Victoria Udongwo
University of South Alabama
Theoretical/Ethical Basis for Practice
The science of nursing is guided by theories which forms the foundation of understanding patients, their health problems and plan interventions to address these problems. Nursing has a set of beliefs unique to nurses and forms the foundation of practice. The objective of this paper is to explore various nursing theory and ethical framework as it relates to obesity. Phenomenon of Interest The rapid increase in obesity rate worldwide in the last decade has reached an epidemic proportion. Obesity has become a notable public health problem because of its overspreading impacts and measures to curb or reduce the obesity rates have not been successful (Hammond, 2014). Obesity has been identified as a complex problem which involves multi- related contributing factors. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recent report recommended a “systems approach” and model tools from complexity science (Institute of Medicine [IOM], 2012). Reducing the obesity problem will require a holistic, multi-systems and integrated approach. Nursing Meta-paradigm A meta-paradigm is a generalized concept of a discipline. It acts as an enveloping structure where the most restrictive concepts can be developed (Fawcett & DeSanto-Madeya, 2013). The meta-paradigm of nursing focuses on the person, environment, health and nursing. These four concepts are the unifying force for all nurses regardless of their practice setting. In caring for an obese patient, the nurse approaches the care of this condition not only with the person in mind but that the individual is part of the family and the family is part of the environment , attempting to restore the patient back to health through various nursing interventions. The meta-paradigm of nursing. According to Nightingale, nurses should work to prevent disease and care for patients in an optimal environment that
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