{"id":11515,"date":"2025-09-02T11:06:22","date_gmt":"2025-09-02T11:06:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nurs.essaybishops.com\/an-investigation-into-gps-promotion-prescription-and-referral-of-physical-activity-for-obesity\/"},"modified":"2025-09-02T11:06:22","modified_gmt":"2025-09-02T11:06:22","slug":"an-investigation-into-gps-promotion-prescription-and-referral-of-physical-activity-for-obesity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.studyproessays.com\/nursing\/an-investigation-into-gps-promotion-prescription-and-referral-of-physical-activity-for-obesity\/","title":{"rendered":"An Investigation into GP\u2019s Promotion, Prescription and Referral of Physical Activity for Obesity"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\nTitle: Ethics Supplementary Information<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n

\nTable of Contents<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n

\nSection A: Detailed study rationale\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026..3\n<\/p>\n

\nSection B: study aims and hypothesis\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.\u2026\u2026.5\n<\/p>\n

\nSection C: Detailed Testing Protocol\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.\u2026.\u2026\u2026.6\n<\/p>\n

\nParticipant Information Sheet\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.\u2026\u2026.\u2026\u2026\u20269\n<\/p>\n

\nParticipant Informed Consent \u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.\u2026..10\n<\/p>\n

\nParticipant Recruitment Email\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026..\u2026.\u2026.13\n<\/p>\n

\nBibliography \u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.\u2026.\u2026\u202614\n<\/p>\n

\nSection A: Detailed study rationale<\/a>
\n<\/h2>\n

\nGeneral practitioners (GP\u2019s) are crucial influencers of patient behaviour and important initiators in the prevention of non-communicable disease. Therefore, they can inspire large amounts of the general population (NERF,2016, p.10). Patients identify GP\u2019s as credible sources of information (Haddad et al, 2000). This is evident when it comes to the adoption of healthy lifestyle decisions as patients report their GP as their primary source of information in regards to healthier behaviours and PA (Oberg and Frank, 2009., Lobelo and De Quvodo,2016). A major predictor of whether GPs promote healthy lifestyle behaviours to their patients is whether they engage in a healthy lifestyle themselves (Oberg and Frank, 2009) This can be attributed to general practitioners\u2019 reluctance and\/or difficulty in recommending strategies that they themselves do not adhere to (McKenna, Naylor and McDowell, 1998). This is evident in a study by Keohane et al <\/em>(2018) where it was discovered that 50% of Irish GP\u2019s currently fail to reach the recommended physical activity levels (30 min per day, preferably 7 days a week). According to Fraser et al <\/em>(2013) Patient\u2019s perceptions of the health advice received during consultations are heavily influenced by the perceived health status of the GP. However, evidence suggests that promotion of PA in primary care can significantly increase PA levels in physically inactive populations. (Orrow et al., 2012., NICE,2006). However, In Ireland, there is a lack of information on the current status of physical activity promotion for obesity specifically in relation to General Practitioners.\n<\/p>\n

\nThere is mixed evidence on whether referral to community-based exercise programmes improves the rate of physical activity\/Exercise participation (Orrow et al 2012., Murphy et al, 2012., Campbell et al, 2015., Williams et al,2007). However, In regards to obesity, community-based exercise programmes have been proven to produce reductions in weight (Clark et al, 2010). As stated above GP\u2019s are vital influencers of patient behaviour and their referral to community-based programmes would be a crucial step to decrease the rates of obesity in Ireland (NERF,2016, p.10).\n<\/p>\n

\nObesity can be defined as excessive or abnormal fat accumulation that presents a risk to life, whereby a person with a BMI (Body mass index) of \u226530 is considered obese (WHO, 2018). Obesity is a major risk factor for depression (Roberts et al., 2003; Kasen et al., 2007; Luppino et al., 2010), and chronic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases (Poirier et al., 2006), diabetes (Algoblan, Alalfi and Khan, 2014) and cancer (Bhaskaran et al., 2014).\u00a0 As a result, obesity is a significant contributing factor to mortality and morbidity (Pi-Sunyer, 2002., Lenz, Richter and M\u00fchlhauser, 2009., Abdelaal, le Roux and Docherty, 2017). The increased rates of obesity associated with the last 100 years can be attributed to shifts in nutritional norms and patterns of sedentary behaviour (Popkin, Adair and Ng, 2012., Owen et al., 2010). According to Wiklund, (2016) PA has the potential to be a solution for this ever-growing crisis.\n<\/p>\n

\nPhysical inactivity accounts for approximately 5.3 million (9%) deaths globally per year and it is estimated that if physical inactivity was reduced 25%, more than 1.3 million deaths could be prevented annually (Lee et al., 2012). Physical activity can be defined as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that require energy use (Alricsson, 2013). Many studies have shown a positive correlation between increased levels of physical activity and a reduction in obesity and related symptoms (Swift et al, 2014; Wiklund, 2016; Strasser, 2012). Along with a reduction of obesity related comorbidities physical activity also has been linked to a lessoning of depression symptoms and an increase in quality of life (Gill et al., 2013). The American College of Sports Medicine in a 2009 recommendation\u2019 outlined strategies for weight loss and the prevention of weight gains. In which they stated that:\n<\/p>\n

\n\u201cModerate-intensity PA of 150 to 250 min-wk. with an energy equivalent of 1200 to 2000 kcal-wk. seems sufficient to prevent weight gain greater than 3% in most adults\u201d<\/em> (Donnelly et al, 2009).\n<\/p>\n

\nand for people suffering from obesity:\n<\/p>\n

\n\u201cPA that approximates 250 to 300 min-wk. (approximately 2000 kcal-wk.) of moderate intensity PA\u201d<\/em> (Donnelly et al, 2009).\n<\/p>\n

\nThis study hopes to identify if GP\u2019s prescription of physical activity meets the guidelines set out be the ACSM.\n<\/p>\n

\nWith the current Irish health care system under significant pressure, physical activity would be an uncomplicated intervention with a strong evidence base that is easily accessible, free and non-discriminatory. In Ireland, the recommended levels of physical activity are 30 minutes of moderate activity 5 days per week (or 150mins\/wk.) (Department of Health,2015, p.8). The Healthy Ireland Survey (2015) outlined that 32% of the Irish population are considered to be highly active with men being more (40%) active than women (24%), Thereby resulting in a physical inactivity rate of 68%. This high level of inactivity highlights the question of physical activity promotion and prescription within the Irish context and whether it meets the guidelines set by the ACSM.\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0
\n<\/h2>\n

\nsection b: study aims and hypothesis<\/a>
\n<\/h2>\n

\nStudy Aims:<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n

\nThe aim of this study is to examine what GP\u2019s know about exercise promotion, prescription and referral of physical activity in relation to obesity in Ireland<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

\nResearch Questions
\n<\/h3>\n

\nResearch questions are more applicable to this study. These include:\n<\/p>\n

\n\u2022Is the current level of physical activity promotion provided by GP\u2019s\u2019 sufficient for the prevention of obesity?\n<\/p>\n

\n\u2022<\/a>Upon examination, do Irish GP\u2019s prescribe physical activity in accordance with the most recent physical activity levels recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine? (2009 recommendations)\n<\/p>\n

\n\u2022Is referral of physical activity utilised as a tool to tackle obesity? If so, how?\n<\/p>\n

\n\u2022Do barriers exist when promoting, prescribing or referring physical activity to patients? If so what are they?\n<\/p>\n

\nSection C: Detailed Testing Protocol<\/a>
\n<\/h2>\n

\nTesting Protocol Overview<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n

\nStudy design:\n<\/p>\n

\nThis study will be a cross-sectional analysis carried out via questionnaire. It will cover the topics of GP\u2019s promotion, prescription and referral of physical activity for obesity in Ireland. Within will be a series of statements for which participants will agree or disagree along with some open-ended question based around promotion and prescription of PA.\n<\/p>\n

\nParticipants and setting:\n<\/p>\n

\nThe participants for this study will be general practitioners of all ages and gender who work and are located in Ireland with inclusion and exclusion criteria as follows:\n<\/p>\n

\nInclusion of participants:<\/u>\n<\/p>\n

\nCriteria for inclusion:\n<\/p>\n