Losing weight and keeping it off is a constant challenge for many people living with obesity. Researchers wanted to see if a personalized digital tool could make a difference compared to standard weight loss advice sent through emails and an eBook.
For 90 days, one group used a digital system that tracked their daily behaviors to create a custom plan. The other group received general advice. At the six-month mark, both groups saw similar results in weight loss. However, at the one-year mark, those using the tailored digital tool lost more weight than those receiving the standard advice.
While the difference at one year was not statistically significant, the trend was promising for long term weight maintenance. The study did face some hurdles, including a higher than expected number of people dropping out because the pandemic made in person checkups difficult. These results suggest that personalized digital tools could be a helpful way to support people on their weight loss journeys.
