A Qualitative Study of Successful Adolescent and Young Adult Weight Losers: Implications for Weight Control Intervention

Jensen, Chad D.; Duraccio, Kara M.; Hunsaker, Sanita L.; Rancourt, Diana; Kuhl, Elizabeth S.; Jelalian, Elissa; Wing, Rena R.

doi:10.1089/chi.2014.0062

Cited by 34 publications

(83 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…On the contrary, friends who joined as workout buddies were motivating for several participants, as well as family and friends who provided positive feedback. These findings correspond well to previous studies and the theories about non-controlling, autonomy supporting feedback in SDT (Deci & Ryan, 1986; Jensen et al, 2014). The sense of belonging also played a vital role as a foundation for discussions and reflections, especially in the HLC group.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…There seems to be a common opinion that weight management is a personal responsibility, and that individuals will start to reduce weight if the feeling of guilt for being obese is strong enough (Vartanian & Smyth, 2013). However, previous studies recognized improved health, feeling of self-worth, encouragement and engagement from friends and family members to be important factors among adolescents who successfully had lost weight (Jensen et al, 2014; Rees et al, 2014). In another study, physical appearance, pressure from the social environment or guilt was found to be the important motivator (O’Dougherty, Kurzer, & Schmitz, 2010).…”

mentioning

confidence: 98%

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“It’s not like a fat camp” — A focus group study of adolescents’ experiences on group-based obesity treatment

Engström¹,

Abildsnes

Mildestvedt

2016

International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well

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BackgroundThe health burden related to obesity is rising among children and adolescents along with the general population worldwide. For the individual as well as the society this trend is alarming. Several factors are driving the trend, and the solution seems to be multifaceted because long-lasting treatment alternatives are lacking. This study aims to explore adolescents’ and young adults’ motivation for attending group-based obesity treatment and social and environmental factors that can facilitate or hinder lifestyle change.MethodsIn this study, we arranged three focus groups with 17 participants from different obesity treatment programs in the west and south of Norway. The content in these programs differed, but they all used Motivational Interviewing as a teaching method. We conducted a data-driven analysis using systematic text condensation. Self-determination theory has been used as an explanatory framework.ResultsWe identified four major themes: 1) motivation, 2) body experience and self-image, 3) relationships and sense of belonging, and 4) the road ahead. Many of the participants expressed external motivation to participate but experienced increasing inner motivation and enjoyment during the treatment. Several participants reported negative experiences related to being obese and appreciated group affiliation and sharing experiences with other participants.ConclusionMotivation may shift during a lifestyle course. Facilitating factors include achieving and experiencing positive outcomes as well as gaining autonomy support from other course participants and friends. Obstacles to change were a widespread obesogenic environment as well as feelings of guilt, little trust in personal achievements and non-supporting friends.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

mentioning

confidence: 98%

“It’s not like a fat camp” — A focus group study of adolescents’ experiences on group-based obesity treatment

Engström¹,

Abildsnes

Mildestvedt

2016

International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…A qualitative study of 22 US overweight adolescents, identified via health centre records, found those whose BMI decreased over a 2-year period were more likely to describe 'transformative experiences' and family support as well as intense daily exercise. 4 Other qualitative studies have identified successful weight loss maintenance strategies including dietary change, 'overwhelmingly increased' exercise and rigorous self-correction after going 'off course' among US 14-20 years with sustained weight loss, 28 and a 'healthy obsession' with monitoring food, activity and weight among eight formerly obese US adolescents who had attended an immersion treatment. 29 A qualitative study of 20 overweight Taiwanese nursing students highlighted 'the struggle', of continuing to practise a new lifestyle and so reducing/maintaining bodyweight.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘Now I care’: a qualitative study of how overweight adolescents managed their weight in the transition to adulthood

et al. 2016

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ObjectivesA qualitative study of recalled experiences of early adolescent overweight/obesity revealed low levels of weight-related concern. This further analysis aimed to explore weight-related concern and weight-loss efforts as participants transitioned into adulthood.Design, participants and methodsParticipants were 35 young adults from a population-based cohort study who had body mass index (BMI) >95th centile between ages 11 and 15 and participated in semistructured interviews aged 24. At age 24, they were categorised as: ‘slimmers’ (N=13) who had lower BMI Z-scores at 24 than their adolescent peak and were not obese (BMI<30 kg/m2); ‘relapsers’ (N=8, of whom 2 were morbidly obese (BMI>35 kg/m2) at age 24); ‘stable’ (N=3, of whom 1 morbidly obese); and ‘gainers’ (N=11, of whom 5 morbidly obese). Themes were identified and coded using NVivo qualitative data analysis software, blind to participants’ current weight status.ResultsContrasting with the lack of concern recalled in respect of earlier adolescence, weight-related concerns and/or desire to lose weight generally increased around the time of school leaving and almost all participants described some form of exercise (formal/informal) and dietary weight-control strategies. Among ‘slimmers’, there was some (subtle) evidence of more consistent use of exercise, self-monitoring of diet and exercise and of lifestyle changes becoming habitual and/or part of identity. Few participants had accessed professional support. Diet clubs seemed to have been used most by ‘gainers’, some only recently. Labour-market and housing transitions were strong influences, described as facilitating weight losses by some, but increases by others. For some participants, it appeared that weight loss was simply a by-product of these transitions.ConclusionsIn contrast to earlier adolescence, even the heaviest participants tended to show actual weight loss action or preparation for action. The transition to adulthood could thus be a key life stage for interventions.

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“…Weekly treatment supervision meetings were held to ensure adherence to the treatment protocol. Group sessions were standardized by using a 12-week modular behavioral weight control program developed by Jelalian et al [23] that included important components of weight management including self-monitoring, portion control, problem solving, stimulus control, emotional eating, and physical activity. Each parent/adolescent dyad also received 15 minutes of individual family intervention every 4 weeks after group sessions.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Evaluation of a Smartphone–Assisted Behavioral Weight Control Intervention for Adolescents: Pilot Study

Jensen

Duncombe

Lott

et al. 2016

JMIR Mhealth Uhealth

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BackgroundThe efficacy of adolescent weight control treatments is modest, and effective treatments are costly and are not widely available. Smartphones may be an effective method for delivering critical components of behavioral weight control treatment including behavioral self-monitoring.ObjectiveTo examine the efficacy and acceptability of a smartphone assisted adolescent behavioral weight control intervention.MethodsA total of 16 overweight or obese adolescents (mean age=14.29 years, standard deviation=1.12) received 12 weeks of combined treatment that consisted of weekly in-person group behavioral weight control treatment sessions plus smartphone self-monitoring and daily text messaging. Subsequently they received 12 weeks of electronic-only intervention, totaling 24 weeks of intervention.ResultsOn average, participants attained modest but significant reductions in body mass index standard score (zBMI: 0.08 standard deviation units, t (13)=2.22, P=.04, d=0.63) over the in-person plus electronic-only intervention period but did not maintain treatment gains over the electronic-only intervention period. Participants self-monitored on approximately half of combined intervention days but less than 20% of electronic-only intervention days.ConclusionsSmartphones likely hold promise as a component of adolescent weight control interventions but they may be less effective in helping adolescents maintain treatment gains after intensive interventions.

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A Qualitative Study of Successful Adolescent and Young Adult Weight Losers: Implications for Weight Control Intervention

Abstract: Results from this study highlight considerations for future adolescent weight control treatment development.

Cited by 34 publications

References 27 publications

“It’s not like a fat camp” — A focus group study of adolescents’ experiences on group-based obesity treatment

“It’s not like a fat camp” — A focus group study of adolescents’ experiences on group-based obesity treatment

‘Now I care’: a qualitative study of how overweight adolescents managed their weight in the transition to adulthood

An Evaluation of a Smartphone–Assisted Behavioral Weight Control Intervention for Adolescents: Pilot Study

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