Date of Submission

Summer 5-2-2021

Document Type

Manuscript

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Trinette Radasa, DNP, ACNS-BC, FNP_BC, PMHNP-BC

Second Advisor

Dr. Cynthia Huff DNP, MSN, RN, OCN, CRNI, CNL

Abstract

While research suggests a multifactorial array of contributors to adolescent obesity including lack of physical activity, dietary behaviors, psychosocial factors including the perception of being overweight and body dissatisfaction have been more recently associated with unhealthy weights, unhealthy behaviors and amplified risk of obesity. At an all girl’s private college preparatory middle and high school in Los Angeles, amid a competitive and rigorous academic environment, students face additional pressure to succeed and strive for perfection. Although body weight perception can be used to identify students who are at risk for eating disorders at the middle and high school levels, the tool is underutilized in the school setting. Consequently, while health professionals including a school nurse and school psychologist are present, the school community lacks understanding of body weight perception and proactive response for students identified with eating disorders. The implementation of an eating disorder screening tool measuring for body weight perception for young women in grades 7-12, (12 to 18 years) would help further the school community’s understanding of body weight perception and help ensure that students with eating disorders seek professional help. This project would improve the school community’s understanding of eating, successfully connect at at-risk students with eating disorders to professional help and create a follow-up program for at-risk students identified by the school nurse and/or school psychologist. Weight perception could serve as a key indicator for the school nurse to screen, and support students with eating disorders.

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