Next.Step is an e-therapeutic platform that includes a diverse set of resources, such as educational resources (videos, brochures, menus, weekly tips, access to other links), self-monitoring (food, weight and physical activity records), social support (chats, discussion forums and personalized messages), interactive training modules (self-assessment quizzes, making their own diets) and motivational tools (personal goal planning, treatment progression registry, positive reinforcement).

The purpose of this intervention is the implementation of an e-therapeutic programme directed to adolescents and their families by: (a) monitoring the progress of treatment including surveillance of individual health indicators; (b) establishing therapeutic interaction combined with patient support based on the adolescent’s individual needs; (c) interactive education of the obese adolescent and his/her families about the therapeutic process. This programme seeks improvement of treatment adherence and quality of life, adoption of a healthier lifestyle, better control of symptoms with reduction of excess weight and increased awareness of one’s own health.

This work is being funded by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT – the Portuguese government body responsible for financing and evaluating the national scientific and technological system) [PTDC/DTP-PIC/0769/2012] and supported by the Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, Portugal and the Department of Paediatrics at Hospital de Santa Maria, Lisbon, Portugal.

UED has collaborated with this project by creating the platform and character design, giving pedagogical guidance and technical support.

Learn more about this project by visiting http://nextstep.ipleiria.pt/