Title

Increasing Physical Activity in Women with Obesity to Promote Weight Loss

Author

Ashley N. Kohler, Valparaiso University

Date of Award

4-28-2022

Degree Type

Evidence-Based Project Report

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Frances Clark

Abstract

Obesity is a chronic disease associated with a multitude of lifelong chronic illnesses. Obesity impacts more than 42% of the United States population (CDC, 2021b). Physical inactivity is a major determinant of obesity (Muerer et al., 2019). The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to promote a greater reduction in body mass index (BMI) of the participants enrolled in an existing wellness program at the EBP practice site by increasing the physical activity level of the participants compared to standard protocol. The existing wellness program’s standard protocol included diet modifications, physical activity encouragement, and medication management. The EBP project aimed to increase physical activity using goal setting, self-monitoring, and continuous feedback. The sample included twenty participants newly enrolled in the existing wellness program in 2021 with a BMI greater than or equal to 25 kg/m2 . The participants were followed for a twelve-week period, and the BMI reduction of the group was compared to the BMI reduction of participants from the previous year who followed the standard protocol of the wellness program. Each participant’s BMI was calculated at the initial visit, at the six-week visit, and at the twelve-week visit. Data between the groups were analyzed using a paired t-test to compare the percent change in BMI at six and twelve weeks between both groups. It was found that the participants using standard protocol decreased BMI by 2.78%. Participants in the EBP project decreased BMI by 3.42%. However, the results were not found to be statistically significant. When comparing the ratio of attrition of both groups, 55% of participants in the comparison group failed to complete the program. In comparison, 30% of participants in the intervention group failed to complete the program. These findings indicated that although the EBP project did not result in a statistically significant decrease in BMI, the EBP project increased participant involvement in the program.

Creative Commons License

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

Recommended Citation

Kohler, Ashley N., "Increasing Physical Activity in Women with Obesity to Promote Weight Loss" (2022). Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports. 180.
https://scholar.valpo.edu/ebpr/180