Document Type

Presentation - Oral - to professional peers

Department

Nursing

Date of Activity

Fall 10-20-2023

Abstract

According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 4 adults do not meet the globally recommended physical activity levels (WHO, 2022). There is a 20-30% increased risk of death among persons who are not physically active (WHO, 2022). Multiple organizations have goals to increase physical activity to improve health: Healthy People 2030 (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, n.d.), American College of Lifestyle Medicine (Lianov et al., 2022), World Health Organization (2022), Center for Disease Control & Prevention – Healthy People, Healthy Nation initiative (CDC, 2022). Healthcare workers, including nurses, experience challenges engaging in adequate physical activity (Jun et al., 2019; Nepper et al., 2021; Owusu-Sekyere, 2020; Saridi et al., 2019; Wolff et al., 2021).

In December 2020, I tested positive for COVID-19. Over the previous few years, I gradually decreased my physical activity and increased my weight. This was a wake-up call. Since then, I’ve lost over 20 pounds and improved my physical activity and energy levels. In December 2022, I became a certified personal trainer. My goal is to help busy nurses incorporate simple strategies to prioritize self-care and improve overall health. During this workshop, you will learn practical solutions to embrace the struggle and consistently increase your physical activity and improve your overall health.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, June 3). About Active People, Healthy NationSM. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/activepeoplehealthynation/about-active-people-healthy-nation.html

Jun, S.Y., Kim, J., Choi, H., Kim, J.S., Lim, S.H., Sul, B., & Hong, B.Y. (2019). Physical activity of workers in a hospital. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2019; 16(4):532. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16040532

Lianov, L. S., Adamson, K., & Rea, B. L. (2022). Lifestyle medicine core competencies: 2022 update. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 16(6), 734-739. https://doi.org/10.1177/15598276221121580

Nepper, M.J., McAtee, J.R., & Chai, W. (2021). Effect of a workplace weight-loss program for overweight and obese healthcare workers. American Journal of Health Promotion, 35(3), 352-361. https://doi.org/10.1177/0890117120960393

Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (n.d.). Physical Activity. Healthy People 2030. Retrieved from https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/physical-activity

Owusu-Sekyere, F. (2020). Assessing the effect of physical activity and exercise on nurses’ well-being. Nursing Standard. https://doi.org/10.7748/ns.2020.e11533

Saridi, M., Filippopoulou, T, Tzitzikos, G., Sarafis, P., Souliotis, K., & Karakatsani, D. (2019). Correlating physical activity and quality of life of healthcare workers. BMC Research Notes, 208(12), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-019-4240-1

Wolff M. B., O’Connor P. J., Wilson M. G., & Gay J.L. (2021). Associations between occupational and leisure-time physical activity with employee stress, burnout and well-being among healthcare industry workers. American Journal of Health Promotion, 35(7): 957-965. https://doi.org/10.1177/08901171211011372

World Health Organization (2022, October 5). Physical activity. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/physical-activity

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