Pediatric Obesity Care via Telemedicine: Expanding the Path Forward-A Review

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Endocrinology
• Public Health
• Health Services Research

Background:

• The prevalence of pediatric obesity in the USA is increasing, disproportionately affecting rural and underserved populations.
• Access to specialized pediatric obesity care is geographically limited, with a scarcity of obesity medicine specialists in non-urban areas.
• Traditional in-person care models present significant access barriers, including travel and appointment availability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current data on the intersection of the pediatric obesity epidemic and the expansion of telemedicine.
• To assess telemedicine's role in addressing the need for equitable obesity care in children.
• To evaluate the potential of telemedicine to overcome access barriers in pediatric obesity management.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent data on pediatric obesity prevalence and telemedicine utilization.
• Analysis of telemedicine's impact on obesity care outcomes compared to traditional in-person visits.
• Examination of policy and practice changes facilitating telemedicine adoption during the pandemic.

Main Results:

• Telemedicine utilization and acceptance have increased significantly, with similar or improved obesity care outcomes.
• Geographic disparities in obesity medicine specialist availability persist, highlighting the need for broader access solutions.
• Telemedicine effectively expands reach and decreases access barriers for pediatric obesity care, particularly in underserved regions.

Conclusions:

• Telemedicine presents a critical and creative remedy to address the escalating pediatric obesity epidemic.
• Leveraging telemedicine is essential for providing chronic, effective obesity care to all children, regardless of location.
• Reimagining comprehensive care delivery models for pediatric obesity, incorporating telemedicine, is urgently needed.