ACTION Teens Global Survey–Türkiye Report: More Worry and Less Motivation for Adolescents Living with Obesity

Abstract

Objective: ACTION Teens (NCT05013359) surveyed adolescents living with obesity (ALwO), their caregivers, and healthcare professionals (HCPs) in 10 countries to identify attitudes, perceptions, behaviors, and barriers preventing effective obesity care. This subanalysis identified key findings from Türkiye.

Methods: In Türkiye, 700 ALwO (aged 12 <18 years), 700 caregivers, and 324 HCPs completed a cross-sectional survey (September-November 2021).

Results: ALwO had poor mean World Health Organization-5 Well-Being Index (36.7) and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (14.6) scores. Most ALwO (85%) were worried about their weight, and many ALwO (92%) and caregivers (96%) worried about weight affecting their/their child’s future health. Furthermore, many respondents agreed weight loss is completely the ALwO’s responsibility (ALwO: 70%; caregivers: 47%; HCPs: 42%). Despite this, only 24% of ALwO reported being highly motivated to lose weight, although 59% reported a weight-loss attempt in the past year. Their most common weight-loss barrier was being unable to control hunger, according to ALwO (76%) and caregivers (73%). HCPs reported discussing weight with 42% of ALwO, on average, with 34% indicating insufficient time during appointments prevents them from discussing weight.

Conclusion: Compared with the global ACTION Teens analysis, a greater proportion of ALwO in Türkiye worried about weight impacting future health (92% vs. 85%), yet a similar proportion had made a recent weight-loss attempt (59% vs. 58%), perhaps due to lower motivation (24% vs. 45%). These results suggest ALwO in Türkiye require greater weight-management support, particularly support with controlling hunger and so, measures should be taken to reduce HCPs’ time constraints.