BACKGROUND Currently the most effective treatment for severe obesity in adolescents is weight-loss surgery coupled with lifestyle behavior change. In preparation for weight-loss surgery, adolescents are required to make changes to eating and activity habits (lifestyle changes) to promote long term success. Social media support groups, which are popular among adolescents, have the potential to augment preoperative lifestyle changes. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively assess the perceived role of social media as a support tool for weight-loss, and to identify motivators and constraints to lifestyle changes and social media use in adolescents preparing for weight-loss surgery. METHODS Thematic analysis of social media comments from 13 (3 male, 10 female) adolescents aged 16 ± 1.3 years with a body mass index (BMI) 45 ± 7.3 kg/m2 enrolled in a weight-management program preparing for bariatric surgery and who participated in a 12-week pilot social media intervention was performed. Participants commented on moderator posts and videos of nutrition, physical activity, and motivation that were shared three to four times per week. Social media comments were coded using NVivo 11.0 to identify recurrent themes and subthemes. RESULTS 1) Social media provided accountability, emotional support, and shared behavioral strategies. 2) Motivators for lifestyle changes included family support, personal goals, and non-scale victories. 3) Challenges included negative peers, challenges with planning and tracking, and time constraints. CONCLUSION Adolescents considering bariatric surgery identified social media as a tool for social support and reinforcement of strategies for successful behavior change. Important motivators and challenges to lifestyle changes were identified.

中文翻译：

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重度肥胖青少年在社交媒体上进行减肥手术的观点：一项定性研究。

背景技术目前，针对青少年的严重肥胖症最有效的治疗方法是减肥手术和生活方式改变。在准备减肥手术时，青少年需要改变饮食和活动习惯（生活方式的改变）以促进长期成功。在青少年中很受欢迎的社交媒体支持小组有可能扩大术前生活方式的改变。这项研究的目的是定性评估社交媒体作为减肥支持工具的作用，并确定在准备减肥手术的青少年中生活方式改变和社交媒体使用的动机和制约因素。方法对年龄在16±1.3岁，体重指数（BMI）为45±7的13名（3名男性，10名女性）青少年社交媒体评论进行主题分析。参加体重管理计划的减肥管理计划的体重为3 kg / m2，参加了为期12周的社交媒体试验。参与者评论了主持人的帖子以及有关营养，身体活动和动力的视频，每周分享三到四次。社交媒体评论使用NVivo 11.0进行编码，以识别重复出现的主题和子主题。结果1）社交媒体提供了责任感，情感支持和共同的行为策略。2）改变生活方式的动机包括家庭支持，个人目标和无节制的胜利。3）挑战包括负面同行，计划和跟踪挑战以及时间限制。结论考虑减肥手术的青少年认为社交媒体是社会支持和强化成功行为改变策略的工具。确定了改变生活方式的重要动机和挑战。