Effectiveness of a Weight Management Program Applying Mobile Health Technology as a Supporting Tool for Overweight and Obese Working Women

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a weight management program applying mobile health (mHealth) technology as a supporting tool. A quasi-experimental research with a 1-group pretest and posttest design was conducted. Thirty-eight overweight and obese working women, aged 25 to 52 years, who were ready to take action on weight loss participated in a 12-week weight management program. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to examine the mean differences in related variables. The results showed that the mean weight and waist circumference of the participants significantly decreased from baseline to post-intervention (week 6) and follow-up (week 12; 72.2

Can Mobile Technology Improve Weight Loss in Overweight Adults? A Systematic Review

“…Inter-ventions varied widely, with different types of apps and wearables tested, multiple conditions implemented (Burke et al, 2011; Jakicic et al, 2016; Spring et al, 2017; Svetkey et al, 2015; J. G. Thomas et al, 2017; Turner-McGrievy et al, 2017), and elements such as coaching (Svetkey et al, 2015; Toro-Ramos et al, 2017), nutrition education (Burke et al, 2011; Toro-Ramos et al, 2017), website integration (Godino et al, 2016; Jakicic et al, 2016), and group sessions (Siriwoen et al, 2018; Spring et al, 2017) incorporated that differed from study to study.…”

“…Secondary outcomes varied between studies, including changes in dietary pattern and physical activity (Burke et al, 2011; Jakicic et al, 2016; Svetkey et al, 2015; J. G. Thomas et al, 2017; Turner-McGrievy et al, 2017), self-efficacy (Hales et al, 2016; Siriwoen et al, 2018), user engagement and interaction with apps (Brindal et al, 2013), BMI (Godino et al, 2016; Hales et al, 2016), waist circumference (Burke et al, 2011; Godino et al, 2016; He et al, 2017; Siriwoen et al, 2018; Toro-Ramos et al, 2017), blood pressure (Godino et al, 2016; Toro-Ramos et al, 2017), and behavioral adherence (Burke et al, 2011; Spring et al, 2017). Data collection periods lasted 24 months for three studies (Godino et al, 2016; Jakicic et al, 2016; Svetkey et al, 2015), 12 months for two studies (Spring et al, 2017; J.…”

“…Data collection periods lasted 24 months for three studies (Godino et al, 2016; Jakicic et al, 2016; Svetkey et al, 2015), 12 months for two studies (Spring et al, 2017; J. G. Thomas et al, 2017), 6 months for three studies (Burke et al, 2011; He et al, 2017; Turner-McGrievy et al, 2017), and 15 weeks or less for four studies (Brindal et al, 2013; Hales et al, 2016; Siriwoen et al, 2018; Toro-Ramos et al, 2017).…”

“…Among the 12 studies, 10 of these utilized a mobile application as part of the intervention (Brindal et al, 2013; Godino et al, 2016; Hales et al, 2016; He et al, 2017; Siriwoen et al, 2018; Spring et al, 2017; Svetkey et al, 2015; J. G. Thomas et al, 2017; Toro-Ramos et al, 2017; Turner-McGrievy et al, 2017).…”

“…Out of the 28,905 apps available across all platforms, only 0.05% of them were developed with professional guidance (Nichols, 2017). Nevertheless, smartphones apps possess the capacity to deliver cost-effective, evidence-based, and personalized weight loss interventions with the warranted input of healthcare professionals (Siriwoen, Chongsuwat, Tansakul, & Siri, 2018; Toro-Ramos et al, 2017).…”