Weight loss in Weight Watchers Online with and without an activity tracking device compared to control: A randomized trial

Thomas, J. Graham; Raynor, Hollie A.; Bond, Dale S.; Luke, Anna K.; Cardoso, Chelsi C.; Foster, Gary D.; Wing, Rena R.

doi:10.1002/oby.21846

Cited by 79 publications

(81 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Each study population consisted of overweight and obese adults with sample sizes ranging from 38 to 15,310. 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.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

et al. 2019

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The purpose of this systematic review was to identify evidence concerning the effectiveness of mobile applications and wearable devices for weight loss in overweight adults. A database search of PubMed and CINAHL yielded 12 eligible articles following the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Inclusion criteria consisted of studies primarily pertaining to obesity, inclusion of adult population only (18 years and older), use of experimental study designs only, use of mobile apps or wearable devices as intervention(s), and primary outcome of weight loss. Overall, the research evidence suggests that mobile apps and wearables are effective self-regulating tools for weight loss. Although study design concerns, such as lack of non-intervention comparator groups, prevent a definitive conclusion regarding the relative power of mobile apps and wearables over other self-monitoring methods, evidence indicates that mobile technology can be used as integral tools within overarching weight loss strategies recommended in the primary care setting.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

et al. 2019

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“…It remains unclear for each type of self‐monitoring how much the link between adherence and weight loss can be explained by underlying level of motivation or self‐regulation ability. Experimental research that has manipulated the provision or prescription of digital self‐monitoring tools and examined the resulting effect on weight loss has yielded mixed results . Additional experimental research is needed to determine the extent to which each type of digital self‐monitoring directly improves weight loss and, if there is a causal relationship, identify the specific mechanism of action.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Digital self‐monitoring: Does adherence or association with outcomes differ by self‐monitoring target?

Butryn

Godfrey

Martinelli

et al. 2019

Obesity Science & Practice

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Objective: Digital self-monitoring of eating, physical activity, and weight is increasingly prescribed in behavioural weight loss programmes. This study determined if adherence rates or associations with outcomes differed according to self-monitoring target (ie, self-monitoring of eating versus physical activity versus weight).Methods: Participants in a 3-month, group-based weight loss programme were instructed to use an app to record food intake, wear a physical activity sensor, and use a wireless body weight scale. At post-treatment, weight loss was measured in clinic and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was measured by research-grade accelerometer.Results: Adherence to self-monitoring decreased significantly over time for eating and weight but not physical activity. Overall, adherence to self-monitoring of weight was lower than that of eating or physical activity. Greater adherence to selfmonitoring of eating, physical activity, and weight each predicted greater weight loss.Only greater adherence to self-monitoring of eating was associated with greater bouted minutes of MVPA.Conclusions: Findings from this study suggest that self-monitoring should be considered a target-specific behaviour rather than a unitary construct when conceptualizing adherence and association with treatment outcomes.

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“…However, the few other studies published to date have reported limited benefits. For example, we recently conducted a study of WWO with and without a physical activity tracking device and associated online resources for physical activity goal setting and feedback . There was no indication that the tracking technology improved physical activity or weight loss outcomes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Weight loss and frequency of body‐weight self‐monitoring in an online commercial weight management program with and without a cellular‐connected ‘smart’ scale: a randomized pilot study

Thomas

Raynor

Bond

et al. 2017

Obesity Science & Practice

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SummaryObjectiveEvaluate the effects of an online commercial weight management program, with and without provision of a ‘smart’ scale with instructions to weigh daily and weekly tailored feedback, on weight loss and the frequency of body‐weight self‐monitoring.MethodsParticipants (N = 92; body mass index 27–40 kg/m2) were randomized to 6 months of no‐cost access to the Weight Watchers Online (WWO) platform alone, or enhanced with a cellular‐connected ‘smart’ scale, instructions to weigh daily and weekly pre‐scripted email feedback (Weight Watchers Online Enhanced [WWO‐E]). The number of days that weight was self‐monitored (via ‘smart’ scale in WWO‐E and manually in WWO) was recorded automatically across the 6‐month trial. Objective weight was measured at baseline, 3 and 6 months.ResultsWhile both groups achieved statistically significant weight loss, mean ± standard error weight loss did not differ between WWO‐E and WWO at 3 months (5.1 ± 0.6 kg vs. 4.0 ± 0.7 kg, respectively; p = 0.257) or 6 months (5.3 ± 0.6 kg vs. 3.9 ± 0.7 kg, respectively; p = 0.116). However, a greater proportion of WWO‐E lost ≥5% of initial body weight at 3 months (52.2% vs. 28.3%; p = 0.033), but not 6 months (43.5% vs. 30.4%; p = 0.280), compared with WWO. Mean ± standard deviation days with self‐monitored weight was higher in WWO‐E (80.5 ± 5.6; 44.7% of days) than WWO (12.0 ± 1.0; 6.7% of days; p < 0.001) across the 6‐month study period.ConclusionsThis is the first study to show that provision of a ‘smart’ scale with weekly tailored feedback substantially increased the frequency of self‐weighing and the proportion of participants achieving an initial clinically significant ≥5% weight loss (52% vs. 28%) in an online commercial weight management program. Both WWO and WWO‐E produced significant weight loss over 6 months. While mean weight losses were slightly greater in the enhanced group, the difference was not statistically significant in this small sample. This study provides support for the clinical utility of online commercial weight management programs and the potential for supporting technology such as ‘smart’ scales to improve adherence to body‐weight self‐monitoring and clinical outcomes.

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Weight loss in Weight Watchers Online with and without an activity tracking device compared to control: A randomized trial

Cited by 79 publications

References 32 publications

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

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

Digital self‐monitoring: Does adherence or association with outcomes differ by self‐monitoring target?

Weight loss and frequency of body‐weight self‐monitoring in an online commercial weight management program with and without a cellular‐connected ‘smart’ scale: a randomized pilot study

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