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Motivational interviewing is a highly effective health promotion strategy for obese adolescents because it focuses on enhancing intrinsic motivation to change. It is a client-centered, directive approach that encourages individuals to explore and resolve their ambivalence towards lifestyle changes, such as adopting healthier eating habits or increasing physical activity. This method empowers adolescents by providing them with a supportive environment where they can express their feelings and thoughts about their weight and health goals, facilitating personal commitment to the change process.

This strategy is particularly beneficial for adolescents, who often face unique emotional and social challenges related to weight. By using motivational interviewing, healthcare providers can help young individuals build confidence and identify personal reasons for change, which can lead to more sustainable behavior modifications in contrast to more prescriptive approaches.

Other strategies, such as regulating meals by parents, might create resistance and lead to feelings of a lack of control or autonomy in adolescents. Similarly, while individual-based behavior modification can be effective, it may not resonate as strongly without the intrinsic motivation that motivational interviewing fosters. Presenting video case studies might provide some information but lacks the personalized engagement that is critical for achieving behavioral change in this demographic. Therefore, the interactive and supportive nature of motivational interviewing stands out as the most effective strategy for promoting health among obese adolescents.