Title: Controlled trial of an Internet-based intervention for overweight teens (Next.Step): effectiveness analysis published at European Journal of Pediatrics.

IPLeiria authors: Pedro Sousa and Pedro Gaspar

Main results:

The need for effective adolescent weight management programs is of high clinical and public health relevance. This study evaluates the effectiveness of an e-therapeutic platform (Next.Step), aiming to promote weight management skills and the adoption of health-promoting lifestyles. This nonrandomized clinical trial with control group uses a sample of 94 adolescents who attended a Paediatric Obesity Clinic. The experimental group were invited to access the platform Next.Step during 24 weeks, in addition to the standard treatment program. The e-therapeutic program led to a significant increase in health responsibility, although inconclusive results were found regarding the program effectiveness compared to the standard multidisciplinary intervention.

Trial registration: NCT01904474

Funding: Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (PTDC/DTP-PIC/0769/2012)