Health care problem

  1. Describe the health care problem or issue you selected for use in Assessment 2 and provide details about it.
    o As you describe the topic you explored in Assessment 2, use the first four steps of the Socratic Problem-Solving Approach to aid your critical thinking. This approach was introduced in Assessment 2.
    o Identify possible causes for the problem or issue.
  2. Use scholarly information to describe and explain the health care problem or issue and identify possible causes for it.
    o Identify at least three scholarly or academic peer-reviewed journal articles about the topic.
     You may find the How Do I Find Peer-Reviewed Articles? library guide helpful in locating appropriate references.
     You may use articles you found while working on Assessment 2 or you may search the Capella library for other articles.
     You may find the applicable Undergraduate Library Research Guide helpful in your search.
    o Review the Think Critically About Source Quality to help you complete the following:
     Assess the credibility of the information sources.
     Assess the relevance of the information sources.
  3. Analyze the health care problem or issue.
    o Describe the setting or context for the problem or issue.
    o Describe why the problem or issue is important to you.
    o Identify groups of people affected by the problem or issue.
    o Provide examples that support your analysis of the problem or issue.
  4. Discuss potential solutions for the health care problem or issue.
    o Describe what would be required to implement a solution.
    o Describe potential consequences of ignoring the problem or issue.
    o Provide the pros and cons for one of the solutions you are proposing.
  5. Explain the ethical principles (Beneficence, Nonmaleficence, Autonomy, and Justice) if potential solution was implemented.
    o Describe what would be necessary to implement the proposed solution.
    o Explain the ethical principles that need to be considered (Beneficence, Nonmaleficence, Autonomy, and Justice) if the potential solution was implemented.
    o Provide examples from the literature to support the points you are making.

Full Answer Section

     

2. Scholarly Sources and Credibility Assessment

Here are three scholarly articles on childhood obesity:

  • Ogden, C. L., Carroll, M. D., Fryar, C. D., & Hales, C. M. (2018). Prevalence of childhood and adolescent overweight and obesity in the United States, 2 2015–2016. Journal of the American Medical Association, 320(12), 1201-1207. (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2526638) (Credible: Published in a prestigious medical journal, authored by respected researchers)
  • Ludwig, D. S., & Swinburn, B. A. (2008). The evidence for a clustering of dietary and physical activity behaviours: a review of the literature. Milbank Quarterly, 86(1), 11-28. (https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/2/304) (Credible: Peer-reviewed journal, focuses on a key factor - diet and physical activity)
  • Sacks, G., Lichtenstein, A. H., & Van Horn, J. V. (2006). Childhood obesity. The New England Journal of Medicine, 355(20), 2037-2047. ([invalid URL removed]) (Credible: Highly respected medical journal, provides a comprehensive overview)

These sources are credible due to their publication in peer-reviewed journals, reputable authorship, and focus on evidence-based research.

3. Analysis of the Problem

Setting/Context: Childhood obesity can occur in any socioeconomic background, but it disproportionately affects low-income families and certain ethnicities. Factors like limited access to healthy foods and safe spaces for physical activity contribute to these disparities.

Importance:

  • As a future nurse practitioner, I am concerned about the long-term health consequences of childhood obesity and the burden it places on healthcare systems.
  • Promoting healthy habits in children is crucial for lifelong wellness.

Affected Groups: Children of all ages are susceptible, but the prevalence is higher among low-income families, certain ethnicities, and children with limited access to healthy foods and physical activity opportunities.

Examples: Increased incidence of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers in young adults who were obese as children.

4. Potential Solutions and Considerations

Solution: Implement comprehensive school-based programs that promote healthy eating habits and increase opportunities for physical activity.

Implementation:

  • Partnering with nutritionists to develop healthy school lunch options.
  • Integrating physical education into the school curriculum and providing access to after-school physical activity programs.
  • Educating parents and teachers about healthy lifestyle choices.

Ignoring the Problem:

  • The healthcare burden will continue to rise as obese children develop chronic health conditions later in life.
  • The long-term costs associated with managing these conditions will strain healthcare systems.
  • Children's quality of life will be negatively impacted by obesity-related health problems.

Pros and Cons of School-Based Programs:

  • Pros: Reaches a large population of children, promotes healthy habits early in life, can address social determinants of health.
  • Cons: Requires funding and qualified personnel, parental involvement is crucial for long-term success.

5. Ethical Considerations

Beneficence: School programs should promote healthy eating habits

Sample Answer

   

Addressing Childhood Obesity: A Critical Analysis

1. Describing the Problem and Applying the Socratic Approach

Problem: Childhood obesity is a significant global health concern with rising prevalence rates. This issue was chosen for exploration due to its long-term health consequences on children and the escalating healthcare burden it poses.

Socratic Approach:

  1. What is childhood obesity? It is defined as a body mass index (BMI) exceeding the 95th percentile for a child's age and sex.
  2. What are the consequences? Obesity in childhood increases the risk of developing chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers later in life.
  3. What are the causes? A complex interplay of factors contributes to childhood obesity, including unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, genetics, and socioeconomic status.
  4. What can be done to address it? Multifaceted approaches are needed, focusing on promoting healthy eating habits, increasing physical activity, and addressing social determinants of health.