Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Document Type

Dissertation - NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (Dr.OT)

Copyright Statement

All rights reserved. This publication is intended for use solely by faculty, students, and staff of Nova Southeastern University. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, now known or later developed, including but not limited to photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author or the publisher.

First Advisor

Nicole Quint

Date of original Performance / Presentation

January 2025

Publication Date / Copyright Date

1-1-2025

Abstract

The Holistic Obesity Weight Management Occupational Therapy (HOWMOT) guidebook was developed as a capstone project to address a significant gap in occupational therapy practice related to obesity weight management. Despite occupational therapy’s holistic and occupation-centered approach, few structured resources existed to support therapists working in this emerging area, particularly within the United States. Guided by the PRECEDE-PROCEED model, the Outcome-Based Logic Model, the Model of Human Occupation, and Human-Centered Design principles, the HOWMOT guidebook was created through an iterative process involving a multi-phase needs assessment and structured prototyping with interdisciplinary professionals, expert occupational therapists, and generalist practitioners. The final product offered evidence-informed guidance for assessment, care planning, interventions, advocacy, and sustainability within this emerging practice area. The guidebook was grounded in occupational science and evidence-informed practice with influences from occupational balance, Lifestyle Redesign®, and motivational interviewing principles. Overall, the HOWMOT capstone demonstrated how occupational therapists could lead innovation in emerging practice areas through practice scholarship grounded in theory, evidence, and collaboration with end-users.

Disciplines

Occupational Therapy

Keywords

capstone; human-centered design; obesity; occupational therapy; practice scholarship; weight management

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