Obesity remains a major challenge affecting many citizens in the United States (Akresh, 2010). Bermudez and Tucker (2011) believe strongly that “obesity is a risk factor for different conditions such as diabetes, stroke, and cardiovascular disease” (p. 446). The targeted aggregate for this exercise is comprised of many Hispanics aged between 2 and 65 years. The community is affected by this condition thus making it impossible for many people to achieve their potential. This care plan proposes a nursing diagnosis for the targeted aggregate. Powerful strategies will be used to tackle the major health risks identified during the assessment. A Disaster Management Plan (DMP) will also be used to support the targeted population.
Priority Nursing Diagnosis
Imbalanced Nutrition
A proper healthcare plan should be guided and informed by evidence-based ideas. This fact explains why a proper nursing diagnosis is needed to analyze the major causes of different health problems. The targeted aggregate is facing the challenge of obesity. The eating habits of many Latinos are characterized by different food materials. The economic positions of the targeted individuals influence their health outcomes (Akresh, 2010). Many Hispanics consume large quantities of food. Such food intakes can play a major role in promoting the problem of obesity.
Co-Related Factors
Overeating is “associated with socioeconomic statuses and psychosocial factors” (Healthy People 2020, 2015, para. 6). These issues will be examined to achieve the best goals.
Evidence
Some evidence can be used to analyze the prevalence of obesity. For instance, the weight of “over 20-30 percent of the optimum body mass can be a sign of obesity” (Bermudez & Tucker, 2011, p. 445). The other evidence is the presence of dysfunctional eating habits and patterns. Some Hispanics “consume more food than their bodies require” (Bermudez & Tucker, 2011, p. 446).
Desirable Outcomes
The self-care plan will outline different inappropriate practices and behaviors that can result in overeating. Such malpractices will be discouraged to support more Hispanics. The next desirable outcome is to demonstrate appropriate changes in eating patterns and diets (Bermudez & Tucker, 2011). Such patterns will eventually support the health needs of more Hispanics in Miami Lakes, Florida.
Strategies to Tackle the Health Risk
The MAP-IT model will be used to tackle this health risk. The model focuses on five major stages. These “include Mobilizing, Assessing, Planning, Implementing, and Tracking” (Healthy People 2020, 2015, para. 6). The first phase will be used to inform more people about the dangers associated with obesity. The next stage will be to assess the major malpractices causing obesity among members of the population. A new plan will be implemented to ensure more people embrace the best practices. Powerful strategies can therefore be used to deal with such health issues (Bermudez & Tucker, 2011). The proposed strategies are presented below. The tracking stage will be used to monitor the major goals and achievements associated with the program.
Proper eating patterns
Improper eating habits have been observed to affect the health outcomes of many people. Individuals who have poor eating patterns report increased cases of obesity. For instance, people should not sleep immediately after consuming food. The malpractice can affect a person’s metabolic processes and eventually result in weight gain. More Hispanics will be encouraged to embrace the best eating habits. For example, they should “eat from the dining table” (Healthy People 2020, 2015, para. 12). The targeted population will also be encouraged to avoid unhealthy food materials. People should avoid distractions taking their meals. This practice will make it easier for people to achieve their health goals. They will also be encouraged to avoid salty foods. Such foods can affect their health outcomes.
Eating balanced diets
The first trick towards having good health is eating a balanced diet (Healthy People 2020, 2015). The best “diet should include minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates, useful fats, and proteins” (Healthy People 2020, 2015, para. 9). A balanced diet can promote the health outcomes of many individuals. The targeted population will be informed about the benefits of eating a balanced diet.
Engaging in exercises
Akresh (2010) encourages people “to engage in different exercises to support their health goals” (p. 187). This knowledge will be used to support more Hispanics. The targeted obese individuals will get positive results within the shortest time possible. As well, the patients will be encouraged to exercise frequently to achieve the best results. The exercises should be carefully integrated depending on the needs of every citizen.
Dealing with psychological problems
Stressful events and psychological problems can force people to overeat. According to Bermudez and Tucker (2011), overeating is one of the risk factors for obesity. The targeted population will therefore be encouraged to find proper psychological support whenever they encounter different stressful moments (Bermudez & Tucker, 2011). They will be encouraged to deal with stress positively.
Monitoring weight
The BMI index is a powerful tool used to monitor a person’s weight. This tool will be used to empower the targeted population. The people will be encouraged to monitor their BMIs and engage in proper lifestyles (Akresh, 2010). Such approaches address the health needs of many Hispanics.
Disaster Management Plan
Effective Disaster Management Plans (DMPs) should be used to deal with various catastrophic events such as hurricanes and typhoons. Overweight people face numerous challenges whenever such disasters occur. Obese people will be unable to respond to disasters effectively. As well, evacuators and DMP teams might find it impossible to support the needs of many people (Healthy People 2020, 2015).
List of Potential Disasters
Miami Lakes does not encounter many natural disasters (Miami Lakes, FL Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes, 2015). However, the region faces different natural disasters that can affect the health outcomes of many Hispanics.
Floods have been reported in the region within the past two centuries. Hurricanes are also common thus affecting the lives of many citizens across the region. Strong winds are also common in the region. Earthquakes are usually rare. Most of the earthquakes experienced in the region do not pose numerous threats. Thunderstorm winds have been recorded in Miami for several years. Such “winds destroy buildings, affect infrastructures, and leave many people homeless” (Miami Lakes, FL Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes, 2015, para. 5). These disasters have forced members of Miami Lakes to come up with powerful DMPs to support the needs of every citizen.
Strategies for Handling Hurricanes and Thunderstorm Winds
Mobilizing and Assessing
The MAP-IT model can be used to handle these disasters in Miami Lakes. The DMP team should mobilize different individuals to focus on the challenges associated with such disasters. The gathered data should be used to assess the prevalence of such disasters (Healthy People 2020, 2015). The analysis will also outline the unique challenges affecting many obese individuals. Useful insights and approaches will be identified to produce the best outcomes.
Planning
The planning phase identifies the most appropriate strategies that can be used to deal with thunderstorm winds and hurricanes in the region. The important objective is to support the needs of the targeted aggregate. The planning phase will ensure the best programs are put in place. Such programs will make it easier for the PMP team to evacuate every individual professionally. Many overweight people find it impossible to respond effectively to typhoons (Healthy People 2020, 2015). The approach will promote the best approaches and eventually support the needs of more individuals.
Implementation
Competent individuals will also be hired to implement the DMP successfully (Healthy People 2020, 2015). The co-morbidity issues faced by obese individuals can affect the success of the DMP. Similar strategies will be embraced whenever there is a thunderstorm wind. During the implementation process, more individuals will be equipped with the best machines and safety kits. Such kits will address the needs of the targeted people. The kits “should have oxygen, blood, and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines” (Bermudez & Tucker, 2011, p. 449). It will also be appropriate to have heavy-duty scooters and bariatric wheelchairs. Such equipment will be used to evacuate different victims.
Tracking
The last phase of the MAP-IT model will be used to track the success of the DMP. The DMP team will examine the goals achieved within the specified period (Healthy People 2020, 2015). The important goal is to address the health needs of every obese citizen in the region.
Reference List
Akresh, R. (2010). Overweight and Obesity among Hispanics. Bio-demography and Social Biology, 54(2), 183-199.
Bermudez, I., & Tucker, L. (2011). Total and Central Obesity among Hispanics and the Association with Type 2 Diabetes, Hypertension, and Heart Disease. Obesity Research, 9(8), 443-451.
Healthy People 2020. (2015). Web.
Miami Lakes, FL Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes. (2015). Web.