We are somehow conscious about how healthy we are or where we stand on a weighing scale. As long as we see that we are not exceeding our body mass index and we are in a healthy weight range, we do not freak out. Still, the moment we see our weight exceeding, it becomes a serious concern. Why is it essential to have healthy body weight? This question is not new, and we all know the benefit of having bodyweight aligned with our height and BMI range. So it will not be surprising to dig out any records. The only common strand we will find is that obesity is one of the most common epidemics of all times.
In 2015 and 16 more than 93 million US citizens were struggling with the epidemic of obesity, approximately 39% of the population. Obesity exists in adults and children alike. More than 12 million children in the US struggle with obesity and control their weight. Obesity or being overweight is one of the most common causes of chronic health conditions existing today. It can induce risk factors for conditions like diabetes and heart diseases, psychological and lifestyle issues. The healthy BMI ranges differ from person to person based on their race and ethnicity. For instance, the BMI ranges of the US and South Asian populations are different.
Healthcare professionals, especially nurses, have helped millions of patients to overcome their body weight and diet pattern issues. Nurse practitioners play a substantial role in assisting individuals in understanding their health concerns, and reducing weight can alleviate most physical ailments.
This article focuses on highlighting the role of nurses in fighting obesity.
1. Educating patients
Before educating the patients, it is necessary to possess profound knowledge. And as a nurse, if you want to upgrade your knowledge skillset, you can go for a professional degree like opting for a master’s or terminal degree in nursing.
People experiencing obesity consider it as their lifestyle until it becomes a threat to their longevity. Children are more likely to be obese as their diet patterns involve more junk food and sweets than adults. Nurse practitioners can help people understand their health conditions and the impact of obesity on their lifestyle in the longer run. They can act as personal counselors to help patients understand their healthier nutritional choices and exercise routines. They also work with people to cope with health challenges that vary from person to person based on their activity and lifestyle preferences.
2. Promoting change
Whenever we visit a hospital, we interact more with nurses than a doctor. Nurses are skilled individuals to deal with people coming from different backgrounds with different issues. They are more aware of the situations prevalent in a particular part of the population. Besides educating the patients about their condition and risk, another factor is to change their lifestyle. It is usually challenging for obese people to change their lifestyles and stick to their recent changes. Nurses can promote changes by walking patients through risk factors like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and the mental stigma associated with obesity. They can encourage changes without making them appear frightening or drastic. Nurses begin their help by inducing small changes in the diet of obese patients, like encouraging them to have more greens or adding seltzer water in their juice for a change.
3. Encouraging physical activity
Another vital contribution to fight the epidemic of obesity is to incorporate physical activity. Obese people have minimal physical activity or have a sedentary lifestyle revolving around a couch or office desk. Many people have tons of myths that refrain from physical activity or follow a wrong exercise plan regarding weight loss. Nurses can assess a person’s weight and height. Then, they can help patients with an exercise plan specially tailored to their body requirements. Engaging in physical activity without any proper plan or guidance can lead to muscular injuries. The wrong posture may lead to spinal issues. Nurses can help patients start with a morning stroll to initiate a change in their sedentary lifestyle.
4. Igniting the spark to change
Obese people are constantly under pressure to lose weight or change their lifestyles. Even if they are aware of health risks or problems, a drastic shift in their routine is typically too much for them, and they fail to follow through. The failure to accept the change often results in frustration and anger. Nurses are known to be the best counselors or excellent at communication. They can help an obese person to understand the change and its impact on their life in the longer run. Many programs or crash diets promise an instant change or weight loss, but their results are short-term. Nurses can ignite the spark in patients with obesity to take charge of their life and be the change that they want to see in their life.
5. Nutrition information
We are the food we eat is an adage, and it is true to every extent. If your diet has all the carbs and fats, you are more likely to gain weight and fall under the overweight category. On the other hand, people who eat a balanced diet stay in their healthy BMI range and live a healthy life. Losing weight requires changes in diet and lifestyle. Nurses can provide adequate access to nutritional information about the food that is part of a diet plan and how it is beneficial for the body.
Conclusion
Nurses play a substantial role in promoting healthier choices in patients. They are there for the patients throughout their recovery and educate them about their health to every possible extent. Nurses have the power to encourage a positive change in people to help them fight obesity and live a healthy lifestyle. They can walk them through different situations concerning their present condition and how the change will impact their lives longer.
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