The Nurse Practitioner and Nutrition Screening and Intervention for Young Children

Overweight in childhood has been linked to numerous cardiovascular risk factors in life. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of addressing overweight early to assist children in developing healthy eating and lifestyle habits, thus modifying risk factors. Nurse practitioners (NP's) in the primary care setting are ideally situated to provide screening for children who are at risk for being overweight and to implement individualized treatment for overweight children. The purpose of this descriptive study was to evaluate the current attitudes, barriers, and practice behaviors of NPs regarding their delivery of nutrition screening and intervention for children two through six years of age. Neuman's System Model, the American Heart Association's Cardiovascular Health Schedule for Children, and the American Academy of Pediatrics Guidelines provided the framework for this study. Questions were based on findings of previous studies and were developed with the assistance of nurse practitioners and dieticians. A convenience sample consisted of NPs attending a national conference. Only those NPs currently treating young children were in invited to complete the questionnaire. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed and findings are reported as aggregate data. Findings suggest that NP's believe that nutrition screening intervention are important but differ as to what they believe are appropriate nutrition intervention guidelines for practice. A majority of NP's felt that they were lacking in nutritional knowledge, and felt that this affected their ability to provide effective counseling. The study has implications for NP's that currently treat young children in primary care settings as well as those who develop NP curricula.Master'sSchool of Health Professions and Studies: NursingUniversity of Michiganhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/117853/1/Matus.pd