The Effect of Electronic Self‐Monitoring on Weight Loss and Dietary Intake: A Randomized Behavioral Weight Loss Trial

Technology may improve self‐monitoring adherence and dietary changes in weight loss treatment. Our study aimed to investigate whether using a personal digital assistant (PDA) with dietary and exercise software, with and without a feedback message, compared to using a paper diary/record (PR), results in greater weight loss and improved self‐monitoring adherence. Healthy adults ( N = 210) with a mean BMI of 34.01 kg/m 2 were randomized to one of three self‐monitoring approaches: PR ( n = 72), PDA with self‐monitoring software ( n = 68), or PDA with self‐monitoring software and daily feedback messages (PDA+FB, n = 70). All participants received standard behavioral treatment. Self‐monitoring adherence and change in body weight, waist circumference, and diet were assessed at 6 months; retention was 91%. All participants had a significant weight loss ( P < 0.01) but weight loss did not differ among groups. A higher proportion of PDA+FB participants (63%) achieved ≥5% weight loss in comparison to the PR group (46%) ( P < 0.05) and PDA group (49%) ( P = 0.09). Median percent self‐monitoring adherence over the 6 months was higher in the PDA groups (PDA 80%; PDA+FB 90%) than in the PR group (55%) ( P < 0.01). Waist circumference decreased more in the PDA groups than the PR group ( P = 0.02). Similarly, the PDA groups reduced energy and saturated fat intake more than the PR group ( P < 0.05). Self‐monitoring adherence was greater in the PDA groups with the greatest weight change observed in the PDA+FB group.