlg...
|11
|2812
|26
Assignment on Childhood Obesity in Queenslandlg...
|1
|2109
|20
Prevention and Management of Overweight and Obesity in Australia Policylg...
|16
|4351
|1
Cardiovascular Disease and Obesity in Australian Populationlg...
|4
|834
|219
Childhood Obesitylg...
|7
|1539
|92