Objective:

To measure the accuracy of self-reported adherence to vitamin supplementation recommendations and explore perceptions on barriers and facilitators to adherence, emphasizing the importance for health outcomes.

Key Findings:

• Adolescents showed low adherence rates to vitamin supplementation, with self-reported adherence at 30% six months post-surgery, impacting health outcomes.
• 38% of adolescents had low vitamin D levels compared to 24% of adults, attributed to non-adherence.
• Barriers included difficulty remembering to take supplements and trouble managing multiple tablets, highlighting the need for tailored support.

Interpretation:

Adherence to vitamin supplementation post-bariatric surgery is critical for preventing deficiencies, but adolescents face unique challenges, such as lifestyle factors and cognitive development, that impact their compliance.

Limitations:

• Small sample size of participants who accepted to be interviewed.
• Self-reported adherence may not accurately reflect actual behavior, introducing potential bias.

Conclusion:

Understanding barriers and facilitators to adherence can help improve support for adolescents post-bariatric surgery, potentially enhancing health outcomes through targeted strategies.