The application and reporting of motivational interviewing in managing adolescent obesity: A scoping review and stakeholder consultation

Summary Motivational interviewing (MI) is an evidence‐based counseling approach that can help individuals make positive behavioral and cognitive changes for managing obesity. We conducted a scoping review to summarize evidence on fidelity and key elements of MI‐based interventions for managing adolescent obesity and examine the reporting of these interventions. Ten electronic databases and gray literature were searched systematically and included literature from January 1983 to February 2022, and 26 studies were included. Data on MI features, delivery context, training, and fidelity to treatment were summarized. Fidelity was assessed using an assessment grid with five domains—theory, training, implementation, treatment receipt, and treatment enactment. The last step of the review involved stakeholder consultation with clinician‐scientists and researchers with experience in MI and managing adolescent obesity. Thirteen stakeholders were interviewed about our review findings on MI and treatment fidelity. Our analyses revealed that MI‐based interventions for managing adolescent obesity had “low treatment fidelity”; no studies had “high treatment fidelity” across all five domains. Fidelity strategies adhered to the most was theory, and treatment enactment was the lowest. Stakeholders mentioned that “low treatment fidelity” may be due to increased time to complete fidelity assessments and increased cost associated with treatment fidelity. These findings have implications for planning, implementing, and evaluating MI‐based interventions for managing adolescent obesity.