Date of Award

Spring 5-25-2024

Document Type

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscript

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Michelle Kabakibi, DNP, FNP-C, AGNP-C

Second Advisor

Kathy James, DNSc, FNP

Third Advisor

Susan Klein, DNP, FNP

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this evidence-based project is to assess motivation for weight loss and resilience to make lasting changes with weight management. The Diet Readiness Test (DRT) Questionnaire is a behaviorally based assessment tool used to evaluate psychological status prior to or during a weight-loss management program based on patients’ attitudes toward diet and exercise. The goal of using this survey was to identify predictive factors of successful weight changes for practitioners to implement into their approach to tackling obesity.

Background

One of the rising crises both in the United States and globally has been the topic of obesity. Obesity is an ever-growing universal health issue affecting millions of people each year, influenced heavily by mass media and marketing. In the U.S. alone, the prevalence of obesity is 39.7% among those aged 20-39, 43.3% among those aged 40-59, and 43.3% among those aged 60 and over (Marlatt et al., 2022). Side effects of obesity can lead to negative health effects such as hypertension, heart disease, stroke, and cancer, as well as psychological effects. The recognition of obesity as a progressive disease allows practitioners to research and review literature that identifies strategies to fight this disease. Research shows that willingness to make lasting changes is an important factor in fulfilling weight loss goals. Motivation and self-efficacy are grounded in the idea that people can influence and control their actions in order to reach a desired goal, which is the ideology behind this project.

Methods

A baseline DRT was administered to assess the psychological status and self-efficacy of individuals joining the weight-management program at the established weight-loss clinic. Patients who completed the DRT survey received standardized education and individualized goal-setting techniques as part of the clinic’s procedures. Due to time constraints of patient follow-up appointments, some individuals received their post-survey after eight weeks of the program, while others received it after a twelve-week period. Also, due to time constraints, post-surveys were completed either in person or over the phone due to patient availability. The survey was re-administered and scored to identify if confidence in their motivation improved, displaying effective counseling and education methods.

Evaluation of Outcomes/Results

During the duration of the project, eighteen surveys were conducted, each occurring during new patient visits or recurring patient visits within a two-month time frame from the beginning of the project. Two surveys were given to patients to take home but were not returned. Upon re-assessment, eight to twelve weeks post-initial patient visit and pre-survey completion, a total of 12 post-program surveys were completed, for a completion rate of 75%. The data obtained showed that the scores from the subsections (1) goals and attitudes, (3) control over eating and (6) exercise patterns and attitudes, improved by an average of 2 points on subsection 1 on a scale of 0 to 25, 3 points on subsection 3 on a scale of 0 to 15 and 1 point on subsection 6 on a scale of 0 to 20, post-intervention.

Conclusion

The project outcomes demonstrate the need to assess patients prior to any weight-management program. Many factors impact readiness to make lifestyle changes, and success in weight loss management stems from addressing these factors pre-intervention. Providers should be encouraged to meet patients at their baseline knowledge level and implement individualized care plans that address both physical and mental health.

Download

Available for download on Friday, May 09, 2025

Share

COinS