Motivation in adolescents and caretakers undergoing a weight management program - longitudinal data from the cluster-randomized, motivation-focused STARKIDS trial.

What was studied

This was a secondary look at the STARKIDS trial. The trial was cluster-randomised. It tested a weight programme that focused on motivation. It was for teens with overweight or obesity and for their caretakers. The programme lasted 18 months. The control group got optimised usual care. The team compared changes in motivation between the groups.

What they found

Caretakers in the programme group changed more on the Maintenance scale than control caretakers. This was significant. It held at both follow-up points. The Action scale showed trends. Teens showed no group gaps. In the programme group, better teen quality of life predicted a smaller Action rise.

What it means for patients

The authors say the programme led to gains in motivation at the Maintenance stage. They say this supports lasting behaviour change. They say quality of life at the start predicted motivation change. They suggest it may help tailor care.

Why it is not certain yet

This was a secondary analysis of a trial. Teens showed no group gaps in motivation. The Action scale results for caretakers were trends only. The predictor finding comes from the programme group alone. The authors say future work should explore different motivation paths.

Source

Motivation in adolescents and caretakers undergoing a weight management program - longitudinal data from the cluster-randomized, motivation-focused STARKIDS trial.

We restate facts from the source record in our own words. The original wording belongs to its publisher.