Nurse practitioner use of a family centered care approach to manage childhood obesity in the primary health care setting

Childhood obesity rates are rising at an alarming rate. Obesity has a negative impact on health and well being as well as social development. Obese children have a higher incidence of morbidity and mortality. Current clinical practice guidelines recommend practitioners use a family centered approach to managing childhood obesity. The purpose of this project is to examine the use of a family centered care (FCC) approach in managing childhood obesity in the primary health care setting and determine how best to incorporate it into managing childhood obesity in nurse practitioner (NP) practice. The principles of FCC are reviewed. NP use of existing nursing models such as the McGill model of nursing for guidance in incorporating family centered care into practice is examined and discussed. The research obtained during the literature review indicates using a FCC approach to disease management is effective and can be achieved in the primary health care setting. As a result of the findings, a five step approach to assessing and managing childhood obesity is recommended for NPs practicing in the primary health care setting. --Leaf ii.