Health Promotion: Prevention of Disease

Firstly, I would review his past medical history. The history will help to identify if he has had any illness that could have a long-term effect on his appetite. Secondly, I would assess the medications Ricky has had. Sometimes the type of drugs, dosages, and prescription frequency may affect food intake (Bagger et al., 2015). Thirdly I would perform an allergy and food taste assessment to determine whether Ricky has any food allergies. Allergies and food taste are among the top causes of loss of appetite (Yin et al., 2017). I would also assess Ricky’s social history to identify the impacts of factors such as full-time work for his parents. Lastly, I would assess the nutrition of Ricky. He could be lacking water and fruits, which are critical nutrients that can boost appetite (Mabhaudhi et al., 2016).

I would ask Ricky’s mother about his reaction when feeding him. For instance, whether he vomits or diarrhea after eating the food, and whether there are any reasons he gives to back up the food frustration. I would also ask the mother whether there is a specific type of food that Ricky likes or dislikes. A study conducted in Finland and the US concluded that the extended family plays a critical role in the development of a child. The most significant impact is on their cognitive and psychological wellbeing (Erola et al., 2018). Also, the grandparents and more senior family members understand healthy ways of bringing up a child. Hence, the distance restricts Ricky’s parents from accessing child upbringing advice from the grandparents and Ricky from family love.

I would consider the amount and type of food available for the family to determine whether malnourishment is a factor. Secondly, I would assess their mental health because malnutrition is common in people who are depressed, with dementia, schizophrenia, and anorexia (Gerogianni et al., 2018). Lastly, I would evaluate the social mobility of the family to identify whether they like local foods.

References

Bagger, J., Holst, J., Hartmann, B., Andersen, B., Knop, F., & Vilsbøll, T. (2015). Effect of Oxyntomodulin, Glucagon, GLP-1, and Combined Glucagon +GLP-1 Infusion on Food Intake, Appetite, and Resting Energy Expenditure. The Journal Of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 100(12), 4541-4552. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2015-2335

Erola, J., Kilpi-Jakonen, E., Prix, I., & Lehti, H. (2018). Resource Compensation from the Extended Family: Grandparents, Aunts, and Uncles in Finland and the United States. European Sociological Review, 34(4), 348-364. https://doi.org/10.1093/esr/jcy021

Gerogianni, G., Kouzoupis, A., & Grapsa, E. (2018). A holistic approach to factors affecting depression in hemodialysis patients. International Urology And Nephrology, 50(8), 1467-1476. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11255-018-1891-0

Mabhaudhi, T., Chibarabada, T., & Modi, A. (2016). Water-Food-Nutrition-Health Nexus: Linking Water to Improving Food, Nutrition and Health in Sub-Saharan Africa. International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health, 13(1), 107. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13010107

Yin, W., Hewson, L., Linforth, R., Taylor, M., & Fisk, I. (2017). Effects of aroma and taste, independently or in combination, on appetite sensation and subsequent food intake. Appetite, 114, 265-274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2017.04.005