Related Experiment Videos
A randomized controlled trial of a commercial internet weight loss program
Leslie G Womble1, Thomas A Wadden, Brian G McGuckin
1University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Weight and Eating Disorders Program, 3535 Market St., Suite 3029, Philadelphia 19104, USA. womble@mail.med.upenn.edu
Obesity Research
|July 2, 2004
Summary
A 1-year trial found that a weight loss manual was more effective than the eDiets.com internet program for weight reduction. No significant differences were observed in cardiovascular health or quality of life between the online weight loss program and manual groups.
Area of Science:
- Obesity research
- Behavioral medicine
- Digital health interventions
Background:
- Obesity is a significant public health concern requiring effective weight management strategies.
- Internet-based weight loss programs offer accessible options, but their efficacy compared to traditional methods needs evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the 1-year efficacy of eDiets.com, an internet-based program, against a weight loss manual.
- To assess impacts on weight, cardiovascular health, and quality of life in overweight women.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 47 women (mean age 43.7 years, mean BMI 33.5 kg/m²).
- Participants were assigned to eDiets.com or a weight loss manual (LEARN Program for Weight Control 2000).
- Weight change was the primary outcome, with assessments at multiple time points over 52 weeks.
Main Results:
- Women using the weight loss manual achieved significantly greater weight loss (p < 0.05) at 16 and 52 weeks compared to the eDiets.com group.
- eDiets.com participants lost 1.1% of initial weight at 52 weeks versus 4.0% for the manual group.
- No significant differences were found in cardiovascular risk factors or quality of life between the two interventions.
Conclusions:
- A structured weight loss manual demonstrated superior efficacy in weight reduction over a 1-year period compared to the eDiets.com internet program.
- The findings provide valuable consumer information regarding the effectiveness of popular online weight loss solutions.