Credentials of the Author
The author is justified to write this article because is a qualified nurse who works at Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow, where she uses the tools in question to attend to her patients. Therefore, one can have confidence in her contribution to this topic. In addition, the author is knowledgeable and well-informed on this subject.
This is supported by the fact that she can understand the importance of the information that she has obtained to her patients (Cowan 59). Also, the writer can quote how the tools under consideration are applied in nursing, as well as the various challenges that face the application of these tools. The author says that “As a nurse, health promotion is part of my role, and will pass on to patients the information that I have learned” (Cowan 59).
After reading through this article, one can tell that the author is a dedicated health professional. She has been able to present what she learned about body mass index (BMI), as well as malnutrition universal screening in a way that proves that she was attentive during the training that she attended. Some of the participants in various trainings are not able to comprehend and present what they learn after training.
On the contrary, Cowan can give the reader what the training was all about. It is encouraging to read that the writer is dedicated to educating her patients on the new information that she has obtained. Therefore, one can conclude that the character of the author is one of dedication, and she loves her profession.
The organization of the work into short, yet informative paragraphs portray the author as an organized individual. The fact that there is a picture to illustrate the topic under discussion clearly shows that this writer is passionate about delivering her message to many people as possible. This is supported by the fact that pictures can draw the attention of many individuals because pictures are easy to interpret.
Summary of the Article
The article is about two commonly used tools in the nursing sector; that is, the body mass index (BMI) and the Malnutrition Universal Screening, with particular attention to BMI. It is like a presentation by a nurse who followed training on the prevention of obesity. Some of the limitations that hinder the effectiveness of the BMI have been given as changes in the mass around the belly and ethnicity because some communities have varying differences in masculinity.
The predisposing risk factors for obesity have been outlined. The major factor has been given as the environment surrounding the uterine that may lead to failure in hormonal balance. This may then lead to increased appetite and obesity in the future. Other factors that may lead to obesity have been given as genetics, choice of food, stress, inadequate physical exercises, and medications.
The prevention measures against obesity have been given in order to educate the reader on how well to guard oneself against the condition. One such measure is regular physical exercises. The writer says that the recommended amount of time that should be dedicated to physical activity is between 45 and 60 minutes. This time can be spread across the day into smaller portions of, for example, 10 minutes each.
Another measure that has been emphasized in this article is the issue of a good diet. Cowan says, “some patients have a poor understanding of food choices, so nutritional education is important, particularly for men” (59). Therefore, the writer decided to educate the men in her ward so that they could adjust to better nutritional choices.
One of the critical questions that the reader asks himself while reading this article is: What could happen to our health sector if all nurses were as dedicated as Cowan?
Work Cited
Cowan, Michelle. “Obesity Prevention.” Nursing Standard 24.26 (2010): 59-59. Print.