GoalTracker: Comparing Self-Monitoring Strategies for Weight Loss
Condition: Obesity; Overweight; Weight Loss
MeSH terms: Overweight; Body Weight; Weight Loss
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      This study is a randomized controlled trial that compares 3 self-monitoring approaches for
      weight loss. GoalTracker is a standalone, technology-based intervention using a commercial
      smartphone app (MyFitnessPal) and email.

      The investigators hypothesize that the group that delays diet tracking and receives
      additional intervention components (weekly personalized feedback, skills training, and action
      plans) will have greater weight loss at the end of the 12-week intervention and at 6-month
      followup, compared to (a) an intervention group that simultaneously tracks weight and diet
      for all 12 weeks and receives the same additional components, and (b) a control group that
      tracks only diet.
    

Detailed description: 
      This study will examine whether a digital health intervention (GoalTracker) can promote
      weight loss among adults who are overweight or obese. Engagement in self-monitoring often
      declines over time, which is then associated with suboptimal weight loss. Finding ways to
      improve self-monitoring engagement, particularly in the first month of treatment, is needed.
      Promoting mastery, self-efficacy, and self-regulatory skills may help with maintaining high
      engagement.

      The investigators aim to enroll 105 participants. All groups are asked to self-monitor daily
      on their smartphone using the free commercial mobile application MyFitnessPal over the course
      of the 12-week intervention.

      Specifically, the study aims to...

        1. Determine the effect of a Sequential self-monitoring intervention, compared to a
           Simultaneous self-monitoring intervention on weight change, caloric intake change, and
           proportion of individuals achieving 5% weight loss.

        2. Determine the effect of the Sequential self-monitoring intervention, compared to the
           Control, on the same variables.

        3. Compare self-monitoring engagement by intervention arm.

        4. Examine the relation between self-monitoring engagement and weight loss.

        5. Investigate theoretical mediators (self-efficacy, mastery, and self-regulation) on the
           relation between treatment arm and weight change.
    

Intervention name(s): self-monitoring of body weight; self-monitoring of diet; weekly personalized feedback + lessons + action plans
Intervention type(s): Behavioral; Behavioral; Behavioral
Intervention description(s): - weigh daily for 3 months and track their weight using the MyFitnessPal mobile app; track their diet (food and drinks) daily using the MyFitnessPal mobile app
when they are asked to track diet will vary based on the arm; - these are additional evidence-based intervention components
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Intervention model description: 12-week randomized controlled trial to compare 3 self-monitoring approaches for weight loss in a digital health intervention for adults who are overweight or obese
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: digital health; eHealth; technology; smartphone; obesity; overweight; weight loss; behavioral intervention; self-monitoring; tracking; engagement; adherence; weight change; e-mail; mobile application; goal setting; action plan; feedback; electronic health