Childhood Obesity and Risk Assessment
Lachelle Purnell-Savoy
Walden University
NURS – 6512, Advanced Health Assessment & Diagnostic Reasoning
March 11, 2020
This study source was downloaded by 100000828896138 from CourseHero.com on 05-29-2022 05:15:00 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/58382004/Child-Healthcare-And-Assessment-week-3docx/
, Childhood Obesity and Risk Assessment
Childhood obesity is prevalent in the United States and is a public health concern (Alexander,
Alfonso, & Hansen, 2015). African American children are among the largest obese population
and death rate related to obesity (Alexander, Alfonso, and Hansen, 2015). Studies also show that
African American children in low social economical class have the highest rates of obesity
compared to other races (Jackson, Kimeli, & Eley, 2019). Family dynamics play a role in
childhood obesity. For example, children with obese parents are likely to be obese because
parents prepare meals for children. Nurse practitioners must have the skill to discuss sensitive
subjects such as obesity with patients and their families in a holistic manner. Understanding
patterns, trends, and lifestyle through a comprehensive health assessment can lead to a plan of
care that will promote optimal patient outcomes. In the scenario provided, the patient is
“Overweight 5-year-old black boy with overweight parents who work full-time and the boy
spends his time after school with his grandmother”. The nurse practitioner must ask patient and
family-centered questions, perform a comprehensive health history, and complete physical exam
to assess the patient for potential and actual risk. Health promotion, education, and risk
assessments will be discussed with the patient and their caregiver to optimize health.
Obtaining Health History in a Pediatric Patient
The Nurse practitioner has to obtain a health history from the family since the patient is 5
years of age. To start the interview, the nurse practitioner should introduce herself to the patient
and family members who brought the child into the clinic. To create a safe environment, the door
is closed, and the nurse practitioner is at eye level with the child. I would start by speaking to the
child. Asking open-ended questions will help the child open up to the interview and allow the
nurse practitioner to assess cognition. For example, the first question would be what brings you
This study source was downloaded by 100000828896138 from CourseHero.com on 05-29-2022 05:15:00 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/58382004/Child-Healthcare-And-Assessment-week-3docx/
Lachelle Purnell-Savoy
Walden University
NURS – 6512, Advanced Health Assessment & Diagnostic Reasoning
March 11, 2020
This study source was downloaded by 100000828896138 from CourseHero.com on 05-29-2022 05:15:00 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/58382004/Child-Healthcare-And-Assessment-week-3docx/
, Childhood Obesity and Risk Assessment
Childhood obesity is prevalent in the United States and is a public health concern (Alexander,
Alfonso, & Hansen, 2015). African American children are among the largest obese population
and death rate related to obesity (Alexander, Alfonso, and Hansen, 2015). Studies also show that
African American children in low social economical class have the highest rates of obesity
compared to other races (Jackson, Kimeli, & Eley, 2019). Family dynamics play a role in
childhood obesity. For example, children with obese parents are likely to be obese because
parents prepare meals for children. Nurse practitioners must have the skill to discuss sensitive
subjects such as obesity with patients and their families in a holistic manner. Understanding
patterns, trends, and lifestyle through a comprehensive health assessment can lead to a plan of
care that will promote optimal patient outcomes. In the scenario provided, the patient is
“Overweight 5-year-old black boy with overweight parents who work full-time and the boy
spends his time after school with his grandmother”. The nurse practitioner must ask patient and
family-centered questions, perform a comprehensive health history, and complete physical exam
to assess the patient for potential and actual risk. Health promotion, education, and risk
assessments will be discussed with the patient and their caregiver to optimize health.
Obtaining Health History in a Pediatric Patient
The Nurse practitioner has to obtain a health history from the family since the patient is 5
years of age. To start the interview, the nurse practitioner should introduce herself to the patient
and family members who brought the child into the clinic. To create a safe environment, the door
is closed, and the nurse practitioner is at eye level with the child. I would start by speaking to the
child. Asking open-ended questions will help the child open up to the interview and allow the
nurse practitioner to assess cognition. For example, the first question would be what brings you
This study source was downloaded by 100000828896138 from CourseHero.com on 05-29-2022 05:15:00 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/58382004/Child-Healthcare-And-Assessment-week-3docx/
