Affordability and features of home scales for self‐weighing

Abstract

Summary Self‐weighing is an evidence‐based weight management strategy, which requires patients to have a home scale. For clinicians to effectively counsel patients on self‐weighing, they should be aware of the costs and features available in typical home scales. Our objective was to describe the cost and features of the top bathroom scales available online. We performed content analysis of top 100 scales listed on a popular online retailer. Two coders independently extracted price and scale features (i.e., digital connectivity, body mass index [BMI] calculation, maximum weight accommodated). We used t‐tests and ANOVA, as appropriate, to examine the relationships between price and features. Among the 97 scales included, mean scale price was $28.99 (SD $21.06; range $7.20–$139.95). Of the advanced features, 20.6% of scales had digital connectivity and 28.9% calculated BMI. Scales with advanced features cost significantly more than scales without (digital connectivity: $49.18 vs. $23.74, P < 0.001; BMI calculation: $42.92 vs. $23.33, P < 0.001). Most scales (76.2%) had a maximum weight of 351–400 lbs, and only 17.5% could accommodate >400 lbs. Price was higher for scales with a higher maximum weight (P = 0.002). No scale with maximum weight > 500 lbs had advanced features. Scales that have digital connectivity for telemedicine or can accommodate higher weights are less commonly available online and their costs may be prohibitive for some patients who need these features. Future research might consider testing whether insurance coverage for scales improves scale access and patient weight management outcomes.

Support needs of people living with obesity during transition from tertiary obesity treatment to community care

“…This negatively impacted their ability to monitor their weight in a home/community setting. Studies on access to weighing scales are limited, though it has been reported that most commercial scales have a maximum weight of 150-180 kgs, and that scales with maximum weight above this range were more costly and less common [39]. As weight monitoring can be beneficial to weight management, patients are disadvantaged in this regard due to reduced access to weighing scales [39].…”

“…Studies on access to weighing scales are limited, though it has been reported that most commercial scales have a maximum weight of 150-180 kgs, and that scales with maximum weight above this range were more costly and less common [39]. As weight monitoring can be beneficial to weight management, patients are disadvantaged in this regard due to reduced access to weighing scales [39]. Lack of access to weighing scales, and social service support needs including specialised equipment, may require the integration and establishment of additional support networks which can be managed/addressed through social work and care coordination as well as from services such as the NDIS, through recognition of the impacts of obesity regarding disability.…”

Use of oral rehydration solution and intravenous fluid in home settings for adults with short bowel syndrome

“…When a CVAD is placed for a home IVF in patients with SBS, it is recommended to locate the tip of the CVAD in the lower superior vena cava, adjacent to the right atrium, to decrease the risk of catheter‐related venous thrombosis, in case PN is required using the same access 30 . It is also important to monitor weight closely using an affordable home scale to determine if switching the IVF to PN is necessary 32 …”