TEENFIT for Adolescents With Obesity
Protocol and Embedded Pilot Mixed-Methods Feasibility and Acceptability Study
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Hugo Vieira Pereira
Miriam Leão
Afonso Jerónimo
Rita Calado
Elisa Galo
Júlia Galhardo
João Farela Neves
Mónica Sousa
Inês Carvalho
Marta Andrada
Mónica Santos
João Faria
Rodrigo Moreira
Abstract
Background: Effective intervention strategies are essential for adolescents with obesity; however, data on the feasibility of comprehensive programs remain limited.
Aims: To describe TEENFIT, a 24-week interdisciplinary health self-management intervention for adolescents with obesity, and to present preliminary three-month feasibility and acceptability findings from the embedded pilot.
Methods: Seven adolescents aged 12-14 years with a BMI above the 95th percentile participated in TEENFIT, delivered biweekly alongside monthly parental workshops at a private hospital in Lisbon. The intervention combined nutrition education, supervised physical activity, and behaviour modification workshops focused on goal-setting and self-monitoring, and was grounded in Self-Determination Theory, Self-Regulation, and the COM-B model. Feasibility metrics assessed recruitment, attendance, retention, fidelity, safety, and data capture. Acceptability was explored through focus groups with adolescents, parents, and providers using thematic analysis.
Result: At three months, mean attendance was 82%, exceeding the 70% target. Retention was 100%, no adverse events were reported, and participants and parents expressed high satisfaction. Qualitative findings highlighted a supportive group environment and parental involvement as facilitators, while travel and communication issues emerged as barriers.
Conclusion: TEENFIT met predefined feasibility and acceptability criteria at three months, supporting progression to a randomized controlled trial evaluating weight-related and psychosocial outcomes.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Hugo Vieira Pereira, Miriam Leão, Afonso Jerónimo, Rita Calado, Elisa Galo, Júlia Galhardo, João Farela Neves, Mónica Sousa, Inês Carvalho, Marta Andrada, Mónica Santos, João Faria, Rodrigo Moreira
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