Plus size care: key for today’s health and social care providers

Terminology

When referring to the individual person, the term plus size is the preferred terminology as the word bariatric is the branch of medicine that deals with the causes, prevention, and treatment of obesity and does not encompass the individual’s holistic needs[6].

Definition

Definitions, which focus solely on weight fail to allow for the fact that people are affected differently by excess weight, dependent on body shape[8], which impacts on equipment needs[9], space required and activities of daily living[9].

Patients are considered morbidly obese when they have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 kg/m², or greater than 35 kg/m² with at least one serious obesity-related condition, or being more than 45kgs over ideal body weight[10].

To find out more read the Moving and Handling of Plus Size People – an illustrated guide that promotes solutions, which can be applied within a variety of health and social care settings. The guiding principles behind the publication is to promote independence and provide the reader with information that supports them in their everyday practice. The publication promotes a culture of harm-free care and fosters an integrated person-centred approach. The route to delivering quality care begins by predicting the challenges and then implementing, monitoring and evaluating risk reduction activities.[11]