scholarly journals Use of a Smartphone App for Weight Loss Versus a Paper-Based Dietary Diary in Overweight Adults: Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeong Sun Ahn ◽  
Heejin Lee ◽  
Jiae Kim ◽  
Haemin Park ◽  
Dong Woo Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Nutrient Intake ◽  
Skeletal Muscle Mass ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Smartphone App ◽  
Body Fat Mass ◽  
Anthropometric Measures ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
Randomized Controlled

BACKGROUND Mobile health (mHealth) tools may be useful platforms for dietary monitoring and assessment. OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a mobile dietary self-monitoring app for weight loss versus a paper-based diary among adults with a BMI of 23 kg/m<sup>2</sup> or above. METHODS A total of 33 men and 17 women aged 18-39 years participated in a 6-week randomized controlled trial. We randomly assigned participants to one of two groups: (1) a smartphone app group (n=25) or (2) a paper-based diary group (n=25). The smartphone app group recorded foods and dietary supplements that they consumed and received immediate dietary feedback using Well-D, a dietary self-monitoring app developed by our team. The paper-based diary group was instructed to record foods or supplements that they consumed using a self-recorded diary. The primary outcomes were weight, BMI, waist circumference, body fat mass, and skeletal muscle mass. We also examined changes in nutrient intake, including energy, carbohydrate, protein, fat, dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals, using 3-day 24-hour recalls. Differences in changes between the two groups were analyzed using independent t tests or Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney tests. All of the data were analyzed using intent-to-treat analysis. RESULTS The mean number of days recorded was 18.5 (SD 14.1) for the app group and 15.5 (SD 10.1) for the paper-based diary group. The differences in changes in weight, BMI, and waist circumference were not significantly different between the app group and paper-based diary group (<i>P</i>=.33, .34, and .70, respectively). Similarly, changes in body fat mass or skeletal muscle mass did not differ between the two groups (<i>P</i>=.71 and .054, respectively). Although energy intake was reduced in both groups, there was no significant difference in changes in energy intake between the two groups (<i>P</i>=.98). CONCLUSIONS There were no differences in changes in anthropometric measures and nutrient intake between the app group and the paper-based diary group. Both mobile dietary self-monitoring app and paper-based diary may be useful for improving anthropometric measures. CLINICALTRIAL Clinical Research Information Service KCT0003170; https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/search/search_result_st01_en.jsp?seq=11642&amp;ltype=&amp;rtype=

scholarly journals Use of a Smartphone App for Weight Loss Versus a Paper-Based Dietary Diary in Overweight Adults: Randomized Controlled Trial

10.2196/14013 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. e14013
Author(s):  
Jeong Sun Ahn ◽  
Heejin Lee ◽  
Jiae Kim ◽  
Haemin Park ◽  
Dong Woo Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Nutrient Intake ◽  
Skeletal Muscle Mass ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Smartphone App ◽  
Body Fat Mass ◽  
Anthropometric Measures ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Background Mobile health (mHealth) tools may be useful platforms for dietary monitoring and assessment. Objective This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a mobile dietary self-monitoring app for weight loss versus a paper-based diary among adults with a BMI of 23 kg/m2 or above. Methods A total of 33 men and 17 women aged 18-39 years participated in a 6-week randomized controlled trial. We randomly assigned participants to one of two groups: (1) a smartphone app group (n=25) or (2) a paper-based diary group (n=25). The smartphone app group recorded foods and dietary supplements that they consumed and received immediate dietary feedback using Well-D, a dietary self-monitoring app developed by our team. The paper-based diary group was instructed to record foods or supplements that they consumed using a self-recorded diary. The primary outcomes were weight, BMI, waist circumference, body fat mass, and skeletal muscle mass. We also examined changes in nutrient intake, including energy, carbohydrate, protein, fat, dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals, using 3-day 24-hour recalls. Differences in changes between the two groups were analyzed using independent t tests or Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney tests. All of the data were analyzed using intent-to-treat analysis. Results The mean number of days recorded was 18.5 (SD 14.1) for the app group and 15.5 (SD 10.1) for the paper-based diary group. The differences in changes in weight, BMI, and waist circumference were not significantly different between the app group and paper-based diary group (P=.33, .34, and .70, respectively). Similarly, changes in body fat mass or skeletal muscle mass did not differ between the two groups (P=.71 and .054, respectively). Although energy intake was reduced in both groups, there was no significant difference in changes in energy intake between the two groups (P=.98). Conclusions There were no differences in changes in anthropometric measures and nutrient intake between the app group and the paper-based diary group. Both mobile dietary self-monitoring app and paper-based diary may be useful for improving anthropometric measures. Trial Registration Clinical Research Information Service KCT0003170; https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/search/search_result_st01_en.jsp?seq=11642&ltype=&rtype=

scholarly journals Comparing Self-Monitoring Strategies for Weight Loss in a Smartphone App: Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele L Patel ◽  
Christina M Hopkins ◽  
Taylor L Brooks ◽  
Gary G Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Smartphone App ◽  
Weight Loss Intervention ◽  
Behavioral Weight Loss ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
Randomized Controlled

BACKGROUND Self-monitoring of dietary intake is a valuable component of behavioral weight loss treatment; however, it declines quickly, thereby resulting in suboptimal treatment outcomes. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine a novel behavioral weight loss intervention that aims to attenuate the decline in dietary self-monitoring engagement. METHODS GoalTracker was an automated randomized controlled trial. Participants were adults with overweight or obesity (n=105; aged 21-65 years; body mass index, BMI, 25-45 kg/m2) and were randomized to a 12-week stand-alone weight loss intervention using the MyFitnessPal smartphone app for daily self-monitoring of either (1) both weight and diet, with weekly lessons, action plans, and feedback (Simultaneous); (2) weight through week 4, then added diet, with the same behavioral components (Sequential); or (3) only diet (App-Only). All groups received a goal to lose 5% of initial weight by 12 weeks, a tailored calorie goal, and automated in-app reminders. Participants were recruited via online and offline methods. Weight was collected in-person at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months using calibrated scales and via self-report at 6 months. We retrieved objective self-monitoring engagement data from MyFitnessPal using an application programming interface. Engagement was defined as the number of days per week in which tracking occurred, with diet entries counted if ≥800 kcal per day. Other assessment data were collected in-person via online self-report questionnaires. RESULTS At baseline, participants (84/100 female) had a mean age (SD) of 42.7 (11.7) years and a BMI of 31.9 (SD 4.5) kg/m2. One-third (33/100) were from racial or ethnic minority groups. During the trial, 5 participants became ineligible. Of the remaining 100 participants, 84% (84/100) and 76% (76/100) completed the 1-month and 3-month visits, respectively. In intent-to-treat analyses, there was no difference in weight change at 3 months between the Sequential arm (mean −2.7 kg, 95% CI −3.9 to −1.5) and either the App-Only arm (−2.4 kg, −3.7 to −1.2; P=.78) or the Simultaneous arm (−2.8 kg, −4.0 to −1.5; P=.72). The median number of days of self-monitoring diet per week was 1.9 (interquartile range [IQR] 0.3-5.5) in Sequential (once began), 5.3 (IQR 1.8-6.7) in Simultaneous, and 2.9 (IQR 1.2-5.2) in App-Only. Weight was tracked 4.8 (IQR 1.9-6.3) days per week in Sequential and 5.1 (IQR 1.8-6.3) days per week in Simultaneous. Engagement in neither diet nor weight tracking differed between arms. CONCLUSIONS Regardless of the order in which diet is tracked, using tailored goals and a commercial mobile app can produce clinically significant weight loss. Stand-alone digital health treatments may be a viable option for those looking for a lower intensity approach. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03254953; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03254953 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/72PyQrFjn).

scholarly journals Comparing Self-Monitoring Strategies for Weight Loss in a Smartphone App: Randomized Controlled Trial

10.2196/12209 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. e12209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele L Patel ◽  
Christina M Hopkins ◽  
Taylor L Brooks ◽  
Gary G Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Smartphone App ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Monitoring Strategies
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