Adult Obesity: Application of Orem, King, and Pender's Conceptual Models
Adult obesity is one of the United States most serious health problems. Approximately 127 million adult Americans in the U.S. are overweight (American Obesity Association, n. d.). "Each year, obesity causes at least 300,000 excess deaths in the U.S., and healthcare costs of American adults with obesity amount to approximately $100 billion" (American Obesity Association, n. d.). Nurses in the healthcare profession are facing new challenges in managing this disease. This paper will analyze adult obesity by applying nursing theories from Dorothea Orem, Imogene King, and Nola Pender's models.
Adult Obesity's Relevance to Nursing
"The role of obesity in the etiology of diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and coronary artery disease is well established. Obesity is also recognized as a major risk factor in the development of many other diseases, such as gastro esophageal reflux, arthritis of weight-bearing joints, sleep apnea, and certain types of cancer" (Bond, Evans, DeMaria, Meador, Warren, Shannon, & Shannon, 2004, p. 849). Obesity is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Nurses caring for obese patients should recognize the need to use specialized assessment and management strategies to prevent poor patient outcomes. The case scenario provides an example of an obese female. TW is a 45 year old obese, Caucasian American female. She weighs 240 pounds and is five feet two inches tall. She has previously been seen at the clinic for bronchitis. However, today she would like to discuss her increase in weight gain and decrease in mobility. At this time, the patient's only past medical history is bronchitis, obesity, and decrease mobility. She denies any neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory and gastrointestinal issues. TW lives with her husband and two children in a smoke free home located in the suburbs. Her diet consists of