Physical Activity in Youth: Research Findings and Evidenced Based Applications for Practice

Thesis (M.Nurs.), College of Nursing, Washington State UniversityThe high prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents is a serious public health concern. Childhood and adolescent obesity is considered an epidemic in many areas of the world and is on the rise in several others. Overweight and obese is measured by Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI in the 85th to 95th percentile is considered overweight with BMI at the 95th percentile and greater obese. Furthermore, the comorbidities associated with obesity in youth are numerous. This fact is expected to add significantly in the future to the prevalence of chronic diseases associated with adult obesity. The purpose of this paper is to review the current literature addressing childhood and adolescent obesity and its relationship to physical activity, to summarize the findings of current studies, and to provide targeted implications that Advanced Practice Nurses can apply with children and adolescents