Knowledge, management approaches and attitudes of BCNO osteopaths towards overweight and obese patients
Item
- Title
- Knowledge, management approaches and attitudes of BCNO osteopaths towards overweight and obese patients
- Author(s)
- England Louise
- Abstract
- Background and relevance There are growing numbers of overweight and obese adults and children in the UK. With obesity comes increased mortality rates and risk of obesity related illnesses. There is evidence that people who are overweight or obese are generally discriminated against throughout society. Osteopaths should not be beyond scrutiny in their attitudes towards people who are overweight or obese. Discriminatory views can be expressed both verbally and non-verbally. While a practitioner may be careful to avoid non-judgemental language, without examining their own attitudes and feelings toward obesity, their own discomfort in treating an obese patient might become apparent through non-verbal interaction. Objectives The study aimed to lookat osteopaths' knowledge around obesity and the numbers of overweight and obese patients seen in their clinics. It also attempted to examine the behaviour of practitioners and their attitudes towards overweight patients. Methods A postal questionnaire was sent out to 163 BCNO-trained osteopaths working in Britain. 52% were returned. Results The number of overweight patients seen by osteopaths were significantly less than the national average. The majority relied on visual assessment and no practitioners used the method of recording waist circumference to evaluate the patient's weight status. It was believed that overeating was the primary cause of excess weight. Of those practitioners who used both their osteopathic and naturopathic skills a significant number were more confident in the potential outcome of their management. No practitioners expressed positive feelings toward overweight patients though the majority (55%) were neutral. Conclusions Using BMI values or recording waist circumference would be a more useful tool in the evaluation of weight rather than visual assessment. Research supports the belief that lack of exercise rather than overeating is the primary cause of excessive weight and patients need to be encouraged to alter theirlifestyles in order to expend more energy. Osteopathy as a profession and educational institutions need to address issues raised and challenge preconceived and stereotypical ideas about people who are overweight.
- presented at
- British College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Date Accepted
- 2002
- Date Submitted
- 1.11.2003 00:00:00
- Type
- undergraduate_project
- Language
- English
- Number of pages
- 60
- Submitted by:
- 62
- Pub-Identifier
- 12993
- Inst-Identifier
- 1076
- Keywords
- Osteopathy,Osteopaths,Low Back Pain
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
England Louise, “Knowledge, management approaches and attitudes of BCNO osteopaths towards overweight and obese patients”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed April 23, 2025, https://library.wso.at/s/orw/item/1345