Problem for Improvement
The modern lifestyles of sedentary work and insufficient physical activity serve as one of the causes of chronic conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and diabetes. In order to address the above conditions, it is essential to consider them specifically (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2011). The health concern of diabetes is rather alarming in the US and, in particular, among the Hispanic population of Florida. The prevalence of the identified condition is 12.4 percent among males and 10.2 among females of the same population (Florida Diabetes Advisory Council, 2017). At the same time, 5.3 percent of men and 8.2 of women are diagnosed with prediabetes (Florida Diabetes Advisory Council, 2017). The key areas for improvement associated with the mentioned problem are nutrition, self-care, and adequate physical activity (Moran, Burson, & Conrad, 2016). In this regard, the role of nurses is to increase awareness of Hispanics of their own health conditions and the necessity to enhance them, thus avoiding health complications and development of concomitant diseases.
Guidelines for Solution
Since diabetes prevention is considered to be significant, it is possible to note the “Combined Diet and Physical Activity Promotion Programs for Prevention of Diabetes” elaborated by the Community Preventive Services Task Force. According to the above clinical practice guidelines (CPG), people with the increased risk of diabetes should receive programs that target weight reduction, meetings with a trained exercise and diet counselor, and either group or individual educational sessions (Combined diet and physical activity,” 2015). Based on 53 evidence-based studies, this CPG reflects the effectiveness of the integrated physical activity and diet in weight loss and normoglycemia achievement.
The second CPG that seems to be useful to address the problem of diabetes in Hispanics is provided by Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and called “Diabetes type 1 and Type 2 Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice Guideline”. It implies that all obese or overweight people at risk of diabetes should be prescribed screening as well as referred to the Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) (“Diabetes type 1 and type,” 2015). In particular, three to six MNTs should be performed during the first six months of treatment, and the necessity of additional sessions should be determined after them. The review of the evidence-based studies revealed that MNT allows reducing glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and improving quality of life in patients (“Diabetes type 1 and type,” 2015). Both of the identified CPGs may be applied to prevent diabetes and manage it.
In order to implement “Combined Diet and Physical Activity Promotion Programs for Prevention of Diabetes” and “Diabetes type 1 and Type 2 Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice Guideline”, one may consider the use of the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) tool. Consistent with Harris, Roussel, Thomas, and Dearman (2015), it is possible to outline the intervention, implement it, study the outcomes of the plan, and act by adjusting the details of the program with regard to obtained results. Targeting Hispanics of Florida, the combination of the mentioned CPGs should be systematically tested and improved to assist them in addressing diabetes.
References
Combined diet and physical activity promotion programs for prevention of diabetes: Community Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. (2015). Web.
Diabetes type 1 and type 2 evidence-based nutrition practice guideline. (2015). Web.
Florida Diabetes Advisory Council. (2017). Florida diabetes report.
Harris, J. L., Roussel, L., Thomas, P. L., & Dearman, C. (2015). Project planning & management: A guide for nurses and interprofessional teams (2nd ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2011). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare: A guide to best practice (2nd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Moran, K. J., Burson, R., & Conrad, D. (2016). The doctor of nursing practice scholarly project (2nd ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.