Barriers to a healthy lifestyle among obese adolescents: a qualitative study from Iran

Abstract

Findings demonstrated the main personal and environmental barriers for a healthy life style as perceived by adolescents. Understanding these barriers might contribute to existing literature by providing evidence from a different culture, and help to design effective preventive strategies, and implement appropriate interventions.

What are the main barriers to healthy eating among families? A qualitative exploration of perceptions and experiences of Tehranian men

“…Many of our participants believed that food preferences among Iranian families are mainly shaped by their children's food desires which are mainly influenced by their social contexts especially friends and peers. Data report the influence of friends and peer groups on dietary behaviors in adolescents (Amiri et al, 2011), behaviors mostly practiced for the sole reason of gaining acceptance from them (Ruhm, 2008;von Hinke Kessler Scholder, 2008). In this context, worth considering seriously is the modeling role of mass media on the individual's dietary patterns and food choices, particularly among children and adolescents, as found in current data and also documented by another study from Iran (Azadbakht, Mirmiran, Momenan, & Azizi, 2004).…”

“…Changes such as achieving higher educational levels and employment resulted in different expectations and desires in women and led to limited time for housekeeping and supervising family dietary habits (Amiri et al, 2011;Kelishadi et al, 2004;Pekka, Pirjo, & Ulla, 2002).…”

Perception of parents, teachers, and nutritionist on childhood obesity and barriers to healthy behavior: a phenomenological study

“…Therefore, the individual's perception of obesity is one of the things that affect the incidence of obesity in addition to eating behavior. With the perception of the individual will be aware of the circumstances around him as well as the state of oneself (Amiri et al, 2011).…”

Multimodal Lifestyle Intervention: Outlines and Outcomes

“…For adolescents, as an example, the main intra/interpersonal barriers were improper perception of the condition, lack of willingness, priority of studying, unsatisfactory weight loss results, and low self-esteem, while lack of family and cultural support, inadequate nutritional education, and scarcity of resources were the common community/public barriers [7]. Perspective of clinical nutrition, as a main medical specialty interested in obesity management, cannot combat these entire barriers resulting in high dropout and failure rates of obesity management.…”