Face-to-Face Versus Mobile Versus Blended Weight Loss Program: Randomized Clinical Trial.

Emalie Hurkmans,An Bogaerts,Christophe Matthys,Leonie Scheys,Jan Seghers,Karlien Devloo

doi:10.2196/mhealth.7713

Abstract

BackgroundConventional face-to-face weight loss and weight control programs are very labor intensive for both the patient and the provider. It is unclear to what extent conventional programs can be (partially) completed by mobile health (mHealth) apps.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of different weight loss programs using a combination of conventional and mobile programs among adults who are overweight (body mass index [BMI]>29 kg/m²).MethodsA single-blinded randomized controlled trial among obese adults was performed from September 2015 to March 2016. The study took place in Leuven, Belgium. Of the 102 eligible (BMI >29 kg/m²) adults, 81 (79%) completed the study. The three intervention groups consisted of a conventional face-to-face weight loss program, a weight loss app program (app group), and a partial face-to-face and partial app program (combi group). All intervention groups received the same advice from a dietician and a physical activity coach during a 12-week period. The control group did not receive any information during the same period. Primary outcomes were weight reduction (5% decrease of baseline weight in kg), BMI, metabolic risk factors, dietary pattern, and physical activity.ResultsSignificant more participants in all three intervention groups lost at least 5% or more of their weight at baseline compared with the control group. No significant difference was found between the combi group and the conventional group. A trend was found that more participants in the combi group lost 5% or more compared with the app group (19%), P=.06. A significant time x group effect was found for BMI and metabolic risk factors, with the control group having the worst results and the combi group being significantly better with regard to BMI compared with the app group. No significant group x time effects were found for the intake of different food and drinks and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA).ConclusionsThe results of this study show that a conventional weight loss program could partially be completed with an mHealth program without affecting the effectiveness.Trial RegistrationClinicaltrials.gov NCT02595671; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02595671 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6w1H0x1Q6)

Highlights

BackgroundObesity remains a serious global health challenge
The results of this study show that a conventional weight loss program could partially be completed with an mobile health (mHealth) program without affecting the effectiveness
The exclusion criteria were suffering from a known physical and/or psychological disease or comorbidity, intake of any medication with possible impact on body weight, endurance capacity, currently treated for diabetes, sleep apnea determined during the last year, a history of systematic strength or endurance training in the year before the beginning of the trial, a history of following a supervised dietary advice in the year before the beginning of the trial, having a history of bariatric surgery or any other malabsorption-related disease, and pregnancy

Summary

Introduction

BackgroundObesity remains a serious global health challenge. Approximately 37% (2.1 billion) of the adult world population is overweight or obese, with a prevalence of over 60% in Australia and the United States and between 15% and 30% in Europe [1]. Conventional face-to-face weight loss and weight control programs, including components for healthy eating and physical activity, have been found to be effective [3,4]. These programs were found to be very labor intensive for both the patient and the health professional because of the frequent, lengthy clinic visits (hour-long visits, often weekly, for several months or longer). This places a high burden on the health care professionals and patients. It is unclear to what extent conventional programs can be (partially) completed by mobile health (mHealth) apps

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