The Role of Physiotherapy

Healthcare professionals meet with people living with obesity regularly in their clinical practice. People  with obesity may present to physiotherapy specifically for the management of obesity or its related complications and many present to physiotherapy where obesity is one of multiple morbidities. Holistic, biopsychosocial rehabilitation approaches require competence in working with people living with obesity, delivering evidence-based interventions to address obesity, understanding how obesity interacts with other comorbidities, leads to complications, impacts on the severity of many presenting conditions
and influences treatment approaches and recovery. Newer evidence-based surgical and pharmacological approaches to obesity bring their own specific rehabilitation requirements, with implications
for planning and delivery of physiotherapy interventions. Physiotherapists need to clinically reason
the rehab priorities and the planning, delivery and evaluation of rehab interventions for the growing number of people, living with obesity, who present for healthcare. Optimising movement, physical function, participation in life activities and enhancing quality of life are key goals of physiotherapy and
of critical importance for people living with the chronic disease of obesity. So too is delivery of effective, evidence-based exercise interventions for the management of chronic diseases, such as obesity with
a view to changing disease markers and enhancing overall health outcomes.
 

Physiotherapists’ expertise in patient mobilisation, moving, handling and ergonomics is critical
to ensuring non-stigmatising, effective and equitable healthcare for people with obesity and optimising participation in life activities (e.g., work). Many of the obesity-related complications or comorbidities
in people with obesity cause significant disability and physiotherapy assessment and management (e.g., osteoarthritis of the knee), underpinned by a biopsychosocial approach, is required. Empowering and advocating for people within healthcare systems and in the community towards enhancing quality of life are well recognised physiotherapy competencies.