Courtney M Giannini1,2, Megan B Irby3,4, Joseph A Skelton1,3,5, Sabina B Gesell1,6. 1. 1 Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity , Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC. 2. 2 College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati , Cincinnati, OH. 3. 3 Department of Pediatrics, Wake Forest School of Medicine , Winston-Salem, NC. 4. 4 Department of Anesthesiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine , Winston-Salem, NC. 5. 5 Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, Wake Forest School of Medicine , Winston-Salem, NC. 6. 6 Department of Social Sciences and Health Policy, Wake Forest School of Medicine , Winston-Salem, NC.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is growing evidence supporting social network-based interventions for adolescents with obesity. This study's aim was to determine the feasibility of a social network-based intervention by assessing adolescents' friendship networks, willingness to involve friends in treatment, and how these factors influence enjoyment. METHODS: Adolescents (N = 42) were recruited from a tertiary care obesity clinic. Participants gave a list of closest friends, friendship characteristics, and which of their friends they would involve in treatment. A subset (N = 14) participated in group treatment, were encouraged to bring friends, and invited to a second interview. RESULTS: Participants nominated a mean of 4.0 (standard deviation [SD] = 1.6) friends and were more likely to nominate closer friends (p = 0.003). Friends who attended group sessions were more likely to have multiple friendships in common with the participant's own network (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Involving friends in treatment is feasible and desired by adolescents and may be a novel approach for augmenting obesity treatment outcomes.
BACKGROUND: There is growing evidence supporting social network-based interventions for adolescents with obesity. This study's aim was to determine the feasibility of a social network-based intervention by assessing adolescents' friendship networks, willingness to involve friends in treatment, and how these factors influence enjoyment. METHODS: Adolescents (N = 42) were recruited from a tertiary care obesity clinic. Participants gave a list of closest friends, friendship characteristics, and which of their friends they would involve in treatment. A subset (N = 14) participated in group treatment, were encouraged to bring friends, and invited to a second interview. RESULTS:Participants nominated a mean of 4.0 (standard deviation [SD] = 1.6) friends and were more likely to nominate closer friends (p = 0.003). Friends who attended group sessions were more likely to have multiple friendships in common with the participant's own network (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Involving friends in treatment is feasible and desired by adolescents and may be a novel approach for augmenting obesity treatment outcomes.
Entities:
Keywords:
friendship networks; obesity; pediatrics; social networks; treatment; weight management
Authors: David A Shoham; Liping Tong; Peter J Lamberson; Amy H Auchincloss; Jun Zhang; Lara Dugas; Jay S Kaufman; Richard S Cooper; Amy Luke Journal: PLoS One Date: 2012-06-29 Impact factor: 3.240