Navigating barriers and facilitators to lifestyle changes after bariatric surgery among Emirati adolescents: a qualitative study.

ABSTRACT: Adolescent obesity is a major public health concern, with bariatric surgery emerging as an effective treatment option. However, little is known about adolescents' long-term adherence to healthy behaviors after surgery, especially in non-Western settings. This qualitative interview study explored lifestyle challenges faced and enablers experienced by adolescents who had undergone bariatric surgery at least one year before the interview, addressing a research gap. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 adolescents (12-19 years) who had undergone bariatric surgery (sleeve gastrectomy: 86.6%; Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: 13.2%) more than a year ago, using the social-ecological model (SEM) to guide data collection and interpretation. The interviews revealed five key themes: Motivations

SUBMITTER: Alries BA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12689554 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature