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The Dietary Intervention to Enhance Tracking with Mobile Devices (DIET Mobile) Study: A 6‐Month Randomized Weight Loss Trial
Author(s) -
TurnerMcGrievy Gabrielle M.,
Wilcox Sara,
Boutté Alycia,
Hutto Brent E.,
Singletary Camelia,
Muth Eric R.,
Hoover Adam W.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
obesity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.438
H-Index - 199
eISSN - 1930-739X
pISSN - 1930-7381
DOI - 10.1002/oby.21889
Subject(s) - weight loss , medicine , overweight , randomized controlled trial , physical activity , obesity , body weight , mobile apps , physical therapy , world wide web , computer science
Objective To examine the use of two different mobile dietary self‐monitoring methods for weight loss. Methods Adults with overweight ( n = 81; mean BMI 34.7 ± 5.6 kg/m 2 ) were randomized to self‐monitor their diet with a mobile app (App, n = 42) or wearable Bite Counter device (Bite, n = 39). Both groups received the same behavioral weight loss information via twice‐weekly podcasts. Weight, physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire), and energy intake (two dietary recalls) were assessed at 0, 3, and 6 months. Results At 6 months, 75% of participants completed the trial. The App group lost significantly more weight (−6.8 ± 0.8 kg) than the Bite group (−3.0 ± 0.8 kg; group × time interaction: P < 0.001). Changes in energy intake (kcal/d) (−621 ± 157 App, −456 ± 167 Bite; P = 0.47) or number of days diet was tracked (90.7 ± 9.1 App, 68.4 ± 9.8 Bite; P = 0.09) did not differ between groups, but the Bite group had significant increases in physical activity metabolic equivalents ( + 2015.4 ± 684.6 min/wk; P = 0.02) compared to little change in the App group (−136.5 ± 630.6; P = 0.02). Total weight loss was significantly correlated with number of podcasts downloaded ( r = −0.33, P < 0.01) and number of days diet was tracked ( r = −0.33, P < 0.01). Conclusions While frequency of diet tracking was similar between the App and Bite groups, there was greater weight loss observed in the App group.