title: Treating rural pediatric obesity through telemedicine: outcomes from a small randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the current study was to examine the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary weekly family-based behavioral group delivered via telemedicine to rural areas, compared with a standard physician visit intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 58 rural children and their families comparing a family-based behavioral intervention delivered via telemedicine to a structured physician visit condition. Outcome measures included child body mass index z-score (BMIz), 24-hr dietary recalls, accelerometer data, Child Behavior Checklist, Behavioral Pediatrics Feeding Assessment Scale, and feasibility and fidelity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Child BMIz outcomes were not statistically different between the 2 groups (F = 0.023, p = .881). Improvements in BMIz, nutrition, and physical activity were seen for both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both telemedicine and structured physician visit may be feasible and acceptable methods of delivering pediatric obesity treatment to rural children.
authors: PhD, MPH, Behavioral Pediatrics, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Mail Stop 4004, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA. adavis6@kumc.edu.
authors: Ann McGrath
authors: AM
authors: Davis
authors: Marilyn
authors: M
authors: Sampilo
authors: Katherine Steiger
authors: KS
authors: Gallagher
authors: Yasuko
authors: Y
authors: Landrum
authors: Brett
authors: B
authors: Malone
mesh_terms: D061725:Accelerometry; D015992:Body Mass Index; D057189:Checklist; D002648:Child; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy*; D012424:Rural Population; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs / Q000379:methods*
keywords: obesity; randomized controlled trial; weight management