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The efficacy of a daily self-weighing weight loss intervention using smart scales and e-mail
Dori M Steinberg1, Deborah F Tate, Gary G Bennett
1Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
Objective:
To examine the impact of a weight loss intervention that focused on daily self-weighing for self-monitoring as compared to a delayed control group among 91 overweight adults.
Design And Methods:
The 6-month intervention included a cellular-connected "smart" scale for daily weighing, web-based weight loss graph, and weekly e-mails with tailored feedback and lessons. An objective measure of self-weighing frequency was obtained. Weight was measured in clinic at 3 and 6 months. Caloric intake and expenditure, and perceptions of daily self-weighing were also measured.
Results:
Using intent-to-treat analyses, the intervention group lost significantly more weight compared to the control group [mean (95% CI); 3 months: -4.41% (-5.5, -3.3) vs. -0.37% (-1.5, 0.76); 6 months: -6.55% (-7.7, -5.4) vs. -0.35% (-1.5, 0.79); group × time interaction: P < 0.001] and a greater percentage achieved 5% (42.6% vs. 6.8%; P < 0.0001) and 10% (27.7% vs. 0%; P < 0.0001) weight loss. On average, the intervention group self-weighed more days/week (6.1 ± 1.1 vs. 1.1 ± 1.5; P < 0.0001) and consumed fewer calories/day compared to the control group [mean (95% CI); 6 months: 1,509 (1,291, 1,728) vs. 1,856 (1,637, 2,074); group × time interaction: P = 0.006]. Among intervention participants, daily self-weighing was perceived positively.
Conclusions:
These results indicate that an intervention focusing on daily self-weighing can produce clinically significant weight loss.
