The efficacy of a telemedicine-based weight loss program with video conference health coaching support

• Published in: Journal of telemedicine and telecare Vol. 25; no. 3; p. 151
• Main Authors: Alencar, Michelle K, Johnson, Kelly, Mullur, Rashmi, Gray, Virginia, Gutierrez, Elizabeth, Korosteleva, Olga
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.04.2019
• Subjects: Ehealth; online health; telehealth; obesity; BMI
• ISSN: 1758-1109
• DOI: 10.1177/1357633X17745471

Clinically significant weight loss is defined as a ≥5% of initial body weight loss within a 6-month period. The purpose of this study was to assess body weight change from a 12-week telehealth-based weight loss program that integrated health coaching via video conferencing. A total of 25 obese participants (12 males, 13 females) were recruited for this fully online 12-week weight loss program. Participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or control group ( n = 13 intervention, body mass index (BMI) = 34.7 ± 4.5 kg/m ; n = 12 control, BMI = 34.4 ± 4.43 kg/m ). All participants were given access to a secure platform for data tracking and video conferencing with the research team. The intervention group met with the medical doctor once per month and with a registered dietitian, weekly. Control participants met with the research team at baseline and at 12 weeks. Independent samples t-tests and Chi-square tests were used via SPSS version 24 with significance set to p < 0.05. There was a significant difference between the intervention and control groups for body weight loss (7.3 ± 5.2 versus 1.2 ± 3.9 kg, respectively, p < 0.05) as well as for percent body weight loss (7.16 ± 4.4 versus 1.5 ± 4.1%, respectively, p < 0.05). Clinically significant weight loss was achieved in 9 out of 13 (69.2%) in the intervention group versus 1 out of 12 (8%) in the control group. Mobile phone-based health coaching may promote weight loss. Weekly video conferencing with education may be an applicable tool for inducing significant body weight loss in obese individuals.