The Role of Physiotherapists in the Current Obesity Crisis

 by Ellie Jeynes

Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to an extent that it may have a negative effect on your health. It is now one of the biggest health crises we are facing as a global population. In the U.K. alone obesity affects 1 in every 4 adults and around 1 in every 5 children aged 10 to 11 years old. Obesity also comes with its risks, it can lead to some potentially life threatening conditions like coronary heart disease, a stroke and some types of cancer. Those suffering with obesity are also at an increased risk of type two diabetes. 

Physiotherapists have a key role to play in the prevention and management of obesity. Obesity leads to restrictions in movement and affects engagement in physical activity. Physiotherapists can help those who are obese as they have a key knowledge of the physiological and psychosocial mechanisms of health and disease. This combined with their knowledge of biomechanics and exercise prescription and management of long term conditions means that they are very well equipped to try and curb the current obesity epidemic. Physiotherapists provide valuable input and expertise into the multi- disciplinary management of obesity, helping to make sure the patient has the maximum support they can as they try to combat this health issue.

 The importance of eating healthier and exercising more is recognised as the best way to start to tackle an obesity problem however, it is not always that easy.  A lot of patients feel that there is a psychological block that is stopping them from exercising regularly to try to lose weight. As a physiotherapist it is important to make sure that patients feel supported mentally as well as physically to make sure that the lifestyle changes they make will last after they stop receiving treatment. A treatment plan by a physiotherapist for an obese patient make consist of the management of associated conditions that are linked to obesity for example, arthritis or other chronic musculosketal conditions such as heart disease. It would also include the provision of personalised lifestyle advice that would recognise and take into account a patient's personal attitudes, circumstances and cultural preferences. As well as forming a programme that was sustainable for the patient in a collaboration with other allied healthcare professionals and community support services.

 As previously mentioned 1 in every 5 children between the ages of 10-11 is obese and the  neag be health effects of obesity on children are just as concerning as those affecting adults. Being obese can detrimentally affect children’s developing motor skills performance as they struggle with coordination in their limbs, balance and agility. As children age these differences become more pronounced emphasising the need to encourage overweight children to be more physically active.

There is also an economic benefit to managing obesity with physiotherapy as well. In 2006-2007 the cost of people who were overweight or obese in the U.K. was £5.1 billion and must be a far greater some now. Obesity is often a preventable condition that places a significant strain on the NHS. If physiotherapists can help people to lose weight and become healthier before they reach the point of obesity it means that less strain will be placed on the NHS and they can focus on conditions that aren’t as preventable.