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Cited by 247Obesity, Physical Activity, DietPharmacology and Obesity TreatmentMobile Health and mHealth Applications

A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Commercial Internet Weight Loss Program

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Womble, Leslie G., Wadden, Thomas A., McGuckin, Brian G., Sargent, Stephanie L., Rothman, Rebecca A., Krauthamer‐Ewing, E. Stephanie·2004·Obesity Research
DOI 10.1038/oby.2004.124
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Abstract

Objective: To assess, in a 1‐year randomized controlled trial, the efficacy of eDiets.com (a commercial Internet weight loss program) in improving weight, cardiovascular health, and quality of life. Research Methods and Procedures: Participants were 47 women with a mean age of 43.7 ± 10.2 (SD) years and a mean BMI of 33.5 ± 3.1 kg/m 2. They were randomly assigned to either: 1) eDiets.com, a commercial Internet‐based program available to the public; or 2) a weight loss manual (i.e., LEARN Program for Weight Control 2000). At baseline, participants in both groups met briefly with a psychologist who instructed them to follow the components of their program as closely as possible. Additional brief visits were provided at weeks 8, 16, 26, and 52 to review their progress. Change in weight was the main outcome measure. Results: At week 16, participants in eDiets.com lost 0.9 ± 3.2% of initial weight compared with 3.6 ± 4.0% for women assigned to the weight loss manual. At week 52, losses increased to 1.1 ± 4.0% and 4.0 ± 5.1%, respectively. Results of a last‐observation‐carried‐forward analysis found that women in the manual group lost significantly (p < 0.05) more weight (at both times) than those treated by eDiets.com. (Results, however, of baseline‐carried‐forward and completers analyses did not reach statistical significance.) There were no significant differences between groups in changes in cardiovascular risk factors or quality of life. Discussion: This study provides consumers with important information about the probable benefits they can expect from participating in a popular Internet‐based weight loss program.

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  • Internet-based weight-loss programmes have mostly been labour-intensive, requiring considerable counselling input from health-care professionals.

    “Many have used email or telephone to support a web-based programme with weekly assignments. They have mostly been labour-intensive, requiring considerable counselling input from health-care professionals.”

    From Weight loss by mobile phone: a 1-year effectiveness study (2009) · cites this paper as [6]

  • Previous research into the effectiveness of Internet-based weight-loss programmes has presented short- to medium-term results indicating slightly better performance or no difference when compared with traditional programmes.

    “Previous research into the effectiveness of Internet-based weight-loss programmes (4-7) has presented short- to medium-term results indicating slightly better performance or no difference when compared with traditional programmes.”

    From Weight loss by mobile phone: a 1-year effectiveness study (2009) · cites this paper as [6]

  • Long-term (12-month) reductions in weight and waist circumference in the experimental group were equal to or greater than those previously reported from minimal-contact or minimal-advice programmes and from more labour-intensive Internet-based programmes.

    “Long-term (12-month) reductions in weight and waist circumference in the experimental group were equal to or greater than those previously reported from minimalcontact or minimal-advice programmes (15-19) and from more labour-intensive Internet-based programmes (1,3-7) .”

    From Weight loss by mobile phone: a 1-year effectiveness study (2009) · cites this paper as [6]

  • Web-based programs containing questionable information or lacking accepted theoretical foundations are unlikely to be effective.

    “Web-based programs containing questionable information or lacking accepted theoretical foundations are unlikely to be effective [28,29].”

    From A field test of a web-based workplace health promotion program to improve dietary practices, reduce stress, and increase physical activity: randomized controlled trial. (2007) · cites this paper as [29]

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Tate DF, Jackovny EH, Wing RR. Effects of Internet be- havioral counseling on weight loss in adults at risk for type 2 diabetes. JAMA. 2003;289:1833-6.
  2. Internet Weight Loss Program, Womble et al. 1018 OBESITY RESEARCH Vol. 12 No. 6 June 2004 15508528, 2004, 6, · DOI

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Authors
Womble, L. G., Wadden, T. A., McGuckin, B. G., Sargent, S. L., Rothman, R. A., & Krauthamer‐Ewing, E. S.
Affiliations
University of Pennsylvania (US)
Corresponding author
Womble, Leslie G.
ORCID
Wadden, Thomas A.
Venue
Obesity Research
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2004-06
Volume
12
Issue
6
Pages
1011-1018
ISSN
  • 1071-7323 (ISSN-L)
  • 1550-8528
DOI
10.1038/oby.2004.124
OpenAlex
W1973371137
Cited by
247
References
27
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 20 · 2013: 21 · 2012: 9
FWCI
13.08
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor, 3019 d)
Locations
  • Obesity Research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (K24-DK-065)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Pharmacology and Obesity Treatment
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mobile Health and mHealth Applications
Keywords
weight loss efficacy, overweight women, cardiovascular risk factors, quality of life
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Blood Glucose, Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, Diet, Reducing, Feeding Behavior, Female, Humans, Life Style, Lipids, Middle Aged, Obesity, Quality of Life, Weight Loss, Internet

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