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BMC Pediatrics
Published in: BMC Pediatrics 1/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research article

Motivations for weight loss in adolescents with overweight and obesity: a systematic review

Authors: David Franciole Oliveira Silva, Karine Cavalcanti Maurício Sena-Evangelista, Clélia Oliveira Lyra, Lucia Fátima Campos Pedrosa, Ricardo Fernando Arrais, Severina Carla Vieira Cunha Lima

Published in: BMC Pediatrics | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Background

Adolescents with overweight and obesity report various motivations for weight loss other than the desire for better health. However, there is little evidence regarding the main motivations for weight loss in adolescents. The present systematic review aimed to identify the motivations for weight loss in adolescents with overweight and obesity.

Methods

A systematic search for original articles published up to December 2016 was carried out in the PubMed, Scopus, LILACS, and ADOLEC databases. The terms used in the search were: motivation, motive, reason, “weight loss,” “lose weight,” and adolescent.

Results

Six studies (all cross-sectional) met the selection criteria and were included in the review. The instruments used to assess the participants’ motivations for weight loss were interviews and questionnaires with open questions. Seventeen motivations for weight loss were identified, the main ones being better health, esthetic/cosmetic reasons, improvements in self-esteem, and avoidance of provocation/bullying.

Conclusions

The results of the present review show the need for validated instruments to assess the motivations for weight loss in adolescents with overweight and obesity. Moreover, the high frequency of motivations for weight loss related to appearance and social acceptance evidences the need for multidisciplinary weight loss interventions that consider not only the biological factors, but also the psychological and social aspects.
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Metadata
Title
Motivations for weight loss in adolescents with overweight and obesity: a systematic review
Authors
David Franciole Oliveira Silva
Karine Cavalcanti Maurício Sena-Evangelista
Clélia Oliveira Lyra
Lucia Fátima Campos Pedrosa
Ricardo Fernando Arrais
Severina Carla Vieira Cunha Lima
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Pediatrics / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2431
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-018-1333-2

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