Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2026
06:13
Randomized Controlled Trial to Study the Acute Effects of Strength Exercise on Insulin Sensitivity in Obese Adults
Published on: December 1, 2023
A 12-week commercial web-based weight-loss program for overweight and obese adults: randomized controlled trial
Clare E Collins1, Philip J Morgan, Penelope Jones
1The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia. clare.collins@newcastle.edu.au
Journal of Medical Internet Research
|May 5, 2012
Summary
A commercial web-based weight-loss program effectively reduced body mass index and weight in adults. Enhanced features with personalized feedback did not significantly improve weight loss outcomes compared to the basic program.
Area of Science:
- Obesity research
- Digital health interventions
- Behavioral science
Background:
- Web-based weight loss programs are increasingly popular but rarely rigorously evaluated.
- Commercial weight loss programs are widely used, yet independent evaluations are uncommon.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare a standard commercial web-based weight loss program (basic) with an enhanced version offering personalized e-feedback.
- To assess the efficacy of these programs against a wait-list control group for weight outcomes in overweight and obese adults.
Main Methods:
- A 12-week, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted online.
- Participants were allocated to a basic web program, an enhanced web program, or a control group.
- Body mass index (BMI) was the primary outcome measure.
Main Results:
- Both basic and enhanced programs significantly reduced BMI and weight compared to the control group (P < .001).
- No significant differences in weight loss or BMI reduction were observed between the basic and enhanced program groups.
- The addition of personalized e-feedback offered limited additional benefits over the basic program.
Conclusions:
- Commercial web-based weight loss programs can achieve clinically significant weight loss.
- Personalized feedback did not enhance weight loss at 12 weeks, but participant retention warrants further investigation.
- Future research should identify optimal program features for sustained weight loss impact.
Related Concept Videos
01:11Clinical Trials: Overview
Clinical development focuses on how the drug will interact with the human body and encompasses four key phases of clinical trials, each serving a specific purpose in assessing the safety and effectiveness of new drugs. These phases overlap and build upon one another. Phase I involves a small group of healthy volunteers (typically 20-80 individuals) or, in cases where significant toxicity is expected, patients with the targeted disease, such as cancer or AIDS. The volunteers are tested for...
01:16Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are prospective experimental studies conducted on humans to determine the safety and efficacy of treatments, drugs, diet methods, and medical devices. Using statistics in clinical trials enables researchers to derive reasonable and accurate conclusions from the collected data, allowing them to make wise decisions in uncertain situations. In medical research, statistical methods are crucial for preventing errors and bias.
There are four phases in a clinical trial. A phase one...
There are four phases in a clinical trial. A phase one...
01:21Drug Dosing: Obese Patients
In the United States, obesity is a prominent concern. It is linked to heightened mortality rates due to increased occurrences of conditions such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and diabetes compared to nonobese individuals. A patient is classified as obese if their actual body weight surpasses the ideal or desirable body weight by 20%, based on Metropolitan Life Insurance Company data. Ideal body weights consider average weights and heights for males and females...
01:24Obesity
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in adipocytes...
01:15Bioavailability Study Design: Healthy Subjects Versus Patients
Bioavailability studies are essential for evaluating a drug's therapeutic efficacy and understanding its absorption patterns under various physiological conditions. Conducting such studies on target patient populations provides more relevant data by simulating real-world disease states. However, practical challenges often necessitate the use of young, healthy adult volunteers as study subjects.Patients may exhibit altered drug absorption patterns due to the effects of the disease itself,...