Running head: DISCUSSION QUESTION 7

Discussion Question 7
Catherine Morris
Lakeview College of Nursing 
N200-Theories & Issues in Nursing
April 6, 2011

DISCUSSION QUESTION 7
Discussion Question 7
	As nurses, it is our goal to promote health and wellness. However, in today’s society it is unfortunate that an increasingly large number of people live an unhealthy lifestyle. In fact, these unhealthy behaviors show no evidence of improving anytime soon, and the amount of people living this way is rapidly growing.  For this reason, I believe that unhealthy lifestyles have the biggest impact on the nursing profession.
	Every year, public officials report that there are now more obese Americans than ever. (Chitty & Black, 2011) Obesity brings about a whole list of health care issues that can arise as a result of poor eating habits. Lack of exercise is also a current problem. With the convenience of fast food restaurants and lack of exercise, people are failing to realize what they are doing to their bodies. 
	Tobacco use plays a major role in a person’s health. Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer in both men and women. For decades, smoking has continued to rise, especially in the young. (Chitty & Black, 2011)  
	Americans are constantly on the go, leaving themselves little time to take care of their health. Stress is becoming an increasing problem. Eating disorders and drug abuse also continue to rise. Both of these disorders continue to plague the American population. (Chitty & Black, 2011)
	With the combination of all of these unhealthy behaviors, it is important for nurses to understand how to properly educate their patients on how to be healthy. However, most of these 
Discussion Question 7
disorders are choices the patients will continue to participate in, making it difficult for health care providers to reach their goal of promoting all around wellness for our patients. Unhealthy lifestyles is showing no signs of decreasing any time soon, which is why it has and will continue to have  the biggest  impact on the nursing profession. 

DISCUSSION QUESTION 7
Reference
Chitty, K. K., & Black, B. P. (2011). The science of nursing and evidence-based practice. Professional Nursing: Concepts & Challenges (426-430). Maryland Heights, MO: Saunders Elsevier.