Assessment of Nutrition in Children Paper

Assessment of Nutrition in Children Paper

Assessment of Nutrition in Children Paper

 Proper nutrition is crucial during childhood as it lays the foundation for a child’s health and future growth. This paper examines the assessment of nutrition in children, focusing on the case of a 5-year-old severely underweight male who lives with his normal weight adopted mother and father. Additionally, the paper addresses the health issues and risks relevant to this child, the additional information required for a comprehensive assessment, and strategies to encourage parents and caregivers to be proactive about their child’s health and weight.

Health Issues and Risks

Several health issues are relevant to the 5-year-old severely underweight male living with his normal weight adopted parents. Choge (2020) highlights that being severely underweight in children can indicate malnutrition, leading to impaired growth and development, compromised immune function, and increased susceptibility to infections. The child may also experience deficiencies in essential nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, which can impact cognitive development, bone health, and physical well-being. Furthermore, the underweight child may have inadequate calorie intake resulting in energy deficiency and weakness, which can affect his ability to perform daily activities.

Additional Information Required for Weight-related Health Assessment

Additional information may be needed further to assess weight-related health of the severely underweight child. First, the child’s medical history is crucial in understanding any previous diagnoses, hospitalizations, or chronic conditions that may contribute to their underweight condition (Dipasquale et al., 2020). This information can provide insights into potential underlying health issues that must be addressed. Secondly, gathering information about the child’s dietary habits is essential. According to Kesari and Noel (2022), understanding their diet, including the foods consumed, eating patterns, food preferences, and any dietary restrictions, can help identify potential nutritional deficiencies or eating disorders contributing to their severe underweight.

Finally, assessing the child’s level of physical activity is essential for a comprehensive nutrition evaluation of a severely underweight child. As Kesari and Noel (2022) point out, gathering information about their participation in sports or activities, sedentary behaviors, and overall energy expenditure can better understand their lifestyle and help determine if their low weight is due to inadequate calorie intake or other factors.

Gathering Information in a Sensitive Fashion

Considering certain risks and strategies is crucial when sensitively gathering information to gain a complete understanding of the child’s health. Firstly, emotional sensitivity must be considered, as discussing a child’s health and weight can be sensitive for parents and caregivers. As Skovgaard et al. (2022) elaborate, it is vital to establish trust and create a non-judgmental environment. Healthcare professionals should assure parents that the assessment supports the child’s well-being rather than blaming or criticizing them.

Cultural sensitivity is another significant factor to consider. Different cultures may have diverse perspectives on health and weight, impacting the child’s dietary habits and physical activity. Therefore, approaching the discussion with cultural sensitivity is crucial to understand and respecting these influences (CDC, 2022). Language barriers may pose a challenge during the information-gathering process. Healthcare professionals should provide interpretation services or utilize qualified translators to communicate effectively. This ensures that important information is accurately conveyed and understood.

Furthermore, privacy and confidentiality should be emphasized. Parents and caregivers should be assured that any shared information will be kept confidential and solely used for the child’s health assessment. Respecting their privacy and handling sensitive information with utmost confidentiality is paramount.

Nurses and other healthcare professionals must employ various strategies to gather the necessary information on the child’s condition from the parents in a sensitive fashion. According to Croft et al. (2022), building trust is an essential strategy that can be employed through active listening, non-judgmental, and showing empathy. Open-ended questions can also encourage parents to share their observations and concerns regarding their child’s health. This strategy enables detailed information about the child’s eating habits, preferences, and perceived barriers to improving their health to be obtained.

Specific Questions to Gather More Information

The following sensitive questions can be asked to gather more information about the child’s health.

1. Can you describe the child’s typical daily diet, including the types of foods he consumes and the portion sizes?
2. Are there any specific challenges or difficulties you face when providing a balanced and nutritious diet for the child?
3. How would you describe the child’s energy levels and participation in physical activities? Does he show interest in any particular activities?

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Strategies to Encourage Parents or Caregivers to Be Proactive

Encouraging parents or caregivers to be proactive about their child’s health and weight requires implementing effective strategies. Firstly, providing education and empowering them with evidence-based information is crucial. Educate parents on the importance of nutrition and physical activity in child development, emphasizing the long-term benefits (Choge, 2020). Equip them with practical tips and resources that enable them to make healthier choices for their child, such as meal planning ideas and age-appropriate physical activities.

Secondly, engage parents in collaborative goal-setting to promote their active involvement. Involving parents in the process and setting achievable goals together give them a sense of ownership and responsibility. Develop a plan that includes small, realistic steps towards positive change and regularly monitor progress. Celebrate successes along the way to maintain motivation and reinforce their proactive efforts.

Finally, establish a supportive network for parents or caregivers. Connect them with support groups, community resources, or healthcare professionals specializing in pediatric nutrition. Encourage them to seek advice and share experiences with others facing similar challenges (Dipasquale et al., 2020). This sense of community and support can provide encouragement, guidance, and a platform for discussing concerns and seeking solutions. By valuing parents’ and caregivers’ perspectives and ensuring their active participation, they are more likely to feel motivated and empowered to take proactive steps toward their child’s health and well-being.

Conclusion

Assessing the nutrition in children is essential for ensuring their optimal health and well-being. A comprehensive assessment requires additional information on the child’s medical history, dietary habits, and physical activity. Understanding the risk and strategies for gathering information in a sensitive manner is critical for a successful assessment. Additionally, healthcare professionals must employ strategies such as providing education, involving parents in collaborative goal-setting, and establishing a supportive network to encourage parental and caregiver engagement and involvement. Parents and caregivers can proactively ensure their child’s optimal nutrition and health with effective guidance, support, and education.

References

CDC. (2022, July 7). Considering cultural food preferences in food service. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/food-service-guidelines/strategize-and-act/cultural-food-preferences.html

Choge, J. K. (2020). Malnutrition: Current challenges and future perspectives. In www.intechopen.com. Intech Open. https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/71767

Croft, R. L., Byrd, C. T., & Kelly, E. M. (2022). The influence of active listening on parents’ perceptions of clinical empathy in a stuttering assessment: A preliminary study. Journal of Communication Disorders, p. 100, 106274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcomdis.2022.106274

Dipasquale, V., Cucinotta, U., & Romano, C. (2020). Acute malnutrition in children: Pathophysiology, clinical effects, and treatment. Nutrients, 12(8), 2413. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12082413

Kesari, A., & Noel, J. Y. (2022). Nutritional assessment. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK580496/

Skovgaard, A. M., Bakermans-Kranenburg, M., Pontoppidan, M., Tjørnhøj-Thomsen, T., Madsen, K. R., Voss, I., Wehner, S. K., Pedersen, T. P., Finseth, L., Taylor, R. S., Tolstrup, J. S., & Ammitzbøll, J. (2022). The infant health study – promoting mental health and healthy weight through sensitive parenting to infants with cognitive, emotional, and regulatory vulnerabilities: Protocol for a stepped-wedge cluster-randomized trial and a process evaluation within municipality settings. BMC Public Health, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-12551-z

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When seeking to identify a patient’s health condition, advanced practice nurses can use a diverse selection of diagnostic tests and assessment tools; however, different factors affect the validity and reliability of the results produced by these tests or tools. Nurses must be aware of these factors in order to select the most appropriate test or tool and to accurately interpret the results.

To prepare:

Review this week’s Learning Resources and consider factors that impact the validity and reliability of various assessment tools and diagnostic tests. You also will review examples of pediatric patients and their families as it relates to BMI.

Based on the risks you might identify, consider what further information you would need to gain a full understanding of the child’s health. Think about how you could gather this information in a sensitive fashion.

Consider how you could encourage parents or caregivers to be proactive toward the child’s health.

Not only do these diagnostic tests affect adults, body measurements can provide a general picture of whether a child is receiving adequate nutrition or is at risk for health issues. These data, however, are just one aspect to be considered. Lifestyle, family history, and culture—among other factors—are also relevant. That said, gathering and communicating this information can be a delicate process.

For this Assignment, you will consider examples of children with various weight issues. You will explore how you could effectively gather information and encourage parents and caregivers to be proactive about their children’s health and weight.

Assignment: Child Health Case: a 5-year-old severely underweight male who lives with his normal weight adopted mother and father.

Include the following:

An explanation of the health issues and risks that are relevant to the child you were assigned.

Describe additional information you would need in order to further assess his or her weight-related health.

Identify and describe any risks and consider what further information you would need to gain a full understanding of the child’s health. Think about how you could gather this information in a sensitive fashion.

Taking into account the parents’ and caregivers’ potential sensitivities, list at least three specific questions you would ask about the child to gather more information.

Provide at least two strategies you could employ to encourage the parents or caregivers to be proactive about their child’s health and weight.

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NURS_6512_Week_3_Assignment_1_Rubric

NURS_6512_Week_3_Assignment_1_Rubric
Criteria	Ratings	Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeIn 3–4 pages, address the following: An explanation of the health issues and risks that are relevant to the child you were assigned.	25 to >24.0 pts Excellent The response clearly, accurately, and in detail explains the relevant health issues and risks for the assigned child. 24 to >23.0 pts Good The response accurately explains the relevant health issues and risks for the assigned child. 23 to >17.0 pts Fair The response vaguely and with some inaccuracy explains the relevant health issues and risks for the assigned child. 17 to >0 pts Poor The response is inaccurate and/or missing explanations of the relevant health issues and risks for the assigned child.	25 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeDescribe additional information you would need in order to further assess his or her weight-related health.	25 to >24.0 pts Excellent The response clearly and accurately describes detailed additional information needed to further assess the child’s weight-related health. 24 to >23.0 pts Good The response accurately describes additional information needed to further assess the child’s weight-related health. 23 to >17.0 pts Fair The response vaguely and with some inaccuracy describes additional information needed to further assess the child’s weight-related health. 17 to >0 pts Poor The response is inaccurate and/or missing a description of additional information needed to further assess the child’s weight-related health.	25 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeIdentify and describe any risks, and consider what further information you would need to gain a full understanding of the child’s health. Think about how you could gather this information in a sensitive fashion.	20 to >17.0 pts Excellent The response clearly and accurately identifies and describes in detail any risks to the child’s health. The response clearly and accurately identifies and describes in detail further information needed to gain a full understanding of the child’s health, with a detailed explanation of how to gather that information in a way that is sensitive to the child. 17 to >14.0 pts Good The response accurately identifies and describes any risks to the child’s health. The response accurately identifies and describes further information needed to gain a full understanding of the child’s health, with a clear explanation of how to gather that information in a way that is sensitive to the child. 14 to >13.0 pts Fair The response vaguely and with some inaccuracy identifies and describes any risks to the child’s health. The response vaguely identifies and describes further information needed to gain a full understanding of the child’s health, with a vague explanation of how to gather that information in a way that is sensitive to the child. 13 to >0 pts Poor The response identifies inaccurately and/or is missing descriptions of any risks to the child’s health. The response identifies inaccurately and/or is missing descriptions of further information needed to gain a full understanding of the child’s health, with an inadequate or missing explanation of how to gather that information in a way that is sensitive to the child.	20 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeTaking into account the parents’ and caregivers’ potential sensitivities, list at least three specific questions you would ask about the child to gather more information.	10 to >9.0 pts Excellent The response clearly and accurately lists three or more specific questions that would gather more information about the child. Specific questions are carefully worded to clearly demonstrate sensitivity to the parent(s) or caregiver(s) of the child. 9 to >8.0 pts Good The response lists three specific questions that would gather more information about the child. Specific questions are worded to demonstrate sensitivity to the parent(s) or caregiver(s) of the child. 8 to >7.0 pts Fair The response lists three questions with wording that is vague and lacking specificity for gathering more information about the child. Some wording of the questions lacks sensitivity to the parent(s) or caregiver(s) of the child. 7 to >0 pts Poor The response lists two or fewer confusing or inadequate questions, or is missing questions, for gathering more information about the child. Wording of questions provided lacks sensitivity to the parent(s) or caregiver(s) of the child.	10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeProvide at least two strategies you could employ to encourage the parents or caregivers to be proactive about their child’s health and weight.	5 to >4.0 pts Excellent The response clearly describes two or more detailed strategies to encourage the parent(s) or caregiver(s) to be proactive about the child’s health and weight. 4 to >3.0 pts Good The response describes at least two strategies to encourage the parent(s) or caregiver(s) to be proactive about the child’s health and weight. 3 to >2.0 pts Fair The response vaguely describes two strategies to encourage the parent(s) or caregiver(s) to be proactive about the child’s health and weight. 2 to >0 pts Poor The response inadequately describes one strategy or is missing strategies to encourage the parent(s) or caregiver(s) to be proactive about the child’s health and weight.	5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWritten Expression and Formatting – Paragraph Development and Organization: Paragraphs make clear points that support well-developed ideas, flow logically, and demonstrate continuity of ideas. Sentences are carefully focused–neither long and rambling nor short and lacking substance. A clear and comprehensive purpose statement and introduction are provided that delineate all required criteria.	5 to >4.0 pts Excellent Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity. A clear and comprehensive purpose statement, introduction, and conclusion are provided that delineate all required criteria. 4 to >3.0 pts Good Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 80% of the time. Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment are stated, yet are brief and not descriptive. 3 to >2.0 pts Fair Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 60%–79% of the time. Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment are vague or off topic. 2 to >0 pts Poor Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity < 60% of the time. No purpose statement, introduction, or conclusion were provided.	5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWritten Expression and Formatting – English writing standards: Correct grammar, mechanics, and proper punctuation	5 to >4.0 pts Excellent Uses correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation with no errors. 4 to >3.0 pts Good Contains a few (1 or 2) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. 3 to >2.0 pts Fair Contains several (3 or 4) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. 2 to >0 pts Poor Contains many (≥ 5) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors that interfere with the reader’s understanding.	5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWritten Expression and Formatting – The paper follows correct APA format for title page, headings, font, spacing, margins, indentations, page numbers, running heads, parenthetical/in-text citations, and reference list.	5 to >4.0 pts Excellent Uses correct APA format with no errors. 4 to >3.0 pts Good Contains a few (1 or 2) APA format errors. 3 to >2.0 pts Fair Contains several (3 or 4) APA format errors. 2 to >0 pts Poor Contains many (≥ 5) APA format errors.	5 pts
Total Points: 100