THE ROLE OF NURSING IN THE PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF CHILDHOOD OBESITY

Abstract

Research on nursing interventions in the prevention and control of childhood obesity addressed three main determinants: sedentary lifestyles, poor diet, and psychosocial and environmental factors. Through an integrative literature review, negative points associated with each determinant were identified, such as increased risk of obesity, nutritional deficiencies, social stigma and lack of emotional support. However, several nursing interventions have been highlighted as effective in addressing these problems, including nutrition education, promotion of physical activity, psychosocial support, and advocacy for healthy environments. Authors such as Jardim (2017), Borfe et al. (2017), Serra et al. (2018), among others, contributed significantly to the development of these strategies. The research underscores the role of nurses in promoting child health, highlighting the importance of a multidimensional and collaborative approach to preventing and managing childhood obesity. In summary, the results obtained provide valuable insights to improve nursing practices, promoting healthy lifestyle habits, and combating the childhood obesity epidemic.