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Department of Medicine

Telemedicine-Delivered Weight Loss

Project: Mobile Health Obesity Wellness Intervention in Rural Areas (MOWI)

Grant Number: National institute on Aging K23-AG051681

The national epidemic of obesity affects older adults and is associated with an increased risk of functional impairment, nursing home placement and early mortality. Conventional weight loss programs have the potential to reduce body fat but are difficult to access for older obese adults due to transportation and mobility challenges. The use of technology in older adults with obesity in rural areas has considerable promise.

Our study objective was to gain insights into how a potential Mobile Health Obesity Wellness Intervention (MOWI) in rural older adults with obesity, consisting of nutrition and exercise sessions, could be helpful in improving physical function. The strategy has the potential to improve the health of a rapidly aging demographic with obesity, reduce healthcare costs and if successful, allow program dissemination to distant, remote areas for improvement in healthcare quality.

We have conducted a series of clinical trials evaluating weight loss interventions using remote monitoring, protein supplementation, and the use of telemedicine in delivering care.

Key Collaborators

Stephen J. Bartels, Summer B. Cook, David F. Kotz, Curtis L. Petersen

Key Papers

  1. Batsis JA, Shirazi D, Petersen CL, Roderka MN, Lynch D, Jimenez D, Cook SB. Changes in Body Composition in Older Adults after a Technology-Based Weight Loss Intervention. J Frailty Aging. 2022;11(2):151-155. doi: 10.14283/jfa.2022.15. PMID: 35441191; PMCID: PMC8876072.

  2. Griffith R, Shean R, Petersen CL, Al-Nimr RI, Gooding T, Roderka MN, Batsis JA. Validation of Resting Energy Expenditure Equations in Older Adults with Obesity. J Nutr Gerontol Geriatr. 2022 May 3:1-14. doi: 10.1080/21551197.2022.2070320. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35502533.

  3. Batsis JA, Petersen CL, Cook SB, Al-Nimr RI, Driesse T, Pidgeon D, FieldingR. Impact of whey protein supplementation in a weight-loss intervention in rural dwelling adults: A feasibility study. Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2021 Oct;45:426-432. doi: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2021.07.006. Epub 2021 Jul 24. PMID: 34620350; PMCID: PMC8502229.

  4. Batsis JA, Petersen CL, Clark MM, Cook SB, Kotz D, Gooding TL, Roderka MN, Al-Nimr RI, Pidgeon D, Haedrich A, Wright KC, Aquila C, Mackenzie TA. Feasibility and acceptability of a technology-based, rural weight management intervention in older adults with obesity. BMC Geriatr. 2021 Jan 12;21(1):44. doi: 10.1186/s12877-020-01978-x. PMID: 33435877; PMCID: PMC7801868.

  5. Al-Nimr RI, Wright KCS, Aquila CL, Petersen CL, Gooding TL, Batsis JA. Intensive nutrition counseling as part of a multi-component weight loss intervention improves diet quality and anthropometrics in older adults with obesity. Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2020 Dec;40:293-299. doi: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2020.09.002. Epub 2020 Sep 19. PMID: 33183553; PMCID: PMC7670080.

  6. Batsis JA, Petersen CL, Cook SB, Al-Nimr RI, Pidgeon D, Mackenzie TA, Bartels SJ. A Community-Based Feasibility Study of Weight-Loss in Rural, Older Adults with Obesity. J Nutr Gerontol Geriatr. 2020 Jul-Dec;39(3-4):192-204. doi: 10.1080/21551197.2020.1817226. Epub 2020 Sep 9. PMID: 32907522; PMCID: PMC7787696.

  7. Batsis JA, Petersen CL, Clark MM, Cook SB, Lopez-Jimenez F, Al-Nimr RI, Pidgeon D, Kotz D, Mackenzie TA, Bartels SJ. A Weight Loss Intervention Augmented by a Wearable Device in Rural Older Adults With Obesity: A Feasibility Study. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2021 Jan 1;76(1):95-100. Doi: 10.1093/gerona/glaa115. PMID: 32384144; PMCID: PMC7756700.