Drivers of weight loss in a CDC-recognized digital diabetes prevention program

Area of Science:

• Digital Health Interventions
• Behavioral Science
• Obesity Research

Background:

• The digital Livongo Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) aims to combat rising obesity rates.
• Understanding factors influencing weight loss in digital health programs is crucial for optimizing interventions.
• Self-monitoring and coaching are hypothesized to play key roles in participant success.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the 12-month weight loss impact of the digital Livongo DPP.
• To identify self-monitoring behaviors linked to greater weight reduction.
• To evaluate how coaching influences self-monitoring frequency.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 2037 DPP participants (2016-2017).
• Analysis of self-monitoring (weigh-ins, food logging, activity) and coaching interactions at 6 and 12 months.
• Multiple regression to identify predictors of weight loss and coaching impact on self-monitoring.

Main Results:

• Participants lost an average of 5.1% body weight; highly engaged individuals lost 6.6%.
• Food logging (0.23 kg/log), lesson completion (0.14 kg/lesson), and 150 active minutes/week (0.1 kg) predicted weight loss.
• Weekly coaching messages increased food logs, weigh-ins, and physical activity adherence.

Conclusions:

• Food logging demonstrated the strongest association with weight loss, followed by lesson engagement and physical activity.
• Coaching interactions positively influenced self-monitoring behaviors, contributing to weight management.
• Further research should explore enhanced nutrition-based content delivery for sustained weight loss in DPPs.