BMC Public health: Researchers evaluated the effectiveness of an experimental intervention based on
standard diet recommendations plus free Smartphone application (app) and
wearable device for weight loss, compared with the standard diet
intervention alone, in primary care patients aged 18 years or older who
are overweight or obese.
The study: 12 months of standard diet recommendations without or with assistance of a free Smartphone app that allows the participant to
maintain a record of dietary intake and a bracelet monitor that records
physical activity. The outcomes are weight loss at 12 months
(primary outcome), changes in physical activity and cardiometabolic risk
factors, frequency of app use, and participant satisfaction after
12 months.
The
results of our study will offer evidence of the effectiveness of an
intervention using one of the most popular free apps and wearable
devices in achieving weight loss among patients who are overweight or
obese. If these new technologies are proven effective in our population,
they could be readily incorporated into primary care interventions
promoting healthy weight.