Paper approved May 2019 by the faculty of UMKC in partial fulfillment of the degree of Doctor of Nursing PracticeApproved May 2019 by the faculty of UMKC in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Nursing PracticeThe purpose of this evidence-based project proposal was to determine if Mediterranean dietary
counseling in adult obesity could improve body mass index and waist circumference in a primary
care clinic. Obesity is a common health condition influenced by genetic and environmental
factors. Adults with obesity have a higher risk for developing severe medical, psychosocial, and
financial problems. A quasi-experimental, pilot, single cohort design with pre- and post
measures were used to evaluate the impact of the Mediterranean dietary counseling on obesity.
Fourteen patients were recruited through convenience sampling at a primary care setting.
Baseline body mass index and waist circumference were obtained pre and post nine weeks. The
dietary counseling included the Mediterranean food pyramid, self-monitoring of accurate weight
and waist circumference and calculation of body mass index. Follow up phone calls were
conducted during the nine-week intervention. The results showed that Mediterranean dietary
counseling lowered body mass index and waist circumference over a period of nine weeks.
These findings support Mediterranean dietary counseling and impact on improved body mass
index and waist circumference. In healthcare, Mediterranean dietary counseling may be used to
manage obesity in the primary care setting
