Website Usage and Weight Loss in a Free Commercial Online Weight Loss Program: Retrospective Cohort Study
Open accessAbstract
BACKGROUND: Online weight loss programs are increasingly popular. However, little is known about outcomes and associations with website usage among members of free online weight loss programs. OBJECTIVE: This retrospective cohort study examined the association between website usage and weight loss among members of a free commercial online weight loss program (SparkPeople). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of a systematic random sample of members who joined the program during February 1 to April 30, 2008, and included follow-up data through May 10, 2010. The main outcome was net weight change based on self-reported weight. Measures of website usage included log-ins, self-monitoring entries (weight, food, exercise), and use of social support tools (discussion forums, friendships). RESULTS: The main sample included 1258 members with at least 2 weight entries. They were 90.7% female, with mean (SD) age 33.6 (11.0) and mean (SD) BMI 31.6 (7.7). Members with at least one forum post lost an additional 1.55 kg (95% CI 0.55 kg to 2.55 kg) relative to those with no forum posts. Having at least 4 log-in days, weight entry days, or food entry days per 30 days was significantly associated with weight loss. In the multiple regression analysis, members with at least 4 weight entry days per 30 days reported 5.09 kg (95% CI 3.29 kg to 6.88 kg) more weight loss per 30 days than those with fewer weight entry days. After controlling for weight entry days, the other website usage variables were not associated with weight change. CONCLUSIONS: Weekly or more frequent self-monitoring of weight is associated with greater weight loss among members of this free online weight loss program.
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In a free online weight loss program, more frequent weight monitoring was associated with greater weight loss.
“Another study on members of a free online weight loss program found that more frequent weight monitoring was associated with greater weight loss, but no association was found between dietary monitoring frequency and weight loss [13].”
From Factors related to sustained use of a free mobile app for dietary self-monitoring with photography and peer feedback: retrospective cohort study (2014) · cites this paper as [13]
In a free online weight loss program, no association was found between dietary monitoring frequency and weight loss.
“Another study on members of a free online weight loss program found that more frequent weight monitoring was associated with greater weight loss, but no association was found between dietary monitoring frequency and weight loss [13].”
From Factors related to sustained use of a free mobile app for dietary self-monitoring with photography and peer feedback: retrospective cohort study (2014) · cites this paper as [13]
The pattern of easy joining and trying out without serious intention or commitment is similar to most free apps.
“This is similar to most free apps, which are easy to join and try out even if there is no serious intention or commitment to start using the app [13,25].”
From Factors related to sustained use of a free mobile app for dietary self-monitoring with photography and peer feedback: retrospective cohort study (2014) · cites this paper as [13]
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- Authors
- Hwang, K. O., Ning, J., Trickey, A. W., & Sciamanna, C. N.
- Affiliations
- Memorial Hermann (US)
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (US)
- Pennsylvania State University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Hwang, Kevin O
- Venue
- Journal of Medical Internet Research
- Publisher
- JMIR Publications Inc.
- Published
- 2013-01-15
- Volume
- 15
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- e11
- ISSN
- 1438-8871 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC3636231
- OpenAlex
- W1994762622
- Cited by
- 53
- References
- 36
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 9
- FWCI
- 10.87
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- cc-by
- Locations
- Journal of Medical Internet Research (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Digital Commons-TMC (Texas Medical Center) (submittedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Funders
- University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
- National Cancer Institute (P30CA016672)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mobile Health and mHealth Applications
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior
- Keywords
- online weight loss program, website usage, weight loss, self-monitoring, social support, online forums
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Female, Humans, Male, Obesity, Online Systems, Retrospective Studies, Self Care, Social Support, United States, Cohort Studies, Weight Loss, Telemedicine, Internet, Overweight, Young Adult, Weight Reduction Programs
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