title: Smartloss: A Personalized Mobile Health Intervention for Weight Management and Health Promotion.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Synonymous with increased use of mobile phones has been the development of mobile health (mHealth) technology for improving health, including weight management. Behavior change theory (eg, the theory of planned behavior) can be effectively encapsulated into mobile phone-based health improvement programs, which is fostered by the ability of mobile phones and related devices to collect and transmit objective data in near real time and for health care or research professionals and clients to communicate easily.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe SmartLoss, a semiautomated mHealth platform for weight loss.
  
  
  METHODS
  We developed and validated a dynamic energy balance model that determines the amount of weight an individual will lose over time if they are adherent to an energy intake prescription. This model was incorporated into computer code that enables adherence to a prescribed caloric prescription determined from the change in body weight of the individual. Data from the individual are then used to guide personalized recommendations regarding weight loss and behavior change via a semiautomated mHealth platform called SmartLoss, which consists of 2 elements: (1) a clinician dashboard and (2) a mobile phone app. SmartLoss includes and interfaces with a network-connected bathroom scale and a Bluetooth-connected accelerometer, which enables automated collection of client information (eg, body weight change and physical activity patterns), as well as the systematic delivery of preplanned health materials and automated feedback that is based on client data and is designed to foster prolonged adherence with body weight, diet, and exercise goals. The clinician dashboard allows for efficient remote monitoring of all clients simultaneously, which may further increase adherence, personalization of treatment, treatment fidelity, and efficacy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Evidence of the efficacy of the SmartLoss approach has been reported previously. The present report provides a thorough description of the SmartLoss Virtual Weight Management Suite, a professionally programmed platform that facilitates treatment fidelity and the ability to customize interventions and disseminate them widely.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SmartLoss functions as a virtual weight management clinic that relies upon empirical weight loss research and behavioral theory to promote behavior change and weight loss.
authors.affiliation: Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA, United States.
authors.forename: Corby K
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8125-4015
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: L Anne
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2612-2538
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Gilmore
authors.forename: John W
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8492-7820
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Apolzan
authors.forename: Candice A
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1923-3448
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Myers
authors.forename: Diana M
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2641-9304
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Leanne M
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7267-7374
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Redman
keywords: SmartLoss; app; eHealth; mHealth; mobile phone; mobile website; telehealth; weight loss