Call to arms: time to fight an epidemic

According to the National Institutes of Health (2008), 108 million Americans are overweight and/or obese. In 1997, the World Health Organization noted that this was a major public health problem and it is no longer just an American problem. Clinically, nurses must find ways to have conversations with clients about weight and healthy lifestyles in ways that do blame the victim. Take a look at the vending machines for patients and their families in waiting rooms. Is there anything in those machines that we could consider healthy? Nurse leaders are in the ideal position to help their organizations consider the development and implementation of a wellness program. Most importantly, we have to start talking about the issue and find ways to develop multi-pronged approaches to confront the obesity epidemic.