Found Study Highlights the Effectiveness of Telehealth In Clinical Significant Weight Loss
The study, which analyzed data from over 60,000 members, demonstrated the potential viability of telehealth for weight loss
A study published in “Obesity Science & Practice” has indicated that Found, a specialized weight care telehealth platform, has demonstrated that clinically significant weight loss can be achieved through virtual obesity care. The study, which analyzed data from over 66,000 members, indicates that telehealth programs combining medication and lifestyle interventions may drive long-term weight loss outcomes.
The study is the largest of its kind for a telehealth weight care platform and assessed weight loss outcomes for Found members over 12 months. Found, which was created in 2019, provides medications, virtual clinical care, and a personalized plan for members to improve their weight loss outcomes.
“What’s remarkable about this analysis isn’t just its unprecedented scale for a telehealth weight care platform,” said Dr. Rekha Kumar, Found’s Chief Medical Officer. “Examining outcomes from over 66,000 patients tells us something profound about the future of obesity care. These results demonstrate that comprehensive virtual care can deliver consistent, clinically meaningful outcomes while dramatically expanding access to evidence-based treatment. By gathering real-world evidence at this scale, we’re showing how telehealth can democratize access to personalized, effective weight care.”
In the study, over half the participants achieved weight loss of 5% or more. After 12 months, the participants achieved a weight loss of nearly 10%. Average weight loss also increased from 3% at six months to 8% at 12 months. The study also demonstrated that participants who engaged with the Found app at least once a week lost an average of 10% of their body weight. More consistent users achieved a 12% weight loss. The study also found that long-term weight maintenance resulted, with 83% maintaining their weight loss after a year. GLP-1 receptors only accounted for 2.9% of prescriptions during the study, while 97.1% of prescriptions were for non-GLP-1 medications. GLP-1 users saw an average weight loss of 13.9% in 12 months, while non-GLP-1 users lost 8%.
The researchers also highlighted the strength of Found’s program, noting that it was “one that has implemented high-quality safety protocols, uses dose escalation for medications, and places a high standard on clinical quality review processes.” Overall, they stated that virtual solutions with Found-affiliated clinicians trained in obesity medicine can be successfully delivered for a large number of members. While there still remains a gap in research on obesity medications, particularly with telehealth, Found’s study indicates that such programs can deliver effective long-term results without geographic limitations.