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Open Access 01-12-2019 | Obesity | Research article

A smartphone based attentive eating intervention for energy intake and weight loss: results from a randomised controlled trial

Authors: Victoria Whitelock, Inge Kersbergen, Suzanne Higgs, Paul Aveyard, Jason C. G. Halford, Eric Robinson

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2019

Abstract

Background

Laboratory studies suggest that eating more ‘attentively’ (e.g. attending to food being eaten and recalling eating episodes) can reduce food intake among participants with both healthy weight and overweight. The aim of this trial was to assess whether a smartphone application that encourages a more attentive eating style reduces energy intake and promotes weight loss.

Methods

In an open-label, single centre, parallel groups, individually randomised controlled trial, 107 adults with overweight/obesity in Merseyside, UK used an attentive eating smartphone application along with standard dietary advice (intervention group) or standard dietary advice only (control group) for 8 weeks. The primary outcomes were change in body weight at 8 weeks and energy intake at 4 and 8 weeks. Additional outcomes included self-reported eating behaviours measured at 8 weeks. Differences between groups were assessed with linear regression (adjusted) using multiple imputation for missing data. Study protocol registered prospectively at (https://doi.org/10.17605/osf.io/btzhw).

Results

There was no significant difference between the intervention and control group in weight lost at 8 weeks, or change in self-reported 24 h or objective taste-test energy intake at 4 or 8 weeks. Mean weight loss in the intervention group (n = 53) was 1.2 kg and 1.1 kg in the control group (n = 54), adjusted difference of − 0.10 (− 1.6 to 1.3) kg. Self-reported eating behaviours at 8 weeks also did not differ across groups. The intervention was largely used as intended and a per protocol analysis confined to participants in the intervention group that used the attentive eating smartphone application regularly and as intended also showed no effect on energy intake or weight loss.

Conclusions

A smartphone based attentive eating intervention and standard dietary advice did not result in reduced energy intake or greater weight loss at 4 or 8 week follow-up than standard dietary advice alone.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03602001. Registered retrospectively on 26th July 2018.

Prospectively registered on the Open Science Framework on 11th August 2017.

Available only for authorised users

In the pre-registered protocol we planned to use multiple imputation to impute missing data for additional outcomes, however, values for additional outcome variables could not be obtained within a reasonable number of case and parameter draws, and so last observation carried forward was used instead.

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Title: A smartphone based attentive eating intervention for energy intake and weight loss: results from a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Victoria Whitelock
Inge Kersbergen
Suzanne Higgs
Paul Aveyard
Jason C. G. Halford
Eric Robinson
Publication date: 01-12-2019
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Obesity
Obesity
Overweight
Published in: BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-6923-x

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

A smartphone based attentive eating intervention for energy intake and weight loss: results from a randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Trial registration

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Trial registration

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