Medicine and Health

Medicine and Health

Question: What changes would need to happen in a community for physical activity amongst citizens to improve? How might nurses be involved in those changes?

Introduction

It has been observed in previous studies that physical activities improve health and fitness of the community. It has been recommended by The National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) and the American Heart Association that each students of elementary institute is required to take part in at minimum 150 minutes of physical education every week. Moreover, each student of high school and middle school is required to take part at minimum 225 minutes for physical activities every week. In addition to the above discussion, several strategies are put forward for betterment of physical activity in community for better citizen heath and fitness

Promotion of Physical Activities

The government should promote the benefits of recreational or physical activities on television. The community should be encouraged to practice physical activities on daily basis. There should some training programs for adults and old age people for making them do physical exercise.

Opportunities for Extra Curricular Physical Activities

Families and kids require some opportunities and places for being physically active and to make physical activities as a part of their lifestyle. There is one way to provide opportunities to the community for recreational activities are to provide gyms and playgrounds to the public. Furthermore, now schools and communities are entering in mutual agreements of use for the development of new recreational facilities that are supposed to be shared by general publics and schools.

Reduce the Screen Time

At present, kids spend a lot of their time watching television and playing computer games, they are left with little time for physical exercise. Moreover, there are higher chances that these kids are exposed to unhealthy diet and beverages advertisements. It has been recommended by the American Academy of paediatrics that kids should not spend more than two hours in one day on watching television. The local government and policymaker contain a significant role for restricting the screen duration for students in day care, schools and afterschool shows.

Enhancement in Infrastructure for Support of Bicycling

It has been analysed that there is a strong association between bicycling and infrastructure for commuting purpose and recreational activities. The government should develop the infra structure and maintain it for local people residing in that community.

Involvement of Nurses

As part of contribution of nurse to the evaluation of the state of health of the person, to carry out the plan of care, in particular the nurse may gather information; contribute to the care plan and the plan therapeutic nursing. The nurse can communicate observations verbally and / or writing. The nurse can take part in promotion of physical activities. They can attend meetings of multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary teams and perform all other duties assigned to them for the establishment of physical activities plan.

References

Crump, C., & Emery, J. (2003). The WABSA project: Assessing and improving your community's walkability & bikeability. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School ...