Education Models for Teaching Adults about Modifying Dietary Carbohydrate and Controlling Weight.

Education Models for Teaching Adults about Modifying Dietary Carbohydrate and Controlling Weight by Vincient M. Cleamons EdS, Walden University, 2016 MA, Northcentral University, 2016 MS, Brigham Young University, 1984 BS, Brigham Young University, 1981 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education Walden University February 2018 Abstract The prevalence of diabetes and other pathophysiological conditions has been correlated with the incidence of obesity. A large portion of an adult community in the northwestern United States suffers from excessive weight that has been linked to premature mortality rates and certain forms of diabetes. Excess calories from carbohydrate have been shown to increase weight. Therefore, diets that are modified in carbohydrate and calories may help mitigate weight and obesity comorbidities. This qualitative, single case study’s purpose was to explore the methods health care professionals use for teaching adults about controlling weight. Altheide and Johnson’s analytic realism theory, in which they describe how the experiences of educators and learners affect the way information is perceived, formed the conceptual framework for this study. An illustrative case study paradigm was used to identify the perceptions of licensed health care practitioners regarding the current adult teaching methods for modifying dietary carbohydrate and excess weight. Using a purposeful sample, data were collected in 2 phases with 5 licensed health care practitioners: Phase 1 entailed an open-ended electronic questionnaire and semistructured telephone interviews with open-ended questions during phase 2. Data were analyzed through coding and aggregation by NVivo and Tosmana software, respectively. The findings indicated that the American Diabetes Association (ADA) plate method was the most effective teaching model for controlling weight and carbohydrate intake. Consequently, the ADA plate method was used to create a professional development program to teach health care educators about nutrition instruction methods for adults. The study contributes to positive social change by enhancing preventive health measures for the local adult population through diet therapy education.The prevalence of diabetes and other pathophysiological conditions has been correlated with the incidence of obesity. A large portion of an adult community in the northwestern United States suffers from excessive weight that has been linked to premature mortality rates and certain forms of diabetes. Excess calories from carbohydrate have been shown to increase weight. Therefore, diets that are modified in carbohydrate and calories may help mitigate weight and obesity comorbidities. This qualitative, single case study’s purpose was to explore the methods health care professionals use for teaching adults about controlling weight. Altheide and Johnson’s analytic realism theory, in which they describe how the experiences of educators and learners affect the way information is perceived, formed the conceptual framework for this study. An illustrative case study paradigm was used to identify the perceptions of licensed health care practitioners regarding the current adult teaching methods for modifying dietary carbohydrate and excess weight. Using a purposeful sample, data were collected in 2 phases with 5 licensed health care practitioners: Phase 1 entailed an open-ended electronic questionnaire and semistructured telephone interviews with open-ended questions during phase 2. Data were analyzed through coding and aggregation by NVivo and Tosmana software, respectively. The findings indicated that the American Diabetes Association (ADA) plate method was the most effective teaching model for controlling weight and carbohydrate intake. Consequently, the ADA plate method was used to create a professional development program to teach health care educators about nutrition instruction methods for adults. The study contributes to positive social change by enhancing preventive health measures for the local adult population through diet therapy education. Education Models for Teaching Adults about Modifying Dietary Carbohydrate and Controlling Weight by Vincient M. Cleamons EdS, Walden University, 2016 MA, Northcentral University, 2016 MS, Brigham Young University, 1984 BS, Brigham Young University, 1981 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education Walden University February 2018 Dedication I dedicate this paper to my wife, Jayna, who lovingly supported and encouraged me through my doctoral degree. Her inspiration and love became the framework for my visions of the future. I also dedicate this work to my great-grandmother, Lessie Atelia Tucker-Reddick, who inspired me at a young age to search for knowledge and to embrace truth. Acknowledgments It is with deepest gratitude that I acknowledge the superb guidance from my doctoral chair, Dr. Maureen Ellis, who mentored my mind and soul during the challenging times of my doctoral study. I am also grateful for Dr. Robert Throop’s contributions to my academic success. Finally, I feel that it is most appropriate to acknowledge the help of that supreme power who directs and enlightens the minds of all people in their quest for knowledge and truth. I am eternally grateful for His influence.