Evaluating the long-term effectiveness of a structured telehealth obesity program in children and adolescents: A retrospective matched-control study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Childhood obesity is a growing global health crisis, driven by poor diet, reduced physical activity, and psychosocial distress. The COVID-19 pandemic amplified these factors, contributing to rising BMI and impaired health-related quality of life (HrQoL). Telehealth offers a promising, scalable modality to deliver multimodal obesity care. This study evaluated the long-term effectiveness of a structured pediatric telehealth intervention compared to historical in-person treatment.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from 237 children and adolescents with obesity treated at a single academic center. Between 2020 and 2022, 117 participants received a 12-month structured lifestyle intervention via telehealth. A historical cohort (n = 120; 2017-2019) re

SUBMITTER: Struckmeyer N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12445613 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature