GoTo Telemed, the nation's leading integrated telehealth ecosystem serving over 10 million patients nationwide, today announced the launch of its dedicated Pediatric Obesity Management Program, a comprehensive virtual care service designed to address the complex needs of children and adolescents with obesity through evidence-based lifestyle interventions, family-centered behavioral support, and coordinated multidisciplinary care. Delivered by a network of pediatricians, registered dietitians, behavioral health specialists, and physical activity coaches, this program brings expert weight management directly to families nationwide.

Pediatric obesity affects approximately 14.7 million children and adolescents in the United States, with prevalence rates of 19.7% among children aged 2-19 years. The condition disproportionately impacts Hispanic (26.2%) and non-Hispanic Black (24.8%) youth, reflecting persistent health disparities. Childhood obesity is associated with immediate health consequences including hypertension, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, and psychological distress, as well as increased risk of obesity and cardiovascular disease in adulthood. Despite the availability of evidence-based treatment guidelines, access to comprehensive pediatric weight management programs remains limited, with many families facing long wait times, geographic barriers, and inconsistent insurance coverage. GoTo Telemed's program eliminates these barriers while delivering care that meets or exceeds the intensity and quality of in-person programs.

"Childhood obesity is not a simple matter of diet and exercise—it is a complex, chronic condition rooted in genetics, environment, behavior, and social determinants of health," said a GoTo Telemed spokesperson. "Our Pediatric Obesity Management Program recognizes that effective treatment requires a whole-family approach delivered over time. Through weekly virtual visits, behavioral coaching, and family-centered support, we help children and their parents build sustainable habits that improve health, self-esteem, and long-term well-being—all from the convenience and privacy of home."

Comprehensive, Stage-Based Treatment Framework

The program follows the evidence-based staging model for pediatric obesity treatment, with interventions matched to disease severity and family readiness:

Treatment Stage Description Interventions
Stage 1: Prevention Plus For children with BMI ≥85th percentile; brief, family-centered lifestyle modification Healthy eating education, physical activity promotion, screen time reduction, family meals
Stage 2: Structured Weight Management For children not responding to Stage 1; more intensive behavioral support Structured dietary plans, increased physical activity goals, monthly follow-up, behavior change counseling
Stage 3: Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Intervention For children with moderate-to-severe obesity or Stage 2 failure Weekly multidisciplinary visits (pediatrician, dietitian, behavioral health), structured meal plans, intensive physical activity, medication consideration
Stage 4: Tertiary Care For children with severe obesity and comorbidities; specialist referral Pediatric endocrinology, bariatric surgery evaluation, intensive medical management
Family-Centered Behavioral Interventions

The program is grounded in evidence-based behavioral interventions delivered through a family-centered approach, recognizing that sustainable change requires engagement of parents and caregivers as active participants:

Intervention Component Description and Clinical Application
Motivational Interviewing Family-centered counseling to explore ambivalence, enhance intrinsic motivation for change, and build commitment to treatment goals. Providers use reflective listening, affirmation, and shared decision-making to support families in setting realistic, meaningful goals.
Goal Setting and Self-Monitoring Families set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals each session. Self-monitoring tools (food and activity logs, screen time trackers) are used to increase awareness and accountability.
Parent Training and Skill Building Parents learn evidence-based strategies for structuring the home environment, modeling healthy behaviors, managing mealtime challenges, and supporting child autonomy within healthy boundaries.
Cognitive-Behavioral Strategies Families develop skills to identify and modify thoughts and behaviors that interfere with healthy habits, including problem-solving for barriers, stimulus control (reducing triggers for unhealthy eating), and cognitive restructuring.
Contingency Management Positive reinforcement strategies, such as praise, privileges, and non-food rewards, are used to encourage adherence to healthy behaviors.
Nutritional and Dietary Interventions

The program provides structured dietary guidance that is realistic, sustainable, and tailored to family preferences and cultural context:

Dietary Focus Recommendations
Balanced Meal Patterns Emphasis on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. The plate method (half vegetables/fruits, quarter protein, quarter grains) provides a simple visual tool.
Beverage Modification Elimination of sugar-sweetened beverages (soda, juice, sports drinks) is a high-yield intervention. Families are guided toward water, unsweetened milk, and limited 100% fruit juice.
Portion Control Age-appropriate portion guidance, use of smaller plates, and mindful eating practices.
Family Meals Encouragement of regular, structured family meals without screens, which is associated with higher dietary quality and lower obesity risk.
Responsive Feeding Parents learn to recognize child hunger and satiety cues, avoid pressure to eat, and structure meals to support child autonomy and self-regulation.
Registered Dietitian Consultation Individualized medical nutrition therapy for children with complex nutritional needs, food allergies, or feeding challenges.
Physical Activity and Screen Time Interventions

Activity Focus Recommendations
Aerobic Activity 60 minutes or more of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily, with emphasis on enjoyable, developmentally appropriate activities.
Strength and Bone Loading Age-appropriate resistance activities (climbing, jumping, push-ups) 3 times weekly to support musculoskeletal health.
Structured Physical Activity Participation in organized sports, active transportation (walking/biking to school), and structured family activities.
Screen Time Limits Consistent limits on recreational screen time (≤2 hours/day for children ≥5 years; minimal for younger children). Removal of screens from bedrooms.
Physical Activity Coaching Virtual sessions with activity coaches who help families identify feasible physical activity opportunities, problem-solve barriers, and build physical activity into daily routines.
Behavioral Health Integration

The program recognizes the strong bidirectional relationship between obesity and mental health, with children with obesity experiencing higher rates of depression, anxiety, disordered eating, and bullying. Embedded behavioral health services include:

Screening: Regular administration of validated tools (PHQ-9, GAD-7, Eating Attitudes Test) to identify psychological concerns

Trauma-Informed Care: Recognition that adverse childhood experiences may contribute to obesity and require sensitive, supportive approaches

Disordered Eating Assessment: Evaluation for binge eating, emotional eating, and unhealthy weight control behaviors

Bullying Prevention: Support for children experiencing weight-based bullying, including parent guidance and school advocacy

Family Conflict Resolution: Addressing family dynamics that may undermine treatment adherence

Medication and Advanced Therapies

For children with severe obesity or those who have not responded to lifestyle interventions alone, the program incorporates consideration of FDA-approved pharmacotherapy and coordination for bariatric surgery evaluation:

Therapy Indications and Considerations
Phentermine/Topiramate FDA-approved for adolescents aged ≥12 years with obesity; structured monitoring protocols
Liraglutide (Saxenda) GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for adolescents aged ≥12 years with obesity; weekly telehealth monitoring
Semaglutide (Wegovy) GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for adolescents aged ≥12 years with obesity; shown to reduce BMI by an average of 16% in clinical trials
Metformin Considered for children with insulin resistance or prediabetes; modest weight effects
Bariatric Surgery Evaluation Coordination with pediatric bariatric centers for adolescents with severe obesity (BMI ≥35 kg/m²) and significant comorbidities
Technology-Enhanced Care Delivery

The program leverages GoTo Telemed's integrated digital health platform to support sustained engagement:

Self-Monitoring Apps: Digital tools for tracking meals, physical activity, screen time, and weight

Video-Based Coaching: Live, interactive sessions with dietitians and activity coaches

Parent Support Groups: Virtual facilitated groups for parents to share challenges and strategies

Educational Resource Library: Age-appropriate videos, handouts, and recipes in multiple languages

Secure Messaging: Direct communication with the care team for questions and reinforcement between visits

Wearable Integration: Optional connection with activity trackers to monitor progress and provide feedback

Addressing Health Disparities

The program is designed to reduce disparities in pediatric obesity treatment:

Culturally Tailored Content: Educational materials and dietary guidance adapted for diverse cultural backgrounds and family preferences

Language Access: Multilingual providers and translated materials

Technology Access: Loaner tablets and internet support for families without reliable connectivity

Flexible Scheduling: Evening and weekend appointments to accommodate working parents

Insurance Navigation: Assistance with coverage for obesity-related services, which vary by state and plan

Evidence-Based Outcomes

Pediatric telehealth weight management programs have demonstrated effectiveness in peer-reviewed studies:

A 2025 randomized controlled trial of a family-based telehealth intervention for pediatric obesity showed significant reductions in BMI percentile and improvements in dietary quality at 6 months compared to usual care, with high retention (85%) and satisfaction

A 2024 systematic review of telehealth obesity interventions found that programs incorporating multidisciplinary care, family involvement, and frequent contact produced the greatest improvements in weight outcomes

Studies of GLP-1 receptor agonists delivered through telehealth platforms have demonstrated adherence rates exceeding 90% with appropriate monitoring protocols

Integration Within GoTo Telemed's Comprehensive Ecosystem

The Pediatric Obesity Management Program operates as a fully integrated component of GoTo Telemed's unified telehealth platform:

Unified Health Record: All growth charts, BMI trajectories, laboratory results, and behavioral assessments documented in the patient's lifelong electronic health record

Seamless Care Coordination: Warm handoffs to pediatric endocrinology, gastroenterology, and behavioral health when indicated

Growth Chart Monitoring: Automated plotting of BMI percentiles and growth trajectories with alerts for concerning trends

Laboratory Coordination: Orders for metabolic screening (glucose, lipids, liver enzymes) at local facilities with results automatically integrated

Patient Portal: Family access to educational resources, self-monitoring tools, and secure communication

Availability and Partnerships

GoTo Telemed's Pediatric Obesity Management Program is available immediately to families nationwide through the GoTo Telemed platform. Children may be referred by their primary care provider, pediatrician, or school health office, or enrolled directly by parents.

Pediatricians, registered dietitians, behavioral health specialists, and physical activity coaches interested in joining GoTo Telemed's provider network are invited to apply through the company's credentialing portal.

GoTo Telemed is actively forming strategic partnerships with:

Pediatric primary care practices and children's hospitals

School districts and school-based health centers

Community health centers serving high-risk populations

Health plans and Medicaid managed care organizations

Employer wellness programs offering pediatric health benefits

YMCA and community recreation programs for physical activity referrals




Media Contact:
GoTo Telemed Media Relations
[email protected]
(660) 628-1660
www.gototelemed.com