The doctor behind the findings believes they can help treat childhood obesity because they show online healthcare can be just as effective as face-to-face appointments. A team of researchers led by Dr. Felix Reschke, of the Children’s Hospital in Hanover, Germany, studied 108 children who followed the video-based weight loss program while the country was in its second Covid-19 lockdown in late 2020. The trial resulted in many participants consuming far more fruit and vegetables and far less sugary foods such as sweets, snacks and soft drinks. In addition, they reduced the number of meals they ate each day, although they still had an average of 4.1 meals, as a result of the “structured video training.” Overall, two-thirds lost weight and generally experienced better health. The year-long program involved young people watching educational videos about good food choices, the amount of meals they should eat and the benefits of physical activity. Participants ranged in age from eight to 17, and their average age was 12. All were already enrolled in the KiCK outpatient healthy living program for people under 18 who were overweight or obese. Renovated due to Covid to be online only. It also included educational seminars and workshops, as well as online cooking sessions and discussions on difficult topics such as “emotional eating” and the health consequences of obesity, which can include diabetes and higher heart, respiratory and joint risk. Participants showed “significant improvements” in five key indicators of their health. They had a lower body mass index, a reduced risk of developing diabetes, less cholesterol in their bloodstream, better results on a six-minute walking speed test, and improved mental well-being. “Successful treatment of childhood obesity is challenging, but we have shown that adolescents with pre-existing obesity can be helped through video-based education,” said Reschke. “Participants showed improvements in their food choices, appetite control and portion size, which was reflected in better measures of their metabolic health and quality of life.” The results showed that virtual care could help patients as much as in-person consultations, he added. “Our results are very optimistic that this approach can be a useful and cost-effective model for the treatment of obesity in children. It eliminates the need for regular face-to-face contact, which can be especially helpful for those who struggle to keep appointments. Although we must be careful not to unnecessarily increase children’s screen time. It may be a fine line, but our data shows that this approach is worth it.”
