Nola Pender's Health Promotion Theory (Essay Sample)

Nola Pender’s Health Promotion Theory
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Nola Pender’s Health Promotion Theory
Nola Pender’s health promotion theory views health as a positive dynamic state rather than merely the absence of disease. It was developed by Nola Pender, a nurse, in 1982 to help nurses educate clients with addictive behaviors such as consumption of fast foods and smoking (Pender, Murdaugh & Parsons, 2006, p7). The model perceives health promotion to comprise activities designed to increase the level of wellbeing and self-actualization of individuals, families, communities and societies (Pender, Murdaugh & Parsons, 2006, p7).
The model can be applied to nutritional and weight management by training clients about a health promoting behavior such as following a balanced diet and regular exercise (Pender, Murdaugh & Parsons, 2006, p28). In older people who have overweight problems, the implementation of Nola Pender’s health promotion model may be more challenging as active habits are already developed. More Elderly patients have a history of barriers to achieving a healthy lifestyle.
There are behavior-specific cognitions and affect which influence commitment to balanced diet and regular exercise (Pender, Murdaugh & Parsons, 2006, p56). For instance, stress, lack of time, cost, and contrary conviction about the benefits of behavior change, etc. Nurses can assist the patients by addressing the positive advantages of the health promoting behavior, teaching the patient how to overcome the barriers, and providing positive feedback for the patient’s successes.
To overcome these obstacles,...