There’s a good reason why research receives so much emphasis in the healthcare field. Whether you’re immersed in clinical trials or investigating your own personal genetic history, it’s important to keep the processes involved in mind. Gathering data and using it to inform and facilitate action is critical.
Healthcare workers routinely use the data they collect to guide their assessments. But in many cases, those data points aren’t enough on their own. For example, the obesity epidemic — which shows no signs of slowing in the U.S. — requires a more in-depth look into societal and community-level factors.
The William Paterson University (WP) online Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program equips students with the insight and skills to educate patients and promote better health outcomes for individuals and communities, including those dealing with obesity issues.
Obesity Facts and Figures
A deep dive into the data from recent decades reveals alarming statistics. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the prevalence of obesity increased from 30.5% to 41.9% from 1999-2000 to 2017-2020. The rates of severe obesity increased from 4.7% to 9.2% in that same period.
In children and adolescents, the latest data available indicates that obesity impacts 19.7% of children and adolescents in the U.S., about 14.7 million. It also indicates that obesity prevalence is 12.7% among 2- to 5-year-olds, 20.7% among 6- to 11-year-olds, and 22.2% among 12- to 19-year-olds.
From a socioeconomic perspective, there’s a common thread among children, adolescents and adults in that some populations experience greater rates of obesity than others. Again, the CDC reports the following obesity percentages from 2017-2020:
- Adults: Non-Hispanic Black adults (49.6%) had the highest age-adjusted prevalence of obesity, followed by Hispanic adults (44.8%), non-Hispanic white adults (42.2%) and non-Hispanic Asian adults (17.4%).
- Children/Adolescents: Hispanic (26.2%) and non-Hispanic Black children (24.8%) had higher obesity prevalence than non-Hispanic white children (16.6%). Non-Hispanic Asian children (9%) had lower obesity prevalence than non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic children.
Income and education are also factors, with those in lower income brackets and those with less education constituting higher-risk populations. It’s imperative to note that overweight or obese populations are more at risk for developing life-threatening yet preventable conditions like heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer.
Why Is All This Relevant in Nursing?
Nurses are often the first line of care for individuals of all ages in settings ranging from schools and community-run healthcare facilities to pediatricians’ offices and emergency rooms. They are fundamental contributors to a community’s overall health. Those who have earned their RN to BSN degree, in particular, have gained preparation and knowledge in evidence-based practice. BSN-prepared nurses have completed coursework focusing on theories and concepts related to contemporary nursing practice in community health.
For example, WP’s online RN to BSN program offers a Population Health, Legislation and Social Policy course that equips nursing students with foundational knowledge in social determinants of health, social policy, population interventions and more. Additionally, the Nursing Research course focuses on the research processes that make the foundation of the field and help improve social issues, like obesity.
The National Association of School Nurses (NASN) provides encouragement and resources school nurses can use to “support wellness, healthy nutrition, increased physical activity, and healthy lifestyle behaviors for all students.” School nurses often communicate with students’ parents or caregivers, which presents an additional opportunity for change.
Nurses can have a significant impact on a community as role models, sharing knowledge surrounding evidence-based practice with their healthcare teams. Nurses are not only advocates in this regard but also agents of change.
Learn more about WP’s online RN to BSN program.
