Full metadata
Title
Smart phones and dietary tracking: a feasibility study
Description
Dietary self-monitoring has been shown to be a predictor of weight loss success and is a prevalent part of behavioral weight control programs. As more weight loss applications have become available on smartphones, this feasibility study investigated whether the use of a smartphone application, or a smartphone memo feature would improve dietary self-monitoring over the traditional paper-and-pencil method. The study also looked at whether the difference in methods would affect weight loss. Forty-seven adults (BMI 25 to 40 kg/m2) completed an 8-week study focused on tracking the difference in adherence to a self-monitoring protocol and subsequent weight loss. Participants owning iPhones (n=17) used the 'Lose It' application (AP) for diet and exercise tracking and were compared to smartphone participants who recorded dietary intake using a memo (ME) feature (n=15) on their phone and participants using the traditional paper-and-pencil (PA) method (n=15). There was no significant difference in completion rates between groups with an overall completion rate of 85.5%. The overall mean adherence to self-monitoring for the 8-week period was better in the AP group than the PA group (p = .024). No significant difference was found between the AP group and ME group (p = .148), or the ME group and the PA group (p = .457). Weight loss for the 8 week study was significant for all groups (p = .028). There was no significant difference in weight loss between groups. Number of days recorded regardless of group assignment showed a weak correlation to weight loss success (p = .068). Smartphone owners seeking to lose weight should be encouraged by the potential success associated with dietary tracking using a smartphone app as opposed to the traditional paper-and-pencil method.
Date Created
2012
Contributors
- Cunningham, Barbara (Author)
- Wharton, Christopher (Christopher Mack), 1977- (Thesis advisor)
- Johnston, Carol (Committee member)
- Hall, Richard (Committee member)
- Arizona State University (Publisher)
Topical Subject
Resource Type
Extent
x, 94 p. : col. ill
Language
eng
Copyright Statement
In Copyright
Primary Member of
Peer-reviewed
No
Open Access
No
Handle
https://hdl.handle.net/2286/R.I.9316
Statement of Responsibility
by Barbara Cunningham
Description Source
Retrieved Sept. 14, 2012
Level of coding
full
Note
thesis
Partial requirement for: M.S., Arizona State University, 2012
bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (p. 56-62)
Field of study: Nutrition
System Created
- 2011-08-12 04:52:33
System Modified
- 2021-08-30 01:52:04
- 3 years 2 months ago
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