Degree Name

Nursing Practice, DNP

Publication Date

2020

Upload Date

2024

First Advisor

Sarah Davidson

Second Advisor

Lisa Waggoner

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the interest of obese adults in participating in a weight management program based on Intensive Behavioral Therapy as recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). Methods: During a three-week period, a non-probability consecutive sample of 73 patients with scheduled healthcare appointments at a primary care setting in eastern Arkansas were recruited to complete a 15-item Obesity questionnaire. Eligible participants included non-pregnant, mentally competent adults between the ages of 18 to 65 years with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater. Results: Typical demographic characteristics reflected middle-aged (47 years of age), African American women (72.6%) with one co-morbidity and a BMI of 40. Data analysis utilizing non-parametric techniques and correlational analysis revealed 90.4% were most interested in weight management help with weight loss, diet/nutrition, and physical activity. Weight loss surgery was the least reported area of interest at 24.7%. Conclusion: Obesity is the most prevalent chronic disease affecting nearly 40% of all adults in the United States, yet this chronic complex disease remains largely underdiagnosed and undertreated in most primary care settings. Development of a weight management program based on the specific interest of this study cohort will serve to improve health outcomes and reduce the burden of this disease.

Rights Management

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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Nursing Commons

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