NR 716 Week 3 The Practice Question

Student Name

Chamberlain University

NR-716: Analytic Methods

Prof. Name

Date

NR 716 Week 3 Discussion Thread

Practice Question

Hi Dr. Jennings,

My practice question is:

In families with children, does implementing the Healthy Home Offerings via the Mealtime Environment (HOME) Plus Program, compared to standard mealtime practices, impact nutrition-related outcomes and behaviors over the course of the next 8–10 weeks? (Fulkerson et al., 2018).

This question addresses the pressing concern of childhood obesity, which continues to be recognized as a major public health issue with both health and economic implications (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2022). Because of the long-term risks associated with obesity in children, such as increased likelihood of chronic illnesses in adulthood, it is crucial to establish effective strategies that promote sustainable healthy lifestyles within families.

Importance of Collaborative Efforts

Addressing the childhood obesity epidemic requires a collective approach. Working together as healthcare providers, researchers, and families can help identify gaps in knowledge and practice while encouraging sustainable change. Leach and Tucker (2018) highlight that bridging the research-practice gap is essential to ensure that evidence-based interventions are effectively applied in real-world settings. Collaborative teamwork allows for shared responsibility and improved outcomes, particularly in creating healthier home environments.

Evidence-Based Interventions from the HOME Plus Program

The HOME Plus Program provided a structured, family-centered intervention aimed at enhancing the food environment and mealtime practices. The program emphasized:

• Promoting nutritious food purchasing and preparation habits.
• Reducing sugar-sweetened beverage consumption.
• Decreasing sedentary behaviors, particularly screen time.
• Strengthening self-efficacy in preparing balanced family meals.

The study enrolled 160 children aged 8–12 years and their parents. Of these, 81 parents were randomized to the intervention group and 79 to the control group. The intervention targeted both parents and children, reinforcing that mealtime routines and role modeling play a significant role in shaping children’s dietary behaviors.

NR 716 Week 3 The Practice Question

Outcomes of the Study

The findings highlighted both parent- and child-centered improvements. The results are summarized below:

Outcome	Population	Results	Significance
Self-efficacy in identifying portion sizes	Parents	Intervention group showed significant improvement compared to control	Statistically significant (Post-intervention P = .002; Follow-up P = .01)
Daily sugar-sweetened beverage intake	Children	Intervention children consumed fewer sugar-sweetened beverages	Statistically significant (P = .04)
Long-term impact	Parents & Children	Positive effects maintained at 21-month follow-up	Retention rate of 89%

These findings suggest that structured interventions, such as the HOME Plus Program, can improve both short- and long-term nutrition-related outcomes. Importantly, improvements in parents’ ability to recognize healthy portion sizes also positively influenced children’s consumption behaviors.

Data Collection and Retention Rates

Data were collected using surveys and dietary recalls:

• Baseline: Measurements were taken before program implementation.
• Post-intervention: Data collected at 12 months, with a high retention rate of 93%.
• Follow-up: At 21 months, the retention rate remained strong at 89%, showing that the program maintained engagement over time.

High retention rates reinforce the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention in real-world settings, increasing its potential for broader implementation.

Implications for Nursing Practice

Nurses play a vital role in health promotion and disease prevention. By applying evidence-based programs such as HOME Plus, nurses can support families in adopting healthier routines that improve dietary habits and reduce obesity risk. This aligns with the nursing responsibility of patient education, health coaching, and community-based intervention delivery.

Furthermore, the program demonstrates how interdisciplinary collaboration can bridge the gap between research evidence and clinical practice, ensuring that interventions are not only effective in theory but also practical and sustainable in family settings.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Obesity. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/strategies/index.html

Fulkerson, J. A., Friend, S., Horning, M., Flattum, C., Draxten, M., Neumark-Sztainer, D., Gurvich, O., Garwick, A., Story, M., & Kubik, M. Y. (2018). Family home food environment and nutrition-related parent and child personal and behavioral outcomes of the Healthy Home Offerings via the Mealtime Environment (HOME) Plus Program: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 118(2), 240–251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2017.04.006

NR 716 Week 3 The Practice Question

Leach, M. J., & Tucker, B. (2018). Current understandings of the research-practice gap in nursing: A mixed-methods study. Collegian, 25(2), 171–179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colegn.2017.04.008