Insights from Multiple Stakeholders Regarding Adolescent Obesity in China

An Exploratory Qualitative Study

Bibliographic Data

ID13775292
AuthorsYing Chen (0000-0002-4780-4642, Department of Social Medicine of School of Public Health and Department of Pharmacy of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China), Li Zhang (0000-0002-4441-5131, Department of Social Medicine of School of Public Health and Department of Pharmacy of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China), Meng Wang (0000-0001-5799-549X, Hangzhou Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China), Bian Lu (Xiaoshan District Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China), Ting Shen (0009-0000-1132-1959, Xihu District Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China), Renjun Gu (0000-0002-3334-9124, Department of Social Medicine of School of Public Health and Department of Pharmacy of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China), Xiaoyuan Jin (0000-0003-0937-3738, Department of Social Medicine of School of Public Health and Department of Pharmacy of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China), Hongmei Wang (0000-0002-7565-9040, Department of Social Medicine of School of Public Health and Department of Pharmacy of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, corresponding author)
Year2024
Volume61
Pages469580241273183-469580241273183
Publication date2024-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueINQUIRY The Journal of Health Care Organization Provision and Financing (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0046-9580 • E-ISSN: 1945-7243
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/00469580241273183
PMID39183631
OpenAlexW4401895895
LanguageEN
References cited52

With a significant increase in the obesity epidemic in China, addressing adolescent obesity should be highlighted as a priority. The current qualitative study aims to explore the perspectives of key stakeholders regarding adolescent obesity, providing guidance for developing effective obesity interventions for Chinese adolescents. A total of 12 focus group discussions were convened with a range of representative stakeholders including adolescents (n = 37), parents (n = 28), and school staff (n = 21) from sample schools. Semi-structured topic guides were used for data collection. All data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically. From multiple stakeholder perspectives, we finally identified 3 overarching themes ( Understanding adolescent obesity, Key healthy lifestyles, and Barriers to obesity prevention practices ) and 8 sub-themes. While participants had mixed perceptions of status and prevalence of adolescent obesity, all acknowledged the serious health consequences associated with it. As significant modifiable risk factors, unhealthy diet and physical activity were identified to be prevalent among Chinese teenagers and lead to excessive weight gain. However, a variety of individual, environmental and sociocultural factors hindered the implementation of healthy lifestyles, affecting adolescent obesity prevention and control. Given adolescent obesity is a complex, multifactorial and multilevel public issue, comprehensive lifestyle interventions are recommended that synergistically engage multiple stakeholders across key communities to fight the ongoing obesity epidemic

Childhood obesity · China · Data collection · Exploratory research · Focus group · Medical education · Obesity · Overweight · Political science · Psychological intervention · Public relations · Qualitative research · Social science · Sociology · Stakeholder · Eating Disorders and Behaviors · Health and Lifestyle Studies · Medicine · Nursing · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Psychology

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