Effects of online vs. face to face nutrition consultancy on body weight management

Obesity is a global health problem in the world and nutritional therapy is one of the effective treatment method for it. In this study, we aimed to determine if online nutrition consultation can be as effective as traditional face to face consultation. Telenutrition can be defined as, the application of telemedicine principles by dietitians with or without other health and solution professionals. The study was conducted in Pırılla Consultancy Center in Karaman-Turkey and over Internet. Consultation periods were 1,2 and 3 months. Patients in both groups (online and face to face) continued to take consultation as it was determined in their first meetings. Drop out rates were very low for both groups; 2 people out of 88 participants. Weight loss success was determined by dropped BMI and waist circumference values, since these two health criteria (BMI, waist circumference ) was used to determine obesity risk and levels of people. When dropped BMI values were compared for two groups for all periods of counseling periods, it was concluded that there was no significant difference between the dropped values. For 1 and 3 months periods, there was no significant difference between online vs. face to face groups (t:0,760; p:0,521 and t:-0,981; p:0,330; p>0,05 respectively). For 2 months there is slightly greater difference in online group (t:2,242; p:0,029; p<0,05). It is very well known that, traditional face to face consultancy applications can help people for weight management. It is believed that, Telemedicine and Telenutrition approaches will be also developed in future and can be used for its advantages by removing the barriers.