Conclusion These studies provide preliminary evidence suggesting that EAMS can increase physical activity and decrease weight significantly , but their efficacy compared to other interventions has not yet been demonstrated .
Background Obesity is a growing global health concern that may lead to cardiovascular disease , type II diabetes , and cancer .
Several systematic review s have shown that technology is successful in combating obesity through increased physical activity , but there is no known review on interventions that use an electronic activity monitor system ( EAMS ) .
EAMSs are defined as a wearable device that objective ly measures lifestyle physical activity and can provide feedback , beyond the display of basic activity count information , via the monitor display or through a partnering application to elicit continual self-monitoring of activity behavior .
These devices improve upon st and ard pedometers because they have the ability to provide visual feedback on activity progression , verbal encouragement , and social comparison .
This systematic review aim ed to synthesize the efficacy and feasibility results of EAMSs within published physical activity interventions .
Tweets, Apps, and Pods: Results of the 6-Month Mobile Pounds Off Digitally (Mobile POD) Randomized Weight-Loss Intervention Among Adults
Background Previous interventions have shown promising results using theory-based podcasts to deliver a behavioral weight-loss intervention . Objective The objective of our study was to examine whether a combination of podcasting , mobile support communication , and mobile diet monitoring can assist people in weight loss  . Methods In this 6-month , minimal contact intervention , overweight ( n = 96 , body mass index 32.6 kg/m2 ) adults were recruited through television advertisements and email listservs and r and omly assigned to Podcast-only or Podcast+Mobile groups . Both groups received 2 podcasts per week for 3 months and 2 minipodcasts per week for months 3–6 . In addition to the podcasts , the Podcast+Mobile group was also instructed to use a diet and physical activity monitoring application ( app ) on their mobile device and to interact with study counselors and other participants on Twitter . Results Weight loss did not differ by group at 6 months : mean –2.7 % ( SD 5.6 % ) Podcast+Mobile , n = 47 ; mean –2.7 % ( SD 5.1 % ) Podcast , n = 49 ; P = .98 . Days/week of reported diet monitoring did not differ between Podcast+Mobile ( mean 2.3 , SD 1.9 days/week ) and Podcast groups ( mean 1.9 , SD 1.7 days/week ; P = .28 ) but method of monitoring did differ . Podcast+Mobile participants were 3.5 times more likely than the Podcast group to use an app to monitor diet ( P = .01 ) , whereas the majority of Podcast participants reported using the Web ( 14/41 , 34 % ) or paper ( 12/41 , 29 % ) . There were more downloads per episode in the Podcast+Mobile group ( 1.4/person ) than in the Podcast group ( 1.1/person ; P < .001 ) . The number of podcasts  participants reported downloading over the 6-month period was significantly moderately correlated with weight loss in both the Podcast+Mobile ( r = –.46 , P = .001 ) and the Podcast ( r = –.53 , P < .001 ) groups . Podcast+Mobile participants felt more user control at 3 months ( P = .02 ) , but not at 6 months , and there was a trend ( P = .06 ) toward greater elaboration among Podcast+Mobile participants . There were significant differences in reported source of social support between groups . More Podcast participants relied on friends ( 11/40 , 28 % vs 4/40 , 10 % ; P = .045 ) whereas Podcast+Mobile participants relied on online sources ( 10/40 , 25 % vs 0/40 ; P = .001 ) . Conclusions Results confirm and extend previous findings showing a minimally intensive weight-loss intervention can be delivered via podcast , but prompting and mobile communication via Twitter and monitoring app without feedback did not enhance weight loss . Trial Registration Clinical trials.gov NCT01139255 ; http:// clinical trials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01139255 ( Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/625OjhiDy
Conclusion These studies provide preliminary evidence suggesting that EAMS can increase physical activity and decrease weight significantly , but their efficacy compared to other interventions has not yet been demonstrated .
Background Obesity is a growing global health concern that may lead to cardiovascular disease , type II diabetes , and cancer .
Several systematic review s have shown that technology is successful in combating obesity through increased physical activity , but there is no known review on interventions that use an electronic activity monitor system ( EAMS ) .
EAMSs are defined as a wearable device that objective ly measures lifestyle physical activity and can provide feedback , beyond the display of basic activity count information , via the monitor display or through a partnering application to elicit continual self-monitoring of activity behavior .
These devices improve upon st and ard pedometers because they have the ability to provide visual feedback on activity progression , verbal encouragement , and social comparison .
This systematic review aim ed to synthesize the efficacy and feasibility results of EAMSs within published physical activity interventions .