Motivational Interviewing Techniques for an Obese Adolescent: A Case Report and Literature Review

The data regarding the application of motivational interviewing techniques (MITs) in the treatment of obese adolescents containing conflicting results. The case examined in this study belongs to a patient who was advised to diet and exercise and given medication for 5 years in the examination by a dietician and various outpatient clinics. However, the patient did not comply with the diet or use medication regularly, so weight gain continued. Laboratory tests showed the presence of insulin resistance and hepatosteatosis. The patient was sedentary, uncomfortable with their weight, and had limited family and peer relationships. The patient's BMI SDS was 3.7, with the physical examination showing the presence of acanthosis nigricans, striae, and mild kyphosis. MITs were conducted every 15 days for the first 3 months, and then once a month. At the end of the two-year follow-up, the patient's weight had decreased to 62 kg (BMI = 24.2 kg/m2, +1.15 SDS), and their family-peer relationships had improved. MITs are a treatment method healthcare teams should use for treating obesity in adolescents. MITs are also effective for the accompanying psychopathologies. Conducting frequent interviews in the early stages of obesity treatment may result in more positive findings.