Effects Of An Online Weight Management Program On Weight And Physical Activity Changes.

Abstract

PURPOSE: To compare the effectiveness of an online weight management program through only online education(OO) or tailored video feedback with online education (OF) or control(CO). METHODS: This intervention included 60 overweight and obese Korean women aged 19 -39 years old. Participants are randomly allocated to one of three groups: (1) 20 women in OO group (online education video and self-monitoring application), (2) 20 women in OF group (online education video, self-monitoring application, and 1:1 tailored video feedback), and (3) 20 women in CO group (only self-monitoring application). Online education included nutrition, physical activity, psychological factors, and medical knowledge for weight loss, goal-setting, and cognitive/behavioral strategies. Tailored feedback helped to motivate weight loss and give solutions for weight loss through real-time video coaching once a week for 10 minutes per session. Effectiveness was assessed using repeated measure ANOVA to compare outcome changes between groups and Tukey’s post-hoc tests were performed. RESULTS: After 6-weeks, a total of 17(85%) of OO group, 17(85%) of OF group, and 19(95%) of CO group completed the post-measurement at 6 weeks. In the intention-to-treat analysis including all 60 participants, there was a significant difference in weight change at 6 weeks in OO and OF groups with a mean weight change of -0.86 kg (95%CI, -1.72 to -0.1) in OO group and -2.23 kg (95%CI, -2.93 to -1.52) in OF group, while no significant change was observed in CO group with a mean weight change of 0.08 kg (95%CI, -0.65 to 0.8). Changes in waist circumference were -2.29 cm (95% CI, -3.48 to -1.11) in OF group, -1.64 cm (95 CI, -3.14 to -0.09) in OO group, and 0.03 cm (95% CI, -1.05 to 1.11) in CO group. In the post-hoc analysis, there was a significant difference only between OF group and CO group in body weight and waist circumference (P > 0.001, P = 0.039, respectively). However, no significant group × time effects were found for the moderate to vigorous physical activity and sedentary behavior (P = 0.979, P = 0.578, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our online weight management program showed significant weight loss and waist circumference reduction in overweight or obese Korean women. Further research is needed to track the long term effects.