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Plunkett, Sarah G.

Nursing

2014

MS

Childhood obesity has more then doubled since 1980 and in the United States it is estimated that 17% of children ages 2-19 years are overweight or obese. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)published a set of guidelines for healthcare practitioners regarding the diagnosis, management, and treatment of overweight and obesity in children. Available literature is focused on the frequency in which healthcare practitioners follow the current guidelines and the barriers faced when implementing treatment. There is little research focusing on what influences a nurse practitioner (NP) to assign the diagnosis of overweight and obesity to a child and to initiate a plan of care. This cross sectional analysis included 22 NPs currently practicing in the rural northeastern United States. The NPs answered a series of 20 multiple choice and short answer questions.