The obesity treatment in adolescents inside their family environment

Abstract

Obesity in adolescence is emerging as a serious health problem since the rates of obese adolescents are rapidly increasing. In this important issue, the factors primarily responsible for obesity relate to the diet and physical fitness of young people, in addition to biochemical/genetic factors that contribute to the development of obesity. Incorrect dietary choices and, in general, the adoption of an unhealthy lifestyle start very early, with the family playing a pivotal role. The already high number of obese adolescents has a negative impact on their lives and society in general. One category of measures/interventions that could be taken to prevent childhood obesity is related to the family environment. Therefore, this thesis will study the existing literature in order to understand what obesity is, the factors that contribute to its occurrence and the ways in which the family can influence the behavior of adolescents and be a means of treating obesity (behavior, diet, physical activity, sleep, etc.). A review of the literature was conducted, using authoritative health databases (PubMed and Scopus), to identify published articles on family interventions that contribute to the treatment of adolescent obesity. The systematic review showed that the family holds considerable influence over its members, which, when dysfunctional, can lead to the acquisition of excess weight in its members. Intervention programs within the family environment showed a positive effect on weight loss in adolescents. The involvement of all the family members in these programs (parents and teenagers), not just teenagers, had even more positive results. Intervention programs targeting the family are able to change the daily habits of family members, resulting in adolescents acquiring healthy eating habits and increasing their physical activity, leading to the loss and/or maintenance of normal weight.