Document Type
Poster
Publication Date
4-13-2023
Abstract
Background: The prevalence of obesity in the U.S. has reached epidemic proportions, affecting 40% of adults and 20% of adolescents with Hispanic and Native American populations having greater risk. Once onset occurs in childhood, it typically persists into adulthood. Mainstream behavioral treatments for adolescent obesity promote improvements in diet and physical activity. However, meta-analyses indicate that most adolescents with obesity treated with lifestyle modifications attain at best only minimal reductions in body mass index. Therefore, adjunct pharmacotherapy is recommended. Despite these recommendations, pediatricians rarely use pharmacological options as there are few available and there has been negative publicity on weight loss medications. It is critically important to assess perceptions of the use of weight loss medications to treat adolescents with obesity among ethnically diverse teens with obesity, their parents, and pediatricians.
Methods: Semi-structured qualitative interviews will be conducted with 5 Hispanic and 5 Native American adolescents with obesity, their parents, and 10 pediatricians. Audio-recorded interviews will be de-identified, checked for accuracy and uploaded into NVivo 11. Each transcript will be independently coded, and each thematic category will be identified using a constant comparison method. A summary of final themes will then be presented to volunteers from the participating teens, their parents, and pediatrician interviewees for feedback.
Results: Preliminary results are still in progress. We anticipate emergent themes to include sensitivity to discussing adolescent obesity, feelings of lack of control over current weight or children's weight, limited knowledge about weight loss medications, and apprehension and stigma regarding the use of weight loss medications for adolescent obesity. Results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Discussion: Following Internal Review Board protocol approval, completion of this study will increase understanding of the community’s perception on weight loss medications to treat adolescents with obesity, which will inform culturally tailored weight loss treatment approach strategies.
Recommended Citation
Vasquez, Joshua A.; Monique Vallabhan; Patricia Roldan; Alberta Kong; and Andrew Sussman. "Perceptions on the Use of Medications for Weight Management From Teens, Parents, and Pediatricians in the Southwest." (2023). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/hsc_2023_pediatric_research/10
Comments
Poster presented at Pediatric Research Forum