Occupational Therapy for Excess Body Weight in Primary Care Settings

Abstract

Occupational therapy offers a holistic perspective regarding weight management. This study characterized occupational therapy’s current role in preventive care for adult primary care patients with excess body weight (EBW). This exploratory sequential mixed methods design used semi-structured interviews (N = 27) with primary care occupational therapists exploring experiences working with patients with EBW. Interview findings guided development of a survey exploring unanswered interview questions (N = 62). A joint display compared the two data sources. Interviews demonstrated that occupational therapists (1) promote patient-led conversations surrounding weight, (2) focus on meaningful health-promoting activities versus weight loss, and (3) assess subjective participation change versus changes in body composition. Within the surveys, 50% reported avoiding the word “weight.” Seventy-seven percent reported addressing meaningful participation in health management activities to support weight management. Occupational therapy demonstrates a unique and holistic approach to weight management that could support more respectful approaches to this topic.

Plain Language Summary

Experiences Providing Occupational Therapy Services to Individuals With Excess Body Weight in Primary Care Settings

Excess body weight can predispose individuals to a variety of health concerns and cause limitations in functional abilities. As weight-related health concerns increase both nationally and globally, occupational therapy provides a unique perspective to approach weight management with a holistic perspective on health. Therefore, this research was done to explore how occupational therapists currently support weight management in patients in primary care settings. The study involved both interviews and surveys to understand therapist experiences and practice patterns. The results revealed that occupational therapists focus on improving participation in activities versus weight loss. These results indicate that occupational therapy has a distinct approach to contribute to weight management care, focusing on participation in health routines versus someone’s weight on a scale. However, further education, advocacy, and clinical tools are needed to support occupational therapists in this role.