Occupational Therapy for Excess Body Weight in Primary Care Settings

Occupational therapy offers a holistic perspective regarding weight management. This study characterized occupational therapy's current role in preventive care for adult primary care patients with excess body weight (EBW). This exploratory sequential mixed methods design used semi-structured interviews (N = 27) with primary care occupational therapists exploring experiences working with patients with EBW. Interview findings guided development of a survey exploring unanswered interview questions (N = 62). A joint display compared the two data sources. Interviews demonstrated that occupational therapists (1) promote patient-led conversations surrounding weight, (2) focus on meaningful health-promoting activities versus weight loss, and (3) assess subjective participation change versus changes in body composition. Within the surveys, 50% reported avoiding the word "weight." Seventy-seven percent reported addressing meaningful participation in health management activities to support weight management. Occupational therapy demonstrates a unique and holistic approach to weight management that could support more respectful approaches to this topic.