Cross-sectional study showed psychosocial variables, gender and family involvement played an important role in an adolescent weight management programme.

AIM: This study aimed to investigate the psychosocial gains perceived by overweight adolescents attending a 12-week weight management programme and to analyse gender-specific differences. METHODS: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 70 overweight adolescents aged between 12 and 18 (52.9% girls), evaluated at baseline and at week 12 using anthropometric measurements and self-reported questionnaires. We analysed gender-specific differences related to body self-esteem, social life, relationships with their family, physical comfort, health responsibility, perceived benefits of the intervention, self-efficacy and adherence. We further investigated whether the variables at week 12 would predict changes in their body mass index. RESULTS: While weight had a greater impact on the body self-esteem of girls, both at baseline and week 12, boys reported higher self-efficacy and adherence as well as a greater perception of the benefits of the intervention at week 12. The body mass index change was positively associated with body self-esteem, relationships within the family and self-efficacy and adherence. CONCLUSION: Gender specifics and the role of psychosocial variables must be taken into account during weight management programmes for adolescents, and it is important to include the family throughout the entire process.

Pathways between BMI and adherence to weight management in adolescence.

BACKGROUND: In order to understand the mechanisms involved in how overweight adolescents adhere to weight management and perceive its benefits, a few variables have been identified, namely, body mass index (BMI), body self-esteem (BSE) and positive perspective of life (PPL). METHODS: In a sample of 112 adolescents, we investigated whether BMI would predict adolescents' self-efficacy/adherence (SEA) to weight management and perception of its benefits. A structural equation modeling approach was chosen. We hypothesized that perceived quality of life (PQL) would mediate the relationships between BMI and SEA and between BMI and perception of benefits (PB). RESULTS: The results suggested that BMI is not directly associated with SEA and PB. However, PQL was identified as a mediator between BMI and SEA and PB. CONCLUSION: These findings bring important implications for understanding overweight adolescents' adherence to weight management. There is evidence that adolescents' adherence to weight management and PB are not predicted by their BMI. However, it has been shown that PQL mediates this process. For a long time, health professionals have been too focused on BMI. Time has come to be more focused on quality of life and how to improve it.

Effectiveness analysis of an internet-based intervention for overweight adolescents: next steps for researchers and clinicians.

BACKGROUNDS: The development of effective strategies for the management of overweight in adolescence is a well recognized need. The current study investigates the effectiveness of an e-therapeutic platform (Next.Step) which aims to promote weight management skills and the adoption of health-promoting behaviours among overweight adolescents. METHODS: We conducted a randomized clinical trial with a sample of 80 adolescents. The control group followed the standard intervention. The experimental group was invited to access the platform during 12 weeks in addition to the standard intervention. RESULTS: Although there was no change in the primary outcomes (body mass index and percentage of fat mass), the results suggest that the program is associated with an improvement in the 'positive perspective of life' and 'benefits perceived from the intervention', which have been identified as relevant factors for an effective weight management. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide little support for the effectiveness of internet-based weight management programs as an add-on to the standard intervention. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01904474.

Clinical features of adolescents with deliberate self-harm: A case control study in Lisbon, Portugal.

Deliberate self-harm (DSH) among adolescents is a high-risk condition for suicide. The aim of the present study is to describe the characteristic clinical features of adolescents with DSH according to our local context (Lisbon, Portugal), using easily available information from clinical settings. A case control study was constructed from a sample of 100 adolescents (aged 12 to 21 years). The sample was divided into two groups: adolescents with and without DSH. Case files were examined and data was completed by clinical interviews. Demographic, psychosocial, and psychopathological data were assessed and compared. Ninety-eight subjects completed the protocol. The DSH group was associated with the following: suicidal ideation or suicidal behavior as consultation motive, emergency room referral, previous follow-up attempts, suicidal ideation, psychosocial difficulties, or lack of therapeutic goals. There was a nonsignificant trend towards diagnosis of depression in the DSH group. These results reflect our clinical practice with adolescents and add data about teenagers who self-harm to the literature. Prevention and early recognition of DSH (and frequently associated depression) in adolescents are essential and could be life-saving measures. An integrated approach, which takes into account psychosocial difficulties, family dysfunction, and negative expectations, seems to be of great importance.