title: Combined use of a wristband and a smartphone to reduce body weight in obese children: randomized controlled trial.
abstract: Technological instruments may help control paediatric obesity.
  
  
  
  We tested whether a personalized programme based on the energy expenditure obtained from a wristband (WB) and the energy intake obtained from a smartphone application (APP) is superior to a standard approach at promoting weight loss.
  
  
  
  We performed a randomized controlled trial in obese children aged 10-17 years. The experimental (EXP) and control (CTR) groups were given a low-energy diet and a prescription for physical activity. The EXP group was equipped with a WB and an APP and given personalized feedback every 7 days. The main outcome was weight loss at 3 months.
  
  
  
  The mean (standard deviation) z-score of body mass index at the enrollment was 2.20 (0.47) in the EXP (n = 16 out of 23) and 2.09 (0.34) in the CTR group (n = 14 out of 20) of children who completed the trial. The mean (95%CI) difference in weight loss at 3 months was 0.07 kg (95%CI: 2.81 to 2.96) for EXP vs. the CTR.
  
  
  
  A personalized lifestyle programme based on a WB and an APP was not superior to a standard lifestyle programme at promoting weight loss in obese children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Vittore Buzzi, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mameli
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Vittore Buzzi, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brunetti
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Vittore Buzzi, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Colombo
authors.affiliation: Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Liver Research Center, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bedogni
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Luigi Sacco Hospital, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Vittore Buzzi, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Penagini
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Vittore Buzzi, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Borsani
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Vittore Buzzi, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: G V
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Zuccotti
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D031204:Caloric Restriction / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002149:Energy Intake; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D015444:Exercise; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D063731:Mobile Applications; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000628:therapy*; D000068997:Smartphone; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs / Q000379:methods*
keywords: children; obesity; remote sensing technology; smartphone