title: Effects of climatic variables on weight loss: a global analysis.
abstract: Several studies have analyzed the effects of weather on factors associated with weight loss. In this study, we directly analyzed the effect of weather on intentional weight loss using global-scale data provided by smartphone applications. Through Weather Underground API and the Noom Coach application, we extracted information on weather and body weight for each user located in each of several geographic areas on all login days. We identified meteorological information (pressure, precipitation, wind speed, dew point, and temperature) and self-monitored body weight data simultaneously. A linear mixed-effects model was performed analyzing 3274 subjects. Subjects in North America had higher initial BMIs than those of subjects in Eastern Asia. During the study period, most subjects who used the smartphone application experienced weight loss in a significant way (80.39%, p-value < 0.001). Subjects who infrequently recorded information about dinner had smaller variations than those of other subjects (βfreq.users dinner*time= 0.007, p-value < 0.001). Colder temperature, lower dew point, and higher values for wind speed and precipitation were significantly associated with weight loss. In conclusion, we found a direct and independent impact of meteorological conditions on intentional weight loss efforts on a global scale (not only on a local level).
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Morena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ustulin
authors.affiliation: Division Biomedical Research Institute, Geference Inc., Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Changwon
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Keum
authors.affiliation: Data and Analytics, KPMG LLP, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Junghoon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Woo
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong-Taek
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Woo
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Youl
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Rhee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D057231:Climate Change; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005843:Geography; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D062486:Public Health Surveillance; D000068997:Smartphone; D014887:Weather; D015431:Weight Loss