Health Promotion in Adolescent
#1 Reply to Anthony Pena
Health Promotion in Adolescent
- The prevention of overweight and obesity is critically important during the school-age years. Which educational interventions, as a nurse practitioner, should you give to your school-age patients?
According to the World Health Organization, the common cause of obesity in adolescents is an imbalance of energy levels (Kansra et al., 2021). This means that adolescents are consuming excess calories without any calorie expenditure. Genetics and certain disorders, such as underactive thyroid glands or overactive adrenal glands, have been linked to the development of obesity. Teachers, parents, and healthcare providers need to develop ways that help reduce the risk of obesity at the school-age level. As such, the educational interventions that E.J. should give to school-age patients would be education about the importance of increased physical activity to help burn calories. It is recommended that children ages 6 to 17 engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity on most days of the week. The educational intervention should also include educating the children on the appropriate foods to consume, such as fat-free or low-fat milk or fruits and vegetables. They should also be instructed to only eat when hungry and not use food as a reward.
- Discuss appropriate interventions for adolescents suspected of having an eating disorder.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that in the United States, approximately 10 in 100 adolescent females suffer from an eating disorder (Li et al., 2021). In addition, the most common types of autism disorders among this population include anorexia nervosa and bulimia. Eating disorders can have detrimental effects on a person’s physical, psychological, and overall health. The causes of eating disorders are often psychological and as such, the healthcare provider should first begin by identifying the underlying causes of the disorder. The healthcare provider, once the root cause of the problem is identified, should provide the adolescent with several interventions, such as referral to a psychotherapist for cognitive behavioral therapy, nutritional rehabilitation, providing medication for the underlying cause if applicable, such as depression, and providing the adolescent and their family with family counseling and education.
- Describe how they would initiate conversations with adolescents about this issue.
Because the issue of eating disorders is a sensitive one, E.J. should approach the issue with the utmost care. The first step is to develop a therapeutic relationship with the patient by making them feel comfortable, supported, and in a judgment-free zone. This means assuring the patient about patient-provider confidentiality and asking questions that give the adolescent a chance to express themselves. To help facilitate the conversation and prompt the patient to share their experiences, the provider should make use of motivational intervention techniques such as open-ended questions, affirmations, reflective thinking, and summarization of what the patient has said.
- Describe the physical changes of adolescents that include natural processes of biology and genetics
Physical changes in adolescents are a key indication of adolescence. In the United States, puberty is estimated to begin at age 10–11 years for girls and 11–12 years for boys and these changes take approximately four years to complete (Livadas & Chrousos, 2019). Adolescents often experience an overall growth spurt from their extremities to their chest. The second phase is the gonadarche or Hormonal changes stage, which involves an increased production of hormones. This is when their adrenal glands and sex glands mature. The hormones estrogen for females and testosterone for males play an important part in puberty, where they shift towards the adult state. The third stage is sexual development, which is categorized into two primary and secondary sexual characteristics. The primary characteristics involve actual changes to the reproductive organs, whereas for males, they include the growth of the testes, penis, scrotum, and spermarche. For girls, this involves the growth of the uterus and menarche, or the first menstrual period. Secondary characteristics include physical characteristics such as broader shoulders in males, a deeper voice, and armpit hair. For girls, this means breast development, armpits, and pubic hair.
- Discuss the prevalence of violence among adolescents. Identify ways that healthcare practitioners can help prevent and educate adolescents about these issues.
According to the World Health Organization, the prevalence of adolescent violence is on the rise. WHO reports that every year there are over 200,000 adolescent homicides committed each year (Li et al., 2021). Adolescent violence refers to violence that occurs between adolescents ages 10–19 and includes bullying, threats with weapons, and drug-related violence. Nurse practitioners can provide counseling programs to these adolescents to assist and direct them in identifying the factors that contribute to their aggressive conduct and how they might deal better. The nurse practitioner can also advocate for school-based violence prevention programs that provide education to students about the negative impact of violence. The nurse practitioner can also engage in community programs that provide resources and education to adolescents on the dangers of adolescent violence.
#2 reply to Karileida Medina Veloz
Introduction
C.C., a nurse practitioner at a small, private Catholic high school, encounters obstacles while attempting to provide comprehensive health education because of the stigma associated with touchy subjects like HIV/AIDS, drug abuse prevention, STDs, and pregnancy prevention. She acknowledges the significance of tackling these crucial concerns despite the difficulties in guaranteeing the well-being of the adolescent population (Rojas et al.,2019).
Recommended Schedule of Health-Promotion and Preventive Health Visits for Adolescents
When delivering comprehensive care to adolescents at a Catholic high school, a nurse practitioner must tactfully handle essential health concerns. Regular wellness check-ups should be part of the preventative and health-promotion regimen that is advised for teenagers. The talks should cover various subjects during these visits to guarantee the students’ overall well-being. These subjects could include general health practices, immunization history, physical examination schedules, mental health issues, consent, and healthy relationship education.
Appropriate Interventions for Adolescents Suspected of Having an eating disorder.
The nurse practitioner must handle teenagers who are suspected of having an eating disorder with compassion, tact, and discretion. Trust must be built to provide a safe atmosphere where teenagers can voice their concerns without fear of being judged. It’s essential to actively listen to teenagers so they can express their feelings and experiences with eating, body image, and weight (Rojas et al.,2019). Screening methods help evaluate eating disorder symptoms, and it’s essential to educate people about the warning signs, symptoms, and health hazards connected to eating disorders.
Physical Changes of Adolescents
Adolescents experience substantial bodily changes caused mainly by innate biological and genetic processes. Hormonal variations are responsible for these changes, which include the development of breasts in females, the expansion of testicles in males, and the growth of pubic and axillary hair in both sexes. Growth spurts cause noticeable weight and height increases, albeit the timing varies depending on the gender. Menstruation in females and voice deepening in males are secondary sexual traits that emerge.
Prevalence of Violence Among Adolescents
Adolescent violence is a serious public health concern with a variety of root causes and effects. Healthcare professionals are essential in deterring and teaching youth aggression. Comprehensive instruction in healthy relationships, anger management, and conflict resolution can help achieve this (Yorke et al.,2021). Adolescents who are at risk of harm can be identified through routine screening for violence exposure and may be referred to support programs and interventions. Advocating for policy changes and collaborating with community resources are crucial steps in tackling the systemic causes of adolescent violence and fostering a culture of empathy and nonviolence.
Conclusion
Advocating hard for adolescent health, Nurse C.C. is a beacon of compassion, activism, and expertise amid the hallowed halls of a Catholic high school. Her commitment to providing complete care is constant despite the intricacies and difficulties surrounding delicate themes. Nurse C.C. skillfully navigates the complex terrain of adolescent health with elegance and drive, balancing empathy, sensitivity, and evidence-based treatment to ensure that no detail is overlooked in the goal of holistic well-being.
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