title: Weight Control in Adolescents: Focus Groups With Korean Adolescents and Their Teachers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This qualitative descriptive study sought to identify perceptions about and status of weight control in adolescents from the perspective of adolescents and their teachers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Focus groups were used with six separate groups, 20 adolescents divided into four groups and 14 teachers divided into two groups. The qualitative data were analyzed using a thematic analysis in NVivo 11.0. Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative studies (COREQ) were followed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We extracted three themes and 12 sub-themes with 52 meaningful codes. Both adolescents and teachers stated that perceptions about weight control in adolescents were overly weighted toward management of one's appearance. The adolescents reported an increase in weight gained during adolescence, especially after entering high school, and they noted a lack of participation in physical activities and the presence of unhealthy dietary behaviors. However, adolescents perceived excessive weight gain during adolescence as natural, as long as they studied hard. Their teachers and parents were also permissive about weight gain resulted from study. The participants suggested that a weight control program for adolescents should be conducted in schools and should include every student in order to avoid discrimination. In addition, teacher involvement was emphasized to promote participation of adolescents in a school program.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings indicate that adolescents, especially those in a society emphasizing academics, need to practice healthy weight control behaviors. A school-based weight control program involving teachers and peers would be suitable and should be provided to all students regardless of weight classification.
authors.affiliation: Seoul National University College of Nursing, The Research Institute of Nursing Science, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sun-Mi
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Chae
authors.affiliation: Seoul National University College of Nursing, The Research Institute of Nursing Science, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: shine031031@snu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Ji-Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Yeo
authors.affiliation: Seoul National University College of Nursing, The Research Institute of Nursing Science, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ji-Hye
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.affiliation: Seoul National University College of Nursing, The Research Institute of Nursing Science, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ji-Hye
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: CHA University College of Nursing, 30 Beolmal-lo, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-shi, Gyeongghi-do, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jiyoung
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: Ewha Women's University High School, 560 Sungsan-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Insook
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kwon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D000070777:School Teachers; D012649:Self Concept; D015430:Weight Gain