Prácticas actuales del terapista físico en el manejo de niños con obesidad

Abstract

Objetive: The purpose of this study was to describe the current practice of physical therapists in Puerto Rico in the management of children with obesity. Material and Method: A questionnaire was used for data collection. The participants were physical therapist attending pediatric patients with overweight or obesity. Physical therapists were selected through a convenience, non-probabilistic sampling to reach a quota of thirty participants. Results: In the past year, these professionals handled a total of 3.896 children, whom 648 were obese and 607 were advised to lose weight. Of the tasks outlined for the six roles the most commonly performed were those in the role of management of patients/clients: develop or adjust exercise programs (n=27), refer children with obesity to other professionals (n=24), develop exercise programs (n= 23), integrate family members to the plan of care (n= 23). Among the least used roles were the researcher and advocate.