Mobile health messages help sustain recent weight loss.
BACKGROUND
Using regulatory focus theory, an intervention of daily weight loss-sustaining messages was developed and tested for acceptability, feasibility, and efficacy on helping people sustain weight loss.


METHODS
Participants (n = 120) were randomized to a promotion, prevention, or an attention-control text message group after completion of a weight loss program. Participants completed baseline assessments, and reported their weight at 1 and 3 months postbaseline.


RESULTS
Participants found the message content and intervention acceptable and valuable. A minimum of one message per day delivered at approximately 8:00 am was deemed the optimal delivery time and frequency. The sustained weight loss rate at month 3 for the control, promotion, and prevention groups was 90%, 95%, and 100%, respectively. Medium-to-large effects were observed for the promotion and prevention groups at month 1 and for prevention at month 3 relative to controls. The mean weight loss for promotion and prevention was 15 pounds, compared with 10 in the controls at month 3.


CONCLUSIONS
A clinically significant decrease in mean weight, higher rate of sustained weight loss, and medium-to-large effects on sustained weight loss occurred in the promotion and prevention interventions. Tools such as this text message-based intervention that are constructed and guided by evidence-based content and theoretical constructs show promise in helping people sustain healthy behaviors that can lead to improved health outcomes.
Duke University School of Nursing, Durham, NC; Center for Health Services Research in Primary Care, Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC. Electronic address: ryan.shaw@duke.edu.
Ryan J
RJ
Shaw
Hayden B
HB
Bosworth
Susan S
SS
Silva
Isaac M
IM
Lipkus
Linda L
LL
Davis
Ronald S
RS
Sha
Constance M
CM
Johnson
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D057194:Intention to Treat Analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012927:Social Control, Informal; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000379:methods*; D060145:Text Messaging; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs / Q000379:methods*
Behavior change; Informatics; Mobile health; Obesity; SMS; Text messaging; Weight loss; mHealth