This October, the American Physical Therapy Association's National Physical Therapy Month to Focus on Nation's Obesit... (and director of the Program in Physical ...)

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This October, the American Physical Therapy Association's National Physical Therapy Month to Focus on Nation's Obesity Epidemic

Date:9/18/2007

and director of the Program in Physical Therapy at Washington University School of Medicine. "Rather, physical therapists need to regard obesity as a primary concern for intervention," she adds. Previous research (1) conducted by Dr Deusinger confirmed recent rising health concerns on college campuses. Her study of 300 undergrads at Washington University in St Louis found that 70 percent of the students had gained an average of nine pounds between their freshman and sophomore years, and most were still not meeting recommended guidelines for healthy eating and exercise behaviour.

"To say the least, the results of this study are cause for concern," notes Deusinger. "People are dying from the effects of obesity, and it's not just our parents and grandparents anymore; it's our friends, siblings, and colleagues. No one is immune from the dual epidemics of obesity and sedentary behaviour."

Connie Cushing, PT, MS, a 17-year-veteran physical therapist at Children's Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama, is a member of a practice team that focuses on overweight and obese children and teens at the Hospital's Center for Weight Management. Along with a psychologist, physician, nurse practitioner and nutritionist, Cushing evaluates each child individually (both before they enter and leave the Center). As a result, Cushing can determine whether the patient is at risk for joint and musculoskeletal problems, as well as implement what the collective team learns regarding other commonly seen issues such as diabetes or asthma. "Patients often have multiple, pre-existing medical conditions that can affect their ability to exercise and what specific exercises they are capable of doing," notes Cushing.

"For the younger children at the Center we recommend restricting television viewing and video game playing and encourage family games that can be played both indoors and outdoors at home," says Cushing. "It becomes a bit more complicated with teens, as we need to factor in w
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