The views of teenagers with obesity, their caregivers, and doctors: a plain language summary of the ACTION Teens global survey

Abstract

What is this summary about? This is a summary of a research survey called ACTION Teens. In our survey, 12,987 people from 10 countries answered questions about obesity. They were: 5275 teenagers with obesity, 5389 caregivers of teenagers with obesity, and 2323 doctors who provide medical care for teenagers with obesity. What were the main results of the survey? Most teenagers with obesity were worried about their weight and thought that losing weight was their responsibility. Many teenagers had already tried to lose weight. For teenagers, wanting to be more fit or in better shape was the top reason for wanting to lose weight. Some caregivers did not realize how worried their teenager was about their own weight. There were also some caregivers who were not aware of their teenager’s recent attempts to lose weight. As a group, the doctors did not know the main reasons why teenagers want to lose weight. They also did not know the main reasons preventing teenagers from losing weight. What do the results of the survey mean? Teenagers with obesity will be better supported and understood if there is better communication between teenagers, caregivers, and doctors.

Keywords

• adolescents
• caregivers
• doctors
• healthcare professionals
• lay summary
• obesity
• plain language summary
• survey
• teenagers
• weight management
• weight