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Background and significance: Obesity and mental health problems are increasingly common among American adolescents and are often co-morbid conditions. The efficacy of the COPE Healthy Lifestyles Teen Program, a school-based curriculum grounded in Cognitive Theory and targeting obesity and mental health problems among adolescents, is currently being evaluated in an NIH-funded prospective, randomized controlled trial.
Methods: Baseline self-report data were collected from 493 teen participants, ages 14-17 years. Participants were asked whether there were things in their life that prevented them from leading a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, participants were asked to report specific barriers in their lives. Frequencies of responses were calculated and a content analysis of reported barriers to healthy lifestyles was conducted.
Results: Nearly one third (28.6%) of teen participants reported having things in their life that prevented them from leading a healthy lifestyle. The most commonly reported perceived issue preventing a healthy lifestyle was unhealthy eating habits. Other reported barriers include substance use, stress and mental health issues, poor exercise habits, unsupportive home environment, and a busy schedule.
Implications: Teens are aware of behaviors that constitute a healthy lifestyle. Identifying teen-perceived barriers to healthy lifestyle behaviors furthers an understanding of their ability to lead a healthy lifestyle. These findings will help to refine healthy lifestyle interventions and better address strategies to help teens overcome barriers in leading a healthy lifestyle.