Department of Pediatrics, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Department of Pediatrics, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan.
BMC Public Health. 2024 Nov 27;24(1):3292. doi: 10.1186/s12889-024-20677-5.
Weight control behaviors are commonly observed among adolescents and emerging adults. However, the high prevalence of overweight and obesity in both these age groups remains an imperative health concern. Adolescents and emerging adults represent the most vulnerable groups facing the health burden of obesity.
This study was designed to articulate the underlying beliefs concerning weight control behaviors among adolescents and emerging adults living with obesity by an elicitation qualitative study based on the integrated behavioral model (IBM). Semi-structured and individual interviewing was utilized. Eligible participants were recruited during September and November 2020. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using a hybrid inductive and deductive content analysis approach.
Twenty-seven participants, comprising 12 adolescents and 15 emerging adults living with obesity, were interviewed to explore their beliefs and strategies regarding weight control behaviors. Emerging adults were more likely to engage in extreme weight control methods. Three overarching themes emerged across both age groups: eating-centered concerns, focus on physical appearance, and social interference. Significant differences were noted while adolescents and emerging adults shared some common beliefs. Emerging adults expressed more economic concerns about weight control, whereas adolescents identified food restriction as the primary barrier to their weight management efforts. These findings highlight the nuanced differences in beliefs about the weight control practice of these two developmental groups.
More beliefs-tailored and theoretically driven interventions are needed for these two unique age groups. Healthcare providers should address dietary and economic concerns while engaging adolescents and emerging adults in weight management. Future obesity interventions should incorporate shared and unique beliefs identified in each group to promote healthy weight management effectively.
体重控制行为在青少年和刚成年的成年人中很常见。然而，这两个年龄段的超重和肥胖的高患病率仍然是一个紧迫的健康问题。青少年和刚成年的成年人是面临肥胖健康负担的最脆弱群体。
本研究旨在通过基于综合行为模型（IBM）的启发式定性研究，阐明肥胖青少年和刚成年成年人的体重控制行为的潜在信念。采用半结构式和个体访谈。在 2020 年 9 月和 11 月期间招募了合格的参与者。所有访谈均进行录音，逐字转录，并使用混合归纳和演绎内容分析方法进行分析。
共采访了 27 名参与者，包括 12 名青少年和 15 名肥胖的刚成年成年人，以探讨他们对体重控制行为的信念和策略。刚成年成年人更有可能采用极端的体重控制方法。两个年龄组都出现了三个总体主题：以饮食为中心的关注点、注重外表和社会干扰。虽然青少年和刚成年成年人有一些共同的信念，但也存在显著差异。刚成年成年人更多地表达了对体重控制的经济担忧，而青少年则将食物限制视为他们体重管理努力的主要障碍。这些发现突出了这两个发展群体在体重控制实践信念方面的细微差异。
需要为这两个独特的年龄组提供更多基于信念和理论驱动的干预措施。医疗保健提供者在让青少年和刚成年成年人参与体重管理时，应解决饮食和经济方面的问题。未来的肥胖干预措施应结合每个群体确定的共同和独特信念，以有效促进健康的体重管理。
