Abstract

Obesity rates are rapidly increasing in Mississippi and the entire United States. It is estimated that 34.9% of Mississippi residents and 75 million Americans over the age of 20 are considered obese. Numerous studies have shown the high risk of developing co­ morbidities once a person develops obesity. The number of adult Americans living with obesity and its associated co-morbidities is alarming. The purpose of this study was to determine which co-morbidities are most prevalent among obese residents of rural Mississippi and whether they can be reduced or reversed with significant weight reduction. Nola Pender’s Health Promotion Model was utilized to guide the methods of this study. This study posed two separate questions. What percent of obese adult patients of rural health clinics in Mississippi have a co-morbidity associated with their obesity? What are the most common co-morbidities associated with obesity among patients of rural health clinics in Mississippi? This study examined the medical charts of non­ pregnant, adult patients of three rural Mississippi health clinics who are 20 years of age or older, of any race, ethnicity, or gender, with a BMI >30. The data was gathered from 300 charts of patients who met the inclusion criteria and statistically analyzed to determine which obesity-associated co-morbidities are most prevalent among this population.

Degree

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Department

Graduate Nursing

Degree Date

8-1-2013

Publication Number

27924511

First Advisor

Pam Thomas

Document Type

Thesis

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Nursing Commons

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