Expert Opinion on the Utility of Telemedicine in Obesity Care: Recommendations on a Hybrid Multidisciplinary Integrated Care Follow-Up Algorithm.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The proposed expert opinion was prepared by a panel of obesity and law specialists from Turkey to review the utility of telemedicine in obesity care and to provide a guidance document with recommendations on a hybrid multidisciplinary integrated care follow-up algorithm and the legislation governing telemedicine practice to assist obesity specialists in practicing the telemedicine. RECENT FINDINGS: The efficacy and feasibility of telemedicine interventions in supporting obesity management programs even during pandemics confirm that obesity is a particularly well-suited field for telemedicine, emphasizing the strong likelihood of continued utilization of telemedicine in obesity management, beyond the pandemic period. Telemedicine has great potential to address several barriers to ongoing weight-management care, such as challenges of access to specialized care, cost, and time limitations as well as patient adherence to treatment. However, telemedicine practice should complement rather than replace the in-person visits which are unique in building rapport and offering social support. Accordingly, the participating experts recommend the use of a hybrid integrated care model in the management of obesity, with the use of telemedicine, as an adjunct to in-person visits, to enable the provision of suggested intensive obesity management via frequent visits by a multidisciplinary team of obesity specialists. Further research addressing the utility of telemedicine in terms of optimal modality and duration for successful long-term obesity management outcomes is necessary to develop specific guidelines on telemedicine practice. In addition, the legislation governing the norms and protocols on confidentiality, privacy, access, and liability needs to be improved.

[Prediction of Weight Regain After Bariatric Surgery by Night Eating, Emotional Eating, Eating Concerns, Depression and Demographic Characteristics]. / Bariatrik Cerrahi Sonrasi Kilo Geri Aliminin; Gece Yeme, Duygusal Yeme, Yeme Endisesi, Depresyon ve Demografik Özellikler Tarafindan Yordanmasi.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine whether night eating, emotional eating, eating concerns, depression, and some demographic characteristics are associated with the weight regain observed after bariatric surgery.  METHOD: The study group consisted of 117 adults with an age range of 21 to 56 years, residing at different cities of Turkey. The participants were assessed at the post-operative 12th- 98th months with Night Eating Questionnaire, Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire-Emotional Eating Subscale, Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire, Eating Concern Subscale of Eating Disorder Scale and Beck Depression Inventory. Mann Whitney U Test, Pearson Correlation Analysis and Hierarchical Multiple Linear Regression were used for data analyses.  RESULTS: Post-operatively, 13.7% of participants regained weight. The results displayed that depression, night eating, emotional eating and eating concern scores were higher in the participants who regained weight. Being married, emotional eating and time elapsed after the surgery positively, while knowledge on the amount of daily nutrients needed negatively predicted weight regain.  CONCLUSION: Some demographic and psychological factors may affect the weight regain observed after bariatric surgeries. This study is the first in this field in Turkey, and longitudinal studies are needed. A long term multidisciplinary follow-up protocol is recommended for successful treatment of obesity.