J Obes Metab Syndr.  2020 Dec;29(4):260-269. 10.7570/jomes20026.

Motivating Children and Adolescents in Obesity Treatment

• Woo S
• Park KH

• KMID: 2510163
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7570/jomes20026

Abstract

Enhancing motivation is a crucial issue in pediatric obesity interventions, as behavioral changes related to food intake and physical exercise are difficult to carry out with an insufficient level of motivation. In the treatment setting, low motivation towards change may lead to early termination or inadequate treatment outcomes. This paper reviews widely-used models of motivation, including the transtheoretical model of change, self-determination theory, and motivational interviewing (MI). We introduce useful strategies based on each theoretical model to enhance motivation, such as an importance and confidence scale and a decisional balance technique. A review of recent MI interventions in children and adolescents is presented to discuss the efficacy of MI-based interventions and considerations for applying MI in pediatric obesity.

Keyword

Pediatric obesity; Motivation; Motivational interviewing; Behavior therapy; Health behavior; Theoretical model