The rise in obesity among children and youth in the last 20 years is a public health concern. The prevalence of childhood obesity has multiplied worldwide in the last four decades (“The Heavy Burden of Obesity and the Economics of Prevention,” 2019). Obesity is a complex chronic disease in which abnormal or excessive accumulation of body fat impairs health (Wharton et al., 2020). Childhood obesity can profoundly affect children\u27s physical health, social and emotional well-being, and self-esteem (Rankin et al., 2016 & Purnell et al., 2018). The problem is a lack of an occupation-based evaluation tool utilized to link occupational participation to health, well-being, and quality of life to improve occupational engagement for children and youth who are obese and overweight ages 8-16 (Benjamin Neelon et al., 2016; Gold et al., 2018., p. 308-309;J. Kugel et al., 2017; Pandita et al., 2016; Pizzi, 2016; Pizzi & Orloff, 2015; Pizzi & Vroman, 2013).
The purpose of this qualitative research capstone project is to pilot the Pizzi Healthy Weight Management Assessment PHWMA on children and youth ages 8-16 to improve health, well-being, and Quality of life, and occupational engagement for youth who are overweight and obese. This study aimed to investigate health behaviors, well-being, occupational engagement, and overall quality of life and how the PHWMA along with the Six Modules Occupation Based Program for Healthy Behaviors, can change children and youth outlook on health behaviors.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesfall2021/1034/thumbnail.jp
