Rehabilitation in bariatrics: opportunities for practice and research

Abstract

Purpose: Obesity is associated with a wide range of chronic illnesses and disabilities familiar to rehabilitation researchers and practitioners. Obesity discourse in the area of rehabilitation science and practice is limited.

Method: A meeting of rehabilitation researchers, practitioners, industry and decision makers was held for the purpose of identifying research and practice priorities in the area of bariatric rehabilitation.

Results: Areas of common ground in terms of the identification of gaps in research, practice and knowledge about obesity in the context of rehabilitation science were identified. Participants developed a concept for a bariatric rehabilitation treatment and research institute. A commitment to embark on priority action items was made.

Conclusions: This article describes a process that successfully gathered a diverse group of researchers, clinicians, industries and decision makers for the purpose of collectively advancing the area of bariatric rehabilitation in Canada.