Telemedicine Services among Patients with Obesity during Quarantine Linked to Weight Loss, Healthier Eating
Patients with obesity who utilized telemedicine services during quarantine achieved an average 2 kg weight loss, according to new research presented at the ObesityWeek®2020 virtual meeting.
©goodluz/stock.adobe.com
Telemedicine intervention among patients with obesity during the COVID-19 lockdown was associated with weight loss and positive eating behaviors, according to an abstract presented at the virtual ObesityWeek®2020 Interactive meeting.
Researchers sought to assess the impact of quarantine and the effects of a telemedicine intervention among 279 adults with obesity who visited the weight management center at Sheba Medical Center in Israel and responded to an online questionnaire (median age, 55 years; 69% women).
Participants reported various treatments for obesity, including bariatric surgery (43%), supportive and nutritional counseling alone (34%), and weight loss medications (16%).
Results showed that between March (when restrictions were first put in place in Israel) and May:
- 28% of participants reported weight loss; 41% reported weight gain
- 48% had a decline in mood
- 66% consumed more homemade foods
- 40% ate more often with members of their household
- 33% ate in a more organized fashion
Also, out of the 139 participants who had visited the Sheba Medical Center within the past 6 months, 51 had video visits with a dietitian, physician, or mental health professional during lockdown. The participants who utilized the telemedicine service achieved an average 2 kg weight loss vs a 0.5 kg weight loss in those who did not utilize the service.
Participants who had no contact with the medical center during the past 6 months had an average 0.2 kg weight gain. In addition, >33% of patients who had video visits between March and May indicated that they would like to continue to receive telemedicine services in the future.
