Funding outcome

Obesity in adolescence is difficult to manage successfully. In order to provide the best care possible for adolescents with obesity, we need to gain a better understanding of the issues they face in weight management. Accordingly, this research includes two related studies. Study 1 is a review of the literature on the barriers and enablers that adolescents with obesity encounter in making healthy dietary and physical activity choices. The results from study 1 will guide study 2, which is a qualitative study that includes 1-on-1 interviews with adolescents with obesity (n=30). We will recruit participants from a local pediatric weight management clinic. Together, these two studies will provide a detailed, up-to date perspective on the issues that make it difficult and easy to make healthy lifestyle habits. The results of this research will be directly relevant to the health services offered to adolescents with obesity. Our team will share study findings (locally, provincially, and nationally) within our network of clinicians who work in pediatric weight management.