Innovation in Weight Loss Programs: A 3-Dimensional Virtual-World Approach

Abstract

BackgroundThe rising trend in obesity calls for innovative weight loss programs. While behavioral-based face-to-face programs have proven to be the most effective, they are expensive and often inaccessible. Internet or Web-based weight loss programs have expanded reach but may lack qualities critical to weight loss and maintenance such as human interaction, social support, and engagement. In contrast to Web technologies, virtual reality technologies offer unique affordances as a behavioral intervention by directly supporting engagement and active learning.ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of a virtual-world weight loss program relative to weight loss and behavior change.MethodsWe collected data from overweight people (N = 54) participating in a face-to-face or a virtual-world weight loss program. Weight, body mass index (BMI), percentage weight change, and health behaviors (ie, weight loss self-efficacy, physical activity self-efficacy, self-reported physical activity, and fruit and vegetable consumption) were assessed before and after the 12-week program. Repeated measures analysis was used to detect differences between groups and across time.ResultsA total of 54 participants with a BMI of 32 (SD 6.05) kg/m2 enrolled in the study, with a 13% dropout rate for each group (virtual world group: 5/38; face-to-face group: 3/24). Both groups lost a significant amount of weight (virtual world: 3.9 kg, P < .001; face-to-face: 2.8 kg, P = .002); however, no significant differences between groups were detected (P = .29). Compared with baseline, the virtual-world group lost an average of 4.2%, with 33% (11/33) of the participants losing a clinically significant (≥5%) amount of baseline weight. The face-to-face group lost an average of 3.0% of their baseline weight, with 29% (6/21) losing a clinically significant amount. We detected a significant group × time interaction for moderate (P = .006) and vigorous physical activity (P = .008), physical activity self-efficacy (P = .04), fruit and vegetable consumption (P = .007), and weight loss self-efficacy (P < .001). Post hoc paired t tests indicated significant improvements across all of the variables for the virtual-world group.ConclusionsOverall, these results offer positive early evidence that a virtual-world-based weight loss program can be as effective as a face-to-face one relative to biometric changes. In addition, our results suggest that a virtual world may be a more effective platform to influence meaningful behavioral changes and improve self-efficacy.

Technology-based interventions in the treatment of overweight and obesity: A systematic review

“…Four studies were excluded because the control group received an intervention with technology aspect (Carter, Burley, Nykjaer, & Cade, 2013;Laing et al, 2014;Shaw et al, 2013;Steinberg, Levine, Askew, Foley, & Bennett, 2013). Twenty-seven trials met inclusion criteria (Agras, Taylor, Feldman, Losch, & Burnett, 1990;Allen, Stephens, Dennison Himmelfarb, Stewart, & Hauck, 2013;Appel et al, 2011;Blomfield et al, 2014;Burke et al, 2012;Cadmus-Bertram et al, 2013;Chambliss et al, 2011;Collins et al, 2012;Donaldson, Fallows, & Morris, 2014;Goulis et al, 2004;Harvey-Berino et al, 2010;Haugen, Tran, Wyatt, Barry, & Hill, 2007;Herring, Cruice, Bennett, Davey, & Foster, 2014;Hutchesson et al, 2014;Jeffery et al, 2003;Johnston, Massey, & DeVaneaux, 2012;Lin et al, 2014;Luley, Blaik, Reschke, Klose, & Westphal, 2011;Mehring et al, 2013;Morgan, Lubans, Collins, Warren, & Callister, 2011;Napolitano, Hayes, Bennett, Ives, & Foster, 2013;Norman, Kolodziejczyk, Adams, Patrick, & Marshall, 2013;Sherwood et al, 2006;Sherwood, Jeffery, Welsh, Vanwormer, & Hotop, 2010;Shuger et al, 2011;Svetkey et al, 2008;Tanaka, Adachi, Adachi, & Sato, 2010) and were included in this review. The total study selection process is shown in Fig.…”

“…Most studies were conducted in the United States of America (N ¼ 18) (Agras et al, 1990;Allen et al, 2013;Appel et al, 2011;Burke et al, 2012;Cadmus-Bertram et al, 2013;Chambliss et al, 2011;Goulis et al, 2004;Harvey-Berino et al, 2010;Haugen et al, 2007;Herring Jeffery et al, 2003;Johnston et al, 2012;Napolitano et al, 2013;Norman et al, 2013;Sherwood et al, 2006Sherwood et al, , 2010Shuger et al, 2011;Svetkey et al, 2008). Four studies were conducted in Australia (Blomfield et al, 2014;Collins et al, 2012;Hutchesson et al, 2014;Morgan et al, 2011), one study in China (Lin et al, 2014), one study in Japan (Tanaka et al, 2010), one study in the United Kingdom (Donaldson et al, 2014) and two studies in Germany (Luley et al, 2011;Mehring et al, 2013).…”

Using Avatars to Model Weight Loss Behaviors: Participant Attitudes and Technology Development

“…Another trial compared the use of virtual group meetings to face-to-face for delivery of a 12-week weight loss program, finding comparable weight losses with each approach (3.9 kg for VR and 2.8 kg for face-to-face). 28 Modeling and observational learning are important for behavior change; 29 observing a model can increase self-efficacy via processes such as performance accomplishments and vicarious experiences. 30 Virtual reality and other avatarbased technologies are tools that can be used to illustrate and model weight loss behaviors, because they provide a controllable, naturalistic environment that can be tailored to include features that are relevant for target weightrelated behaviors; 8,31,32 they also may be particularly relevant for non-face-to-face treatment methods.…”

Mundo virtual 3D e internet das coisas para motivar mudança de comportamento saudável

“…Diversas investigações mostraram que o uso de ambientes virtuais 3D tem potencial para promover bons resultados em termos de melhoria de aspectos relacionados à saúde [6].…”