The nurse’s role in promoting weight loss and dieting
Gaining weight can be caused by many factors, including medication, poor sleep, and sedentary activities. Another common reason for weight gain is metabolism, or how the body gets energy from food. This leads some adults to increase their activity or eat fewer calories to maintain a healthy weight. While some of these factors may seem harmless, excessive weight gain can lead to health risks such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. If left unattended, these can be fatal.
If you want to keep a healthy weight, get professional help from a nurse today.
Why nurses?
The country is currently experiencing a shortage of doctors. There is a projected shortage of between 37,800 and 124,000 physicians within 12 years, from 2019 to 2034. If, by 2034, these predicted numbers come true, it will hinder the population from receiving the care they need. Fewer doctors mean fewer patients they can attend to, leaving some people untreated or without specific care.
Fortunately, nurses—specifically those with further education, such as nurse practitioners and clinical nurses—are filling in the gap. As mandated by the National Academy of Medicine, those with a bachelor’s degree in nursing can educate and care for patients with multiple conditions, including weight-related chronic illnesses like diabetes and obesity. By 2029, university and college nursing programs will have caused the number of registered nurses to increase by 7%
In line with this, let’s look at the two types of nurses to approach for weight loss and dieting assistance.
Nurse nutritionists
A nurse nutritionist is a nursing professional with expertise in nutrition and diet. Using their knowledge and skills, they support patients’ health and well-being in most medical settings, including clinics, hospitals, and even homes. Their tasks include making dietary recommendations for patients by their needs and medical history. For example, they can recommend a proper diet for overweight people to prevent them from gaining more.
These health professionals earned a diploma, attended nursing school, and completed specialized training to earn this job title. These taught them skills in communication, attention to detail, and compassion that make them qualified to give diet recommendations to patients seeking a healthier lifestyle. You can find these nurses in many local clinics in your area.
Fitness nurses
A fitness nurse assists patients with physical activities. They assess their patient’s needs and create an exercise plan to meet their goals. These medical professionals can work with people who want to attain an appropriate weight and recommend exercises for weight loss such as running or cycling and a schedule of how often to do these. Fitness nurses work in hospitals, recovery centers, and sports medicine facilities.
The requirements for becoming a fitness nurse include completing a nursing program and studying a specialty like sports nursing. These certify their knowledge and skills in medicine and exercise, allowing them to help patients achieve their health goals through physical activity recommendations and guidance.
Nurses’ roles in patient education
Aside from directly involving themselves in weight loss and fitness, nurses also have the job of educating patients regarding their health status. Doing so will ensure the patient’s understanding of certain procedures and improve the way they care for themselves. For instance, a nurse nutritionist trying to help a patient achieve a healthy weight can emphasize how following the curated diet plan will help shed off their excess weight. Another scenario is a fitness nurse teaching their patient the proper way to make an exercise move to avoid injuries. With the proper education, the patient will be able to keep themselves responsible enough to resume healthy practices even after they leave a medical facility.
Maintaining a healthy weight is key to avoiding complications that can arise due to excess weight. Seek assistance from a nurse nutritionist or a fitness nurse today to get started on achieving overall better well-being.
Exclusively penned for healthcodesdna.com
by Calista Mirabelle