Mobile Phone-based Intervention Does Not Affect Weight Regain

A new study stated that a scalable, mobile phone-based intervention designed to slow weight regain after an initial weight loss had no significant effect on participants' weight. The findings of the study are published in PLOS Medicine by Falko Sniehotta from Newcastle University, UK and colleagues. Obesity is a major contributor to preventable life-years lost worldwide and, while effective behavioral weight loss interventions are available, weight loss is often followed by weight regain. In the new study, researchers carried out a randomized controlled trial involving 288 people from North East England with obesity who had recently lost at least 5% of their bodyweight. The NULevel intervention consisted of a single face-to-face goal-setting meeting, self-monitoring, and personalized feedback on weight, diet, and physical activity via SMS text messages with embedded links. The control group received standard lifestyle advice via newsletter.

Overall, 264 participants completed the trial. Those participating in the intervention group weighed themselves more frequently and were more physically active. However, the mean weight gain over the 12 month study period was similar in the two groups, with an average of 1.8 kg (95% CI 0.5 to 3.1) gained in the intervention group and 1.8 kg (95% CI 0.6 to 3.0) gained in the control group. The data suggest that the intervention is unlikely to be considered cost-effective in its current form.

"This research should inform future intervention design decisions regarding delivery modality and intensity."

Source-Eurekalert