By Andrea Shelley, Dietetic Intern

 Obesity Epidemic  Leads to: ◦ Cardiovascular Disease ◦ Type II Diabetes ◦ Respiratory Disease ◦ Joint Damage  Expensive ◦ Insurance won’t always cover Registered Dietitian (RD) ◦ Gym membership/trainer

 3 behaviors required to achieve and maintain weight loss. ◦ 1.) self-monitoring of diet, physical activity, and body weight ◦ 2.) reducing energy intake ◦ 3.) increasing energy expenditure. Coons M, Roehrig M, and Spring B. The potential of virtual reality technologies to improve adherence to weight loss behaviors. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology. 2011:5(2); PMC /. Published online March 1, Accessed November 26, 2012

 Compared 3 self monitoring techniques ◦ 1.) use of standard paper record ◦ 2.) use of a personal digital assistant (PDA) ◦ 3.) use of the same PDA as mode two plus a customized feedback program.  Used DietMatePro software program  Participants using PDAs had increased weight loss Burke et al. SMART trial: a randomized clinical trial of self-monitoring in behavioral weight management-design and baseline findings. NIH Public Access Author Manuscript. 2009:30(6): doi: /j.cct

 Can the use of mobile device applications (MDA) created for weight loss provide results similar to those obtained by persons receiving nutrition and exercise education and classes?

 2 groups  1.) Traditional weight loss group ◦ Subjects attended nutrition education and exercise classes ◦ Used data from 2008 B3 Program ◦ 12 participants  2.) MDA group ◦ Advertised using flyers in hospital ◦ 9 participants ◦ Used Myfitnesspal application

 Must be a Blessing employee  Must have a BMI of greater than 21  Must be willing and able to attend nutrition education and exercise classes

 1.) Must be a Blessing employee  2.) Must own and be familiar with using a mobile device capable of downloading applications  3.) Must have a BMI of greater than 21  4.) Must be in general good health  5.) Must not have attended nutrition education classes within the past year.  6.) Must be willing to document food consumption and exercise daily.

 All subjects ◦ Weighed at the beginning and end of study ◦ Heights were taken at the beginning of the study  Traditional Group ◦ Attended 45 min cardi/yoga class Monday-Friday ◦ 30 min strength training class Monday and Thursday ◦ Group therapy Monday ◦ Nutrition education class Tuesday

 MDA Group ◦ Instructed to use Myfitnesspal application everyday to record food intake and exercise ◦ Instructed to set a 1lb/week weight loss goal ◦ Instructed to workout a minimum of 30 minutes 3 times per week

 States that there is no significant difference in the percent weight loss of the traditional group compared to the percent weight loss of the MDA group.

Subjects % Body Weight Loss in lbs

 Traditional Group ◦ % body weight loss =1.67 to 8.83% ◦ Mean % body weight loss = 5.30%  MDA Group ◦ % body weight loss = 0.2 to 6.0% ◦ Mean % body weight loss = 3.11%  Two-tailed P-value ◦ ◦ Statistically significant ◦ Reject null hypothesis

 B3 group had an average of 41.3% more % body weight loss  Subjects in the MDA Group stated advantages: ◦ Convenient ◦ Provided constant visual and motivation ◦ Made tracking calories easier ◦ User friendly

 Using an MDA does not provide the same weight loss as exercise and nutrition classes  MDAs do lead to weight loss when used properly  MDAs maybe still be a good tool for individuals who can not afford nutrition and exercise classes  More research is need!