Patient Education, Straight Talk On Obesity

[nursinghumor]

How much time will we be spending on patient education Re: Obesity in the years to come? Will we be "sensitive" about the issue, careful not to offend/hurt the patient/family's feelings, or will we give the straight scoop?

Medical experts say it's time to stop cushioning the blow for children with weight problems and their parents and use the "O" words -- "overweight" and "obesity" -- when they apply.
The recommendation comes from a committee formed by the American Medical Association and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to study childhood obesity. Members include obesity experts from 14 professional organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics.
http://health.dailynewscentral.com/c...ew/0002332/36/

Thinking back to the AIDS/HIV epidemic back in the 80s, it immediately became a political hot potato. They tried very hard not to offend anyone.

It ended up being treated as more of a political issue than a public health one.

Hope they don't make the same mistake with childhood obesity. If they try to minimize the seriousness of it, encourage denial, the kids and parents won't act unless they have to.

If a child is obese, diagnose it, treat it and help them lose the weight.

Educate the patient and the parents on the risks of long-term obesity and give concrete suggestions on how to deal with it.

The terminology they've used up to now "at risk of overweight" encourages a "wait and see" approach, rather that identifying it as a treatable problem.

My two cents.

Andrew Lopez, RN
Nursing Associations, Degree Programs Online, Jokes, Schools, Scrubs & More
http://www.4nursing.com

[cassioo]

I'm just plain fat and know it. I don't thin we have to "cushion" it for our kids but also don't have to say hey fat kid but do need to offer better alternatives at home and in schools. I do know proper nutrition but don't usually follow it myself. I can imagine all of the parents who have no idea how to plan a balanced meal.