Obesity Prevention

Elaborate specific interviewing techniques used to effectively communicate with individual who is
at risk obesity

Interviewing is the primary way of obtaining comprehensive information about the patient in order
to provide effective centred care and medication. Having an effective interviewing approach
facilitates and support interactions between nurses and obese patients. There are two forms, these
include nonverbal and verbal. Verbal approaches include communication, as nonverbal
communication include facial expression, eye contact and body posture.

Open ended questions are a form of verbal communication to encourage patients to provide general
rather than more focused information. It provides patients such as obese patients with the choice of
opening up and deciding how much they want to share. Open ended questions are able to assist
nurses to press for patients concerns and therefore help them set priories and goals. Examples could
include:

- What have you tried so far to word towards a healthier weight?

Closed ended questions play the opposite role of open ended question. They restrict patient’s
responses, instead they are frequently answered as yes or no. Closed questions are used to focus on
the interview, pinpoint specific area of the patients concerns and collect valuable information
quickly and efficiently. For example nurses could ask:

- Do you want to lose weight? or

- How much weight do you want to lose?

Motivation Interview is another example of verbal communication. It is a collaborative, goal-

orientated style of communication designs to assist obesity patient to attaining specific goals. The
objective of Motivational Interview is to help patients develop reasons for making behaviour
changes and acknowledging them. MI is not to solve the patient’s problem but to assist and
motivate patient to believe that change is possible. Some examples of motivational interview
questions could include:

- On a scale from 1-10, how ready are you to make changes in your eating pattern?
- What are your hopes for the future if you are able to become healthier
- And what kinds of healthy changes do you think you could make this week?

Nonverbal communication is another techniques that can effectively communication with patients.
This can be displayed through the acronym SOLER:

- S is Sitting attentively at angle which means we are able to able to directly show patient that
are we as nurses are engaging and paying attention on what they have to say
- Open posture is the next stage where the patient is able to share and elaborate on their
concerns
- Lean posture towards client is the stage that show a sign of interest, but also beware not to
lean too closely towards the patient as it can make them feel uncomfortable. In this stage
the patient is willing to open up and talk in a lower or quieter tone when in a public
environment. Therefore it is best to consider where the interview should take place such as
allowing them to seat in a room where doors are closed for privacy reasons.
 - The next phase is E which is Eye contact , showing a strong interest of empathy or sympathy
towards the patient when making eye contact demonstrated that you are attentively
conveying and understanding their queries and worries.
- R is the final stage of SOLER it stands Relax body posture. Having a relaxed body posture
displays to the patient you aren’t in a rush but have the time and effect to take time, to care
for them. This is where the patient is able to have a response to the questions you’ve asked
them.

Addressing physical activity and correct diet are two of the biggest barriers to reducing weight in
Obese patients. Encouraging patients through therapeutic communication is important as it shows
that we care, thus motivates the individual to make changes to their lives.