Discussion- Presentation of Epidemiological Problem A
This week you will share your findings from your problem paper. You will write up an abstract summarizing your findings. Your abstract should consist of 100 to 500 words. Keep in mind that an abstract should summarize your research, including its key themes and problems and providing your major conclusions.
Sample
The global epidemic of obesity is a significant concern in the United States. Obesity is a preventable chronic medical disease that is increasing in prevalence worldwide. It is defined as the “weight that is higher than what is considered as a health weight for a given height” (CDC, 2016). In the U.S., more than one third of adults are obese. Globally in 2016, more than 1.9 billion adults were overweight and over 650 million were obese. In the state of Florida, 36% of adults are overweight and 26.2% of adults are obese (CDC, 2016).
Obesity is a multi-factorial condition. There are many causes that contribute to obesity, which are also often associated with many other significant diseases. Some causes include behavioral, genetic, hormonal, environmental, and social factors. Other diseases associated with obesity include diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, stroke, depression, and coronary heart disease (Mayo Clinic, 2018). To determine obesity, Body Mass Index (BMI) is used as a measuring tool to calculate ones body fat. A BMI of 25.0 or above is considered overweight and 30.0 or greater is considered obese.
Due to the high medical costs in the U.S., health care providers should screen all adults for obesity and assess risk factors such as family history, diet, and physical activity specific for every individual. As a future Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), screening and prevention of obesity should be considered a priority. Evidence based strategies should be implemented to treat and prevent obesity by providing patients with community resources, developing a plan based on daily caloric intake, increasing physical activity, and utilizing a daily diary to reach certain goals.
Obesity is a complex public health issue. With the right policies, strategies, and collaborative efforts involving governments, media, health care providers, and individuals, the growing obesity epidemic can change.
Reference
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2016). Overweight and obesity. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/obesity.adult/defining.html (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
Mayo Clinic. (2018). Obesity. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/disease-conditions/obesity/symptoms-causes/syc-20375742 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
