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BACKGROUND More than half of United States nurses are estimated to be overweight or obese. Interventions are needed that help nurses live healthier lifestyles. With most registered nurses being female and with an average age of 45.5 years in the category most likely to be obese, it is not promising that US nurses will become healthier over time without intervention. The Nurses Living Fit (NLF) program, an exercise- and nutrition-based intervention innovated by nurses, was developed to decrease body mass index in nurse participants and to help nurse's care for themselves and their families and patients. SUBJECTS A total of 217 nurses self-selected to the NLF intervention (n = 108) or contrast (no intervention; n = 109) groups. METHODS The NLF program included exercise (12 once-weekly sessions, 1 hour each), yoga (4 once-monthly sessions, 1 hour each), nutrition education (4 once-monthly sessions, 1 hour each taught by registered dietitians), diary completion (completed daily for 4 weeks specifying time spent on exercise/yoga, types and amount of food consumed, amount of water consumed, and hours slept), and healthy lifestyle principles education. Evaluation of the NLF program components was also completed. RESULTS The NLF participants had significant decreases in body mass index (NLF = -0.5 kg/m; contrast = -0.2 kg/m) and waist circumference (NLF = -0.9 in; contrast = -0.2 in). Overall, program component evaluation demonstrated that participants wanted more personalized exercise, more nutrition education, and year-round program provision. As a result of the NLF program, nurses specified they exercised more and improved nutrition. CONCLUSIONS Evidence-based intervention or programs are needed to educate nurses on healthy lifestyles. Nurse leaders need to promote healthy workplace environments, which can be done in part through the facilitation of exercise- and nutrition-based programs, such as NLF, to help nurses better care for themselves and their families and patients.

Objective: The hospital-based Nurses Living Fit (NLF) intervention was implemented by nurses to determine its effect on decreasing body mass index (BMI) in nurse participants. Background: Although there are limited data on obesity rates of nurses working in the United States, more than half are estimated to be overweight or obese. Methods: The NLF intervention included exercise (12 weekly sessions), yoga and nutrition (4 monthly sessions), and diary completion (exercise/yoga, food/ water consumption, and sleep), addressing healthy lifestyle principles. Results: NLF participants experienced a greater mean reduction in BMI and waist circumference inches. Ninety-three percent of NLF participants recommended the NLF program. Conclusions: Provision of an evidence-based program such as NLF facilitates nurse education on healthy lifestyle principles. More than two-thirds of American adults are overweight or obese. 1 Missing from current adult obe

After-school programs can be implemented by school nurses to facilitate healthy lifestyle choices in children with the goal of decreasing obesity. Kids Living Fit™(KLF), an after-school program designed by community hospital nurses, was implemented in elementary schools and focused on best lifestyle choices regarding foods consumed and activities chosen for children in grades 2 through 5. Study measures included comparison of body mass index (BMI) percentiles for age and gender and waist circumference between two self-selected groups composing a total sample size of 185 participants: the KLF intervention group ( n =80) and the no-intervention/ contrast group ( n =105). The 12-week intervention included a weekly fitness program and monthly dietitian presentations. Participants completed food and activity diaries and wore pedometers. In pairwise comparisons, the KLF group had a significant decrease in BMI percentile between baseline and follow-up (−2.3%) compared with the contrast group. The KLF group also demonstrated a smaller increase in waist circumference than the contrast group.

PURPOSE. Evaluate the effect of the Kids Living Fit™ hospital-based intervention on body mass index (BMI) percentile, adjusted for age (months) and gender in children ages 8–12 years with BMI percentiles ≥ 85. DESIGN AND METHODS. Twelve weekly exercise sessions and three nutrition presentations were held. Nurses recorded BMI and waist circumference at baseline, week 12, and week 24. Participants completed food and activity diaries. RESULTS. Of the 32 participants enrolled, 16 completed all outcome measures and experienced a decrease in average BMI, BMI percentile, and waist circumference between baseline and weeks 12 and 24. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. Hospitals can offer exercise and nutrition programs to decrease childhood obesity in their communities.