In America today, nearly 1 in 3 teens and children are obese or overweight. Since obesity leads to many health issues, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, health professions have been led to try to decrease obesity rates. With that being said, in 2011 AOTA identified childhood obesity as an emerging practice for occupational therapy. When a child is obese, it hinders them to participate in their daily occupations. When limiting a child's occupations, their overall health and well-being is affected. Obesity affects occupational performance, and so it important for OTs to make goals for children with obesity to get more active. In order for the goal to be client-centered, the OT first needs to see what kind of interests the client has in becoming active, whether it being playing at recess or joining a sports team.
I think this new emerging practice correlates appropriately with AOTA's Vision 2025. In order to maximize health, well-being, and quality of life for all people, we need to look at specific health problems that can be partially prevented. I know that obesity often runs in families, but that is something we need to educate the public about. As OTs, we should provide more community activity programs and education about physical fitness and healthy diets.
https://www.aota.org/Practice/Health-Wellness/Emerging-Niche/Obesity.aspx
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