All replies must be constructive and use literature where possible. 150 words each, 1 citation each . apa citations
response 1:Case 2
Suset
Prevention of obesity
Preventing obesity in children is important for better health outcomes. Children who are obese or overweight are more likely to continue being overweight in adulthood. Children who are obese are five times more likely to be obese when compared to children of normal weight (Lee & Yoon, 2018). Obesity increases the risk of developing health conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, hypertension, stroke, chronic kidney disease and increased risk for mortality. Preventing obesity begins as children because you start to form behaviors in your childhood years (Lee & Yoon, 2018). As a nurse practitioner you should educate school-aged children and their parents about interventions to prevent childhood obesity. These interventions include educating children about eating a healthy diet, being active, and providing resources as needed. Children should be taught to limit sugar intake and processed foods and should be encouraged to eat nutrient dense foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Teaching them about portion control is equally important. Children would benefit from seeing visual pictures of what their plates should look like. Additionally, children should be encouraged to participate in physical activities. This includes participating in physical education classes, being active during recess, joining sports and encouraging hobbies that include being active. Nurse practitioners should provide resources to parents of overweight children as needed. This may include giving referrals to primary care providers, dieticians, and health advisors.
Eating disorders in adolescents
If an adolescent is suspected of having an eating disorder, professional help must be initiated. If this is a medical emergency, 911 should be called and the adolescent must be taken to the hospital. If it is not a medical emergency, a referral to a medical professional such as a psychologist or psychiatrist that has experience with eating disorders should be made. Depending on the severity of the eating disorder, the medical professional will decide if the adolescent requires inpatient or outpatient treatment. Family-based behavioral outpatient treatment is the most supported treatment for eating disorders (Limbers et al., 2018). The goal of family-based behavioral treatment is to allow the adolescent to remain at home with their family while the medical professional guides parents and gives them nutritional counseling. Parents must calmly guide their child’s eating and set boundaries as needed. When initiating conversations about eating disorders with adolescents, it’s important to initiate the topic in a private setting and remain empathetic, use active listening, ask open-ended questions, and offer support. Eating disorders can be difficult to understand and treat, therefore, adolescents need all the support from their families, medical professionals and other adults they are in close contact with.
Natural physical processes in adolescents
Several physical changes occur during adolescence. Natural physical processes that occur during adolescence include a rapid physical growth spurt and the onset of puberty (Edelman & Kudzma, 2018). These natural processes of biology and genetics are mainly due to hormonal changes. Adolescents will experience a spurt in height and weight, an increase in muscle mass, a development in reproductive organs, pubic and facial hair growth, and a deepening of the voice in males (Edelman & Kudzma, 2018). Puberty begins at different times for all adolescents, some experience it sooner than others. Females will experience the onset of menstruation and males will experience the onset of sperm production. Additional natural processes that occur during adolescence include a decrease in respiratory rate, an increase in size and strength of the heart, maturity of the gastrointestinal tract and the growth of permanent teeth (Edelman & Kudzma, 2018).
Violence among adolescents
Although violence rates among adolescents has decreased over the last few years, violence continues to be a health concern. For every 1000 adolescents, 9 adolescents will be victims of violence and homicide is the third leading cause of death in children over the age of 15 (Edelman & Kudzma, 2018). Adolescents can experience violence at home, schools, parks, or any other areas of the community. Health care practitioners can help prevent violence among adolescents by screening for risk factors of violence, educating adolescents about the effects of violence, and teaching adolescents strategies for managing anger and conflicts. Adolescents should be encouraged to talk to adults about bullying and harassment. Health care professionals should also incorporate parents and schools in preventing violence among adolescents. Parents should promote healthy relationships and monitor what their child accesses on the internet. Health care practitioners should make referrals to counselors and support groups as needed. Prevention and management of violence among adolescents requires a comprehensive approach.
References
Lee, E. Y., & Yoon, K. H. (2018). Epidemic obesity in children and adolescents: risk factors and prevention. Frontiers of medicine, 12(1), 658-666.
Limbers, C. A., Cohen, L. A., & Gray, B. A. (2018). Eating disorders in adolescent and young adult males: prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment strategies. Adolescent health, medicine and therapeutics, 8(1), 111-116.
Edelman, C., & Kudzma, E. (2018). Health promotion throughout the lifespan. Elsevier.
response 2: CASE STUDY 2
Arlet
Overweight and obesity is during the school-age years
A nurse practitioner can use a range of educational strategies to reduce the risk of being overweight and obese in their patients who are of school age. Some of these ways include instructing children in good food choices, encouraging them to participate in physical activity, and helping them develop healthy coping skills for dealing with stress. Helping students develop healthy thought patterns, encouraging them to keep a journal, and instructing them in relaxation techniques are all effective ways to teach students how to manage with stress, and it is imperative that teachers provide aid and tools to students who are feeling stress. In addition, nurse practitioners can work together with faculty and staff members to create an environment in schools that promotes healthy behaviors. This goal can be accomplished by incorporating physical activity into the school day, providing after-school sports teams and activities, and encouraging students to exercise on their own at home. It is also very important to educate students on the significance of maintaining an active lifestyle and the positive effects it can have on their health.
Interventions for adolescents suspected of having an eating disorder
It is possible for adolescents who are suspected of having eating disorders to benefit from a range of therapeutic approaches. These approaches include providing the adolescents with tools and support, initiating conversations about the issue, and referring the adolescents to a trained professional. When providing aid and resources, it is essential to maintain a respectful and neutral demeanor. It is also important to make information readily available on topics such as healthy eating practices, positive body image, and many resources for support and therapy. When having a conversation with a child about eating disorders, it is essential to be open and honest with the child, as well as to ask questions and encourage the child to communicate their thoughts. If a teen is thought to be suffering from an eating problem, it is imperative that they be referred to a specialist to undergo additional evaluation and treatment.
Physical changes of adolescents
The period known as adolescence is distinguished by several physiological shifts that take place spontaneously because of the interaction of biology and genetics. Some of these changes include the maturation of secondary sexual characteristics, an increase in height and weight, as well as shifts in both the brain and the body. According to Dlugasch and Story (2021), the growth spurt that occurs during puberty is responsible for both an increase in height and an increase in weight. Secondary sexual characteristics, such breasts in girls and facial hair in boys, begin to develop during this period known as adolescence. In addition, changes take place in both the body and the brain during adolescence, such as an increase in the size of the brain and the maturation of the reproductive organs (Dlugasch & Story, 2021).
Prevalence of violence among adolescents
The problem of violence among adolescents is a severe one from a public health standpoint. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide was the second leading cause of mortality among children aged 10 to 17 years old in the United States in 2015 (Hinduja et al., 2018). youth have high rates of internet use, which contributes to the widespread problem of cyberbullying, which has real-world consequences for youth. By teaching and supporting adolescents as well as the families of those youth, health care practitioners can assist in the detection or prevention of violence committed by juveniles. Patients might reduce their vulnerability to violent acts by making use of resources such as counseling and support groups, which are often suggested to them by professionals working in the medical field.
References
Dlugasch, L., & Story, L. (2021). Applied Pathophysiology for the advanced practice nurse. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Hinduja, S., & Patchin, J. W. (2018). Connecting adolescent suicide to the severity of bullying and cyberbullying. Journal of School Violence, 18(3), 333–346. https://doi.org/10.1080/15388220.2018.1492417
