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Date of Award

5-14-2012

Degree Type

Restricted Evidence-Based Project Report

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Carole A. Pepa

Abstract

Obesity is an increasing health concern for all age groups in the United States. The prevalence of obesity has sky rocketed since 1994, and will directly impact the future workforce. The purpose of this evidence-based practice project (EBP) was to evaluate the benefit of health promotion activities on refinery workers. The clinical question addressed by this EBP project was: Will refinery workers who participate in a health promotion activity for three months reduce body mass index, decrease lost time (absenteeism), and increase physical activity compared to refinery workers who do not participate in a health promotion activity. The Iowa Model and Precede – Proceed Model guided this project within the health service department of a refinery located in the Midwest. During the 12 week project, 50 refinery workers completed the EBP project. However, of those 50 participants who completed the project, not everyone participated in the health promotion activities. Descriptive statistics were used to describe three health promotion learning modules. A paired t test was calculated to compare pre and post BMI scores for those refinery workers who participated in the health promotion activity and for those who did not participate in the health promotion activity. For those refinery workers who participated in the health promotion activity, Eat for The Health of It (n=40), there was no statistically significant difference between pre and post BMI scores (t (39) = -1.826, p=.076. For those refinery workers who completed the EBP project and did not participate in the health promotion activity, Eat for The Health of It (n=10), there was a statistically significant difference between pre and post BMI (t (9) = -1.093, p=.004. These findings support that more research is needed to explore how the work environment and practice can help develop programs to encourage healthier lifestyles to discourage obesity.

Comments

Copyright of the Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice to Promote Quality Care will be retained by the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

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