Perspectives of adolescents with severe obesity on social Media in Preparation for weight-loss surgery: a qualitative study

Abstract

Background: Currently the most effective treatment for severe obesity in adolescents is weight-loss surgery coupled with lifestyle behavior change. In preparation for weight-loss surgery, adolescents are required to make changes to eating and activity habits (lifestyle changes) to promote long term success. Social media support groups, which are popular among adolescents, have the potential to augment preoperative lifestyle changes. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively assess the perceived role of social media as a support tool for weight-loss, and to identify motivators and constraints to lifestyle changes and social media use in adolescents preparing for weight-loss surgery. Methods: Thematic analysis of social media comments from 13 (3 male, 10 female) adolescents aged 16 ± 1.3 years with a body mass index (BMI) 45 ± 7.3 kg/m 2 enrolled in a weight-management program preparing for bariatric surgery and who participated in a 12-week pilot social media intervention was performed. Participants commented on moderator posts and videos of nutrition, physical activity, and motivation that were shared three to four times per week. Social media comments were coded using NVivo 11.0 to identify recurrent themes and subthemes. Results: 1) Social media provided accountability, emotional support, and shared behavioral strategies. 2) Motivators for lifestyle changes included family support, personal goals, and non-scale victories. 3) Challenges included negative peers, challenges with planning and tracking, and time constraints. Conclusion: Adolescents considering bariatric surgery identified social media as a tool for social support and reinforcement of strategies for successful behavior change. Important motivators and challenges to lifestyle changes were identified.

The Attitude of Practitioners Towards Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty

“…Studies of adolescents enrolled in weightmanagement programs demonstrated that social media provided accountability, emotional support, and shared behavioral strategies. 8 It is, however, critical to make the distinction between medical education and medical advice, protect patient privacy, and keep the patient perspective in mind. 9 The data from our survey is consistent with learning curve studies wherein 7 procedures are sufficient to develop 90% efficiency after a 1-day training session when the endoscopist has previous suturing experience.…”

An Adolescent's Motivation to Pursue Bariatric Surgery

“…All six studies utilized exploratory, semistructured interviews to conduct the qualitative study. A study conducted by Parks et al (2020) explored the use of social media as a support tool for weight loss in 13 adolescents in the United States. Thematic analysis of social media comments was reviewed and categorized into themes.…”

“…(Childerhose et al, 2018, p. 350) Personal Goals Social acceptance and capability with peers rank among the top motivators for teens seeking bariatric surgery. Reaching personal goals for weight, future career choices, and fitness goals also play a role in the decision-making process (Parks et al, 2020). This decision-making process was often described as being intrinsically motivated (Li et al, 2021).…”

“…In the United States, the prevalence of obesity is around 19.3% affecting approximately 14.4 million children and adolescents (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021). Without significant intervention, children with obesity will mature to be adults with obesity carrying with them significant health comorbidities (Parks et al, 2020). Health concerns seen in the adult obese population such as hypertension, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, and elevated triglycerides are also in the pediatric obese population.…”

Can We Deliver Person-Centred Obesity Care Across the Globe?

“…It should however be acknowledged that different patient and professional expectations and goals may be encountered (for example, patient-centred goals may not be related to weight, i.e. non-scale victories, such as the ability to play football, or goals related to the determinants of weight, such as sleep quality or emotional wellbeing) [33,34]. Both patient and practitioner goals and expectations are equally as important in enabling care, and this should be considered when commissioning services and setting key performance indicators.…”