TY - JOUR
T1 - Smartphone Technology and Text Messaging for Weight Loss in Young Adults
T2 - A Randomized Controlled Trial
AU - Stephens, Janna D.
AU - Yager, Allison M.
AU - Allen, Jerilyn
N1 - Funding Information:
Research in this publication was supported by the National Institute of Nursing Research of the National Institute of Health under award numbers 1T32NR012704 (Cardiovascular Research Training Grant) and F31NR013811 (National Research Service Award). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
PY - 2017/1/1
Y1 - 2017/1/1
N2 - Background: Using smartphone technology and text messaging for health is a growing field. This type of technology is well integrated into the lives of young adults. However, few studies have tested the effect of this type of technology to promote weight loss in young adults Objective: The purpose of this study is to test the effectiveness of a behaviorally based smartphone application for weight loss combined with text messaging from a health coach on weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference in young adults as compared with a control condition. Methods: Sixty-two young adults, aged 18 to 25 years, were randomized to receive (1) a smartphone application + health coach intervention and counseling sessions or (2) control condition with a counseling session. All outcome measures were tested at baseline and 3 months. These included weight, BMI, waist circumference, dietary habits, physical activity habits, and self-efficacy for healthy eating and physical activity. Results: The sample was 71% female and 39% white, with an average age of 20 years and average BMI of 28.5 kg/m2. Participants in the smartphone + health coach group lost significantly more weight (P =.026) and had a significant reduction in both BMI (P =.024) and waist circumference (P <.01) compared with controls. Conclusions: The results of this weight loss trial support the use of smartphone technology and feedback from a health coach on improving weight in a group of diverse young adults.
AB - Background: Using smartphone technology and text messaging for health is a growing field. This type of technology is well integrated into the lives of young adults. However, few studies have tested the effect of this type of technology to promote weight loss in young adults Objective: The purpose of this study is to test the effectiveness of a behaviorally based smartphone application for weight loss combined with text messaging from a health coach on weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference in young adults as compared with a control condition. Methods: Sixty-two young adults, aged 18 to 25 years, were randomized to receive (1) a smartphone application + health coach intervention and counseling sessions or (2) control condition with a counseling session. All outcome measures were tested at baseline and 3 months. These included weight, BMI, waist circumference, dietary habits, physical activity habits, and self-efficacy for healthy eating and physical activity. Results: The sample was 71% female and 39% white, with an average age of 20 years and average BMI of 28.5 kg/m2. Participants in the smartphone + health coach group lost significantly more weight (P =.026) and had a significant reduction in both BMI (P =.024) and waist circumference (P <.01) compared with controls. Conclusions: The results of this weight loss trial support the use of smartphone technology and feedback from a health coach on improving weight in a group of diverse young adults.
KW - self-efficacy
KW - text messaging
KW - weight loss
KW - young adult
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U2 - 10.1097/JCN.0000000000000307
DO - 10.1097/JCN.0000000000000307
M3 - Article
C2 - 26646593
AN - SCOPUS:84949425773
SN - 0889-4655
VL - 32
SP - 39
EP - 46
JO - Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing
JF - Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing
IS - 1
ER -