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Log Often, Lose More: Electronic Dietary Self‐Monitoring for Weight Loss
Author(s) -
Harvey Jean,
Krukowski Rebecca,
Priest Jeff,
West Delia
Publication year - 2019
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.22382
Subject(s) - weight loss , medicine , self monitoring , body weight , zoology , gerontology , obesity , psychology , biology , social psychology
Objective Dietary self‐monitoring is consistently related to both short‐ and long‐term weight loss. The purpose of this study was to quantify the time spent and the daily frequency of self‐monitoring necessary for weight‐loss success. Methods Participants in a 24‐week, online, behavioral weight‐control intervention recorded daily dietary intake using a Web‐based dietary analysis program. Time spent self‐monitoring and frequency of dietary journal page access were captured. Weight loss (kilograms) and the proportion of participants losing ≥ 5% and ≥ 10% of baseline weight were assessed at 6 months. Results Participants ( n = 142; BMI 35.8 kg/m 2 ; 90.8% female; 23.2% African American) spent an average of 23.2 minutes per day self‐monitoring in month 1 and 14.6 minutes in month 6. For those still recording any minutes self‐monitoring by month 6 (65.5%), there were no significant differences in time spent based on weight loss; however, those losing either ≥ 5% or ≥ 10% logged in to the journal Web page significantly more times per day (1.6 vs. 2.4, P < 0.001 for < 5% vs. ≥ 5%; 1.7 vs. 2.7, P < 0.001 for < 10% vs. ≥ 10%). Conclusions The frequency of self‐monitoring is significantly related to weight loss, with the time needed to be successful diminishing during the intervention.