Paper
Saturday, 22 July 2006
This presentation is part of : State of the Science in Translational Research
Development of Evidence-Based Obesity Prevention Clinical Practice Guidelines
Bonnie Gance-Cleveland, RN, PNP, PhD, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA, Leigh Small, PhD, RN, CPNP, Pediatrics, Arizona State University College of Nursing, Tempe, AZ, USA, and Deborah Loman, RN, PNP, PhD, Pediatric, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA.
Learning Objective #1: Describe the process for developing evidence-based clinical practice guidelines.
Learning Objective #2: Review the evidence and decide upon the strenth of the evidence to support clinical practice.
Development of Evidence-Based Obesity Prevention Clinical Practice Guidelines: Experience of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP)
Bonnie Gance-Cleveland, RN, PNP, PhD
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Leigh Small, RN, PNP, PhD
Arizona State University
Deborah Loman, RN, PNP, PhD
Saint Louis University

National surveys which have tracked weight internationally for over 40 years have shown an increase in overweight children and adolescents. Overweight children are more likely to develop type II diabetes, hypertension, orthopedic and lung problems. A recent study reported obese children and their parents felt the child’s quality of life was similar to pediatric cancer patients.

The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners responded to the obesity epidemic by convening a group of national experts on overweight children to develop evidence-based guidelines for practitioners’  use  when counseling their patients and families  regarding strategies to encourage ‘Healthy Eating and Activity Together (HEAT).  

The experts  established work groups for each child age group (Infant, Toddler, School-age, and Adolescent) and a research group to evaluate the available evidence to support the recommendation developed by the  age-appropriate work groups. A comprehensive search of the available literature was conducted and the criteria established by the American Academy of Pediatrics was used to  level  the evidence.
This presentation will be a discussion of the process of developing evidence-based clinical practice guidelines and the resultant recommendations of NAPNAP for obesity prevention for children. The recommendations include age specific recommendations for physical activity, limiting inactivity, healthy eating, as well as, a discussion of the use of motivational interviewing to encourage activity and behavior change in pediatric clients and their families.

See more of State of the Science in Translational Research
See more of The 17th International Nursing Research Congress Focusing on Evidence-Based Practice (19-22 July 2006)