Personalizing Weight Recommendations Based on Experimentation: 3 Month mHealth Pilot Study Results

Background: Behavioral weight loss (WL) interventions typically follow standard diet and activity prescriptions to produce an energy deficit. Though average weight losses are clinically meaningful, response is heterogeneous. Personalizing WL recommendations might improve weight losses. Methods: This...

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Published in:Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.) Md.), 2022-11, Vol.30, p.36-36
Main Authors: Tate, Deborah, Martinez, Caitlin, Hatley, Karen, Polzien, Kristen, Diamond, Molly
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Background: Behavioral weight loss (WL) interventions typically follow standard diet and activity prescriptions to produce an energy deficit. Though average weight losses are clinically meaningful, response is heterogeneous. Personalizing WL recommendations might improve weight losses. Methods: This randomized pilot compared personalized WL recommendations (mPWR) to standard recommendations (Std) in a mobile WL program on weight losses at 3 months. Participants (n=35; age 49.2 (10.9) y, 86% F, 29% minority, 34% with HbA1c 5.7 - 6.4%) with overweight or obesity (BMI 34.6 (4.9) kg/m2) were randomized (3:1) to mPWR or Standard group. They were provided with a study specific mobile app, wireless scale, wearable activity monitor and continuous glucose monitor (mPWR only) and received weekly phone calls with a study interventionist. The mPWR approach included self-experimentation to optimize the individual prescription on macronutrient prescription (low fat or low carbohydrate), activity prescription (daily or weekly activity goals), and meal/snack pattern (3 meals or 3 meals and snacks). Factors were experienced in random order and combination over the first month; participants chose a prescription to follow for the final 8 weeks. Results: Retention at 3 months was 100%. Participants in mPWR compared to Std lost -7.08 (3.87) kg vs. -3.79 (2.39) kg (p=.03) at 3 months (7.3% initial body weight (IBW) mPWR vs. 4.7% Std, p=.10). At 3 months, 62% (Std) and 74% (mPWR) lost at least 5% IBW. Those who met the 5% goal lost 9.03% IBW (mPWR) vs. 6.2% (Std) (p=.05). All participants with elevated HbA1c at baseline (34%) had follow-up HbA1c values within Normal range. Tracking adherence was high in both groups for diet (77% days Std; 87% mPWR), tracker wear (96% Std; 97% mPWR) and weighing (86% Std; 87% mPWR). Conclusions: Experimentally derived personalized WL recommendations appear to perform better than standard recommendations on WL at 3 months, however, more research is needed.
ISSN:1930-7381
1930-739X