Abstract

Obesity has become an epidemic in the United States (U.S.) population. Obesity is a risk factor for many health problems that ultimately lead to death or disability. Nurses in the U.S have a higher-than-average rate of overweight and obesity. The purpose of this exploratory, qualitative case study was to identify and recommend areas for change in the hospital environment to assist bedside nurses in the U.S to have a healthier lifestyle. Social media was used to conduct a purposeful sampling technique and recruit 10 registered nurses working full time at the bedside in the U.S who struggle with obesity. Semi structured telephone interviews with the participants were recorded and transcribed verbatim for data collection. Deci and Ryan's self-determination theory was the conceptual framework for this study. Concepts from this theory were used to help code and analyze the data to explore the barriers and facilitators for weight loss. Pattern matching of the themes with international studies added validity. The six common, emergent themes regarding barriers were stress, exhaustion, opportunity, schedule, availability, and compassion. This study has implications for positive social change through recommending that administrators improve staffing, food options, stress management, and incentives. These interventions can improve the health of the nurses, preventing early retirement and/or disability.  

Description

This dissertation has also been disseminated through the ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database. Dissertation/thesis number: 28413680; ProQuest document ID: 2512753937. The author still retains copyright.

Author Details

Elizabeth Pettifor, PhD, MSN, RN, CCRN-K, CNE

Sigma Membership

Phi Nu

Type

Dissertation

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

Case Study/Series

Research Approach

Qualitative Research

Keywords:

Bedside, Full-Time, Health, Obesity, Self-Determination, Nurses

Advisor

Kelly Fisher

Second Advisor

Patricia Dittman

Third Advisor

Mirella Brooks

Degree

PhD

Degree Grantor

Walden University

Degree Year

2021

Rights Holder

All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.

All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository.

All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.

Review Type

None: Degree-based Submission

Acquisition

Proxy-submission

Date of Issue

2021-07-13

Full Text of Presentation

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