title: Using a personal digital assistant for self-monitoring influences diet quality in comparison to a standard paper record among overweight/obese adults.
abstract: Self-monitoring has traditionally been done using a paper record, which can be tedious and burdensome. A personal digital assistant (PDA) with dietary software can provide an alternative to a paper record. The study aimed to describe the differences in dietary changes at 6 months between participants randomly assigned to use a paper record or PDA for self-monitoring in a clinical trial of weight-loss treatment. Self-monitoring adherence and changes in weight and diet were assessed between 2006 and 2009. The sample (n=192) was 84% female and 78% white, with a mean age of 49 years and body mass index (calculated as kg/m(2)) of 34.1. At baseline, the groups did not differ in energy intake, percent calories from fat, and number of servings of the examined food groups. At 6 months, both groups had significant reductions in weight, energy intake, and percent calories from total fat and saturated fatty acids (P<0.001); no between-group differences were found. Compared to the paper record group, the PDA group significantly increased consumption of fruit (P=0.02) and vegetables (P=0.04) and decreased consumption of refined grains (P=0.02). Interactions among self-monitoring and the two groups were found in relation to changes in percent calories from total fat (P=0.02), monounsaturated fatty acids (P=0.002), and trans-fatty acids (P=0.04). Frequent self-monitoring was significantly associated with total sugar (P=0.02) and added sugar (P=0.01) intake in both groups. Our findings suggest that use of a PDA for self-monitoring might improve self-awareness of behavior and dietary changes.
authors: University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors: Sushama D
authors: SD
authors: Acharya
authors: Okan U
authors: OU
authors: Elci
authors: Susan M
authors: SM
authors: Sereika
authors: Mindi A
authors: MA
authors: Styn
authors: Lora E
authors: LE
authors: Burke
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001364:Awareness; D015992:Body Mass Index; D034201:Computers, Handheld / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015930:Diet Records; D004038:Diet, Reducing / Q000523:psychology* / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy; D050177:Overweight / Q000178:diet therapy*; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology; D012648:Self Care; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012984:Software; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss; D055815:Young Adult