The Sunflower Model: An Integrative Model of Weight Management for Practitioners
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Authors
Meloy, Mary
Issue Date
2005
Type
Capstone
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
This paper explores the subject of weight management. It presents a model, "The Sunflower Model" to be used by practitioners such as health educators, dieticians, doctors, nurses, psychologists, and food and fitness experts. After examining the terms and concerns of weight management, the paper takes into consideration other existing models and builds a foundation in which to present the Sunflower Model. The model symbolizes and consists of two parts: the inner central seed core and the outer individual petals that are representative of several factors making up the individual such as beliefs, habits, emotions, and body image. The new weight management model addresses a complex, multifaceted topic that is more manageable, understandable, flexible and based on an individual approach. It can be used with many issues and programs of weight management such as obesity, eating disorders, surgical patients, Weight Watchers, Atkins, and Overeaters Anonymous. After describing the model, the project goes on to demonstrate how the model works by presenting three vignettes: a parent with an obese child getting picked on at school, a patient who has undergone weight loss surgery and is afraid of gaining the weight back, and a pre-diabetic, menopausal woman who wants to be thin again. The model is used as a guide; first the central core is examined, followed by the petals. The final goal of the practitioner and client is to resolve the problem but also to establish a sense of peace, happiness, and contentment within the client. This "compassionate" model teaches the c'ient to become more conscious of self care and of that he/she is consuming or net. This ultimately leads to a feeling of self-worth, love, and kindness for oneself, hence a better feeling of satisfaction and quality of life and better overall health.