1. Template provided by: “posters4research.com”  Randomized controlled study  Two groups made up the study  Group 1 (B3 Group) received nutrition and exercise education and classes  Group 2 (App Group)used the application “Myfitnesspal” to record food intake and exercise  Inclusion Criteria for Group 1: (This group was monitored and educated in 2008 by the Blessing Hospital B3 program)  Must be a Blessing employee  Must have a BMI of greater than 21.4  Must be willing to attend nutrition and exercise classes and education sessions  Inclusion Criteria for Group 2:  Must be a Blessing employee  Must own and be familiar with using a mobile device capable of downloading applications  Must have a BMI of greater than 21.4  Must be in general good health  Must not have attended nutrition education classes within the past year.  Must be willing to document food consumption and exercise daily.  Percent body weight loss was used to determine the weight loss success of each group  This study was approved by the Blessing Hospital Food and Nutrition Director. Past literature has shown evidence that tracking food intake can aid in weight loss and that using mobile devices such as smartphones and notepads can increase adherence to tracking. Finding convenient, low cost, and socially accepted ways to track food intake may be a beneficial tool to lower the elevated obesity rate. If this method of tracking food intake is found to be as beneficial in leading to weight loss as those results obtained by persons receiving nutrition and exercise education and classes then dietitians may be able to provide clients with an alternative method for weight loss. This randomized controlled study will provide insight on mobile devices application’s (MDA’s) ability to aid in weight loss. ABSTRACTABSTRACT CONTACT INFORMATION Mobile Weight Loss Applications: Comparing Mobile Applications to Traditional Weight Loss Practices Mobile Weight Loss Applications: Comparing Mobile Applications to Traditional Weight Loss Practices Amy Wampler DeMage, MS, RD, LD, Ami Froese, RD, LDN and Andrea Shelley, Dietetic Intern ARAMARK Distance Learning Dietetic Internship Program, Blessing Hospital Quincy, IL  Obesity has become an epidemic in the United States (U.S.) and is associated with increasing health problems. 1  According to a study preformed by Coons M, Roehrig M, and Spring B self-monitoring of diet is one of three behaviors required to achieve and maintain weight loss. 2=4  A study by Wang et al revealed that the use of a MDA had a significant direct effect (P=0.027) and indirect effect on weight loss through improved adherence of diet monitoring. 3=6  This research is needed at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, IL, along with various other locations due to high costs of nutrition and exercise classes. INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION METHODOLOGYMETHODOLOGYCONCLUSIONCONCLUSION  Study demonstrates that MDAs are an effective tool for weight loss but nutrition and exercise educations and classes are more effective.  Mobile apps can provide Registered Dietitian’s clients an easy, efficient, affordable and convenient way to record nutritional intake and exercise. Future research  Studies needed to discover if using a mobile app along with nutrition and exercise classes can provide greater weight loss than nutrition and exercise classes alone For additional information, please contact: Andrea Shelley ARAMARK Dietetic Intern shelley-andrea@aramark.com RESEARCH QUESTION / OBJECTIVE Can the use of MDA created for weight loss provide results similar to those obtained by persons receiving nutrition and exercise education and classes?  BMI trends from the beginning of the study to the end are illustrated in graph 1 (right)  Graph 2 (right) shows the mean percent weight loss of both groups at the end of each 8 week study. Results:  An unpaired T-test was preformed to determine a two-tailed P-value  P=0.023, <0.05 = significant Null Hypothesis There is no significant difference of percent weight loss of the B3 group compared to the percent weight loss of the app group. Rejected Limitations  Small sample size  Inability to monitor how often the App Group missed documenting food intake and exercise  No way to guarantee that no participants in the B3 group utilized an app during the weight loss program in 2008 REFERENCESREFERENCES 1.Duncan M, et al. PDA+: A personal digital assistant for obesity treatment – an RCT testing the use of technology to enhance weight loss treatment for veterans. BioMed Central Public Health. 2011:11(223). doi: 10.1186/1471- 2458-11-223. 1.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);340-344. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/ 3. 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):540-551. doi:10.1016/j.cct.2009.07.003 RESULTSRESULTS DISCUSSIONDISCUSSION Graph 2: Mean % Body Weight Loss Graph 1: BMI Trends BMI Weight Loss in lbs