Comparison of a Telehealth-Based Intensive Treatment Program with a Rewarding App vs. On-Site Care for Youth with Obesity: A Historical Cohort Study

The recommended treatment for children with obesity includes numerous consultations by a multidisciplinary team, which is very cumbersome. Telehealth can assist in administering frequent care to children with obesity, yet the exact approaches and modes of delivery are still explored. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we developed an intensive telehealth-based treatment program that included a rewarding app for children with obesity. The aim of this study was to compare 6-month changes in body mass index (BMI) and body fat percent between participants in the program (n = 70) vs. children that underwent historic on-site care (n = 87). After 6 months, more participants in the telehealth group continued treatment compared to the on-site group (79% vs. 60%, p < 0.001). A significant reduction in the median BMI z-score (zBMI) was seen after 6 months in both groups (p < 0.01), with a similar proportion of zBMI reductions (71% in the telehealth group, 75% in the comparison group, p = 0.76). No statistically significant differences were found between the study groups in 6-month changes in BMI, zBMI, body fat percent or fat z-scores. We conclude that our telehealth program, which was executed during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulted in a high proportion of children with zBMI reduction that was comparable with the more personal on-site care.

Automated summary

The recommended treatment for children with obesity involves multiple consultations with a multidisciplinary team, which can be burdensome. The use of telehealth has shown potential in providing regular care to children with obesity, but the specific approaches and methods are still being explored. This study compared the changes in BMI and body fat percent over 6 months between participants in a telehealth program and children who received traditional on-site care. After 6 months, a higher percentage of participants in the telehealth group continued treatment compared to the on-site group. Both groups showed significant reductions in BMI, with a similar proportion of reductions. No significant differences were found in the changes in BMI, body fat percent, or fat z-scores between the two groups.