Implementation of Medical Weight Management by Telemedicine
Implementation of Medical Weight Management by Telemedicine
As the prevalence and associated healthcare costs of obesity continue to increase, the need
 for obesity treatments that contribute to weight loss maintenance are needed. Through the
 functionality of a smart device, telehealth can provide quality healthcare to individuals of
 different socioeconomic communities, expand healthcare access, as well as reduce overall
 healthcare costs. This research program will uncover the effects of a 12-week commercially
 available telehealth-based weight management program (inHealth Medical Services, Inc.) on
 body weight, blood pressure, and steps.
Solutions for convenient and cost saving healthcare services are needed in order to control
 costs to the public. Currently, there is a gap in weight management research involving
 telemedicine as a potential tool for obesity treatment. The use of technology will promote
 general health awareness, dietary intake and exercise practices, as well as patient
 compliance. Successful weight management program components learned from hallmark clinical
 trials include: frequent contact with the patient, frequent measurements, patient education,
 and monitoring tools to help alleviate barriers to adherence.

 The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of a fully on-line, 12-week, medically
 monitored weight management program on obesity-related health outcomes. These obesity related
 outcomes include body weight, body fat, blood pressure and physical activity. Our central
 hypothesis is that this video conferencing (video conference similar to skype) platform will
 significantly improve health outcomes of quality of life, and participant adherence when
 coupled with a multidisciplinary team. The primary objective of this study is to determine
 the effect of a fully on-line medical weight management program on cardiometabolic outcome
 measures directly associated with obesity. Data collection will be conducted prospectively
 with all patient information and data will be secured through a HIPAA compliant server
 database accessible only by the research team.

 There are two specific aims proposed for this fully on-line 12-week medically monitored
 weight management program: 1) to investigate the changes in body weight in response to health
 coaching via telemedicine using the inHealth Medical Services, Inc, online program structure
 and 2) to examine changes in steps and dietary eating quality. The central hypothesis is that
 telehealth functions will improve health outcomes, quality of life, behaviors, and
 participant adherence.

 The public health benefits of weight management via telehealth are vast. Through the
 functionality of a mHealth (mobile health) devices, quality health coaching can be provided
 to individuals in different socioeconomic communities, expand healthcare access, as well as
 reduce overall healthcare costs.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Inclusion criteria include the following: participants must be ambulatory, be fluent
 in English spoken and written at a high-school age level, have a BMI of > 30 kg/m2,
 have been weight stable or gaining weight for the last 6 months, Weigh less than 396
 pounds, have voluntarily signed and dated an informed consent form. Fluent in English
 spoken and written at a high-school level, live a sedentary lifestyle defined as <
 7,000 steps per day. Have access to an Apple® iPhone smart phone

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Exclusion criteria includes the following: participants has stated an immunodeficiency
 disorder, kidney disease, history of uncontrollable blood pressure, heart attack
 within the last 3 months, presence of partial or full artificial limb, has known
 dementia, brain cancer, eating disorders, history of significant neurological or
 psychiatric disorder or any other psychological condition, currently taking
 medications/dietary supplements/substances that could profoundly modify metabolism or
 body weight, has undergone major surgery, less than 4 weeks prior to enrollment in the
 study, or is actively losing weight. Although not anticipated for this study
 population, women cannot be or suspect they may be pregnant.