Self-Monitoring Assessment in Real Time

University of South Carolina44 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of the study is to test the effectiveness of two different methods of mobile dietary self-monitoring for weight loss. Both of these interventions will provide weight loss information through twice weekly audio podcasts. In addition to the podcasts, participants will be asked to track their diet using an assigned mobile applications (for their smartphone), which will be randomly assigned.

This study will include an intensive phase for 6 weeks and a follow-up phase that will occur through the final 6 months of the study. Participants will attend one 1-hour orientation meeting at the beginning of the study and a 2-hour baseline assessment and training meeting. A final assessment will be conducted at the end of 6 weeks with a follow-up assessment at 6 months. Everyone in the study will be asked to listen to 2 podcasts per week. Each of the podcasts will take about 15-20 minutes to listen to and so participants should expect to spend 30-40 minutes each week listening to podcasts. Participants also will be randomized to track diet with one of the two mobile dietary tracking applications that will be used in the study. Participants will be encouraged to monitor their exercise and body weight.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Obesity

Interventions

Photo AppBEHAVIORAL

Use of a mobile photo app that takes pictures of foods consumed and allows users to share these pictures with other members of the study in order to receive feedback.

Diet AppBEHAVIORAL

Use of a mobile diet app that allows users to track all foods and beverages consumed in order to calculate the calories consumed each day.

PodcastsBEHAVIORAL

Listen to 2 podcasts per week about healthy eating and exercise.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 65 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Must be between 18-65 years old * Own and use a smartphone and/or a tablet with a data plan that is apple of Android compatible * BMI must be between 25-49.9 kg/m2 * Must be willing to reduce caloric intake and increase physical activity * Not currently participating in a weight loss study or has been in a weight loss study that involved podcasts or diet apps Exclusion Criteria: * Over the age of 65 years old * Currently participating in a weight loss program * Has lost more than 10 pounds in the past 6 months * Diagnosed with stroke or heart attack * Diagnosed with diabetes that is controlled using medication

Locations (1)

University of South Carolina

Columbia, South Carolina, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Number of days diet is self-monitored

Assess the total number of days food is recorded via assigned app over the 6-week study and then assess follow-up at 6 months.

Time frame: 6 months

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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