Put Yourself in My Shoes: Perspectives of Adolescents about What Makes an Obesity Intervention Effective ()
Received 17 August 2015; accepted 28 December 2015; published 31 December 2015
1. Introduction
Prevention and treatment of paediatric obesity is a priority [1] given its high prevalence and impact on physical health, psychosocial well-being and quality of life [2] - [5] . International experts agree on the core elements that a paediatric obesity management program should include, namely, behavioural strategies to deal with lifestyle changes [6] [7] . Despite of this, weight management interventions remain relatively ineffective regardless of the format/type of the intervention, i.e., focused on the individual and/or family [8] and/or peers [9] [10] , and of the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) [11] . Ineffectiveness is mainly due to poor adherence to treatment [12] [13] . The current study was designed to investigate the adolescents’ perspectives about the changing process promoted by a weight management program; the factors which may act as facilitators and barriers to obesity management; the strategies that should be included in order to design a successful weight management program.
A potential pathway to achieve the desired adherence to weight management may involve the inclusion of the adolescents themselves, as the most important experts, in the design of the intervention. Research has shown that the interventions aiming at a behavioral change will be more effective if the communication channels preferred by adolescents are used [14] . In line with this, we conducted a qualitative study in order to further explore these topics through adolescents’ voices.
We included in this study adolescents followed at the Paediatric Obesity Clinic, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital de Santa Maria, in Lisbon (POC-HSM) either only exposed to the standard intervention or also to the Next.Step program. The standard intervention protocol at the POC-HSM consists of medical, nutritional and physical activity appointments every 3-month. Next.Step program is an ICT, e-therapeutic platform used to complement the medical, nutritional and physical activity appointments. Next.Step includes a set of resources, namely, educational resources (videos, leaflets, menus, weekly tips, access to other links), self monitoring (diet, weight and physical activity records), social support (discussion forums and personalized messages), interactive training modules (self-assessment quizzes), and motivational tools (personal goal planning, treatment progression registry, positive reinforcement) [15] . The platform has the direct support of an interdisciplinary team, including a paediatrician, nutritionist, exercise physiologist and psychologist.
2. Methodology
2.1. Participants and Data Collection
We obtained a convenience sample of 16 adolescents (9 females and 7 males), aged between 12 and 18 years. Participants were selected from the population of adolescents followed at the POC-HSM, consisting of adolescents with obesity/overweight according to the WHO criteria (BMI ≥ 97th percentile and BMI ≥ 85th percentile, respectively), between January and April 2015. Eight of them were only exposed to the standard intervention and the other eight were additionally exposed to the e-therapeutic platform.
Participants were selected through purposive sampling, which allowed for the selection of information-rich cases [16] pertinent to overweight management in adolescence. For inclusion in the present study, participants were required to be aged between 12 and 18 and be willing to participate. Exclusion criteria were the presence of severe psychopathology and cognitive impairment.
Prior to the initiation of the study, the study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee/Institutional Review Board of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon. Two researchers (a psychologist and a medical doctor) conducted the in-depth interviews and focus group discussions at the POC-HSM. We conducted two focus group discussions and 10 in-depth interviews. Each in-depth interview lasted approximately 15 minutes and each focus group discussion lasted one hour. Interviews were audio recorded and subsequently transcribed by the same researchers who did the interviews. Participants were informed of the nature of the research, the aims of the study and the details of participation and provided their informed consent. They were offered the opportunity to ask further questions about both the nature of the project and the future use of the interview data.
The discussion of the factors influencing overweight management in adolescence were generated by a semi-structured interview scrip using six open-ended questions (e.g., “What do you think can best help adolescents with obesity?; What were the three most important things you learned from the clinical appointments?; Imagine that you were asked to create an intervention to help overweight teens increase their quality of life. How would it be?”). Further questions related with the e-therapeutic platform were only asked to those who were exposed to the Next.Step program (e.g., “What were the three most important things you learned from Next.Step? What were the three things that you found less helpful in the program?”). At the end of the interview, a questionnaire on socio-demographic information was completed by the participants.
2.2. Data Analysis
Qualitative content analysis was performed by two researchers and a third researcher was consulted whenever doubts persisted, to strengthen the validity of the findings [17] . We used the qualitative data analysis software NVIVO 10 and conducted thematic analysis [18] . The content analysis was coded in three phases: descriptive coding (who are the participants? i.e., focusing on participants’ attributes); thematic coding (what are the participants talking about?, i.e., the key themes were identified mainly based on the interview questions); and analytic coding from a bottom-up perspective and with comparisons among codes and transcriptions. These methods allowed for the development of a reflective analysis (“What does this mean? Which ideas and themes are emerging? How are these ideas and themes aggregated or related?”), aiming at an interpretation of the processes, meanings and relationships between concepts and/or ideas.
The relevance of the findings was analyzed based on the number of participants that referred the specific themes, ideas or concepts. When a category was cited by less than 1/4 of participants (n = 4), it was considered as of little relevance; when a category was reported by more than 1/4 of participants and less than 1/2 of participants (4 ˂ n ≤ 7), it was considered as relevant; when a category was cited by more than 1/2 and less than 3/4 of participants (8 ≤ n ≤ 11), it was consider as very relevant; and when a category was reported by more than 3/4 of participants (n ≥ 12 participants), it was considered as highly relevant.
3. Findings
3.1. How Is the Changing Process Promoted by the Weight Management Program Perceived?
Through the data analysis three main differentiating and highly relevant components of the changing process emerged (n ≥ 12, following the pre-defined criteria): 1) perceptual changes; 2) functions; and 3) attributions. Internal and external attributions, i.e., personal vs. contextual sources of behavioral influence, emerged as sub- categories in our data analysis. Participants considered that there was a variety of factors with different functions influencing the weight management process, either acting as facilitators or barriers. Figure 1 shows the frequency of references obtained by crossing the internal and external attributions with the facilitators and barriers.
Based on our data, the changing process promoted by the weight management program is associated to lifestyle changes, body and mind changes. Body and mind changes (e.g., weight, confidence, motivation and self- esteem) were identified as highly relevant to the process (n = 12).
When I lose weight, I have a better self-esteem, I’m more confident and I can have more control over me. (14-year-old-boy)
![]()
Figure 1. Percentage of references (Y axis) of internal and external attributions regarding facilitators and barriers (X axis).
According to the pre-defined criteria, lifestyle changes comprising water and food intake and physical activity, were the changes considered relevant in the process (n = 7).
I started having breakfast. Now, I always have a bottle of water with me and I try to walk more. (18-year- old-girl)
3.2. Which Factors Are Perceived as Facilitators and Barriers in the Weight Management Process?
3.2.1. Facilitators
Three sub-categories of facilitators emerged through the data analysis: high quality of the interaction, acquisition of new competencies and encouragement. Encouragement was identified as highly relevant (n = 12) for the weight management process and high quality of the interaction and acquisition of new competencies were identified as very relevant (n > 8). Encouragement (motivation for and support of the change with positivity and hope), as the most powerful facilitator identified in the weight management process, may come from different sources (e.g., healthcare provider and significant others).
I feel that doctors increase my strength and motivation. (14-year-old-boy) When I leave the appointments, I think: “I have to do this. It will be good for me”. (16-year-old-girl)
A high quality of the interaction, i.e., an empathic interaction allowing for feeling understood and able to express their own opinions in a secure setting, was identified by the adolescents as a powerful facilitator both of the therapeutic alliance between the adolescent and the healthcare provider and of the relationship between the adolescent and the peer group (n = 9).
If we want to help somebody, we have to put ourselves in others’ shoes. We have to understand his/her problems, we have to understand who she/he is, why she/he isn’t able to change. (16-year-old-girl) Talk, talk about the problems, talk about what we are feeling and thinking, talk about what we like and don’t like in ourselves, talk about everything. (12-year-old-girl)
Participants considered that clinical appointments and exposure to informative and interactive instruments (e.g., leaflets, forums, and videos) facilitate the acquisition of specific contents regarding healthy lifestyles and the acquisition of new competencies, namely self-regulation. These factors emerged as having a very relevant (n = 10) facilitator role in the process of weight management.
For example, at home, we no longer cook the soup with so many potatoes as we used to. This is one of the many things that I learned here... These little things are making a huge difference in my life. (14-year-old- girl)
3.2.2. Barriers
We identified three main barriers to weight management―internal resistances, collection of anthropometric data and negative patterns of the interactions―with different levels of relevance, according to the pre-defined criteria.
Participants recognized that one of the main reasons for a non successful weight management was a negative pattern in the interaction, specifically, criticism, non encouragement, and lack of empathy. These barriers were identified as having a very relevant impact on the weight management (n = 8) and participants identified an association between them and a lack of willingness. Comments further suggested the importance of significant others in the process, specifically the need for being reinforced by their peers.
It has to do with not being always criticized for what we are and how we are. (12-year-old-girl) There are people who do not help at all. Instead of helping, they only demean and consequently we feel lack of willing to act. (16-year-old-girl)
Seven adolescents identified themselves, i.e., their internal resistances, as the major barrier to the weight management intervention (n = 7), pointing out specific difficulties to manage time and plan objectives, procrastination, and willingness.
We ourselves are the biggest barrier. (14-year-old-girl) I have serious difficulties in managing my time. I’m always saying: Tomorrow I will run! Tomorrow I will eat better”. And in the next day I go on saying the same. (18-year-old-girl)
The collection of anthropometric data was also identified as a barrier for weight management because of the feelings it triggers (e.g., discomfort) (n < 4).
I do not feel comfortable when they measure me and weight me... I’ve always been short! (14-year-old-girl)
3.3. What Ingredients Should Have a Weight Management Program to Be Successful?
We identified two main categories―strategies and formats―based on the suggestions mentioned as crucial to develop a successful weight management program. All the comments regarding the strategies and formats are related to the increase of motivation and willingness, suggesting a direct relationship between the success of the weight management and motivation.
3.3.1. Strategies
Half of the participants (n = 8), what is considered very relevant, following the pre-defined criteria, emphasized the key role of the quality of the interaction for the success of a weight management program.
We could invite all the overweight adolescents followed here at the clinic and socialize together outside the Hospital. It would be fun: everybody together, talking, everybody having a good time. (18-year-old-girl)
Participants considered acquisition of specific contents and new competencies through modeling as a relevant strategy (n = 6), specifically suggesting that the inclusion of peer modeling in the intervention would increase the motivation.
I think that you should find new ways of motivating teens to lose weight. May be giving examples of other adolescents who have successfully managed to lose weight would encourage and inspire us. (16-year-old- girl) I would tend to gather several teens who have lose weight. Then, I would show their trajectory and how they succeeded. If these people have managed, we also can. (15-year-old-boy) I would further use examples of famous people and people who are inspiring. (17-year-old-girl)
3.3.2. Program Format
Regarding the clinical program format, according to less than half of the participants (n = 6), what is considered relevant, the importance of developing a systemic and comprehensive intervention, including the family and the peer group in the program, was pointed out as part of a successful weight management program.
May be I would design a program where we could join teens that could motivate each other and together reach their goal. (…) For example, when my friends invite me to run I go with them. It is always easier to go together than alone. (16-year-old-girl) I would include parents in the intervention. For example, my stepfather is also obese. Currently, with my mother’s help, he is starting eating healthier. He lose a lot of weight. I think it could be good for him to come here and get some support. For example, I could start exercising with him. (13-year-old-boy)
Finally, the inclusion of an ITC similar to Next. Step was also identified as a potential relevant part of a successful weight management program (n = 5). The comments pointed out to the relevance of the interactivity as a central concept (n = 5) for the ITC and two types of interactivity were valued: interactive games and social networks. Participants further highlighted the inclusion of interactive games simulating real life in the ITC directed to weight management.
First, we customize ourselves in the game. Every day we would go to the supermarket, choose the food, go to the gym. Five months later, we would go to the clinic and check our BMI. If we had gained weight, something could happen, for example, we could be hospitalized. It would help to virtually mirror what we do in the real life and anticipate the consequences. (13-year-old-boy)
Furthermore, social networks that allow for connection and share of contents among the users were also identified as an important component of ITC directed to weight management.
It could be a mix of Instagram and Facebook, where we could chat, share photos and comment on each other’s photos. We could share sports, healthy foods, what we are cooking at home. For example, I would share pictures of food cooked by myself because sometimes I cook gourmet dinners like grilled meat with fruits. (17-year-old-girl)
Finally, participants stressed the need for presenting contents that may generate positive emotions (n = 4) and for presenting the contents in a clearer, more appealing and innovative way in the ICT directed to weight management (n = 5).
4. Discussion
The aim of this study was to explore, through obese adolescents’ views, their perceptions of the changing process promoted by weight management; the strategies that should be part of a successful weight management program; and the factors they perceive as either facilitators or barriers to obesity management.
We have identified three components of the changing process: perceptual changes, attributions (internal and external) and functions (barriers and facilitators). Based on our findings, we can infer how adolescents perceive the process of changing: external facilitators are more obvious than the internal ones, although internal barriers are stronger than external; lifestyle and body and mind changes act both as triggers and products of the change. In fact, similarly to what has already been described by other authors [19] , our participants put the locus of control of their change outside them. These findings maybe explained by different perspectives: 1) considering that losing weight takes time, it is possible that adolescents who are overweight tend to protect themselves from constant deception and frustration by making external attributions; 2) lack of self-confidence and self-efficacy [2] [20] . As research has already shown (e.g., [21] -[23] ), self-confidence and self-efficacy have a central role in lifestyle modification and weight loss. The lack of empowerment and the internal resistance to change may lead to a need for external encouragement. Moreover, negative patterns of peer interaction and media and societal stereotyping [19] may seriously damage their confidence and self-esteem [20] , thus perpetuating the cycle. Furthermore, the fact that perceptual changes are both a trigger and a product of the change reinforces the circularity of this process that urgently needs to be broken at any point.
The findings of the current study point out some indicative factors that may either facilitate or make the weight management process hard. Three powerful facilitators were identified: a high quality of the interactions between the adolescent and both the healthcare provider and the peer group; the acquisition of new competencies; and encouragement. Internal resistance, collection of anthropometric data and negative patterns of the interactions were recognized as barriers for the process. As reported by other authors [19] , the quality and patterns of the interactions play a central role in the way how the intervention proceeds with posit1ivity leading to success and negativity to failure. The collection of anthropometric data identified as a barrier may be explained by the tendency to avoid confrontation and deception.
In general, and according to other studies [21] , our findings suggest the importance of family and peer support as a crucial ingredient for promotion of a healthy lifestyle. In line with other authors, our data further suggest that interventions in the field of adolescent obesity may benefit from an involvement and inclusion of the family [24] -[26] and peers [9] [10] in the therapeutic process. In fact, research emphasizes the role of the family in the development of obesity [26] [27] , suggesting a positive association between family lifestyles and eating behaviours and the presence of parental and paediatric obesity [24] [25] . Moving the focus of the intervention from the individual to the whole family environment may have significant impact.
Our findings regarding the relevance of the ICT in improving adolescents’ adherence to weight management corroborate the literature in this field [15] [28] . According to our data it is clear that ICT are a relevant part of the adolescents’ lives and routines. Thus, interventions aiming at lifestyle behavioural change may be more effective if they mirror the adolescents’ most preferred channels [14] , namely, Facebook and Instagram. In fact, research has shown that internet-based obesity intervention programmes present positive clinical and significant results [29] [30] .
This study contributes for a deeper understanding of the factors and processes that may promote adherence to weight management. Our findings emphasize the impact of the quality and patterns of interactions, the acquisition of new competencies, the encouragement and the positivity on the success of the weight management. Our results are clinically meaningful suggesting that healthcare providers may play a key role in this process through the use of the identified strategies and instruments. By putting themselves in the adolescents’ shoes, they may be more able to understand and anticipate the adolescent’s feelings and difficulties (deception, fear of failure), thus becoming more effective.
5. Limitations and Future Studies
Although a qualitative design can provide a complex perspective of the changing processes involved in weight management, what cannot be achieved through quantitative methodologies, this study has several limitations. Among them, the subjectivity inherent to the process of qualitative data analysis, the impossibility of establishing direct causality, and the recruitment sampling technique and the number of participants (small sample) restrict the generalization of the findings. Nevertheless, considering the qualitative design of the current study, instead of a formal generalization, we looked for a transferability of the findings [31] . Future studies should be developed to strengthen the validity of the findings and to further explore the explanations proposed.
Funding Source
This work was funded by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (PTDC/DTP-PIC/0769/2012).
NOTES
![]()
*Corresponding author.