Physiotherapy Association of Belgium Points to Physical Therapy as Treatment for Childhood Obesity

Childhood and adolescent obesity is a world wide epidemic. Exercise is the main treatment strategy for this condition and position statements have been released to support this. Physical therapists in home care and private facilities can play a key role in increasing physical activity levels via community programs.

A systematic and feasible approach to pre-screening and implementing exercise programs for children and adolescents is included in this clinical recommendation. The goal is to provide guidance for physical therapists to prescribe effective and medically safe exercise for children and teens with obesity. These programs will ultimately contribute to better health care and treatment of obesity in this population.

Complications of obesity in youth can include endothelial dysfunction, hypertension, insulin resistance, cholecystolithiasis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, respiratory and orthopedic disorders, and/or suffer from psychosocial/psychiatric problems, chronic pain, and lower quality of life. Decreasing obesity will put youth at lower risk for these life long complications.

AXXON (Physiotherapy of Belgium) has released these guidelines via the PT Journal.

Access the Guidelines Here