Authors: Heidl AJ, Sun D, Faustini C, Gierc M, Bains A, Cohen TR
Objectives: To compare differences in patient outcomes in individuals living with overweight and obesity who attended a 10-week multidisciplinary program delivered virtually vs. participants who completed the program in-person.
Methods: Data from 27 youth (8-18 years old) who attended virtual programming were matched by sex and body mass index (BMI) z-scores to youth who completed in-person programming. Changes in anthropometric, biomarkers (glucose, lipids and liver enzymes) and mental health (Beck Youth Inventories, Second Edition; "BYI-2") were compared across groups.
Results: BMI z-scores did not differ between groups (p = 0.88). Cardiometabolic measurements showed no significant differences at 10-weeks for any parameter, and there were no significant differences in BYI-2T-scores across groups (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: The mode of delivery of a pediatric multidisciplinary family-based program was not associated with significant differences in participant outcomes, suggesting that both modes of delivery are effective.
Keywords: BYI-2; cardiometabolic markers; health behaviours; intensive health behavior and lifestyle treatment; pediatric obesity; virtual program;
PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41332896/
DOI: 10.3389/fped.2025.1669107