The Idea of an Essay, Volume 4

2017 Composition Contest Winnners 7 realize that obese babies are likely to become obese teenagers and adults (Garnicia, 2004). This explains the reason behind the shocking predominance of obesity among Hispanics. Richard S. Garcia testifies his struggle as a Mexican American pediatrician to correct Mexican mothers who come into his office with their obese child saying, “No come nada!” Meaning, the child “doesn’t eat anything!” “I disappoint them each time,” says Dr. Garcia, “all the more so because I’m Mexican American; I should not only understand but should agree with their anxieties.” What drives the Mexican American parents to constantly feed their children is the fear of malnutrition. Such fear is understandable in the context of culture; they do not want their children to go hungry. However, overfeeding one’s children has dire consequences. Children who are obese are at a greater risk of high blood pressure, which also puts them in a greater risk of other fatal diseases such as strokes and heart attacks in their adulthood. Dr. Garcia draws a clear line between culture and health. “The view that overweight babies are healthier babies is culturally imbedded, reinforced by friends, grandparents, and history… But I don’t agree with it…I try various strategies to convince the parents that their child doesn’t need more food.” Dr. Garcia exemplifies the ideal attitude that nurses must adopt. Although one may not agree with the client’s thoughts, just as Dr. Garcia did not agree with his own culture’s belief about health, nurses should never cease to address and communicate the discrepancy between cultural practices and optimal health to the client. After all, nurses are expected to provide the best care possible so that patients will regain their health. Therefore, they must rectify the misconstrued thoughts and behaviors even if they are culturally embedded. Uphold the culture; suppress the faulty practices. This is the balanced approach between the action of communicating the need for change while maintaining a considerate attitude towards the patients’ definition of health and culture. It is the nurse’s job and obligation to look out for the patient’s best interest in the context of the patient’s culture. However, when cultural practices and traditions result in detrimental health effects, they do not take precedence over the proper health care provided by the nurse. Remember: Culture is not the problem. Behaviors construed from false premises are. At the same time, nurses should not ignore their clients’ cultural values and traditions, but try to