Advances in physical activity monitoring and lifestyle interventions in obesity: a review

Abstract

Obesity represents a strong risk factor for developing chronic diseases. Strategies for disease prevention often promote lifestyle changes encouraging participation in physical activity. However, determining what amount of physical activity is necessary for achieving specific health benefits has been hampered by the lack of accurate instruments for monitoring physical activity and the related physiological outcomes. This review aims at presenting recent advances in activity-monitoring technology and their application to support interventions for health promotion. Activity monitors have evolved from step counters and measuring devices of physical activity duration and intensity to more advanced systems providing quantitative and qualitative information on the individuals' activity behavior. Correspondingly, methods to predict activity-related energy expenditure using bodily acceleration and subjects characteristics have advanced from linear regression to innovative algorithms capable of determining physical activity types and the related metabolic costs. These novel techniques can monitor modes of sedentary behavior as well as the engagement in specific activity types that helps to evaluate the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions. In conclusion, advances in activity monitoring have the potential to support the design of response-dependent physical activity recommendations that are needed to generate effective and personalized lifestyle interventions for health promotion.

3 Medical Management of Obesity

“…These studies concluded that the duration of exercise (150 min) is more important than the intensity (moderate vs. vigorous), but these studies did not include patients with BMI > 40 kg/m 2 [ 70 ]. The rise of new technologies on the development and marketing of instruments to measure the amount of physical activity (pedometers, accelerometers) will undoubtedly help to better determine the amount of physical activity needed to optimize the dose-response results on physical activitybased interventions [ 71 ].…”

Towards Personalization of Diabetes Therapy Using Computerized Decision Support and Machine Learning: Some Open Problems and Challenges

“…These novel techniques can measure the engagement in specific activity types [51]. Integrated into T2DM therapy, the therapy adherence to physical activity lifestyle interventions could be monitored.…”

Physical activity monitoring for health

“…[11][12][13][14] The newest generation accelerometers can monitor sedentary behavior and specific activity types to evaluate the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions for health promotion. 15 In conclusion, O'Dwyer and Coote attempt to help clinicians choose an optimal tool to measure physical activity. They correctly state that self-report methods are not reliable and that motion sensors are the best option.…”