NURS FPX 6026 Assessment 1 Analysis of Position Papers for Vulnerable Populations

NURS FPX 6026 Assessment 1 Analysis of Position Papers for Vulnerable Populations

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Capella University

NURS-FPX 6026 Biopsychosocial Concepts for Advanced Nursing Practice 2

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Date

Analysis of Position Papers for Vulnerable Populations

Adolescent obesity is a complex health issue characterized by an excess accumulation of body fat. Several factors, such as genetic, environmental, and behavioral aspects, influence the aggravation of the health condition, posing significant risks to the affected individual’s physical and mental well-being. Addressing this public health concern requires multifaceted interventions that will be evaluated in this analysis. This paper explores the position suggested by our interprofessional team and discusses the evidence-based contrary viewpoints for the suggested position. The purpose is to analyze the health concerns and 

Position and Assumptions Regarding Health Outcomes

Adolescent obesity, commonly affecting individuals from 12-18 years, is a significant healthcare concern. This demographic is crucial due to the lasting impact of obesity on physical and mental health, increasing the risk of chronic diseases. The current status of care for this healthcare concern includes a combination of medical and lifestyle modification interventions.

These include management through medications, nutritional counseling, and promotion of physical activities and sleep management (Johnson et al., 2020). Our position emphasizes a comprehensive approach to improving care and health outcomes through school-based interventions (educational initiatives and policy changes), crucial to fostering healthy behaviors, encouraging collaboration, and mitigating long-term consequences of obesity. 

This plan assumes educational interventions influence individual behaviors and foster a healthier lifestyle. Moreover, the plan presupposes that collaboration with school administrators, educators, and communities will help in the successful implementation and sustainability of the proposal (Johnson et al., 2020). Additionally, the plan assumes that policy changes to restrict unhealthy foods in schools will contribute to a supportive environment for adolescents. Overall, the plan assumes that a multifaceted, proactive approach involving education, community engagement, and policy changes will effectively address the complex determinants of adolescent obesity and improve overall health outcomes.

The Role and Challenges of the Interprofessional Team 

Interprofessional team collaboration is essential to address adolescent obesity by implementing a comprehensive school-based approach to improve affected individuals’ care and health outcomes. These interprofessional teams include school administrators, health educators, nutritionists, physical education instructors, school nurses, policymakers, parental involvement coordinators, and community liaisons. Each team member plays a crucial role in planning and integrating the proposal, presenting a multifaceted solution to this complex issue (Garg et al., 2023).

The roles range from administrative support to developing and delivering educational curricula on nutrition and physical activity. Furthermore, the team provides regular assessments, monitors progress, and facilitates communication with parents to encourage family engagement in adopting and sustaining healthy habits at home. Additionally, the team advocates for policy changes and community engagement, the most critical aspects of the proposal, ensuring wide-adoption and long-term implementation of the plan. 

The interprofessional approach is crucial to facilitate significant improvements in care and health outcomes for obese adolescents. Such improvements include comprehensive care, resource optimization, and patient-centeredness. An interprofessional team ensures that all dimensions of care are considered, providing a more holistic and well-rounded approach (Garg et al., 2023). This efficient collaboration among interprofessional team members allows for the optimal use of resources by preventing duplication of efforts and avoiding resource wastage. This aspect is crucial for underserved and resource-constrained areas.

NURS FPX 6026 Assessment 1 Analysis of Position Papers for Vulnerable Populations

Additionally, By incorporating input from various professionals, the school-based interventions become more patient-centered, tailoring interventions according to individual needs and preferences (Wolfenden et al., 2022). However, this interdisciplinary approach encounters several challenges, including resource limitations, resistance to change or differences of opinions, and ineffective communication. Limited human and financial resources may hinder the seamless implementation of the proposal, potentially compromising the intervention’s efficacy. Moreover, some stakeholders may resist or have different opinions towards adopting new practices or policies, hindering the plan’s sustainability.

Lastly, communication barriers, such as a lack of regular updates and ineffective communication channels, may lead to fragmented care and a lack of cohesion in implementing interventions. Mitigating these challenges is essential for successfully implementing the plan ensuring desired changes in the care and health outcomes for obese adolescents. 

Evaluating Supporting Evidence and Recognizing Knowledge Gaps 

Several scholarly studies and renowned organizations support our position for school-based interventions to combat adolescent obesity. The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) initiated a behavior-change model, a school-based initiative to address obesity in school-going children. This initiative highlights school wellness policies, nurturing adolescents’ confidence to choose healthier lifestyles. This program reduced the Body Mass Index (BMI) percentile and improved blood pressure for the experimental group, representing the effectiveness of school-based face-to-face mentoring and educational initiatives in improving health outcomes for affected individuals (Narayanan, 2019). 

Another systematic review and meta-analysis by Jacob et al. (2021) emphasizes the potential of school-based health education interventions to reduce BMI and progress adolescents toward healthy lives. This study suggests that health education through technological mediums, parental involvement, and environmental changes through school-based policies about healthy dietary choices and enhanced physical activities are effective strategies to achieve the desired health outcomes. Therefore, the study concludes that there is a need for future collaborative interventions between healthcare organizations and schools to promote active engagement of young individuals with obesity-cutting interventions, leaving long-term positive impacts. 

NURS FPX 6026 Assessment 1 Analysis of Position Papers for Vulnerable Populations

Supporting our position, another systematic review concludes the expansion of school curricula to integrate a combination of nutritional education and physical activities to reduce, prevent, and manage adolescent obesity. Along with educational initiatives, this review provides significant insights for policymakers to develop and implement school-based nutrition and physical activity policies. These policies are essential to promote healthy habits, prevent and manage obesity, and contribute to developing lifelong healthy behaviors among students (Klein et al., 2023). However, this review summarizes the need for more comprehensive tracking measures to monitor interventional effectiveness and make necessary adjustments within the schools by using evidence-based approaches, ultimately improving the health and well-being of children. 

Nevertheless, specific knowledge gaps and areas of uncertainty persist amidst the substantial evidence supporting school-based interventions for adolescent obesity. One glaring knowledge gap is related to the long-term outcomes of these interventions. Although the studies present that these interventions reduced BMI and improved immediate health outcomes for the affected individuals, data gaps remain related to the sustainability of these outcomes. Moreover, the interplay of socioeconomic factors, cultural variations, and community engagement remain understudied, which might result in uncertain areas for successful implementation. Furthermore, the influence of advancing technologies and changing dietary trends presents ongoing uncertainties. Addressing these gaps and ambiguities is crucial for refining and developing strategies that remain effective for extended periods.

Evaluating Contrary Evidence on Our Position

With the substantial evidence supporting our team’s approach, some studies contradict or limit the approach of school-based interventions in addressing adolescent obesity. Among these contrary views, one of the significant perspectives is the potential for stigmatization. This stigma arises from emphasizing body weight, which can contribute to negative perceptions and biases. According to Baile et al. (2022), obesity biases are common issues in school-going children, where affected individuals are excluded from the primary activities within the school. Consequently, it exacerbates the mental health challenges faced by adolescents. Thus, the study concludes that educational and healthcare initiatives within the school must not be aggressive and avoid discrimination. 

Another contrary viewpoint is about the allocation of resources. The studies advocate for a broader societal approach involving families, communities, and healthcare systems instead of utilizing resources for individual school-based programs. Since resource limitations are a significant barrier to implementing school-based interventions, it is suggested that these resources be utilized for initiatives that impact the wider population (Almutairi et al., 2022). Redirecting resources to address crucial issues, such as socio-economic disparities and community environments, is suggested as a more comprehensive strategy to tackle the root causes of adolescent obesity. 

NURS FPX 6026 Assessment 1 Analysis of Position Papers for Vulnerable Populations

While recognizing concerns about potential stigmatization and unnecessary resource allocation in school-based interventions for adolescent obesity, our position highlights a nuanced and comprehensive approach. We recognize the risk of stigmatization and therefore emphasize the importance of framing interventions positively. We aim to promote overall health and well-being rather than focusing solely on individual weight. The position aims to create an inclusive and supportive environment that fosters positive behaviors to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Regarding resource allocation, our school-based interventions present a cost-effective strategy, reaching a considerable and diverse population. These preventive measures within the schools align with the goal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) policy, indirectly addressing socio-economic disparities and root causes of adolescent obesity. Furthermore, our plan emphasizes collaboration with parents and communities to optimize resources. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, adolescent obesity is a critical healthcare challenge that must be addressed in school-going children. Our team’s position to address the challenge highlights the effectiveness of a school-based intervention approach. Several studies support these interventions by showcasing their efficacy in shaping healthier behaviors during a critical age, impacting long-term behaviors. However, potential stigmatization and resource allocation are presented as contrary viewpoints to this approach. Addressing these concerns, we’ve underlined the need for a holistic approach to improve well-being, ensure cultural sensitivity, and foster collaborative efforts to create inclusive environments. By integrating diverse perspectives and mitigating potential pitfalls, our approach aims to foster improved care and healthier outcomes for obese adolescents.

References

Almutairi, N., Burns, S., & Portsmouth, L. (2022). Barriers and enablers to the implementation of school-based obesity prevention strategies in Jeddah, KSA. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being, 17(1), 2135197. https://doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2022.2135197 

Baile, J. I., González-Calderón, M. J., & Rabito-Alcón, M. F. (2022). Obesity bias in the school setting: A brief report. Children, 9(7), 1067. https://doi.org/10.3390/children9071067 

Garg, M., Badiuddin, H. F., Begum, S., Kumar, P., Ali Mohammed, C., Kalasuramath, S., & Gilbert, J. HV. (2023). Evaluation of co-existence of overweight and anemia among young adults in Coastal Karnataka, India using an interprofessional approach. Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health, 23, 101386. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cegh.2023.101386 

Jacob, C. M., Hardy-Johnson, P. L., Inskip, H. M., Morris, T., Parsons, C. M., Barrett, M., Hanson, M., Woods-Townsend, K., & Baird, J. (2021). A systematic review and meta-analysis of school-based interventions with health education to reduce body mass index in adolescents aged 10 to 19 years. The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 18, 1. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-020-01065-9 

Johnson, V. R., Cao, M., Czepiel, K. S., Mushannen, T., Nolen, L., & Stanford, F. C. (2020). Strategies in the management of adolescent obesity. Current Pediatrics Reports, 8(2), 56–65. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40124-020-00214-9 

NURS FPX 6026 Assessment 1 Analysis of Position Papers for Vulnerable Populations

Klein, D. H., Mohamoud, I., Olanisa, O. O., Parab, P., Chaudhary, P., Mukhtar, S., Moradi, A., Kodali, A., Okoye, C., & Franchini, A. P. A. (2023). Impact of school-based interventions on pediatric obesity: A systematic review. Cureus, 15(8). https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.43153 

Narayanan, N. (2019). A school-based intervention using health mentors to address childhood obesity by strengthening school wellness policy. Preventing Chronic Disease, 16. https://doi.org/10.5888/pcd16.190054 

Wolfenden, L., McCrabb, S., Barnes, C., O’Brien, K. M., Ng, K. W., Nathan, N. K., Sutherland, R., Hodder, R. K., Tzelepis, F., Nolan, E., Williams, C. M., & Yoong, S. L. (2022). Strategies for enhancing the implementation of school‐based policies or practices targeting diet, physical activity, obesity, tobacco or alcohol use. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2022(8), CD011677. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD011677.pub3