A pilot randomized trial of simplified versus standard calorie dietary self‐monitoring in a mobile weight loss intervention

• Published in: Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.) Vol. 30; no. 3; pp. 628 - 638
• Main Authors: Nezami, Brooke T., Hurley, Lex, Power, Julianne, Valle, Carmina G., Tate, Deborah F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-03-2022
• Subjects: Automation; Behavior; Calories; Child; Diet; Energy Intake; Feedback; Food; Humans; Intervention; Mobile Applications; Nutrition research; Obesity; Overweight; Overweight - therapy; Parents & parenting; Pilot Projects; Problem solving; Public health; Smartphones; Weight control; Weight Loss
• ISSN: 1930-7381; 1930-739X
• DOI: 10.1002/oby.23377

Objective
This study tested the efficacy of a lower‐burden, simplified dietary self‐monitoring approach compared with a standard calorie monitoring approach for self‐monitoring adherence and weight loss in a mobile‐delivered behavioral weight loss intervention.
Methods
Participants (n = 72) with overweight or obesity who had children 2 to 12 years of age living in the home were randomly assigned to a group that used simplified dietary self‐monitoring of high‐calorie foods (Simplified) or a group that tracked calories (Standard). Both groups received a wireless scale, Fitbit trackers, and a 6‐month intervention delivered via a smartphone application with lessons, text messages, and weekly personalized feedback messages.
Results
Percentage weight loss at 6 months was 5.7% (95% CI: −8.3% to −3.2%) in the Standard group and 4.0% (95% CI: −5.7% to −2.3%) in the Simplified group, which was not significantly different. Similar proportions reached 5% weight loss at 6 months (43.2% in Standard and 42.9% in Simplified). There were no differences in number of dietary tracking days or change in average daily caloric intake between groups.
Conclusions
Two mobile‐delivered weight loss interventions produced clinically meaningful levels of weight loss at 6 months, with no differences in dietary tracking adherence or dietary intake. The results suggest that simplified monitoring of high‐calorie foods could be a promising alternative to calorie monitoring.