Summer 2021 DNP Graduate
AMEISHA SCOTT, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
Title: THE EFFECT OF EVIDENCE-BASED EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS ON PARENTAL KNOWLEDGE REGARDING NUTRITION, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, AND LIFESTYLE BEHAVIORS OF SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN
Abstract: The purpose of this project was to educate parents regarding the nutrition, physical activity, and lifestyle behaviors of their school-aged children. Participants in this research project were adults seeking treatment for obesity at an urban medical clinic in Houston, Texas who were also parents of children aged 9 to 12 years. This evidence-based educational intervention was in response to a previous needs assessment conducted at this urban medical clinic, which showed that adults seeking treatment for obesity, who were also parents of school-aged children, lacked knowledge regarding nutrition, physical activity, and lifestyle behaviors. The specific objectives of this evidence-based educational intervention were for participants to be able to identify: (1) appropriate dietary portion sizes, (2) recommended amount and type of daily physical activities, (3) appropriate food options for healthy nutrition, (4) proper healthy snack options, and (5) the benefits of physical activity and healthy nutrition for children aged 9 to 12. The primary aim of the intervention was to increase participants’ knowledge regarding appropriate nutrition, physical activity, and lifestyle behaviors for their school-aged children.
Design: This implementation, pre-test/post-test evidence-based project was designed to test the impact of an evidence-based intervention on parental knowledge of nutrition, physical activity, and lifestyle behaviors for children aged 9 to 12 among adults seeking treatment for obesity at an urban medical clinic. The educational intervention was conducted via Zoom over a period of 7 weeks.
Results: The results of this study show that the evidence-based intervention significantly increased parental knowledge regarding nutrition, physical activity, and lifestyle behaviors of their school-aged children. These findings suggest that a 7-week evidence-based educational intervention can effectively educate parents regarding the nutrition, physical activity, and lifestyle behavior of their school-aged children.
DNP Project Committee: Sharisse Hebert, chairperson, Dr. Abida Solomon, Dr. Immaculata Igbo, and Dr. Mona Hassan
Ms. Scott is received her ADN and BSN degrees from Lamar University in 2004 and 2006 and MSN, Prairie View A&M University, 2010.