title: Getting to More Effective Weight Management in Antipsychotic-Treated Youth: A Survey of Barriers and Preferences.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mentally ill youth are at risk for developing obesity, especially when they require antipsychotic treatment; moreover, they may face unique challenges in adhering to behavioral weight loss interventions. The aims of this project were to characterize the challenges families of youth with psychiatric disorders face when engaging in weight loss treatment and to gather information on attitudes and preferences for weight management interventions in this population.
  
  
  METHODS
  We devised a telephone survey to evaluate caregiver-perceived barriers/challenges to and preferences for behavioral weight loss treatment in overweight or obese mentally ill youth ages 6-18 treated with an antipsychotic agent in an outpatient setting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 26 parents or primary caregivers completed the survey. The most commonly cited barriers to participation in physical activity (PA) and maintaining a healthy diet were child's dislike of PA and child's preference for energy-dense foods, respectively, which were impacted by psychiatric symptoms. Preferences for weight loss treatment included individualized, prescribed meal plans and shopping lists, and exercise support/demonstration, with a preference for Internet or cell phone applications to help with monitoring food intake and exercise.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that targets for obesity treatment in this population include individualized, specific support that takes into account the child's motivation, which is effected by psychiatric symptoms. Tools for providing support may include the use of telehealth visits and mobile device applications for self-monitoring.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis , St. Louis, MO.
authors.forename: Ginger
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nicol
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Psychiatry, Forensic Institute, University of Florida , Gainesville, FL.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Worsham
authors.affiliation: 3 Joyce Wood Professor and Associate Dean for Research & Faculty, George Warren Brown School of Social Work Director, Center for Diabetes Translation Research and the Center for Obesity Prevention and Policy Research, Washington University , St. Louis, MO.
authors.forename: Debra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Haire-Joshu
authors.affiliation: 4 Assistant Professor of Public Health, George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Washington University, St. Louis, MO and Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine , St. Louis, MO.
authors.forename: Alexis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.affiliation: 5 Clinical Lab Manager, Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine , St. Louis, MO.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schweiger
authors.affiliation: 6 Senior Data Analyst, Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine , St. Louis, MO.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yingling
authors.affiliation: 7 Professor of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine , St. Louis, MO.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lenze
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D050177:Overweight / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education*; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D015430:Weight Gain
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents