| Description |
Pediatric physical therapists often encounter patients struggling with overweight and obesity; however, many clinicians were not trained in the impact of obesity on body systems and what to consider during evaluation and treatment of these patients. Obesity impacts children and adolescents of normal development and also those with special needs. This program will present current data on the prevalence of pediatric obesity, risk factors for pediatric obesity, and the impact on the musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiovascular, and endocrine systems along with changes in psychosocial health status. As multi-disciplinary treatment is often the gold standard for pediatric obesity, the role of a physical therapist within a team of medical professionals is critical. Specific physical therapy evaluation strategies and treatment plans will be discussed utilizing case studies of children and adolescents. Since many pediatric patients with obesity also report pain, the relation between pain and obesity will be explored utilizing current research in this area. Finally, exercise can be used to decrease pain; this phenomena is called exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH). Until recently, it was unknown if EIH existed in adolescents across weight status (normal weight, overweight, and obese). The presenters will discuss their current research with aerobic and isometric exercise to decrease pain in children and adolescents across weight status. Mechanisms of EIH will also be explored. The audience will learn via presentation, case studies, and small/large group discussion.?
Upon completion of this course, the participant will be able to:
Identify risk factors for obesity in the pediatric patient.?
Understand the systemic impact of obesity on the pediatric patient.?
Create a physical therapy evaluation for a pediatric patient with obesity.?
Compare and contrast pediatric obesity in the general population and special needs population.?
Appreciate the relation between pain and obesity in pediatric patients.?
Explore current research examining how exercise can relieve pain in pediatric patients across weight status (normal weight, overweight, and obese)
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