Grant: Project Grant

There is a high level of interest in developing and evaluating pediatric weight management programs for children and adolescents with obesity and their families because of the health risks associated with pediatric obesity. Historically, clinicians and researchers have studied the intended positive physical health effects of interventions (e.g, decreased body weight and diabetes risk). However, the positive and negative psychosocial effects of interventions are less understood (e.g. quality of life). Importantly, the unintended negative effects or harms on the psychosocial health of adolescents and families who have gone through these programs (i.e. stress, weight-based teasing, body shame, self-esteem) need more study. The purpose of this research is to partner with teens and families who have experience participating in pediatric weight management programs as well as clinicians and researchers who have experience delivering these programs to better understand psychosocial health effects (positive and negative) of participating in these programs. Over 2 years, we plan to 1) examine existing psychosocial data from all types of pediatric obesity programs, 2) collect new data from adolescents, families, clinicians and researchers to identify missing psychosocial benefits and harms. This project builds on established pediatric obesity research collaborations with experts across Canada. With the large interest and media presence of weight loss medications like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro our research is very relevant for clinicians and researchers who develop, evaluate, and share results of pediatric obesity programs to assess unintended consequences of their work, to ensure program benefits outweigh risk of harm to their psychosocial health.