Title

The Effects of a Nutritional Intervention on Healthy Eating Habits and Body Mass Index

Author

Kelley Eshenaur, Valparaiso University

Date of Award

5-2020

Degree Type

Evidence-Based Project Report

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Julie A. Koch

Abstract

In the US, overweight and obesity are growing concerns, as both can have life altering consequences if not prevented or treated. Since 2000, there has been nearly a 10% increase of adults who are obese, from 30.5% (85.8 million) to 39.8% (93.9 million) in 2016 (CDC, 2017). These conditions are preventable with early intervention and motivation. Obesity statistics are especially of interest during the transition to young adulthood. The purpose of this project was to improve student outcomes by identifying barriers, effective strategies, and healthy choices that would ultimately impact weight, increasing healthy food choices, and decreasing overall BMI in overweight and obese students. The Model for Evidence-Based Practice Change provided the framework and guidance of the intervention for this project. A literature search was conducted using six databases, which yielded 11 relevant articles. Levels and quality of evidence were determined by the rating scales of JHNEBP and ranged from level I to V, all of high-quality rating. The literature search revealed best practice to support behavior change. For this project, students within the college health setting were initially screened to determine their BMI. Those having a BMI of > 25 kg/m2 received an invitation to participate in a 12-week NP-led program nutrition program. The New Leaf (UNC CHPDP, 2013), a comprehensive tool (focused on increasing nutritional consumption, improving dietary behavior, and decreasing caloric intake) with established efficacy, was used as the foundation for educational sessions. Participating students completed pre-intervention New Leaf questionnaires which identified their dietary habits; then, those consenting to participate received an initial in-person educational session which lasted 30-45 minutes. Follow-up sessions, scheduled weekly, lasted lasting 15-30 minutes and addressed various healthy eating topics (e.g., consuming less sweets and selecting healthier choices when eating out). BMI was collected at each session, and there was no charge for the office visits correlating with participation in the project. Dependent t-tests were used to evaluate the effect of the intervention on the primary outcomes of this project: (a) the adoption of healthy eating habits (measured through the New Leaf questionnaires) and (b) BMI.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

Eshenaur, Kelley, "The Effects of a Nutritional Intervention on Healthy Eating Habits and Body Mass Index" (2020). Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports. 151.
https://scholar.valpo.edu/ebpr/151