Relationship Between Age and Weight Loss in Noom: Quasi-Experimental Study

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Digital Health
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Rising obesity and diabetes rates in older adults necessitate effective health interventions.
• Mobile health (mHealth) interventions offer scalable solutions for lifestyle changes.
• Limited research exists on how age impacts engagement and outcomes in mHealth interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the engagement patterns of middle-aged and older adults in a mobile lifestyle or diabetes prevention intervention.
• To determine the influence of age on weight loss outcomes in an mHealth program.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-experimental study involving 14,767 adults (aged 35-85) using either the Healthy Weight (HW) or Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) mHealth intervention.
• Weight change was measured at baseline, week 16, and week 52.
• Statistical analysis included linear mixed modeling to assess predictors of weight loss.

Main Results:

• Age was a significant predictor of weight loss at week 16, with older individuals losing more weight per year.
• An age-by-engagement interaction at week 52 indicated engagement was a stronger predictor of weight loss in younger adults.
• Both HW and DPP users achieved significant weight loss, meeting CDC standards.

Conclusions:

• Age and user engagement are key factors influencing weight loss in mHealth interventions.
• Older adults achieved greater weight loss compared to younger adults, irrespective of engagement levels.
• Findings support the need for adapting mHealth programs to better suit the needs of older adult populations.