Treating rural pediatric obesity through telemedicine: Baseline data from a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective: To describe baseline characteristics of participants in a pediatric obesity intervention tailored specifically to rural families delivered via telemedicine. Methods: Randomized-control trial comparing a family-based behavioral intervention to a usual care condition. Participants: Fifty-eight first through fifth graders and their parents from the rural Midwest. Measures: Demographic, body mass index (BMI), Actigraph activity monitor information, 24-h dietary recalls, Child Behavior Checklist, Behavioral Pediatrics Feeding Assessment Scale. Results: Child mean BMI was in the 94th percentile for weight. Average daily dietary intake exceeded 2,000kcal and children consumed over eight servings of high-calorie, low-nutrient-dense foods. Children are engaged in approximately 65min of moderate, 12min of vigorous and over 300min of sedentary physical activity daily. Conclusions: Baseline data suggest children in rural areas may engage in adequate physical activity but eat many daily servings of energy-dense foods. Rural families may benefit from a comprehensive, rurally tailored obesity-related health behavior intervention. © The Author 2010.