Adriona Taylor
Southeastern Louisiana
University
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Clinical Interest: Spirituality and its’ affects on the
development of obesity.
Concept: Spirituality
Spirituality has been defined in numerous ways. These
include: a belief in a power operating in the universe that is
greater than oneself, a sense of interconnectedness with all
living creatures, and an awareness of the purpose and
meaning of life and the development of personal, absolute
values. It's the way you find meaning, hope, comfort, and
inner peace in your life (University of Maryland Medical
Center, 2011, “What Is Spirituality, “ para 1).
Obesity is the most common metabolic/nutritional disease in
the U.S. (Davis, 2001). Since the 1980s, obesity worldwide has
more than doubled. As a result, overweight and obesity are
the fifth leading risk for global deaths, with at least 2.8
million adults dying each year as a result of being overweight
or obese (WHO, 2012).
 How
is Katie Eriksson’s Theory of
Caritative Care applicable to
spirituality and its’ affects on the
development of obesity (among
adults)?
According to Tomey and Alligood 2006,
the caritative theory is based on the
following axioms and theses, modified
and clarified from Eriksson’s basic
assumptions with approval:
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The human being is fundamentally an entity of body, soul, and
spirit.
The human being is fundamentally a religious being, but all
human beings have not recognized this dimension.
The human being is fundamentally holy. Human dignity means
accepting the human obligation of serving with love, of existing
for the sake of others.
Health means a movement in becoming, being and doing, and
striving for integrity and holiness which is compatible with
bearable suffering.
The basic category of caring is suffering.
The basic motive of caring is the caritas motive.
Caring implies alleviating suffering in charity, love, faith, and
hope. Natural basic caring is expressed through tending, playing,
and teaching in a sustained caring relationship.
Caring relationship forms the meaningful context of caring and
derives its origin from the ethos of love, responsibility, and
sacrifice, that is, a caritative ethic.
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Since the 1970s, Eriksson’s nursing care process model has
been systematically used, tested and developed as a basis
of nursing care and documentation at Helsinki University
Central Hospital (Tomey and Alligood, 2006).
That Eriksson’s ideas about caring and her nursing process
model work in practice has been verified by everything
from a multiplicity of essays and tests of learning in
clinical practice to master’s theses, licentiates’ theses,
and doctoral dissertations produced all over the Nordic
countries (Tomey & Alligood, 2006, pp. 191-223).
This art of caring is being embraced by several nursing
units in the Nordic countries, for they have based their
practice and caring philosophy on Eriksson’s ideas and her
caritative theory.
Eriksson’s theory has been studied and used as the
theoretical framework for a number of research studies,
journal articles and published books, in which she
authored or co-authored.
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The Nursing Theory
Philosophy – Katie
Eriksson’s Theory of
Caritative Caring is a
nursing model that can
be applied to
spirituality and it’s
affects on the
development of obesity.
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Spirituality has often
been influential in
defining the value
system which shapes
the life of individuals,
including their past,
present and future
living existence on
Earth. It can be
gathered from the
above, that spirituality
certainly contributes,
has a voice and holds a
vital position in this
world, as a whole.
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In many cases, the
spiritual foundation of a
patient is not readily
assessed or even
incorporated because
those in healthcare lack
knowledge about this
component of care or
because they do not see
the value of spirituality in
the care of the patient.
Patients place a high value
on their spiritual and
emotional needs and this
correlates to patient
satisfaction with care
(Press Ganey, 2003).
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Spiritual assessment is
vital and necessary in
caring for the entire being
of a patient. It just may
be the key to discovering
the presence of emotional
eating, depression, lack of
support system, etc.
which can lead to obesity.
Obesity has risen to
epidemic levels within the
United States, (NIH, 2012)
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In the U.S. today, more than
one-third of the adult
population suffers with
obesity. This drastic increase
in obesity within the United
States has occurred over the
last 20 years. Two of the
greatest issues with obesity is
its’ cost and potential cause
of other chronic medical
conditions.
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Spirituality is a concept of
significance because it aids
the healthcare provider, in
being “better” at service to
his/her patient population
while increasing the
potential for more
therapeutic outcomes.
Application of Eriksson’s
nursing theory philosophy,
causes all parties involved
both patient and caregiver,
to view and adapt a caring
system that involves the
totality of the individual.
This involves the human’s
body, soul and spirit.
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THEORETICAL DEFINITION
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Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines
spirituality as: The state, quality,
manner, or fact of being spiritual
(Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary,
2012). Merriam-Webster Dictionary
defines spiritual as: Of, relating to,
consisting of, or having the nature of
spirit; not tangible or material
(Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary,
2012).
“The way forward is to think of
spirituality in terms to its relevance
and importance to individuals in their
everyday lives” (McSherry, 2006).
The theory supports the above
definition in that it notes a very key
component that Eriksson expresses in
her model. This key component is
caring for the whole being which
includes the spiritual aspect or makeup of the individual. In fact, the
model suggests that the only way to
care most effectively is by meeting
all the needs of the patient because
he or she is a religious being in some
shape or another.
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OPERATIONAL DEFINITION
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There are a number of tools
available for obtaining spiritual
assessment.
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Example: Spiritual Needs
Index, Herman 2007.
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The definition above is
supported by the theory in that
the tool used is assessing the
spiritual needs of those being
served. The theory of
caritative caring suggests that
when providing total care, the
spiritual component of the
individual must be assessed
because it plays a vital part in
how well the patient will be
cared for, as well as, the
overall healing outcome.
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It is believed and thought in some cases, that spirituality and
obesity are linked. It is assumed that depending on the foundation of
one's spirituality, one could possibly suffer or be at risk for
becoming obese. With rising obesity levels, it is of great necessity
that all that can be done happen, in an effort, to prevent an even
greater prevalence from occurring, as well as all of its' detrimental
effects. If healthcare providers are intentional above assessing a
patient's spirituality, and developing plans of care based on this
premise and if obesity and spirituality are linked, it may be possible
to halt or decrease the development of obesity. With the incorporation
of the Theory of Caritative Caring, it charges the provider to view
the patient and care for the patient holistically, which causes the
spiritual foundation to be known, thus providing a possible clue to
the likelihood of obesity forming based on the patient's spiritual
stance and perspective. If this is noted early enough, this
devastating phenomenon obesity, can be prevented as healthcare
providers, aid it helping individuals define their spirituality as
well as help educate them about the importance and role of it in their
lives so they do not have to become prey to this life-threatening
condition.

Davis, F.A. (2001). Taber’s cyclopedia medical dictionary.
Philadelphia, PA. F. A.Davis Company
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Herman, C.P. (2007). The degree to which spiritual needs of patients
near the end of life are met. Oncology Nursing Forum, 34(1), 70-78.
Retrieved from CINAHL with full text.
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Merriam-Webster On-Line Dictionary (2012). Retrieved from
http://www.merriam-webster.com
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McSherry W 2006 Principle Components Model: a Model for Advancing
Spirituality and Spiritual Care within Nursing and Health Care
Practice. McSherry, W. (2006). The Principle Components Model: a
Model for Advancing Spirituality and Spiritual Care within Nursing and
Health Care Practice. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 15, 905-917.
Retrieved from Medline database.
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National Institutes of Health (2012). Obesity. Retrieved November 15,
2012 from http://health.nih.gov/topic/Obesity
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Press Ganey (2003). Press Ganey knowledge summary: Patient
satisfaction with emotional and spiritual care. Retrieved September
28, 2012, from http://www.pressganey.com
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Tomey, A.M. & Alligood, M.R. (2006). Nursing theorists and their
work. St. Louis, Missouri. Mosby Elsevier.
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University of Maryland Medical Center (2011). What is spirituality?
Retrieved September 25, 2012 from
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/spirituality-000360.htm