Research/Theory Exemplar (Orem’s Self Care Deficit Theory)

Moore, J. B., Pawloski, L. R., Goldberg, P., Kyeung, M. O., Stoehr, A., & Baghi, H. (2009). Childhood obesity study: a pilot study of the effect of the nutrition education program Color My Pyramid. The Journal of School Nursing, 25(3), 230-239.

Lead investigator – Jean Burley Moore, PhD, RN. George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia

Theoretical Framework 

Orem’s Self Care Deficit Theory – Self-care, Self -care agency, self-care activities/practices (estimative, transitional and productive). This framework was used to develop the interventions, measurement approaches, and self-assessment components of this study.

Summary

The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of a nutrition education program, Color My Pyramid, on children’s nutrition knowledge, self-care practices, activity levels, and nutrition status. A quasi-experimental design was implemented with 4th and 5th grade children in the Washington, DC schools. The leading health indicators were Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity.

Outcomes

Results indicated that the program increased nutrition knowledge in the control group. Furthermore, it increased activity time from pretest to posttest and decreased systolic blood pressure for children in both groups; however, there were no significant differences in BMI percentiles. “Color My Pyramid” can be successfully employed in school settings.

Theoretical Implications

The study findings indicate that strategies that allow greater integration of content and reinforcement, increased student involvement and log keeping are relevant nutrition-related self-care operations in school-based nutrition education. In addition, the role of parents or surrogates should be emphasized as a technological component in promoting self-care practices through interpersonal and social processes within the school setting.