Intention to change lifestyle behaviors in 10- to 14-year-old children with obesity.

Author

Mallory SwansonFollow

Date on Paper

7-2023

Document Type

Doctoral Paper

Degree Name

D.N.P.

Department

Nursing

Committee Chair

Bethel-Hines, Cynethia

Committee Member

McRae, Emily

Author's Keywords

pediatric obesity; childhood obesity; lifestyle behaviors; diet or nutrition; activity or exercise

Abstract

Background: Pediatric obesity is a multifaceted disease that affects 19.7% of children. Obesity increases the risk of long-term health morbidity and costs billions of dollars annually for the United States healthcare system.

Purpose: The objective of this quality improvement project was to utilize the 5210 Healthy Children Campaign to facilitate behavior change in obese children. Potential outcomes include fostering health promotion and disease prevention, improving patient outcomes, decreasing morbidity and mortality, and easing the healthcare burden.

Methods: Intervention took place at Growing Kids Pediatrics and was conducted through four educational sessions involving the obese child and at least one caregiver. Lesson plans included (1) hydration, limiting sugary beverages, and sleep, (2) activity, exercise, and screentime, (3) diet and nutrition, and (4) wrap-up and sustainability of changes. The four sessions were held monthly from January 2023 to April 2023. Behavioral outcome measures were observed through the Adherence to Lifestyle Modification Advices Questionnaire (ALMAQ) and a five-item Supplemental Questionnnaire.

Results: Pre- to post-intervention ALMAQ scores displayed a statistically significant behavior change (p = 0.03). The supplemental questionnaire results did not show a significant change in behavior (p = 0.3).

Discussion: The 5210 education can be used to facilitate behavior change. Future implementation should employ longer follow-up times to observe if these sustained lifestyle modifications produce changes in anthropometric measurements (ie. weight, waist circumference, BMI).

Recommended Citation

Swanson, Mallory, "Intention to change lifestyle behaviors in 10- to 14-year-old children with obesity." (2023). Doctor of Nursing Practice Papers. Paper 137.
Retrieved from https://ir.library.louisville.edu/dnp/137