title: Dietary self-monitoring, but not dietary quality, improves with use of smartphone app technology in an 8-week weight loss trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Dietary self-monitoring is linked to improved weight loss success. Mobile technologies, such as smartphone applications (apps), might allow for improved dietary tracking adherence. The authors assessed the use of a popular smartphone app for dietary self-monitoring and weight loss by comparing it with traditional diet counseling and entry methods.
  
  
  METHODS
  Diet tracking and weight loss were compared across participants during an 8-week weight loss trial. Participants tracked intake using 1 of 3 methods: the mobile app "Lose It!", the memo feature on a smartphone, or a traditional paper-and-pencil method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  App users (n = 19) recorded dietary data more consistently compared with the paper-and-pencil group (n = 15; P = .042) but not the memo group (n = 13). All groups lost weight over the course of the study (P = .001), and no difference in weight loss was noted between groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Smartphone apps could represent a novel and feasible dietary self-monitoring method for individuals.
authors.affiliation: School of Nutrition and Health Promotion, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ. Electronic address: christopher.wharton@asu.edu.
authors.forename: Christopher M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Wharton
authors.affiliation: School of Nutrition and Health Promotion, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ.
authors.forename: Carol S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.affiliation: School of Nutrition and Health Promotion, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ.
authors.forename: Barbara K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Cunningham
authors.affiliation: School of Nutrition and Health Promotion, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ.
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sterner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D040421:Cell Phone; D004032:Diet / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D063731:Mobile Applications / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs / Q000379:methods*
keywords: apps; dietary self-monitoring; smartphones; weight loss