Date of Award

Spring 4-21-2021

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Lisa VanGetson APRN, DNP, FNP-C

Second Advisor

Briana Darcy APRN, DNP, FNP-C

Third Advisor

Joyce P. Miller DNP, RN

Abstract

People of all ages deserve care for the disease of obesity. Pediatric obesity affects one in three children in the United States, and the number of obese children has tripled since the 1970s (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2018a). High blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, and sleep apnea are complications that pediatric patients now face, and these diseases are well known to worsen quality of, and potentially shorten life. This scholarly project addresses the question: How can family nurse practitioners effectively address pediatric obesity in the primary care setting? Interventions early in life, perhaps even pre-conception, aim to avoid development of severe health issues and diseases that are related to obesity. It is the role of the primary care provider to help families understand the impact of excess weight on health, to assess young patients for weight concerns, to promote positive behaviors and initiate effective treatment options. This scholarly project will examine nurse practitioner knowledge of pediatric obesity prevention, assessment, and treatment. Further, it will explore current approach to care delivery by nurse practitioners in a primary care practice setting. This scholarly project will demonstrate that one must be empowered with the education on best practice to most effectively engage in pediatric obesity care delivery.

Identifier

SC 11.DNP.2021.Johnson.S

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