Special Issue of Obesity and the Role of Occupational Therapy

Abstract

occupational therapy within the obesity epidemic. The obesity epidemic is a public health concern. Bazyk, continuing with her commitment to a public health approach to improving the lives of children, especially in mental health, has developed “A Multitiered Approach to Addressing the Mental Health Issues Surrounding Obesity.” Through this paper, readers are introduced to a three-tiered public health approach that focuses on multiple ways occupational therapy professionals can address the mental health issues surrounding obesity, obesity prevention, and the promotion of healthy weight. The author nicely details how public health can easily interface with occupational therapy values, philosophy and practice, and reasons that this approach may be crucial to meet society’s needs. I suggest that all readers examine her references to further the work this author has developed to help meet society’s needs, in this case, the need to address obesity and mental health. Children who are obese or overweight are a family health issue and must be viewed from an open systems lens. Pizzi and Vroman, in their article on “Childhood obesity: Effects on children’s participation, mental health, and psychosocial development,” make the case for occupational therapists to consistently be aware of the psychosocial and mental health dimensions of health in order to promote full participation. They address the concepts of occupational marginalization, deprivation, and alienation through being client and family centered and occupation focused using a systems approach to care. The authors emphasize the need to always address the multiple mental health challenges faced by children who are obese or overweight and to develop strategies and programs that are