Development of Exercise Intervention Programs for Healthy Adult Females with Overweight and Obesity: An Integrative Review

The purpose of this study was to identify factors of adherence, evaluate current exercise interventions, and determine areas of risk factor modification within the context of developing exercise intervention programs for healthy adult females with overweight and obesity. In recent years, overweight and obesity rates have significantly increased in the adult female population while their physical activity levels have declined. Health and wellness benefits of exercise interventions are widely known, however; practical guidelines do not exist for nurses to utilize in management of overweight and obesity. An integrative review was conducted to identify and evaluate components of exercise intervention development that would contribute to higher rates of adherence. Findings of this study revealed that factors of adherence, exercise intervention type, and risk factor modification were several components that contributed to effective exercise interventions and programming. Factors of adherence consisted of several concepts: social support, guided exercise programming, and affective response. Evaluation of exercise intervention types revealed that high-intensity interval training was most effective in modifying risk factors. Lipid profiles, anthropometric parameters, and cardiovascular function were among the major areas of interest identified for risk factor modification. Nurses can apply these components to their planning and implementation of exercise interventions to increase adherence and manage care in healthy adult females with overweight and obesity.