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Introduction
As a nursing professional, there is the pressing need to address the cause rather than the symptoms of a public need relative to promotion of health in individuals, families, and the population in general (Flynn et al., 2006). This approach gives the nursing professional and the patient the opportunity to achieve the desired health status through adaption of healthy behaviors. To initiate such a transition, it is imperative that the nursing professional considers all the factors, which influence the poor lifestyle choices and how these choices can be approached from a health promotion perspective (Edelman & Mandle, 2010).
According to Pender et al. (2006), health promotion entails the strategies that address individual lifestyles and health choices, which in turn influence the health outcomes. Therefore, this paper will present the assessment of one family (a 44 year old male, divorced but living with his six year old son) relative to the Health Promotion Model (HPM), which provides a framework for exploration of the complex biopsychosocial processes that motivate individuals to engage in behavioral changes that promote their health and wellbeing in addition to the nursing implications of the model (Glanz et al., 2008).
Here, the HPM provides information on the structural, developmental, and the functional components of the individuals under assessment. In addition, the individual strengths and weaknesses are also identified relative to the role of the community resources in the individuals life. Moreover, the discussions demonstrate the impact of the concepts of HPM on the health and nursing. The participant agreed to take part in the assessment exercise but his name has been changed to ensure confidentiality.
Assessment of Risk
My client, GB has been suffering from Asthma since he was a child and his overweight condition further exacerbates his health status. In addition, his family has a history of high blood pressure and diabetes. Therefore, GB is at a greater risk of developing obesity and diabetic health complications. On the other hand, studies indicate that the major risk factor in diabetes is obesity, which is also influenced by the Body Mass Index (BMI) (Obesity society, 2010). Thus, managing GBs eating habits and lifestyle is the ideal approach towards reducing the risk of obesity and diabetes thereby improving his health status. Besides, studies show that management of eating habits can reduce the body weight by 10 lb in overweight individuals and make them energetic (Deurenberg & Yap, 1999).
Susceptibility and Stage of Change
According to Prochaska et al. (1995), an individual who is willing to adopt a positive behavioral change is in the planning of and preparation (contemplation) stage of change. My client, GB has already tried to quit negative behaviors and adopt positive change in the past two years. GB has been contemplating on incorporating a healthy lifestyle in his new years resolutions but failed to accomplish his plans because of many reasons.
After interviewing GB, he seemed ready to make a personal effort in changing his eating habit because he felt that he has not been eating healthy meals. According to GB, he eats a lot of fast foods and therefore, he has gained a lot of weight. In addition, he feels tired on a daily basis and lacks the motivation to participate in strenuous activities. Therefore, GB is at a greater risk of becoming obese and diabetic because of his increased BMI and the history of high blood pressure and diabetes, which runs in his family (Obesity Society, 2010).
Personal Health Goals
GBs short-term goal is to feel good, both mentally and physically and he aims to accomplish his goal by eating healthy. Therefore, the short-term goals for this project should aim at achieving better eating habits through implementation of the eating pyramid. Here, the healthy eating pyramid recommends that people who are at risk of developing obesity and diabetes should reduce the consumption of red meat, potatoes, and refined grains (U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, 2009).
Therefore, my goal is to cut down on these diets to once a week from three times a week. Additionally, I intend to recommend reduction of dairy products such as whole milk to 1-2 servings per day. Furthermore, saturated fat will be replaced with healthier unsaturated vegetable oils. This will also be supplemented with consumption of large amounts of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
Relative to the recommendations of the eating pyramid, I came up with the ideal menu that will be used to achieve GBs daily dietary requirements. Therefore, a typical menu includes:
Breakfast: 1/2 cup of orange juice, 1 cup cooked oatmeal, and 1-cup low fat milk
Lunch: 3 slices of turkey breast, 2 slices of whole grain bread, Fresh broccoli, tomato slices, 1 tablespoonful low fat dressing, and 1 apple.
Snack: 1/2 cup tomato juice and 2 large rice cakes
Dinner: 1/2 chicken breast (baked or broiled), 1/2 cup steamed zucchini and carrots (1 small roll), and 1 tablespoonful reduced calorie butter.
Snack: 1-cup fat-free, sugar-free hot cocoa and 3 fat-free cookies.
On the other hand, the long-term goals should be aimed at achieving behavioral change and improved health. Therefore, GB will be advised to engage more in physical activity and change his sedentary lifestyle (U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, 2009).
Analysis of Behavior
GB started engaging in poor eating habits and unhealthy lifestyles after loosing his job. Furthermore, his financial status did not allow him to eat healthy and therefore, he chose to eat a lot of fast foods, which ultimately led to his overweight condition. Additionally, he started leading a sedentary lifestyle because he spent most of his time watching TV and eating. Consequently, he gained 25 lb of weight within one year.
Therefore, unemployment and poor economic status are the main circumstances, which occasioned the unhealthy behavior observed in GB (Murray & Zentner, 2009). These two factors can also be barriers to possible behavioral changes in GB because being unemployed means that GB would lack resources to purchase healthy foods and equipment for physical exercise. However, GB is determined and willing to use all the resources at his disposal to ensure that he eats healthy and avoids any chances of experiencing high blood pressure and diabetes.
The perceived self-efficacy for change is pegged on the fact that GB is motivated to change for the better and feel good both mentally and physically. Besides, studies show that it is much easier to manage an individual who is already in the planning and preparation stage (Glanz et al., 2008). Here, the role of a nursing professional is to facilitate the change process and encourage maintenance by using the available resources.
Additionally, to prevent relapse from this stage of change, I intend to reward GB for every positive step he takes. For instance, if GB manages to cut his weight by one pound within the first month, he will be given a certain amount of money for his upkeep and food. Besides, GB will be given free membership in the local gym for one year to encourage his active involvement in physical exercises. Moreover, GB will be encouraged to maintain a diary showing his daily nutritional and food in-take in addition to his personal health goals. Here is an example of a typical diary:
Daily Food/Nutrition Diary
Start Date: 21st January, 2010
Current weight: 190 pounds
Target weight: 130 pounds
Time frame: 6 months
Health Goals: Lower my blood pressure
Reduce my weight
Lower my cholesterol levels
Avoid alcohol
As noted earlier, the main community resources available in GBs neighborhood is the community-owned gym and the sports ground. These venues will be used for the daily physical exercises and aerobics to burn the extra calories. In addition, there is a self-help and counseling group in GBs neighborhood, which draws its membership from the community. Therefore, GB will be encouraged to join this group to improve his financial status and learn to manage stress, loneliness, helplessness, and his mental health. However, the community lacks the services of a nutritionist who can guide the community members on better eating habits. Therefore, the community-based nursing professionals should ensure that the services are readily available to the community.
Evaluation
Having successfully completed the behavioral change project, I have learnt the functions of a nursing professional in addressing various problems facing the community and individuals in general. Most importantly, GBs case has brought to my attention the major risky behaviors, which are possible risk factors in the development of various health complications such as obesity and diabetes.
On the other hand, assessing the current condition of my client after the commencement of the behavioral change project, I can certainly note that GB has already achieved his short-term goals. Through managing the variety and amount of food he consumes, GB notes that he feels energetic and has lost about 10 lb of weight within three months. Moreover, GB is an active member of the local gym and the self-help group. Therefore, his health is improving and the chances of developing obesity and diabetes have been greatly minimized. Overall, addressing the cause rather than the symptoms is the ideal approach that should be employed by all nursing professionals to address various problems facing the general public.
Reference List
Deurenberg, P. & Yap, M. (1999). The assessment of obesity: Methods for measuring body fat and global prevalence of obesity. Baillieres Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab., 13(1), 1-11.
Edelman, C. & Mandle, C. (2010). Health promotion throughout the life span, (7th ed.). St. Louis: C.V. Mosby.
Flynn, M.A., McNeil, D.A., Maloff, B., Mutasingwa, D. & Tough, S.C. (2006). Reducing obesity and related chronic disease risk in children and youth: A synthesis of evidence with best practice recommendations. Obes. Rev., 1(2), 1-5.
Glanz, K., Viswanath, K., & Rimmer, B. Eds. (2008). Health behavior & health education: theory, research and practice, (4th ed.). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishing.
Murray, R & Zentner, Y. R. (2009). Nursing assessment & health promotion strategies through the Life Span, (8th ed.). NJ: Prentice Hall.
Obesity Society. (2010). Obesity, bias and stigmatization. Web.
Pender, N., Murdaugh, C. & Parsons, M.A. (2006). Health promotion in nursing practice, (6th ed.). Norwalk, Conn.: Appleton & Lange.
Prochaska, J. et al (1995). Changing for Good. New York: Avon Books.
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. (2009). Guide to clinical preventive services. (Abridged). Web.
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