OneSTOP (One-Stop Telehealth Obesity Program) for Multidisciplinary Weight Management and Related Comorbidities

The OneSTOP program will incorporate at least 50% (4 out of 8 sessions) of the doctor and dietician consults over the 26-week study as teleconsults, which may be scheduled as joint or asynchronous consults. The exercise prescription and calorie restriction will be tailored to each subject's individual needs as in the F2F structured weight management program in the control group. In addition, participants will be taught to use the EMPOWER app will be used to enable them to upload their weight, blood pressure and glucose, food and exercise duration records. The app also has the capability to co-ordinate visits and investigations, deliver intelligent health nudges and reminders on adherence to treatment which can be individualized to their progress, and provide information on their conditions curated by their doctors and dieticians.

The standard face-to-face weight management program consists of 4 doctor and 4 dietician consults over 26 weeks, at 2-4 weekly intervals in the first 3 months, and 6-8 weeks in the next 3 months. At the baseline visit, participants are provided with an aerobic and resistance exercise prescription individualized to each subject's fitness and comorbidities to target at least 180 minutes/week of moderate-intensity physical activity (with exercise on at least 3 days/week), and dietary advice based on a calorie-deficit diet (400-600 kilocalories less than the calculated daily caloric requirement, based on the Mifflin-St Jeor equation) which emphasizes reduction in sugar-sweetened beverages, refined carbohydrates and saturated fats. Subjects will be provided with a list of fitness resources such as gyms and fitness corners with advice on use of the equipment, and specific guidance on increasing intensity and duration of exercise and monitoring for injury.