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Original Article • Rev. Latino-Am. Enfermagem 30 (spe) • 2022 • https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.6294.3789   copy

Management of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents by nurses: a mixed-method study* * This article refers to the call “Adolescent health and the role of nurses”. Edited by Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing Research Development, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. Publication of this supplement was supported by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO). Articles have undergone the journal’s standard peer-review process for supplements. The views expressed in this supplement are those of the authors alone and do not represent the views of PAHO/WHO. Paper extracted from doctoral dissertation “Management of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents by family health strategy nurses: a mixed methods studys”, presented to Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil.

Authorship SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

Abstract

Objective:

to analyze the management of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents by nurses of the Family Health Strategy.

Method:

this is a study of convergent parallel mixed methods, developed in Health Centers of a municipality in northeastern Brazil. In the quantitative stage, data were collected from a questionnaire applied to 98 nurses and analyzed by descriptive statistics. For the qualitative stage, semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven nurses, interpreted by inductive thematic analysis. The quantitative and qualitative results were integrated and presented by a joint display.

Results:

most nurses rarely checked waist circumference (77.6%), dyslipidemia (55.7%), blood glucose (42.3%), and neither evaluated blood pressure (75.3%). In the qualitative results, we identified that there are nurses who did not classify body mass index according to sex and age. As for medical tests, the requests were mainly related to the routine of childcare. Guidance on physical activity and diet were given in a basic way or attributed to other professionals, and referrals to other services or professionals were not followed up.

Conclusion:

it is imperative to train nurses for the management of overweight and obesity in primary care for children and adolescents, with a view to quality of care for the prevention of comorbidities.

Descriptors:
Child; Adolescent; Obesity; Overweight; Pediatric Nursing; Primary Health Care

Highlights:

(1) There are weaknesses in the management of obesity in children and adolescents by nurses. (2) A mixed method was adopted, which is new and has understanding and inference in a single study. (3) The study suggests the development of specific protocols for nurses. (4) The research suggests continuing education actions for nurses. (5) With proper management, it will be possible to reduce this morbidity and comorbidities.

Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto / Universidade de São Paulo Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, 14040-902 Ribeirão Preto SP Brazil, Tel.: +55 (16) 3315-3451 / 3315-4407 - Ribeirão Preto - SP - Brazil
E-mail: rlae@eerp.usp.br
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