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 and Implications
Smartphone apps could represent a novel and feasible dietary self-monitoring method
for individuals.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
April 2,
2014
Identification
Copyright
© 2014 Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
