Running head: CHILDHOOD OBESITY 1
Childhood Obesity
Childhood obesity poses major concerns for healthcare providers and parents due to its implications for the wellbeing of the children both in their current age and in the future. The past three decades have witnessed the rise of childhood obesity cases worldwide due to poor dietary compositions, unhealthy lifestyle practices and changing economic conditions (Cheung, Cunningham, Narayan & Kramer, 2016). Most cases of childhood obesity have ramifications on the health of the individuals later in their adult years. The emergence of chronic diseases together with the adverse economic costs through medical expenses associated with these diseases is among the informing factors for controlling childhood obesity. Lifestyle practices associated with childhood obesity are mostly a construct of family setting although genetics play a marginal role. Although interventions mostly base of family routines and the awareness of the child on the effects of the conditions, nursing care providers are responsible for developing evidence-based interventions for controlling the condition. The PICOT model provides ideal guidelines for nursing care providers to develop interventions based on evidence through research.
Questions
Formulation of questions in evidence-based practice facilitates an emphasis on problems affecting populations in the real world. As in the case of childhood obesity, research questions are formulated with a focus on the key areas of the issue. The PICOT concepts enable the analysis of formulated questions through keywords that are then researched to provide solutions to the problem at hand (Davies, 2011). Based on the need to research childhood obesity, four PICOT background questions as well as one preliminary question.
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PICOT background questions:
1. What is childhood obesity?
Understanding the meaning and signs of obesity in children is the first step in undertaking evidence-based practice in nursing. This the foundation for approaching the problem of obesity in children. The body mass index (BMI) is a primary indicator of obesity although other factors may be used to measure signs of obesity.
2. What are the prevalence rates of childhood obesity?
Increased cases of obesity in children in the recent years compel nursing practitioners to seek to understand the extent of the problem. This constitutes part of the evidence that is then used to come up with interventions based on this evidence. The part of the population affected by obesity helps to reveal the extent of the problem and the measures that can be instituted to control childhood obesity.
3. What are the risk factors for childhood obesity?
Risk factors for childhood obesity are the environmental or lifestyle conditions that place children at a high risk of developing obesity. These risk factors vary according to settings hence affect the outcomes of the interventions used in different situations. Therefore, the question of risk factors is part of understanding the characteristics of the patient.
4. How can we prevent the development of obesity in children?
From the data on the prevalence of childhood obesity and the ramifications of the conditions, research needs to focus on methods of curbing the increased cases of childhood obesity. Evidence-informed decision making is applied in this case to relate the method of preventions of obesity to the problem (Robeson, Dobbins, DeCorby & Tirilis, 2010).
Preliminary PICOT question:
5. In obese children, does a change in diet and physical activity compared to pharmacology treatment help in treating childhood obesity, measured by a lower BMI and waist circumference within six months?
Incorporating key factors in the development of obesity such as diet and physical activity in the preliminary questions sets the foundation for understanding how they contribute to the problem in children. Again, indicators such BMI and waist circumference are vital in measurements of outcomes.
Description of PICOT Variables
The population in reference to the preliminary question refers to the number of children diagnosed with obesity. This population will provide evidence for the prevalence of the condition in children. The interests in the issue are the variables that will be altered to achieve the desired outcomes. Hence altering the diet and physical activity in the obese children is expected to impact on the outcomes. A comparison between the interests and the pharmacological approach to the issue will determine the best course of action. Expected outcomes from the comparison will be a reduction in waist size and improvement in BMI. The time for achieving these outcomes is six months.
Keywords
A systematic review of the literature is a vital tool for evidence-based policy in nursing (Houde, 2009). The PICOT model provides a guideline for systematic literature review through the identification of keywords to guide the research. The keywords in childhood obesity are:
Body Mass Index (BMI) - a standard tool for measuring obesity. The BMI offers accurate results for identification of obesity as well as measuring improvements.
Waistline-the circumference of the child’s waist is an indicator of their condition when testing for obesity.
Physical activity-the effect of varying the child’s physical activity and its impact on childhood obesity is understood by reviewing the literature on the same.
Pharmacology-concerns over the best option between drugs and physical activity in treating childhood obesity will be addressed by research on the previous performance of drugs.
Diet- diet is s a key factor in assessing how it impacts obesity in children hence an understanding of its influence in crucial.
Prevalence- the percentage of children affected by obesity in different age groups determines the best interventions.
Routines- the child’s daily activities together with those of the family determine’s the risk factors for obesity.
Genetics-the role of family history on the conditions demands an investigation.
Prevention-the success of previous methods of curbing obesity is crucial while assessing aspects of the problem.
Risk-factors that increase the chances of a child developing obesity. Reviewing the risks informs decisions on prevention.
References
Cheung, P. C., Cunningham, S. A., Narayan, K. V., & Kramer, M. R. (2016). Childhood obesity incidence in the United States: a systematic review. Childhood Obesity , 12 (1), 1-11.
Davies, K. S. (2011). Formulating the evidence based practice question: a review of the frameworks. Evidence Based Library and Information Practice , 6 (2), 75-80.
Houde, S. C. (2009). The systematic review of the literature: A tool for evidence-based policy. Journal of Gerontological Nursing , 35 (9), 9-12.
Robeson, P., Dobbins, M., DeCorby, K., & Tirilis, D. (2010). Facilitating access to pre-processed research evidence in public health. BMC Public Health , 10 (1), 95.
