Article

PURPOSE: To describe adolescents' perceptions of obesity treatment in order to
provide valuable information for design and development of treatment. METHOD: A
nominated sample of 18 obese adolescents (12 girls, 14-16 years, body mass index
(BMI) 25-47.4 kg.m(-2)), recruited from a paediatric obesity clinic, participated
in semi-structured interviews. These were analysed using a phenomenographic
research approach. Purposeful sampling reflected variations in age, gender,
degree of obesity, weight loss achievement, ethnicity, time of registration and
socioeconomic status. RESULTS: The adolescents expressed numerous physical,
psychological and social disabilities as a consequence of their obesity.
Qualitatively different ways of perceiving and responding to obesity treatment
were identified and could be described in six categories of descriptions and a
two-dimensional construct for interpreting these categories; (a) personal
empowerment, (b) despair and disappointment, (c) safety and relief, (d)
ambivalence and uncertainty, (e) acceptance and realisation and (f) shame and
guilt. The distinguishing structures to be found between the categories were as
follows: focus on the individual and focus on body weight. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment
strategies must consider the large impact obesity has on adolescents' lives. It
is necessary to engage the obese adolescent personally in the treatment process
and to focus on the adolescents' personal needs, goals and motive for weight reduction.

Langue : ANGLAIS