Health Assessment of Childs Weight

Just like many childrens services require the child and/or parent to provide information concerning the area that is being investigated for the purposes of evaluation, it is also necessary to obtain information from children and parents in nursing for the identification of possible health risks and proper adjustment to the same (Dains, Baumann, & Scheibel, 2016). Therefore, the collection of data from both the five year old in this case study and her parents is for the overall purpose of ensuring that she lives in good health during her formative years. This paper gives proper methods of information gathering from both parents and child, and a method of advising the parents/caregivers on ensuring that the child is proactive in the maintenance of health.

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The particular child of concern in this case is the five year old, being of healthy weight but having obese parents. Therefore, the child may not have a direct influence towards being obese, but the parents may serve as silent examples effecting on the health of the child. As such, the challenge is presented in that the child has to maintain healthy weight despite the possibly unhealthy lifestyle of the parents. One of the challenges faced by service providers in the cause of collecting information for health and other purposes is the wariness that the respondents having in giving information about their health, especially on matters they deem sensitive (Sullivan, 2012). Therefore, it is necessary to consider ethical methods of data collection that will ensure that the parents become partners in ensuring the healthy growth of their child.

With this goal in mind, it will thus be necessary to educate the parents on the need for healthy engagement of the child with the care providers to enable the child become proactive in their health. While the issue of weight could pose certain challenges if it is tackled from a social point of view, it is possible to approach it from a medical point of view and bring to attention the possible health risks associated with obesity in children, especially in their later years. The avoidance of type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases among other health risks associated with obesity can be averted for the child, whose future is easier moldable (Ball, Dains, Flynn, Solomon, & Stewart, 2015). Therefore, to overcome the wariness to provide information on health, it would be necessary to explain to the parents the need for an organized health action plan for the maintenance of health for their child. While it may be more difficult to achieve these standards for them, it is possible to ensure that their child can be protected from such concerns by engaging a healthy lifestyle and proper feeding habits. As such, every parents need to ensure a good future for their children will be appealed to, and the childs parents will be more likely to provide information on the subject matter.

This approach gives an ethical means to receiving and handling information given by patients to healthcare providers. Furthermore, the information being given is on the health details of a minor. As such, privacy is of utmost importance, while ensuring that the health service is properly provided for. In addition, the intention that the nurse practitioner had in obtaining the information will be met, that is providing a healthy future for the child and parents. The information from both parents and child will be important for the proper creation of an action plan towards securing the healthy future of both parties.

Depending on the health risks identified, different action plans can be implemented. Among one of the major causes of obesity is bad eating habits. It is possible that the home environment fosters this practice. As such, it would be necessary for the parents to engage an eating plan which involves the consumption of healthy foods and sufficient exercise. In the course of information provision and the creation of an action plan, it is also possible that the parents will equally benefit from such a plan. This is because as the parents engage in ensuring the healthy habits of their child, they will also be more inclined to lead by example. Therefore, it is likely that the parents, engaging in healthy habits, will also reduce health risks for themselves. As such, the benefit to both parties becomes apparent all arising from the sharing of information that was done at the beginning of the process. The creation of a sound healthy plan ensures that both parents and children are comfortable with conforming to new habits. Therefore, the plan needs to inform both parties of the benefits of creating such a plan, and especially the aversion of health risks to their child. Thereafter, a suitable plan can be created based on the health needs for the child. Consideration can be made for the parents also, as it is likely that they are going to be affected by the changes in the childs diet. As such, it is possible to ensure the positive health changes in both parents and child.

References

Ball, J., Dains, J., Flynn, J., Solomon, A., & Stewart, R. (2015). Siedel's guide to physical examination . St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby .

Dains, E., Baumann, L., & Scheibel, P. (2016). Advanced health assessment and clinical diagnosis in primary care. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby.

Sullivan, D. (2012). Guide to clinical documentation. Philadelphia.