Promoting Health, Well-Being, and Quality of Life for Children Who Are Overweight or Obese and Their Families

Childhood and adult obesity has escalated to a national and worldwide epidemic. The statistics are remarkable (Table 1), and the escalation appears endless. It has become a public health issue, especially as the trajectory for being overweight or obese among children continues to climb. World Health Organization (WHO; 2016a) statistics demonstrate that globally, insufficient physical activity, one of the greatest contributors to childhood obesity, has become pandemic (Figure 1).

Obesity and overweight affect children’s morbidity and mortality, overall health, academic achievement, and quality of life (WHO, 2016a). From an occupational perspective, meaningful engagement and active participation in childhood occupations in any context are significantly diminished by being overweight or obese, in turn undermining a child’s physical, social, emotional, and mental health (Kuczmarski, Reitz, & Pizzi, 2010; Pizzi et al., 2014). Given the projected increases in childhood obesity, occupational therapy practitioners must fill an immediate societal need by being informed about the epidemic and taking immediate and sustainable action. The outcomes of medical interventions (e.g., medication, surgery) are inconsistent, but occupational therapy has a vital role in promoting health, well-being, and quality of life for children and youth who are overweight or obese and their families:

Increasing evidence indicates that the health, well-being, and quality of life of children who are overweight or obese are compromised (WHO, 2016a). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC; 2015), children who are overweight or obese are at risk for the following:

• High blood pressure and high cholesterol, which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). In one study, 70% of obese children had at least one CVD risk factor, and 39% had two or more.

• Increased risk of impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes.

• Breathing problems, such as sleep apnea and asthma.

• Joint problems and musculoskeletal discomfort.

• Fatty liver disease, gallstones, and gastro-esophageal reflux (i.e., heartburn).

• Psychological stress such as depression, behavioral problems, and issues in school.

• Low self-esteem and low self-reported quality of life.

• Impaired social, physical, and emotional functioning (para. 13).

Children who are obese are more likely to become obese adults, with health consequences that include heart disease, diabetes, metabolic disorder, and cancer (Biro & Wien, 2010). Obesity in one parent is correlated with obesity in offspring; other factors that place children at risk for being overweight or obese include ethnicity, educational level of head of household, and family income level (CDC, 2015).

Every occupation of childhood is affected by obesity, including occupational engagement and participation. Social and mental health issues include marginalization, stigmatization, being bullied, development of a negative self- and body image, poor social participation, and depression (CDC, 2015; Davison & Birch, 2001; Pizzi & Vroman, 2013; Puhl & Latner, 2007). Prejudicial attitudes among health professionals, including occupational therapists, can compromise service delivery (Vroman & Cote, 2011).

Many occupational therapy practitioners work with children with special needs, including physical, mental, and socioemotional challenges. Research indicates that more than 40% of children with a disability are at higher risk for being overweight or obese (Rimmer, Rowland, & Yamaki, 2007), and children with developmental delay are more likely to be overweight by age 3 than their nondisabled peers (Emerson, 2009; see also Bazyk & Winne, 2013).

Systems thinking is foundational for occupational therapy practitioners’ clinical reasoning regarding occupational challenges. Occupational therapy models and theories, even those not directly addressing client health and well-being needs, examine the interaction among the person, the environment, and the occupation:

Reasoning through occupational issues related to children who are overweight or obese using systems thinking must also include use of public health models that emphasize prevention and health promotion. Bazyk’s (2011) work in the area of public health related to the mental health of children and adolescents has emphasized a three-tiered public health model for intervention while also advocating for a systems perspective. This model corresponds to the primary, secondary, and tertiary areas of prevention; is strengths based; and focuses on supporting all children coping with the challenges of being overweight or obese.

Tier 1 includes universal interventions involving health promotion and primary prevention for whole populations of children, including children who are overweight or obese and those who do not have any weight issues. Targets can include an entire school system or any environment in which children play, learn, and live. Examples of Tier 1 interventions are

• Consultation with schools regarding the promotion of physical activity, play and recess, and positive mental health for all children;

• Creation of systemwide programs that incorporate movement, nutrition, and healthy routines;

• Development of culturally specific occupation-based educational strategies that can be implemented in schools and communities to help children maintain healthy weight; and

• Diversity training for students and teachers to eliminate bullying behaviors and weight bias.

The Comfortable Cafeteria and Refreshing Recess programs are examples of embedded programs developed by occupational therapists that focus on healthy food choices, positive social interaction, and enjoyable active play (Every Moment Counts, 2013a, 2013b).

Tier 2 involves targeted interventions or secondary prevention for children at risk for being overweight or obese. Some of the most at-risk children include those with disabilities and those living in poverty (CDC, 2015). These children often face occupational deprivation, marginalization, lack of access to healthy foods, limited opportunity for physical activity, and environmental demands not known to other children (Pizzi et al., 2014). Children at risk for being overweight or obese are also at risk for being bullied and stigmatized (Pizzi & Vroman, 2013; Puhl & Heuer, 2010; Puhl & Latner, 2007). Occupational therapy practitioners have the skills and knowledge to create prevention programs for at-risk children focused on social and recreational activity that promotes healthy eating, movement, and social participation in a stress-free and safe environment, both during and after school. To intervene at this level, enabling children's positive physical, mental, and social health, occupational therapy practitioners must be aware of the multiple factors that place children at risk.

Tier 3 interventions involve more individualized activities correlating with tertiary prevention for children and youth who are already overweight or obese and who require direct intervention. This group requires more than functional and educational assessment; they require assessment focused on health and well-being, motivation to change a health behavior, and investment of family and individual time and effort to make that change in behavior. One such assessment tool is the Pizzi Healthy Weight Management Assessment (Pizzi, 2014), which has been used in several research and clinical studies; more occupation-based and health-focused assessments are needed to help meet society’s needs. Examples of targeted interventions include recommending culturally specific healthy routines, evaluating families’ cooking styles and food preferences, teaching home management strategies that promote health and well-being, and developing walking or dance programs for children and families that can easily be implemented daily. Above all else, occupational therapy practitioners must remain client centered throughout the process, incorporating all factors that will help each client sustain a lifelong commitment to improving health behaviors.

Occupational therapy practitioners have done an exemplary job in the area of tertiary prevention, in which the role of rehabilitation specialists is appreciated. Much greater understanding of the occupational challenges and possibilities for positive health behavior change among communities and populations is necessary for the health care community to recognize occupational therapy as a major force toward change.

The Institute of Medicine (IOM; 2012) report Accelerating Progress in Obesity Prevention discusses five major goals and provides recommendations, strategies, and action plans for obesity prevention. Occupational therapy has a significant opportunity to translate these goals to practice.

Promoting physical activity through play and engaging children and adolescents in fun, interesting, and engaging activity that is grounded in moving and interacting with others is standard occupational therapy intervention for children with special needs. A commitment by practitioners to properly assess and intervene with children who are obese or overweight is necessary to ensure that all occupational and health needs are met for every child, including those who do not have special needs. It is vital to intervene early in children’s lives and to promote movement activities for individuals, communities, and populations. Education for children and their parents and caregivers about the health benefits of movement, intertwined with actual movement activity, is imperative to improve occupational health and prevent disease and disability for those who are overweight or obese.

Occupational therapy practitioners work in homes, schools, and communities where children live, learn, and play. In each of these environments, education about what constitutes a healthy food source and which beverages are healthy and unhealthy for children can be an effective strategy to implement using occupation-based activity. Occupational therapy practitioners can make a difference by advocating (e.g., with legislators) for health policies on consumption of less sugary drinks, providing health education activities for families and schools about offering healthy snacks and less sugary drinks during snack times or play breaks, and creating Tier 1, 2, and 3 interventions that help children always choose the healthy option.

Positive and hopeful messages offered by the media and in home, school, and community environments will support behavior change toward healthy weight management. It will take a multisector effort to enable that change. A mandate for all occupational therapy practitioners is to develop positive and powerful health messages that promote a commitment to physical activity and healthy nutritional options. Practitioners can, for example,

• Educate families and youth, in fun and interesting ways, about the body and its systems and about how increasing physical activity and nutrition makes the body stronger for occupational engagement;

• Use positive messages about making water a more desirable and interesting option than fruity and sugar-added juices during breaks, and educate families about the health benefits of water; and

• Develop family education sessions, individual treatment sessions, and community-based workshops that educate through activity.

It is also vital that practitioners and the profession transform messages about physical activity and nutrition using a health literacy approach in a way that helps the general public connect the messages with occupational engagement. For example, practitioners can provide families with fun strategies to help children eat healthier, and they can help society understand that play and any activity incorporating movement and occupational engagement improve health. As a profession, we must continue to create and provide powerful, positive health messages that link occupation to health and ensure that our message is made public through various media sources.

Occupational therapy practitioners must help transform what is meant by early intervention and educate insurers that early intervention must include prevention, particularly with communities and populations. Practitioners can implement this goal by addressing childhood obesity and prevention through primary care practitioners including physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and all practitioners involved in any setting related to childhood obesity. Talking to and educating insurers about the benefits of occupation as prevention will continue the conversation that occupational therapy is a vital service. Finally, development of obesity prevention and health-related occupation-centered programs for schools and businesses can create new pathways for the profession to pursue.

According to the 2015 American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) workforce and salary survey, 60.8% of occupational therapists work in school settings in direct intervention, and 13.7% work as school consultants. Pizzi and Orloff (2015) strongly suggested that anyone working in school systems begin to document and advocate for healthy weight management goals. Occupational therapy practitioners need to explore the impact of obesity on academic achievement, including school attendance, which is often diminished because of health problems related to being overweight or obese. When occupational therapy practitioners clearly and consistently articulate and document the link between healthy weight management and occupational participation in school, then children, their families, and their school systems and communities will better understand the power of occupation in children’s lives. Being knowledgeable about and advocating for increasing recess in schools can help all children achieve and maintain healthy weight (AOTA, 2012).

A WHO (2016b) Commission for Ending Childhood Obesity report cited six strategies that can be adapted and implemented by occupational therapy practitioners:

1. Implement comprehensive programs that promote the intake of healthy foods and reduce the intake of unhealthy foods and sugar-sweetened beverages by children and adolescents.

2. Implement comprehensive programs that promote physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviors in children and adults.

3. Integrate and strengthen guidance for noncommunicable disease prevention with current guidance for preconception and antenatal care to reduce the risk of childhood obesity.

4. Provide guidance on, and support for, healthy diet, sleep and physical activity in early childhood to ensure children grow appropriately and develop healthy habits.

5. Implement comprehensive programs that promote healthy school environments, health and nutrition literacy and physical activity in school age children and adolescents.

6. Provide family-based, multicomponent, lifestyle weight management services for children and young people who are obese. (pp. viii–xi)

Occupational therapy practitioners can strengthen the IOM and WHO goals and strategies by collaborating with colleagues and creating interdisciplinary programs. It is important to acknowledge the strengths and contributions of others working to address childhood obesity, such as nutritionists, physical therapy and nursing professionals, health educators, primary care personnel, psychologists, community organizers, social workers, and those in the creative arts professions. The onus is on the occupational therapy profession and practitioners to expand what we do and whom we collaborate with, to think outside the box, and to be creative and innovative to help meet this societal need.

Preventive, proactive, and innovative approaches are needed to reduce the health impact of childhood obesity for all societies and populations (WHO, 2016b); “[t]hese innovative approaches need to consider the child’s occupational challenges in the context of multiple environments” (Pizzi & Orloff, 2015, p. 29). The occupational therapy profession needs to align itself with the health, well-being, and quality of life issues that affect society. Children who are overweight or obese are challenged in all of these areas on a daily basis, yet practitioners often overlook their health and wellness needs to meet only their functional or educational needs. Although this omission may be a result of school or reimbursement mandates, it is vital to address children’s overall health needs, which affect their functional and educational needs. Use of a systems perspective enables health through occupation. Attending to the child as a person with multiple occupational challenges and being aware of the impact of obesity on a child’s functional and educational needs can only strengthen the profession and practitioners’ assessments and interventions. Children who are overweight or obese are best served when they are viewed as occupational beings who participate in family, community, and society.

The following list, although not all inclusive, provides guidance for occupational therapy practitioners and other health professionals working with children who are overweight or obese:

• Develop and implement family-centered care and education for families with parents and children who are overweight or obese.

• Interweave health promotion and prevention throughout all occupational therapy curricula related to obesity and healthy weight management.

• Create school-based occupational therapy interventions that meet the individualized education program and health and wellness needs of children who are obese or overweight.

• Create multilingual and culturally appropriate educational materials, in clear and understandable language, that explain the direct link between obesity and academic achievement.

• Develop fun and engaging community-based, occupation-centered after-school programs that enable physical activity and healthy food choices, some of which could also be family centered.

It is imperative that occupational therapy practitioners engage in assessment and intervention of children who are overweight or obese using a public health framework, including assessment and intervention of family systems. Children do not play and participate in life in a vacuum, but rather must be viewed as being in constant interplay with families, schools, and communities, the environments in which they interact.

The best program or intervention and outcome will never make a difference to the larger society, however, unless others are informed about the power of occupation. To meet the societal and global challenge of childhood obesity, the occupational therapy profession must be visible, produce evidence, and make it known how well we transform individual lives and communities. The future of each child depends on it.

I acknowledge the collegiality and support of the AOTA Obesity Prevention and Health Promotion Work Group; Lorie Richards, AJOT editor-in-chief, who believed in the need for this special issue; and Susan Bazyk, for her review of this editorial.