Evaluating and Understanding Weight Management Experiences Among Adolescent Girls During and After Residential Treatment for Obesity

ABSTRACT Background Residential programs have been utilized for the treatment of adolescents with severe obesity, yet few have been evaluated. Objective The objectives were to (1) evaluate the effect of a long‐term residential treatment program focused on treating adolescent girls with obesity and (...

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Main Authors: Morgan E. Braxton, Subin Jang, Ashley M. Ruiz, Jim Hershey, Justin R. Ryder, Aaron S. Kelly, Gabriel Q. Shaibi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-04-01
Series:Obesity Science & Practice
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/osp4.70049
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author Morgan E. Braxton
Subin Jang
Ashley M. Ruiz
Jim Hershey
Justin R. Ryder
Aaron S. Kelly
Gabriel Q. Shaibi
author_facet Morgan E. Braxton
Subin Jang
Ashley M. Ruiz
Jim Hershey
Justin R. Ryder
Aaron S. Kelly
Gabriel Q. Shaibi
author_sort Morgan E. Braxton
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Background Residential programs have been utilized for the treatment of adolescents with severe obesity, yet few have been evaluated. Objective The objectives were to (1) evaluate the effect of a long‐term residential treatment program focused on treating adolescent girls with obesity and (2) explore girls' perceptions of weight management during and after participating in the program. Methods A mixed‐methods approach was used to examine changes in weight outcomes over time among adolescent girls who completed the program (N = 12), and conduct qualitative interviews to explore perceptions of weight management after completion (N = 5). Results Girls in the program showed a reduction in mean BMI of 16.1 ± 4.2 kg/m2 (−36.3% ± 5.9%) over a mean of 57 weeks. At follow‐up, three participants regained weight while two maintained their completion weight. The program shifted girls' health goals from weight loss to improved overall health. Experiences of social connection and disconnection were identified as components that impacted weight management trajectories over time. Conclusion This program demonstrated clinically meaningful improvements in BMI. The structured nature and the emphasis on therapeutic methods were key components of the program. Social support was identified by participants as being integral to successful weight maintenance over time.
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issn 2055-2238
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spelling doaj-art-aec30830edab4981bc348ac88bdaf3342025-08-20T02:18:59ZengWileyObesity Science & Practice2055-22382025-04-01112n/an/a10.1002/osp4.70049Evaluating and Understanding Weight Management Experiences Among Adolescent Girls During and After Residential Treatment for ObesityMorgan E. Braxton0Subin Jang1Ashley M. Ruiz2Jim Hershey3Justin R. Ryder4Aaron S. Kelly5Gabriel Q. Shaibi6Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation Arizona State University Phoenix Arizona USADepartment of Pediatrics and Center for Pediatric Obesity Medicine University of Minnesota Medical School Minneapolis Minnesota USANell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing Emory University Atlanta Georgia USAGEM Academy Phoenix Arizona USAAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Chicago Illinois USADepartment of Pediatrics and Center for Pediatric Obesity Medicine University of Minnesota Medical School Minneapolis Minnesota USACenter for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation Arizona State University Phoenix Arizona USAABSTRACT Background Residential programs have been utilized for the treatment of adolescents with severe obesity, yet few have been evaluated. Objective The objectives were to (1) evaluate the effect of a long‐term residential treatment program focused on treating adolescent girls with obesity and (2) explore girls' perceptions of weight management during and after participating in the program. Methods A mixed‐methods approach was used to examine changes in weight outcomes over time among adolescent girls who completed the program (N = 12), and conduct qualitative interviews to explore perceptions of weight management after completion (N = 5). Results Girls in the program showed a reduction in mean BMI of 16.1 ± 4.2 kg/m2 (−36.3% ± 5.9%) over a mean of 57 weeks. At follow‐up, three participants regained weight while two maintained their completion weight. The program shifted girls' health goals from weight loss to improved overall health. Experiences of social connection and disconnection were identified as components that impacted weight management trajectories over time. Conclusion This program demonstrated clinically meaningful improvements in BMI. The structured nature and the emphasis on therapeutic methods were key components of the program. Social support was identified by participants as being integral to successful weight maintenance over time.https://doi.org/10.1002/osp4.70049adolescent girlslifestyle interventionobesityresidential treatment
spellingShingle Morgan E. Braxton
Subin Jang
Ashley M. Ruiz
Jim Hershey
Justin R. Ryder
Aaron S. Kelly
Gabriel Q. Shaibi
Evaluating and Understanding Weight Management Experiences Among Adolescent Girls During and After Residential Treatment for Obesity
Obesity Science & Practice
adolescent girls
lifestyle intervention
obesity
residential treatment
title Evaluating and Understanding Weight Management Experiences Among Adolescent Girls During and After Residential Treatment for Obesity
title_full Evaluating and Understanding Weight Management Experiences Among Adolescent Girls During and After Residential Treatment for Obesity
title_fullStr Evaluating and Understanding Weight Management Experiences Among Adolescent Girls During and After Residential Treatment for Obesity
title_full_unstemmed Evaluating and Understanding Weight Management Experiences Among Adolescent Girls During and After Residential Treatment for Obesity
title_short Evaluating and Understanding Weight Management Experiences Among Adolescent Girls During and After Residential Treatment for Obesity
title_sort evaluating and understanding weight management experiences among adolescent girls during and after residential treatment for obesity
topic adolescent girls
lifestyle intervention
obesity
residential treatment
url https://doi.org/10.1002/osp4.70049
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