In the activity, you will apply the health behavior model to a fictional case study.
You are working in a health clinic with clients seeking help with weight loss. Felicia, a 21 year old college student comes into the clinic. She wants to lose 25 pounds because she has just found out that she is borderline diabetic. If she loses weight, she may be able to control her blood sugar with dietary changes alone, but if she maintains her current weight, she will probably need to take insulin.
Felicia is concerned about how she can reasonably achieve this weight loss, since she is very busy. She is in her last year of college, taking an overload of courses to speed up her graduation, and working almost full-time as a waitress. Her boyfriend is putting a lot of pressure on her to spend more time with him, and she is concerned that if she doesn't he may break up with her.
Apply the health belief model to this case. Be sure to address the following questions: (note you are NOT simply answering each question - you are writing a mini case study.
o What is Felicia's perceived susceptibility to diabetes?
o What factors (emotional and perceived impact on lifestyle) do you think are likely to be influencing Felicia's perceived severity of the illness?
o What might be the perceived benefits for Felicia losing weight now?
o What might be some of the perceived barriers to Felicia's losing weight now
o What strategies do you think would be most effective for facilitating Felicia's weight loss at this time?