Date of Conferral
4-7-2025
Date of Award
April 2025
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
School
Nursing
Advisor
Margaret Harvey
Abstract
Childhood obesity is diagnosed in children with a weight that is above the normal levels for their age and height. This diagnosis can be made if the child's body mass index (BMI) percentile is equal to or above 95% for age and sex. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC; 2024), BMI, an anthropometric index of weight and height, is calculated by dividing a person's weight (in kilograms) by the square of their height (in meters), is used to assess if a child is underweight, overweight, obese or of healthy weight. The Cleveland Clinic (2024) noted that BMI is used to assess a child's health, with a BMI =/> 95 % for age and sex in children 2 years old or older of concern. Sensitive, knowledgeable pediatric providers can have a positive impact in decreasing this epidemic in the United States and other countries of those patients diagnosed with childhood obesity. I recognized that to affect social change or positively impact this epidemic, close monitoring, treatment of obesity, and follow-up care are needed. In this project, my goal was to develop a clinical practice guideline (CPG) for pediatric providers who provide ongoing care to patients affected by or at risk for childhood obesity. An expert panel of a pediatrician and a nurse practitioner used the AGREE II instrument as a 7-point Likert scale to ascertain the rigor of the literature used and the formatted CPG with recommendations to implement this CPG in practice. This CPG will enhance the pediatric provider's skills, aiming to improve follow-up care and visits.
Recommended Citation
Vaz, DENISE, "Clinical Practice Guideline for the Improvement of Care Compliance of Children Affected by Obesity" (2025). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 17491.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/17491
