The views of teenagers with obesity, their caregivers, and doctors: a plain language summary of the ACTION Teens global survey.

WHAT IS THIS SUMMARY ABOUT?: This is a summary of a research survey called ACTION Teens. In our survey, 12,987 people from 10 countries answered questions about obesity. They were: 5275 teenagers with obesity, 5389 caregivers of teenagers with obesity, and 2323 doctors who provide medical care for teenagers with obesity. WHAT WERE THE MAIN RESULTS OF THE SURVEY?: Most teenagers with obesity were worried about their weight and thought that losing weight was their responsibility. Many teenagers had already tried to lose weight. For teenagers, wanting to be more fit or in better shape was the top reason for wanting to lose weight. Some caregivers did not realize how worried their teenager was about their own weight. There were also some caregivers who were not aware of their teenager's recent attempts to lose weight. As a group, the doctors did not know the main reasons why teenagers want to lose weight. They also did not know the main reasons preventing teenagers from losing weight. WHAT DO THE RESULTS OF THE SURVEY MEAN?: Teenagers with obesity will be better supported and understood if there is better communication between teenagers, caregivers, and doctors. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT05013359 (ClinicalTrials.gov).

Misalignment among adolescents living with obesity, caregivers, and healthcare professionals: ACTION Teens global survey study.

BACKGROUND: There is limited evidence regarding the experiences, challenges, and needs of adolescents living with obesity (ALwO), their caregivers, and healthcare professionals (HCPs). OBJECTIVES: The cross-sectional, survey-based global ACTION Teens study aimed to identify perceptions, attitudes, behaviours, and barriers to effective obesity care among ALwO, caregivers of ALwO, and HCPs. METHODS: ALwO (aged 12 to <18 years; N = 5275), caregivers (N = 5389), and HCPs treating ALwO (N = 2323) from 10 countries completed an online survey (August-December 2021). RESULTS: Most ALwO perceived their weight as above normal (76% vs. 66% of caregivers), were worried about its impact on their health (85% vs. 80% of caregivers), and recently made a weight loss attempt (58%). While 45% of caregivers believed ALwO would slim down with age, only 24% of HCPs agreed. Most commonly reported weight loss motivators for ALwO were wanting to be more fit/in better shape according to ALwO (40%) and caregivers (32%), and improved confidence/social life according to HCPs (69%). ALwO weight loss barriers included lack of hunger control (most commonly reported by ALwO/caregivers), lack of motivation, unhealthy eating habits (most commonly agreed by HCPs), and lack of exercise. CONCLUSIONS: Misalignment between ALwO, caregivers, and HCPs-including caregivers' underestimation of the impact of obesity on ALwO and HCPs' misperception of key motivators/barriers for weight loss-suggests a need for improved communication and education.