Text4Diet: A randomized controlled study using text messaging for weight loss behaviors
Abstract
Objective Text-messaging shows promise as a health intervention. This randomized controlled trial evaluated a daily text-messaging weight loss intervention.Methods Overweight and obese adults (n=170) in California were randomized to receive daily interactive and personally weight-relevant text-messages or monthly e-newsletters. Participants were measured at baseline, 6 and 12 months. Group differences were assessed in weight loss. Relation of text-messaging adherence to weight loss and change in pedometer steps was examined.Results There were no group differences in weight loss over 6 (1.53 lb vs 3.72 lb) or 12 months (2.27 lb vs 3.64 lb; control vs intervention). Text-messaging adherence was moderately strong (60-69%). Participants with greater adherence lost more weight at 6 (p=.039) and 12 months (p=.023) than those who were less adherent. Intervention participants' steps increased almost 3000 steps/day over time (p<.05), and higher step counts were associated with greater weight loss (p<.05). Text-messaging satisfaction was moderate to high, and pedometer-related satisfaction was associated with greater weight loss (p<.05).Conclusions Although text-messaging had no effect on weight, adherence was associated with improvement in weight-related behaviors and weight outcomes. Text-messages could be a useful adjunct to weight loss treatments.
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There have not been any RCTs of a smartphone app as a weight loss intervention in itself using both self-monitoring and text-messaging functions.
“Although there have been RCTs using text-messaging interventions for weight management, PDAs for self-monitoring and smartphone apps as adjuncts to other weight management interventions, to our knowledge there have not been any RCTs of a smartphone app as a weight loss intervention in itself using both self-monitoring and text-messaging functions.”
From Adherence to a Smartphone Application for Weight Loss Compared to Website and Paper Diary: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial (2013) · cites this paper as [12]
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- Authors
- Shapiro, J. R., Koro, T., Doran, N., Thompson, S., Sallis, J. F., Calfas, K., & Patrick, K.
- Affiliations
- Santech (United States) (US)
- University of California San Diego (US)
- Corresponding author
- Shapiro, Jennifer R.
- Venue
- Preventive Medicine
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2012-11
- Volume
- 55
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 412-417
- ISSN
- 0091-7435 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2062892362
- Semantic Scholar
- 7a137607be503b27f6c3cef50bd14d7daabbb7f6
- Cited by
- 151
- References
- 31
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 22 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 20 · 2014: 17 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 26.73
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Preventive Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Research Bank (Australian Catholic University) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- NIH/NCI (4R44CA13801)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mobile Health and mHealth Applications
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Information Systems › Mobile Learning in Education
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Smoking Behavior and Cessation
- Keywords
- text messaging, weight loss, obesity, overweight adults, mobile health intervention, pedometer step counts, intervention adherence, weight-related behaviors, participant satisfaction
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Aged, California, Diet, Reducing, Feasibility Studies, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Motivation, Obesity, Patient Compliance, Prospective Studies, Self Care, Social Support, Weight Loss, Exercise, Linear Models, Patient Satisfaction, Overweight, Text Messaging
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