August 2026 LES Actions for Engagement
Obesity and Lymphoedema: Translating Research into Practice
Obesity can influence lymphatic function, mobility, skin health, compression options and a person’s capacity to manage their lymphoedema. However, effective care requires more than adapting treatment to body size. It also requires clinicians to recognise weight bias, understand each person’s circumstances and lived experience, and focus on meaningful health and quality-of-life outcomes rather than weight loss alone.
This month’s Actions for Engagement focuses on translating evidence about obesity and lymphoedema into respectful, practical and patient-centred care. Rather than a full monthly calendar, we are highlighting five actions that encourage reflection, collaboration, evidence-informed practice, professional growth and clinical adaptation.
Each action is designed to support small but meaningful changes that may improve comfort, participation, self-management and therapeutic relationships.
Five Ideas. Practical Prompts. Use What Fits.
This month, we invite you to consider five practical actions that can strengthen evidence-informed, respectful care for people living with obesity and lymphoedema.
Reflection
Reflect on one assumption you may hold about obesity, adherence or a patient’s capacity to self-manage.
For example, noticing that you have assumed a patient will not tolerate compression or follow a home program because of their body size, rather than first exploring their previous experiences, priorities and practical barriers.
Collaboration
Ask the patient what makes lymphoedema management more difficult in their body and daily life.
For example, discussing whether reduced mobility, breathlessness, pain, difficulty reaching the feet, heat, skin folds, clothing, work demands or previous experiences of weight stigma affect their ability to use compression or complete self-care.
Evidence
Review one current resource about the relationship between obesity, lymphatic dysfunction and lymphoedema management.
For example, identify one finding about how adipose tissue, inflammation, reduced mobility or increasing limb size may affect lymphatic function, treatment response or the risk of lymphoedema progression.
Professional Growth
Strengthen one skill that supports respectful and effective care for patients living in larger bodies.
For example, practising weight-neutral language, refining measurement of larger or irregularly shaped limbs, or learning how to discuss health behaviours without attributing every symptom or treatment difficulty to body weight.
Clinical Practice
Adapt one element of lymphoedema management to account for body size, shape, mobility or access needs.
For example, considering an adjustable compression wrap when reaching the lower leg is difficult, modifying garment features around deep skin folds, using a wider cuff to reduce rolling, or introducing compression gradually to improve comfort and tolerance.
These actions are not intended as a checklist. Select the prompt that is most relevant to your current practice, discuss it with colleagues, or use it as a starting point for team reflection.
Explore further by connecting these prompts with current evidence, patient feedback, clinical discussions and learning opportunities related to obesity and lymphoedema care.
Check back monthly as new Actions for Engagement resources and practical prompts are added to support clinical practice.
A single assumption questioned, barrier explored or treatment adjustment made can improve how we support people living with obesity and lymphoedema.
See it. Share it. Start a conversation.
Each image below highlights one of the August Actions for Engagement prompts. We invite you to share them with colleagues, display them within your workplace, use them as discussion starters during team meetings, or revisit them throughout the month as reminders of practical actions that can support respectful, evidence-informed care.
