Introduction
Providing high-quality treatment to every patient is the guiding philosophy for healthcare practices. Registered nurses (RNs), whether doing advanced nursing courses or working in a professional medical environment, start their research inquiries utilizing an evidence-based practice methodology created from a well-formulated PICOT inquiry.
Developing a thorough PICOT question is a crucial skill for RNs enrolled in a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) initiative, especially an online DNP scheme. This essay will outline a practical plan for addressing teenage obesity based on secondary research. In addition, the PICO(T) approach is used, evidence sources that might address the study query are found, and meaningful results and their significance are discussed.
Use of the PICO(T) Method in Handling Obesity Among Adolescents
In emerging nations, obesity has surfaced as a severe, long-term health hazard. It is widely acknowledged that a rise in the global supplies of processed foodstuffs with high energy density, along with better food delivery and marketing, is a key contributor to obesity. Genetics, environmental circumstances, and metabolism can all contribute to obesity.
Obesity is a result of both excessive eating and a sedentary lifestyle. Adolescent obesity puts them at risk for diseases including type 2 diabetes, intermittent sleep disorder, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia (Haththotuwa et al., 2020). The PICO(T) inquiry will aid in determining whether or not health education can effectively combat obesity. The question being explored is: What approaches can be implemented to manage obesity among adolescents?
Adolescents make up the target group, and health education is the proposed intervention. The absence of health education is the contrast, and the period is three months. Giving the public knowledge that empowers them to take charge of their health condition is the goal of the health education strategy used in promoting health. Additionally, this intervention helps teenagers acquire and sustain healthy habits by strengthening their attitudes and beliefs. In this approach, the nurse can inform the populace about the importance of physical activity, a good diet, and body mass index (BMI) control.
Identification of Sources of Evidence
Behavioral Change Model
To answer the first PICOT question, namely, to determine the population or problem in question, the article by Cardel et al. Treatment of adolescent obesity is applicable (2021). Considering lifestyle risk determinants are the leading causes of morbidity and death, behavior is crucial in determining a person’s health. The behavioral change model is a powerful preventative strategy emphasizing healthy lifestyle adoption and tackling various lifestyle issues. This paradigm encourages teaching the populace about healthy lifestyle choices since poor lifestyles are the primary cause of teen obesity (Cardel et al., 2021).
The purpose of the knowledge is to alter behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs and the model is constitutive of a three-step approach. The criteria are accurately describing the patient’s behavior, pinpointing the root reasons, and providing recommendations for leading a healthy life (Cardel et al., 2021). The rationale for this approach is that it will assist nurses in educating patients about their health and motivating them to engage in physical activity and adopt healthy eating practices.
Self-Empowerment Model
To answer the first PICOT question, namely, to determine the population or problem in question, the article by Tucker et al. Health self-empowerment theory: Predicting behaviors and BMI in culturally diverse adults is applicable (2018). Even when health problems run in families or seem unavoidable, personal empowerment might help someone avoid them. Teenagers can receive all the necessary knowledge from the nurse to maintain a healthy lifestyle, but they must also be willing to use it.
The criteria of the strategy, sometimes called the self-actualization paradigm, are enhancing the person’s capacity to influence their health state as much as possible within their surroundings (Tucker et al., 2018). The rationale for using it is based on the need to improve a patient’s sense of self-worth and individuality and life skills growth. It consists of decision-making and problem-solving abilities to help the person be ready and take charge of their life.
Findings from Articles
To answer the third PICOT question, namely, to determine the other interventions to be considered, the articles by Lee & Yoon Epidemic obesity in children and adolescents: Risk factors and prevention (2018) and Yuksel et al. School-based intervention programs for preventing obesity and promoting physical activity and fitness: A systematic review (2020) are applicable. There is a need to enlighten all communities since overweight and obesity negatively affect people of all socioeconomic statuses.
According to Lee & Yoon (2018), criteria comprise of raising an understanding of dietary recommendations, using the resources at hand, and adopting better habits. The rational of using this method is the need of medical professionals to be critical in educating youngsters about preventative strategies. Teenagers must be given access to nutritious food at home and school; thus, society must take accountability for combating obesity among adolescents (Yuksel et al., 2020). Adopting health promotion tactics that will lower the prevalence of obesity is something that parents, teachers, and other adults should undertake.
Relevance of Findings from Articles
The articles by Lee & Yoon Epidemic obesity in children and adolescents: Risk factors and prevention (2018) and Yuksel et al. School-based intervention programs for preventing obesity and promoting physical activity and fitness: A systematic review (2020) are also applicable to answer the fourth and fifth PICOT question, namely, to determine the outcome desired and time frame. The rationale for using it lies in the significance to ensure that the data in research publications is pertinent to the research issue before employing them. Lee & Yoon’s (2018) work is significant because it sheds light on health education’s role by giving criteria the most important of which is preventing obesity.
Additionally, it specifies the stakeholders who ought to be participating in the educational program and what function they need to each do. Teenagers spend many hours on campus; thus, instructors are responsible for ensuring that the kids are informed about many elements of health since bad health also impacts performance (Yuksel et al., 2020). Since schools have access to a large population, they provide a better setting for health teaching. Yuksel et al. (2020) article is the most relevant and likely to lead to positive outcomes. The sources help create an effective teaching presentation for health education that caters to teenagers’ concerns.
Conclusion
Using PICOT questions is crucial while researching to gather the appropriate data. Teenage obesity must be addressed, and the population’s sickness burden must be decreased. The PICO(T) approach was used to assess whether educating teenagers about their health helps reduce obesity. To thoroughly investigate the efficacy of health education, the publications by Lee & Yoon’s (2018) and Yuksel et al. (2020) offer accurate, reliable, and pertinent information. Adolescents should receive health education to change their behavior for the better.
References
Haththotuwa, R. N., Wijeyaratne, C., N., & Senarath, U. (2020). Worldwide epidemic of obesity. Obesity and Obstetrics, 2(1), 3-8.
Lee, E. Y., & Yoon, K. H. (2018). Epidemic obesity in children and adolescents: Risk factors and prevention. Frontiers of Medicine, 12(2), 658-666. Web.
Cardel, M, I., Jastreboff, A. M, & Kelly, A. S. (2021). Treatment of adolescent obesity. The Journal of the American Medical Association, 322(17).
Tucker, C., Roncoroni, J., Wipplod, G. M., Marsiske, M., Flenar, D., & Hultgren, K. (2018). Health self-empowerment theory: Predicting behaviors and BMI in culturally diverse adults. Family and Community Health, 41(3), 168-177. Web.
Yuksel, H. S., Sahin, F. N., Maksimovic, N., Drid, P., & Bianco, A. (2020). School-based intervention programs for preventing obesity and promoting physical activity and fitness: A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(1), 347.