Childhood Obesity: A Review of Risk Factors, Prevention, and the Role of the Nurse Practitioner

Thesis (M.Nurs.), College of Nursing, Washington State UniversityChildhood obesity has become a major health concern and nurse practitioners can play a key role in its prevention, diagnosis and treatment. The purpose of this article is to help advanced practice nurses provide recommended screening, assessment, anticipatory guidance and counseling for overweight patients with their families at every routine health visit. This report will review the most current recommendations on childhood obesity along with suggestions about how to talk to children and their families about weight issues. Nurse practitioners are in an excellent position to empower caregivers to recognize the influence they have on their own children's development of lifelong habits of physical activity and nutritious eating