Reference no: EM133498024

Homework: Diabetes Obesity and Eating Disorders

Overview

Weight loss is a challenging and necessary part of obesity management. An individual may begin a weight loss program at the recommendation of a healthcare provider or for a variety of personal reasons. While many weight loss programs exist, not all programs provide a safe, effective approach for their clients. The Institute of Medicine states that "Given the billions of dollars consumers currently spend on weight-loss programs, we believe strongly that these programs require special attention and evaluation."1 This homework involves the development of an assessment tool that will then be used to evaluate a community weight loss facility or online weight loss program. The assessment tool will be developed during Modules/Weeks 3-6. Each component of the assessment tool will focus on a key area of need for overweight/obese clients including physical, psychological, intellectual, social, and spiritual aspects of successful weight loss.

Instructions

This homework involves design of a new assessment tool to evaluate a community facility or online program that focuses on the management of obesity through weight loss. The assessment tool should be flexible enough to evaluate any program dealing with weight-related issues. As you are designing the tool, you must consider the complete physical, psychological, intellectual, social, and spiritual well-being of program participants to determine if a program is adequately meeting a participant's needs. In addition, the assessment tool must address comorbidities and sensitivity to diversity. Develop a meaningful set of criteria to evaluate the services provided by the facility that you will be evaluating. These criteria will form the foundation of your assessment tool. You are encouraged to review the assessment tool grading rubrics before completing this homework.

Several resources are included in the Reference section below. You may find it helpful to review these resources as you develop the assessment tool. It is important to know the comorbidities that are often associated with obesity, as well as factors that contribute to program adherence and successful weight loss.

Physical: addresses energy needs and comorbidities
Psychological: addresses mental illness and eating disorders
Intellectual: addresses nutrition education and comorbidity education
Social/Spiritual: addresses social support and spiritual needs.