Motivators and Barriers to Seeking Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Among Adolescents: A Qualitative Study
ABSTRACT Background The prevalence of severe obesity among adolescents has increased the use of metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) as a therapeutic option. Understanding factors influencing adolescent MBS choice and the support needed to undergo MBS is crucial for improving health outcomes. This...
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| Format: | Article |
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Wiley
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Obesity Science & Practice |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/osp4.70040 |
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| author | Marlyn A. Allicock Jackson M. Francis Rashon Braxton Dhatri Polavarapu Maral Misserian M. Sunil Mathew Alicia Wheelington Bethany R. Cartwright Faisal G. Qureshi Sarah E. Barlow Sarah E. Messiah |
| author_facet | Marlyn A. Allicock Jackson M. Francis Rashon Braxton Dhatri Polavarapu Maral Misserian M. Sunil Mathew Alicia Wheelington Bethany R. Cartwright Faisal G. Qureshi Sarah E. Barlow Sarah E. Messiah |
| author_sort | Marlyn A. Allicock |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ABSTRACT Background The prevalence of severe obesity among adolescents has increased the use of metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) as a therapeutic option. Understanding factors influencing adolescent MBS choice and the support needed to undergo MBS is crucial for improving health outcomes. This study examines the motivations and support needs of a diverse sample of adolescents seeking MBS via the patient voice. Methods Adolescents (n = 14) at a weight loss surgery clinic in a large academic healthcare system participated in qualitative interviews. Of the participants, 10 were female, 6 were non‐Hispanic Black, 3 were non‐Hispanic White, and 5 were Hispanic. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed. Results Three themes emerged: Intrinsic motivators, extrinsic motivators, and barriers. Intrinsic motivators include personal physical and mental health goals. Extrinsic motivators involved family and medical team support, which provided encouragement, validation, and perceived confidence for lifestyle changes. Additionally, observing family members who previously completed MBS was a significant extrinsic motivator. Concerns included fear of dying/complications from MBS, and possible weight regain post‐MBS. Conclusion Adolescent MBS programs should enhance intrinsic motivation for behavior changes. Findings highlight opportunities for bolstering support pre‐ and post‐MBS and addressing MBS‐related anxieties related to long‐term weight management. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8ef2b27ff6a54c429dd545aaf476a5f1 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2055-2238 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Obesity Science & Practice |
| spelling | doaj-art-8ef2b27ff6a54c429dd545aaf476a5f12025-08-20T02:46:08ZengWileyObesity Science & Practice2055-22382025-02-01111n/an/a10.1002/osp4.70040Motivators and Barriers to Seeking Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Among Adolescents: A Qualitative StudyMarlyn A. Allicock0Jackson M. Francis1Rashon Braxton2Dhatri Polavarapu3Maral Misserian4M. Sunil Mathew5Alicia Wheelington6Bethany R. Cartwright7Faisal G. Qureshi8Sarah E. Barlow9Sarah E. Messiah10The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health Dallas Texas USAChild and Adolescent Population Health Program Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dallas Texas USAThe University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health Dallas Texas USAThe University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health Dallas Texas USASchool of Allied Health Professions University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dallas Texas USAChild and Adolescent Population Health Program Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dallas Texas USAChildren's Health System of Texas Dallas Texas USADepartment of Pediatrics University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dallas Texas USAChildren's Health System of Texas Dallas Texas USAChildren's Health System of Texas Dallas Texas USAChild and Adolescent Population Health Program Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dallas Texas USAABSTRACT Background The prevalence of severe obesity among adolescents has increased the use of metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) as a therapeutic option. Understanding factors influencing adolescent MBS choice and the support needed to undergo MBS is crucial for improving health outcomes. This study examines the motivations and support needs of a diverse sample of adolescents seeking MBS via the patient voice. Methods Adolescents (n = 14) at a weight loss surgery clinic in a large academic healthcare system participated in qualitative interviews. Of the participants, 10 were female, 6 were non‐Hispanic Black, 3 were non‐Hispanic White, and 5 were Hispanic. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed. Results Three themes emerged: Intrinsic motivators, extrinsic motivators, and barriers. Intrinsic motivators include personal physical and mental health goals. Extrinsic motivators involved family and medical team support, which provided encouragement, validation, and perceived confidence for lifestyle changes. Additionally, observing family members who previously completed MBS was a significant extrinsic motivator. Concerns included fear of dying/complications from MBS, and possible weight regain post‐MBS. Conclusion Adolescent MBS programs should enhance intrinsic motivation for behavior changes. Findings highlight opportunities for bolstering support pre‐ and post‐MBS and addressing MBS‐related anxieties related to long‐term weight management.https://doi.org/10.1002/osp4.70040adolescentsdecision‐makingMBSmetabolic and bariatric surgeryprogram support |
| spellingShingle | Marlyn A. Allicock Jackson M. Francis Rashon Braxton Dhatri Polavarapu Maral Misserian M. Sunil Mathew Alicia Wheelington Bethany R. Cartwright Faisal G. Qureshi Sarah E. Barlow Sarah E. Messiah Motivators and Barriers to Seeking Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Among Adolescents: A Qualitative Study Obesity Science & Practice adolescents decision‐making MBS metabolic and bariatric surgery program support |
| title | Motivators and Barriers to Seeking Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Among Adolescents: A Qualitative Study |
| title_full | Motivators and Barriers to Seeking Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Among Adolescents: A Qualitative Study |
| title_fullStr | Motivators and Barriers to Seeking Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Among Adolescents: A Qualitative Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Motivators and Barriers to Seeking Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Among Adolescents: A Qualitative Study |
| title_short | Motivators and Barriers to Seeking Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Among Adolescents: A Qualitative Study |
| title_sort | motivators and barriers to seeking metabolic and bariatric surgery among adolescents a qualitative study |
| topic | adolescents decision‐making MBS metabolic and bariatric surgery program support |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/osp4.70040 |
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