DESCRIPTION
This lecture is focused on gaining an understanding of the complexities associated with overweight and obesity in childhood. The family, the schools and the community all have very important roles in changing the trajectory of this ever-increasing problem. As practitioners we have a key role in early intervention to help monitor and educate families in healthy behaviors to avoid overweight leading to obesity in children. As manual therapists it is important to understand how the increase in fat mass effects the developing structures in the child.
• Gain an understanding of the mechanical effects of the increase weight on developing musculoskeletal system
• Gain an understanding of how excess weight affects the dynamics of the lower extremity joints, gait and movement patterns
• Gain an understanding of the different factors which have been shown to be key in managing overweight and obesity
• Gain an understanding of how physical activity and sedentary behavior influence bone mass accrua