title: Effectiveness analysis of an internet-based intervention for overweight adolescents: next steps for researchers and clinicians.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The development of effective strategies for the management of overweight in adolescence is a well recognized need. The current study investigates the effectiveness of an e-therapeutic platform (Next.Step) which aims to promote weight management skills and the adoption of health-promoting behaviours among overweight adolescents.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a randomized clinical trial with a sample of 80 adolescents. The control group followed the standard intervention. The experimental group was invited to access the platform during 12 weeks in addition to the standard intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although there was no change in the primary outcomes (body mass index and percentage of fat mass), the results suggest that the program is associated with an improvement in the 'positive perspective of life' and 'benefits perceived from the intervention', which have been identified as relevant factors for an effective weight management.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings provide little support for the effectiveness of internet-based weight management programs as an add-on to the standard intervention.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  NCT01904474.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Faculdade de Medicina, Hospital de Santa Maria, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof Egas Moniz 1, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal ; Rheumatology Research Unit, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fonseca
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Psicologia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal ; Escola de Psicologia e Ciências da Vida, COPELABS, Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias, Lisboa, Portugal.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prioste
authors.affiliation: Instituto Politécnico de Leiria, Leiria, Portugal.
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sousa
authors.affiliation: Instituto Politécnico de Leiria, Leiria, Portugal.
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gaspar
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Faculdade de Medicina, Hospital de Santa Maria, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof Egas Moniz 1, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal.
authors.forename: Maria do Céu
authors.initials: Mdo C
authors.lastname: Machado
keywords: Adolescence; Effectiveness; Internet-based weight management programs; Overweight