Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Date Created

3-2023

Abstract

ABSTRACT Almeida-Trujillo, Erika LeAnn. Development of a comprehensive primary care algorithm to manage children who are overweight and obese. Unpublished Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Research Project, University of Northern Colorado, 2023. Childhood obesity is an epidemic that continues to increase not only in the United States but also worldwide. For children aged 5-19 years, being overweight is considered a body mass index greater than one standard deviation above the growth reference median and obesity is defined as excess body fat that contributes to functional loss and life-threatening comorbidities. The literature indicated that previous population-based obesity prevention efforts have only been moderately successful and might not reflect the complex needs and preferences of some children and families. Thus, there was a need for individualized interventions that supported children who are overweight or obese in developing healthier practices that persist into adulthood. Primary care providers administer everything from prenatal to end-of-life care and are in a key position to monitor the health and wellbeing of children. However, many primary care providers serving pediatric populations lack a flexible set of guidelines to inform their care of children who are overweight or obese. Having a systematic yet localized approach might streamline the intervention process and improve patient outcomes. Clinical tools such as algorithms might guide providers toward evidence-based interventions and utilization of local services. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice scholarly project was to develop and evaluate a treatment algorithm for children identified as being overweight or obese designed for use in the primary care setting using published evidence and a panel of clinical experts. Using the Delphi method, a panel of nine clinical experts provided feedback on increasingly refined drafts of a iv proposed algorithm. The Stetler (2001) model was utilized as a theoretical framework throughout the project. After two rounds of feedback and revisions, broad consensus among the panel was achieved. Findings from this scholarly project also included a proposal for future pilot testing of the final draft algorithm in a family practice or pediatric clinical setting. Keywords: childhood obesity, obese, epidemic, comorbidities, intervention, algorithm

Keywords

childhood obesity; obese; epidemic; comorbidities; intervention; algorithm

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