Perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors among adolescents living with obesity, caregivers, and healthcare professionals in Italy: the ACTION Teens study.
Eat Weight Disord
; 29(1): 35, 2024 May 08.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38717596
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
ACTION Teens (NCT05013359) was conducted in 10 countries to identify perceptions, attitudes, behaviors, and barriers to effective obesity care among adolescents living with obesity (ALwO), caregivers of ALwO, and healthcare professionals (HCPs). Here, we report data from participants in Italy.METHODS:
The ACTION Teens cross-sectional online survey was completed by 649 ALwO (aged 12- < 18 years), 455 caregivers, and 252 HCPs in Italy in 2021.RESULTS:
Most ALwO thought their weight was above normal (69%), worried about weight affecting their future health (87%), and reported making a weight-loss attempt in the past year (60%); fewer caregivers responded similarly regarding their child (46%, 72%, and 33%, respectively). In addition, 49% of caregivers believed their child would lose excess weight with age. ALwO (38%) and caregivers (30%) most often selected wanting to be more fit/in better shape as a weight-loss motivator for ALwO; HCPs most often selected improved social life/popularity (73%). ALwO (25%) and caregivers (22%) most frequently selected lack of hunger control and not liking exercise, respectively, as weight-loss barriers, while HCPs most often agreed that unhealthy eating habits were a barrier (93%). ALwO most often obtained weight-management information from family/friends (25%) and search engines (24%); caregivers most often obtained information from doctors (29%).CONCLUSION:
In Italy, the impact of obesity on ALwO was underestimated by caregivers, and ALwO and HCPs had different perceptions of key weight-loss motivators and barriers. Additionally, the internet was a key information source for ALwO, which suggests new education/communication strategies are needed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV; Evidence obtained from multiple time series with/without intervention, e.g. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05013359.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Caregivers
/
Health Personnel
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Child
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Female
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Humans
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
En
Journal:
Eat Weight Disord
Journal subject:
GASTROENTEROLOGIA
/
METABOLISMO
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Country of publication: