Applying Self-Determination Theory to Patients with Diabetes Research Proposal

Applying Self-Determination Theory to Patients with Diabetes - Research Proposal Example Obesity has for two decades gained much prominence in the lives of many people in the United States. Children were in the past considered immune from this disease while adults produced the highest obesity rates. At least 20-25% of children in the US suffer this preventable ailment that has become a leading cause of death in the country (Haslam, 2007). Several studies reveal that the mortality risk is lowest for those with a body mass index (BMI) of 20-25 kg/m2 for nonsmokers and 24-27 kg/m2 for smokers. Those above a BMI of 32 are considered as having a double mortality rate, especially amongst women. It is estimated that at least 111,000 to 365,000 deaths are recorded annually as a result of obesity-related ailments in the US, with at least 1.1 million deaths being reported across Europe annually. Obesity is seen as reducing one’s life expectancy by at least seven years especially for those above the BMI of 35, and those with BMI’s greater than 40 reducing their expect ancy by at least 10 years (Haslam, 2007). The main causes of obesity can be broken down to these eight reasons. One of them is age where one has increased chances of getting obese as they age due to slow metabolic rates. Another is gender, with women having a higher tendency to gain weight more than men. Genetics play a role with such trends running in the family. Environmental factors such as sedentary lifestyles or those that encourage such lifestyle changes put one at a higher risk (Haslam, 2007). Lack of physical activity also plays a great role in encouraging obesity tendencies since the excess sugars are not excreted from the body as required. Psychological factors influence eating habits and thus, obesity may result. Illnesses such as hypothyroidism and depression are also associated with obesity because of reported hormonal problems. The last one is medication, such as steroids and some antidepressants, which may lead to excessive weight gain (Haslam, 2007). Purpose of study The main purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of using the self-determination theory (SDT) in the treatment of obese patients Research questions i) How can the use of SDT be made effective in the treatment of obesity cases in the country? ii) Is there proof of its success in clinical or home settings? iii) Is there any proven correlation between SDT and obesity? Definition of terms: Obesity-a medical condition where the body accumulates excessive fat such that one has a BMI greater than 30 kg/m2 BMI-the body mass index is a heuristic representation for the amount of fat in the body, based on one’s height and weight. It is calculated by dividing one’s weight by one’s height. SDT-this is a theory that seeks to prove that an autonomy perspective context will generally foster the satisfaction of three basic psychological needs, namely the needs for competence, autonomy and relatedness. Motivation-an urge to achieve certain goals, can be intrinsic (o f an individual’s inner self) or extrinsic (external forces acting on an individual). Significance to nursing Learning more about the causes of obesity and looking for ways of motivating individuals to take it upon them to