title: A text message based weight management intervention for overweight adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Weight management interventions can be extended using mobile telephone technology to deliver support in real-time, real-world settings. The present study aimed to determine whether text messaging helped patients maintain or lose weight following a weight-loss programme.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this controlled study, overweight and obese [body mass index (BMI) >30 kg m(-2) or >28 kg m(-2) with co-morbidities] adults who completed a weight-loss programme participated in an additional 12-week text message intervention [Lifestyle, Eating and Activity Programme (LEAP) Beep]. Patients were allocated goals for steps, fruit, vegetable and breakfast consumption. Patients regularly 'texted' their progress and received tailored practitioner feedback. Pre/post-intervention body weight, waist circumference (WC), BMI, quality of life (QOL), anxiety and depression measurements were compared retrospectively with a control group offered weight checks only.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to control (n = 17), the intervention group's (n = 17) body weight, WC and BMI reduced significantly (-1.6 versus 0.7 kg, P = 0.006; -2.2 versus 1.5 cm, P = 0.0005; -0.6 versus 0.7 kg m(-2) , P = 0.03, respectively). QOL and depression scores also improved (-6.8 versus 1 point, P = 0.134; -0.2 versus 0.2 points, P = 0.228). No difference was observed in anxiety scores between the groups. Intervention versus control group follow-up attendance improved significantly (4.4 versus 1.7 attendances, P = 0.0005).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LEAP Beep promoted losses in weight, WC and BMI, and improved QOL parameters and follow-up attendance. Text messaging is a cheap, portable, convenient and innovative medium facilitating goal setting, self-monitoring and information exchange. Further improvements to automation at the same time as maintaining individual support are necessary to ease practitioner burden. Text messaging offers cost-efficient dietetic input, opening up possibilities for practitioner-to-patient support and yields positive weight outcomes following initial weight loss.
authors.affiliation: Leicestershire Nutrition & Dietetic Services, Leicestershire, UK.
authors.forename: E L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Donaldson
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fallows
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morris
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy; D050177:Overweight / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D060145:Text Messaging; D055105:Waist Circumference; D015431:Weight Loss; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs / Q000379:methods*
keywords: mobile telephone; obesity; quality of life; self-monitoring; weight maintenance