Expansion of the Weigh Smart Pediatric Group Family Oriented Weight Management Program Through the Use of Telehealth

Expansion of the Weigh Smart Pediatric Group Family Oriented Weight Management Program Through the Use of Telehealth

There has been a steep rise in the prevalence of obesity among children and adults in the United States. The Weigh Smart program, a family based weight management program was developed in 2005 with significant improvement in the severity of obesity among children in the Baltimore are participating in the group program with limited impact outside the region due to transportation. Trial of the group program (nutrition, exercise) delivered via telehealth through fruit street on the Eastern Shore and Western Maryland with use of noninvasive lifestyle tracking options (drink water aquarium app for water consumption and fitbit- steps, sleep monitoring) provides novel options for expansion of family- based lifestyle intervention to underserved areas. Investigators plan as a pilot study to assess the sensitivity of noninvasive measures for the detection of sleep apnea (pediatric sleep questionnaire (PSQ) and fitbit re: sleep data) in comparison to clinically indicated polysomnography among children with clinical suspicion for sleep apnea.

. Trial of the group program (nutrition, exercise) delivered via telehealth through fruit street to families of overweight and obese children between 7-17 years of age referred from selected pediatric practices on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Western Maryland with use of noninvasive lifestyle tracking options (drink water aquarium app for water consumption and fitbit charge 3- steps, sleep monitoring) provides novel options for expansion of family- based lifestyle intervention to underserved areas. Investigators plan as a pilot study to assess the sensitivity of noninvasive measures for the detection of sleep apnea (pediatric sleep questionnaire (PSQ) and fitbit charge 3 sleep data) in comparison to clinically indicated polysomnography among children with clinical suspicion for sleep apnea.

Inclusion Criteria

• Children who are overweight/obese (7-17 years of age)
• Children must be referred by selected Maryland Eastern Shore and Western Maryland pediatric practices to Mount Washington Pediatric Hospital Weigh Smart. Families must provide informed consent at the weigh smart visit and have access to either a tablet, laptop or smart phone device to participate.

Exclusion Criteria

• Children outside of the age range
• Children not seen by Maryland Eastern Shore or Western Maryland pediatric providers who are part of the intervention group
• Children who do not have internet access either by smart phone or tablet to allow telehealth participation
• Children who are unwilling to participate in group program and followup local visits