Occupational Therapy and overweight and obese people: Knowledge and sharing

• Main Authors: Vanina Tereza Barbosa Lopes da Silva, Alexandre Luiz Ferreira da Silva, Marilene Calderaro Munguba, Carminda Maria Goersch Fontonele Lamboglia, Carlos Antonio Bruno da Silva
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade Federal de São Carlos 2015-03-01
• Series: Cadernos de Terapia Ocupacional
• Subjects: Occupational Therapy; Obesity; Therapeutic Approach.
• Online Access: http://www.cadernosdeterapiaocupacional.ufscar.br/index.php/cadernos/article/view/706

Obesity is a worldwide phenomenon that affects both the rich and poor populations. It results from the action of environmental factors, dietary habits, physical activity and psychological conditions on individuals genetically predisposed to present excess adipose tissue. The impact of obesity can be measured by its influence on the quality of life. Occupational therapy has developed a significant role within the interdisciplinary treatment of obesity. The objective of this paper is to describe the experience of the work of occupational therapists in an interdisciplinary group for adult and elderly people presenting overweight and obesity in an extension project of a private university in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte state. The Occupational Therapy team performed weekly interdisciplinary care, assessment, planning, organization of the therapeutic setting and occupational therapy intervention. The team was composed by an occupational therapy teacher, a scholar and five volunteer undergraduate students. The service group was open to new components, caregivers, and family and community members. Playful, cognitive, bodily, physical and productive occupational therapy activities were used in the sessions. These activities favored positive outcomes in mental, emotional and social dimensions. Thus, the project enabled the visibility of Occupational Therapy at the university, as well as the growth and expansion of academic and occupational knowledge on therapeutic intervention in obesity.