Assessment of Adult with Obesity

Welcome to the Physiotherapy Assessment of Adult with Obesity Section
 

The resources in this section aim to facilitate achieving competence in conducting evidence-based physiotherapy assessment of adults living with obesity in a respectful, person-centred way. Evidence-based assessment is core to the provision of evidence-based physiotherapy. Effective assessment enables the physiotherapist to direct the adult living with obesity to the appropriate healthcare services, and
to plan and deliver evidence-based physiotherapy interventions.  
 

Here, the physiotherapy learner will be introduced to the key components of clinical assessment of the adult living with obesity, including:
 

• Diagnosis and staging of obesity, with guidance on the new approach to obesity diagnosis and how
  to appropriately stage the severity of obesity using a framework.

• Comprehensive history taking for the adult living with obesity, including medical, functional, social
  and lifestyle factors relevant to physiotherapy practice.

• Physical assessment considerations, with a focus on safe and appropriate approaches and measures  for adults with obesity.
   

You’ll also find a selection of practical tools and resources, including a sample physiotherapy assessment proforma, an overview of some relevant diagnostic blood tests you might see being ordered by your medical colleagues, evidence-based frameworks to support structured clinical reasoning and links to calculators for anthropometric measurements. 
 

These materials are intended to help you bridge theory and practice, supporting physiotherapy learners
to achieve competence in obesity care.  

Take your time to explore the section, and refer back to these tools as you continue to build your clinical skills.