Abstract
The purpose of this critically appraised topic was to examine the effectiveness of health and wellness programming on decreasing Body Mass Index (BMI) for children who are overweight. Children and youth is a key practice area for occupational therapy practitioners. In this setting, an occupational therapist's roles include enhancing growth and development, promoting inclusive environments, increasing engagement and participation in daily routines, improving academic skills and building play and leisure skills. Obesity in children and adolescents is prevalent in the United States, and puts them at risk for poor psychological, social, and emotional health. Health and wellness programming consists of intervention at the promotion, prevention, or intensive levels. health and wellness programming is focused on topics such as physical activity, nutrition management, rest, sleep, participation, community participation, and individual and group health management. Articles from this critically appraised topic demonstrate that a multidisciplinary intervention in a full-time residential rehabilitation center results in a significant decrease in BMI. Additionally, a significant reduction in BMI was found after participants participated in a school based soccer program.