Nurses' health attitudes 'influence patients'

Thursday 1st September 2011

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The attitudes of nurses can influence whether their patients commit to living a healthy life, according to a new study.

Research published in the International Journal of Nursing revealed that while nurses can have a significant influence on their patients, many may not be good role models for an active lifestyle.

Author Joyce Fitzpatrick, of Case Western Reserve University, collected data from 112 nurses at a New York Hospital of whom around 93 per cent were female with an average age of 43.

The medical professionals were questioned on their beliefs of the benefits of exercise in a 52-item survey, how they keep fit and their patient teaching surrounding exercise.

Almost half of the nurses investigated in the study were found to be either overweight or obese and all the male nurses were seen to be overweight or obese.

It was revealed that if a nurse believes in the benefits of exercise they will promote it to their patients.

Authors concluded that nurses, as well as their patients, need encouragement to embrace healthy habits.

In addition, nurses who did have struggles with weight and fitness could share their own experiences with their patients, said the authors.

This follows comments from Tam Fry, board member of the National Obesity Forum and chair of the Child Growth Foundation.

She maintained that food labels are not clear enough to aid parents in making informed decisions about their child's diet.

According to Ms Fry, one of the most important considerations for patents should be making sure their child has a low glycemic diet.

"High glycemic consists of potatoes, chips and things like that, which are fried in the wrong way, in the wrong kinds of fats, they are the ones that do the real damage," she said.

Written by James Puckle
 

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