Caring for the Child Who is Obese
Caring for the Child Who is Obese
Two thirds of Americans are considered overweight, while 25% are obese. Obesity is the most common health problem facing U.S. children today, regardless of ethnicity, gender, or socioeconomic status. Lack of preplanning for the hospitalized obese child threatens both patient and caregiver safety, and is becoming a serious consideration in pediatric nursing. Some of the challenges in mobilizing larger children with an eye to preventing caregiver injury and promoting patient safety are explored. Equipment, policy formation, education, and legal considerations are outlined within this context. A case study is presented herein.
Sixty-seven percent of Americans are considered overweight, while 25% are obese as defined by a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater (National Institutes of Health [NIH], 2003). The prevalence of obesity among all Americans has increased by 50% from 1986-1998, and continues to increase at a dramatic rate regardless of ethnicity, gender, or age (Kushner, 2002). Obesity is a major concern for many adults, but more importantly, it is thought to be the most common health problem facing U.S. children today. Overweight and obesity are serious chronic conditions that are associated with a wide range of debilitating and life-threatening conditions (see Case Study). In health care settings, many pediatric patients who are obese become immobile simply because of their body weight. This poses care challenges, especially for clinicians charged with preventing or planning for nursing care. Pediatric nurses often assessment, planning, and evaluation of obesity-related care, for which they are largely unprepared. Both patient safety and caregiver injury are fast becoming serious considerations in managing the clinical care of children who are obese. This article explores and identifies some of the challenges in mobilizing larger children, with an eye to preventing caregiver injury. Equipment, policy formation, education, and legal considerations are outlined within this context. A case study is presented herein.
Two thirds of Americans are considered overweight, while 25% are obese. Obesity is the most common health problem facing U.S. children today, regardless of ethnicity, gender, or socioeconomic status. Lack of preplanning for the hospitalized obese child threatens both patient and caregiver safety, and is becoming a serious consideration in pediatric nursing. Some of the challenges in mobilizing larger children with an eye to preventing caregiver injury and promoting patient safety are explored. Equipment, policy formation, education, and legal considerations are outlined within this context. A case study is presented herein.
Sixty-seven percent of Americans are considered overweight, while 25% are obese as defined by a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater (National Institutes of Health [NIH], 2003). The prevalence of obesity among all Americans has increased by 50% from 1986-1998, and continues to increase at a dramatic rate regardless of ethnicity, gender, or age (Kushner, 2002). Obesity is a major concern for many adults, but more importantly, it is thought to be the most common health problem facing U.S. children today. Overweight and obesity are serious chronic conditions that are associated with a wide range of debilitating and life-threatening conditions (see Case Study). In health care settings, many pediatric patients who are obese become immobile simply because of their body weight. This poses care challenges, especially for clinicians charged with preventing or planning for nursing care. Pediatric nurses often assessment, planning, and evaluation of obesity-related care, for which they are largely unprepared. Both patient safety and caregiver injury are fast becoming serious considerations in managing the clinical care of children who are obese. This article explores and identifies some of the challenges in mobilizing larger children, with an eye to preventing caregiver injury. Equipment, policy formation, education, and legal considerations are outlined within this context. A case study is presented herein.