Telephone counseling and home telemonitoring: the Weigh by Day Trial.
OBJECTIVE
To test the effects of telephone counseling and telemonitoring on weight loss.


METHODS
A randomized-controlled trial was conducted over 18 months. Participants were assigned to an immediate or delayed-start group. The intervention included a Thin-Link((R)) home telemonitoring scale and biweekly telephone counseling over 6 months.


RESULTS
The immediate group lost significantly more weight relative to the delayed group over the first 6 months (-7.5 versus +1.3 pounds) and at subsequent visits.


CONCLUSIONS
Compared to no treatment, the intervention was effective at producing weight loss. Home telemonitoring may enhance standard weight-loss counseling.
VanWormer
Jeffrey J
JJ
Minnesota Heart Institute Foundation, MN, USA.
Martinez
Anna M
AM
Benson
Gretchen A
GA
Crain
A L
AL
Martinson
Brian C
BC
Cosentino
Daniel L
DL
Pronk
Nicolaas P
NP
D000328:Adult; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008910:Minnesota; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013689:Telephone; D015431:Weight Loss