Exploring the Acceptability of a Specialist Obesity-Treatment Intervention (Fast Track to Health) for Adolescents: A Mixed-Method Study
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Sarah Lang1,2, Eve House3,4, Natalie B Lister3,4
1Department of Nutrition, Dietetics & Food, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia, sarah.lang1@monash.edu.
Background:
Fast Track to Health was a 12-month intervention for adolescents with obesity and associated complications. Adolescents followed a very low-energy diet and intermittent energy restriction (IER) or continuous energy restriction (CER). This study explored adolescents', parents', and dietitians' perspectives of the intervention.
Methods:
A convergent parallel mixed-methods evaluation was conducted. Acceptability questionnaires were collected from adolescents (week 16: n = 113, week 52: n = 88) and parents (week 16: n = 108, week 52: n = 80). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with adolescents (n = 14), parents (n = 11), and dietitians (n = 6) at week 52. Interview transcripts were thematically analysed.
Results:
Adolescents rated enjoyability (score 0-100) at week 16 (mean [SD] IER: 63.5 [21.1] vs. CER: 65.9 [20.2], p = 0.550) and week 52 (IER: 67.2 [18.1] vs. CER: 61.0 [23.4], p = 0.198), showing no significant difference between groups. Most parents reported benefits at week 16 (IER: 86% vs. CER: 93%, p = 0.263) and week 52 (IER: 79% vs. CER: 83%, p = 0.717). Adolescents positively rated their experience with dietitians. Qualitative feedback emphasised the impact of clear dietary advice, easy and frequent access to support, continuity of care, and family engagement.
Conclusions:
This evaluation offers insights into a specialised dietary intervention for adolescents. Findings can inform future obesity treatments for adolescents in outpatient tertiary healthcare settings.
