JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Obesity is a chronic disease requiring long-term treatment, yet current treatment models do not align with the chronicity of obesity. Current guidelines provide limited direction regarding how to adapt treatment to support weight loss maintenance as adolescents transition into emerging adulthood.

Objective:

This qualitative study aims to 1) better understand adolescents’ and their parents’ experiences after behavioral weight loss treatment as they navigate late adolescence into emerging adulthood and 2) identify what weight management support is needed during this transition.

Methods:

Adolescents and parents (N=20 dyads; M adolescent age=16.5 yrs; SD=0.6) completed semi-structured interviews > 11 months after participation in a 4-month multicomponent behavioral weight loss treatment. Domains assessed included adolescent and parent perceptions of facilitators and barriers to weight management since program completion, and needs and preferences for continued support through the transition into emerging adulthood. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analyzed.

Results:

Adolescents and parents reported adolescents maintaining several weight management behaviors (e.g., regular exercise, self-weighing, improved diet quality), while identifying others as more difficult to sustain (e.g., monitoring food intake, meal planning). Reported facilitators included consistent routines and ample opportunities for physical activity, while barriers consisted of time constraints, competing priorities, and external influences (e.g., eating behaviors of other family members). Both adolescents and parents expressed a desire for continued support during the transition to emerging adulthood to sustain healthy behaviors and navigate changing roles. Most adolescents indicated an interest in participating in a booster program to support weight management during this period.

Conclusions:

Findings identify key weight management behaviors that families maintained after treatment, as well as areas that require ongoing support. Results underscore the need for continued support with weight management behaviors during the transition to emerging adulthood and offer guidance for program structure and content. Results will inform the development of a targeted behavioral weight management transition program for this population.