Obesity
About Obesity[edit | edit source]
How Physiotherapists can help[1][edit | edit source]
Physical therapists, as exercise experts, join the worldwide concern for the ever growing epidemic of obesity, which affects adults and children alike. It is probably one of the greatest challenges to our health systems around the world in the 21st century.
There are two important interventions to prevent and manage obesity. One is optimal nutrition. The other is increased exercise and physical activity. The potential contribution of physical therapists to the latter approach is immense.
Physical activity is any movement of the body that requires the use of our skeletal muscles, which in turn requires energy expenditure. This energy expenditure is basic to weight control. Aerobic exercise prescriptions and recommendations for strength/resistance training must go hand in hand with reduced food intake, and the progression of activity should be gradual, scientifically based, and tailored individually to each person.
It is important that the physical therapist finds the most appropriate activity for the individual, so that they will not only enjoy the activity but also have a greater chance of staying with it.
There are numerous types of exercise prescriptions that the physical therapist may use in their increasing effort to battle the obesity epidemic. The sooner all our nations begin to adopt initiatives and programmes to combat obesity and other diseases of civilisation, the less will be the burdens on health systems delivery around the world.
Physiotherapy Management[edit | edit source]
Resources[edit | edit source]
Child obesity and physical activity
References[edit | edit source]
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- ↑ Dr Marilyn Moffat, President of the WCPT. [http://www.wcpt.org/sites/wcpt.org/files/files/ads/WPTDay2011-B4-President_Quotes.pdf How physical therapists fight non-communicable disease throughout the lifespan]. 2011
