The article by Patton et al. (2016) focuses on proposing a physical activity guideline for Americans of all ages. There were no adverse ethical implications of the study as the scholars did not include a sample population to be involved in an intervention. Instead, the article summarizes the main guidelines for physical activity relying on evidence-based practice to increase the quality of care for the population. The recommendations apply to wide practice settings and different population groups that have various health needs. There should be further research to test the effectiveness of the guidelines in improving the population’s adherence to healthy lifestyles and, as a result, enhancing their quality of life and health.
The findings of the article support the general consensus that physical activity is imperative for sustaining a healthy lifestyle. The problem is relevant both in the context of improving the overall health literacy of the population and in the context of helping people overcome complex health challenges. For younger individuals, physical activity is necessary for healthy development and disease prevention. For adults, physical activity is important for health maintenance, disease prevention, and bone strengthening. Research shows that almost everyone benefits from exercise, regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, health status, or history of chronic conditions (Piercy et al., 2018). If the issue remains unaddressed, the health status of the population will decline, with the healthcare sphere having to spend more on overcoming the persistent health challenges associated with lacking physical activity.
The limitations of the study included the risk of bias and the lack of generalizability to the entire population as there are groups of people who were not included in the study. In addition, it is necessary to include a case study into a population that would illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed guidelines as theoretical information is not reliable enough without an experiment. However, the article points to the connections between increased physical activity and the overall improvement in health and well-being.
The lack of physical activity in the adult and adolescent population is an issue that limits the health and well-being of communities, making it more complicated to overcome the arising health challenges that require behavioral changes and positive lifestyle choices (Patton et al., 2016). Physical activity can reduce the risks of developing high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, and other complex health conditions requiring complex management.
The study translates to the practice of nursing practitioners because the current procedures are concerned with recommending patients to increase physical activity. However, there is no cohesive set of guidelines and suggestions that can be used by practitioners and the general population. To determine the impact of the guidelines on patients, it is necessary to measure the improvement of health status and well-being of individuals implementing physical exercise interventions. In addition, healthcare professionals can partner with other areas to promote physical activity within the general population. Future implications for practice include the incorporation of the guidelines into the treatment of patients who require an adjustment in their lifestyle, including enhanced nutrition and exercising. The practitioners should work closely with patients presenting at healthcare facilities to facilitate their self-monitoring and improve health outcomes. It is expected to increase patients’ health literacy and self-management through the adherence to a set of cohesive recommendations that account for different population needs.
References
Patton, G. C., Sawyer, S. M., Santelli, J. S., Ross, D. A., Afifi, R., Allen, N. B., … Viner, R. M. (2016). Our future: A Lancet commission on adolescent health and wellbeing. Lancet, 387(10036), 2423-2478.
Piercy, K., Troiano, R., Ballard, R., Carlson, S., Fulton, J., Galuska, D., …Olson, R. (2018). The physical activity guidelines for Americans. JAMA, 320(19), 2020-2028.