Successful telehealth transformation of a pediatric outpatient obesity teaching program due to the COVID-19 pandemic – the “Video KiCK” program

Abstract

Objectives To investigate if digital approaches can ameliorate the known consequences of social-distancing restrictions in the context of the global COVID-19 pandemic for adolescent participants originally registered for a face-to-face outpatient weight regulation program and whether video-based multiprofessional outpatient obesity therapy is successful for a group of adolescents with preexisting obesity. Methods The certified KiCK outpatient training program for children and adolescents with overweight and obesity was remodeled as a consequence of the lockdown traditional face-to-face program to a completely digital and video-based format on short notice. The virtual approach was compared with the results of the conventional program regarding metabolic parameters, body mass index standard deviation score (BMI SDS), well-being, and physical fitness. Results Sixty-nine of 77 enrolled participants for KiCK (age 8 to 17 years, BMI z score >2.0) were able and willing to participate virtually. After the first lockdown significant improvements of BMI SDS (mean 0.18; p=0.02), homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index (mean 1.4; p=0.016), triglycerides (mean 0.18 mmol/dL; p=0.021), 6 minute-walk-test (mean 97.0 m; p=0.030, and well-being according to the World Health Organization 5 (WHO-5) questionnaire (mean 2.5; p=0.002) were found after the virtual intervention, which was comparable to the results observed previously in matched pairs data from the program during the pre-COVID period. After the end of the second lockdown weight SDS, BMI SDS, HOMA INDEX, and cholesterol were also measured reduced compared to baseline parameters measured before program initiation. Walking distance in the 6 MWT and improvement in general well-being in the WHO-5 questionnaire also persisted. Conclusions These results indicate good acceptance and efficacy of the video-intervention for youth with overweight and obesity during the lockdown, supporting the use of virtual modules in future programs after the pandemic.

The Impact of Exercise Training Intensity on Physiological Adaptations and Insulin Resistance in Women with Abdominal Obesity

“…The 6MWT is considered an important tool in clinical practices. According to Morinder et al [ 34 ] and Reschke et al [ 35 ], the 6MWT has good reproducibility and known group validity and can be recommended for use in clinical practice, even in obese children aged 8 to 16 years. In addition, the 6MWT performed on a 15 m track is a valid field test for predicting VO2 max in healthy adults (men and women) aged 19 to 75 years, with an accuracy of approximately 1MET [ 36 ].…”

Überblick über die ambulanten interdisziplinären Schulungsprogramme für Kinder und Jugendliche mit Adipositas in Deutschland

“…Die während der Covid-19-Pandemie initiierten online basierten Therapieprogramme oder adaptierte Therapieformen (Durchführung unter strengen Hygienebedingungen) sind in der Effektivität vergleichbar mit den Therapieprogrammen vor der Pandemie 16 , es wird über gute Wirksamkeit und Akzeptanz der virtuellen Schulung (videogestützte Intervention) während des Lockdowns berichtet 17 , 18 .…”

Inkretine: Hoffnungsschimmer für Jugendliche mit Adipositas und/oder Typ-2-Diabetes

“…Es bleibt zu hoffen, dass es auch vordringlich Aspekte zur Adipositas bei Kindern und Jugendlichen und Prävention des T2D bei Jugendlichen beinhaltet. Neben einer langfristigen Fortführung der allgemeinen Verhaltensänderungen unter Verwendung moderner Behandlungsansätze 3 z. B. im Hinblick auf Ernährung, Bewegung, Schlaf, Medienkonsum etc.…”

“…Kinder und Jugendliche mit niedrigem sozio-ökonomischen Status sind etwa 4-mal häufiger betroffen. Die zurückliegenden Restriktionsmaßnahmen im Rahmen der COVID-19-Pandemie in Deutschland haben diesen Trend noch verstärkt [3]: Ergebnisse der Schuleingangsuntersuchungen in der Region Hannover zeigten einen signifikanten Anstieg von Übergewicht und Adipositas von 8,9 % im Jahr 2017 auf 14,4 % im Jahr 2022 (p < 0.001).…”