Life-long learning and continuing professional development (CPD) are the processes by which professionals, such as nurses, develop and improve their practice.
There are many ways to address CPD: formally, by attending courses, study days and workshops; or informally, through private study and reflection.
Reading articles in professional journals is a good way of keeping up to date with what is going on in the field of practice, but reflecting on what you have learned is not always easy.
These questions are designed to help you identify what you have learned from studying the article. They will also help you to clarify what you can apply in practice, what you did not understand, and what you need to explore further.
1 What definition of obesity was given in the article?
a) A body mass index (BMI) over 30
b) A BMI over 40
c) A waist measurement over 30 inches
d) A waist measurement over 40 inches
2❯ What were train drivers expected to be able to climb?
a) A flight of stairs
b) Everest
c) Back into the cab, a bank or siding
d) Under the train for inspection purposes
3 Which of the following are train drivers NOT expected to sleep in?
a) Hotel
b) Home
c) Train cab
d) Tent
4 Which organisation has issued obesity guidelines?
a) World Health Organisation
b) Faculty of Medicine
c) National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
d) Royal College of Nursing
5 Which three pieces of data were collected from the drivers?
a) Coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors, BMI and waist measurement
b) Diabetes risk factors, BMI and waist measurement
c) CHD risk factors, BMI and height measurement
d) CHD risk factors, urinalysis and waist measurement
6 Which of the following was NOT one of the forms of exercise undertaken by the train drivers?
a) Walking
b) Boxing
c) Cycling
d) Trampette
7 What were the key reasons given for high rates of obesity among train drivers?
a) Work environment, shift patterns and motivation levels
b) The environment, shift patterns and motivation levels
c) Work environment, bullying and motivation levels
d) Work environment, shift patterns and annual leave entitlement
8 What percentage of the questionnaires sent out were returned?
a) 20%
b) 25%
c) 33%
d) 50%
9 Which of the following is NOT one of the recommendations made to the employer?
a) Reduce unhealthy vending machine food
b) Provide microwave and fridge in restrooms
c) Provide discounted food parcels
d) Allow the OH nurse to speak to drivers during training sessions
10 What is the most important meal of the day?
a) Breakfast
b) Lunch
c) Tea
d) Dinner
Answers
1. a – Explore the meanings of the waist measurement and the BMI calculations. Download a copy of the NICE guidelines on obesity.
2. c
3. d
4. c
5. a
6. b – Boxing may not be mentioned in the text but any exercise is worthwhile. Consider what activities you can advise your obese employees to undertake and what can be offered by the employer as an incentive.
7. a – Write notes on why you think that shifts and the work environment are not conducive to a healthy lifestyle.
8. c
9. c
10. a – Find out why breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and then consider how it would help in combating obesity.
Online resources on managing obesity to help in your research and educational needs
www.foresight.gov.uk/obesity/obesity.html: This is where you can download the document on Tackling Obesity. However, the Foresight website has other areas that may also be of interest to you.
www.aso.org.uk: The Association for the Study of Obesity (ASO) has three key objectives:
- To promote professional awareness of obesity and its impact on health.
- To educate and disseminate recent research on the causes, consequences, treatment, and prevention of obesity.
- To prioritise obesity and provide opinion leadership in the UK.
www.nationalobesityforum.org.uk: The National Obesity Forum (NOF) website offers a wealth of information and downloadable newsletters and teaching aids for healthcare professionals.
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www.bdaweightwise.com The Weightwise website is designed primarily for clients, or members of the public. As a health professional, however, you may find sections useful as a source of background knowledge and as a resource of downloadable information sheets and tools that you can use with clients.
www.whi.org.uk WHI is the ‘Walking the way to Health Initiative’ and it aims to get more people walking in their own communities, especially those who take little exercise or live in areas of poor health. WHI is an initiative of the British Heart Foundation and Natural England.
