Empowerment for adults with chronic mental health problems and obesity.

Obesity is a major health risk and a common problem among people with mental health problems. This article examines the role of empowerment within a health promotion framework for overweight and obese adults with chronic mental health problems. Behaviour change, while a valid strategy for health promotion, might not achieve the desired health gain. On the other hand, an empowered individual or community is able to bring about positive and permanent change by mobilising the necessary resources to achieve health.