Abstract
Nurses and midwives are integral to public health promotion; in the UK, they are advised to act as role models by their governing body, but overweight or obesity rates are high. We explored whether obesity and dietary habits are related to attitudes towards healthy role modelling and health promotion practice. A total of 346 pre-registered UK nurses and midwives (92.6% female; 18–53 years) completed an online survey. Items included body composition, dietary habits assessed by the Lifestyle Behaviour Questionnaire (LBQ), attitudes towards being role models for health (RA: role attitudes) and attitudes toward health promotion practice (ATHPP): 33.8% of the sample self-reported as overweight or obese; 67.6% did not consume 5-a-day portions of fruit/veg; 31.5% reported a healthy diet; and 89.6% believed their diet could be healthier. Positive RA was significantly linked to health promotion engagement (HP) (ß = 0.33, p < 0.001). Positive ATHPP was significantly predicted by lower BMI (ß = −0.08, p = 0.078), positive RA (ß = 0.67, p < 0.001), lower HP (ß = −0.25, p < 0.001) and male gender (ß = 0.09, p = 0.02). Greater confidence in patients valuing healthcare professional’s advice was predicted by healthier diet (ß = 0.11, p = 0.03), lower BMI (ß = −0. 16, p < 0.01), more positive RA (ß = 0.14, p < 0.01) as well as HP engagement during training (ß = 0.20, p < 0.01). One’s own motivation to promote health, similarly to ATHPP, was predicted by RA (ß = 0.17, p = 0.001) and previous HP engagement (ß = 0.39, p < 0.001). Findings show that overweight and obesity are prevalent in pre-registered nurses and midwives; the majority did not consume a healthy diet. Individual’s body composition, diet and attitudes towards role modelling are positively associated with their attitudes towards, and confidence in, health promotion practice. Experiences of health promotion practice during training can have either a positive or a negative influence on attitudes. Mentors and educators could actively promote healthy lifestyles for pre-registered nurses and midwives and facilitate more opportunities for health promotion practice during placements, which includes time for reflection.
Highlights
Global obesity levels have doubled in the last 30 years [1]
This study showed that overweight and obesity were prevalent in pre-registered nurses and midwives; two thirds did not consume five portions of fruit and/or vegetables per day, most participants reported an unhealthy diet, and most believed that their diet could be improved
While the majority believed that health promotion was part of a nurse or midwife’s role, around one third claimed to have had no involvement in health promotion at all, half of whom were in their final year of training
Summary
Global obesity levels have doubled in the last 30 years [1]. Due to its strong links with chronic illnesses [1,2], obesity is the most widespread threat to health and wellbeing in the UK [3]. The economic burden of obesity is significant, demanding 5–6% of the annual health budget, which is expected to equate to £9.7 billion by 2050 [4,5]. Survey for England, 67% of men and 60% of women were classified as overweight or obese, this has increased by 2% since 2014 for both groups [2]. It has been estimated that obesity in nurses in the United Kingdom (UK) is higher than that of the general population.
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