Physical Therapy as Treatment for Childhood Obesity in Primary Health Care: Clinical Recommendation From AXXON (Belgian Physical Therapy Association)

Abstract

Worldwide, an obesity epidemic among children and adolescents is apparent. In the care of obesity in children and adolescents, exercise therapy is considered a cornerstone. Official position statements describe and endorse the need and effect of exercise therapy and increased physical activity in children and adolescents with obesity. Physical therapists working in private and home care settings (first-line treatment) can play a key role in maximizing participation rates in exercise and physical activity programs, thereby increasing the community-scale clinical benefits of increased physical activity. However, it remains unclear how such guidelines can be efficiently applied in private practice and home care physical therapy settings given the limited equipment, infrastructure and time. In this clinical recommendation, a systematic, effective, and feasible approach for pre-participation screening and implementation of exercise interventions or increased physical activity programs in children and adolescents with obesity is provided for first-line physical therapists. This clinical recommendation aims to provide a guideline for physical therapists in private practice and home care settings to prescribe clinically effective and medically safe exercise interventions for children and adolescents with obesity, thereby contributing to better care and treatment of obesity in these children and adolescents.