JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

There is evidence that motivated people with a less than ideal Body Mass Index (BMI) shown digital and personalised images of their slimmer future body will be triggered to achieve that new body shape.

Objective:

To assess whether digital avatars can trigger weight management action.

Methods:

A prospective cohort study followed up participants for 12 weeks through 5 recorded interviews. The intervention, the FutureMe app© delivered at the second interview was a digital tool to trigger efforts at weight management. Participants were screened for suitability for the study using the Cosmetic Procedure Screening Questionnaire (COPS) as a measure of body dysmorphia. Participants completed the readiness for change (S-Weight) survey based on Prochaska’s Stages of Change Model and processes of change (P-Weight) survey. The FutureMe app© provided each participant an opportunity to see an avatar of themselves as they might appear in the future depending on their diet and exercise. Any changes in diet, exercise or weight were self-reported.

Results:

Eighty seven people were recruited and forty-two participants completed the study (48% of recruited participants). The majority (88.5%) of participants were female with fewest participants aged between 18 -25 years. The average BMI was 34.1 + 4.8. Most people wanted to reduce to a BMI of 30, and or wanted to shed on average 10.5 kilograms (Kgs) within 13 weeks (-0.8kgs per week). Most participants stated that they would achieve these results by limiting their calorie intake and taking the equivalent of one hour of bicycling per day. At interview 1, more participants were in the preparation stage than in subsequent interviews. By interview 5, most of the participants were at the maintenance stage. The data suggests that participants were triggered and more likely to take weight management action.

Conclusions:

Avatar based digital triggers are promising tools for initiating weight management. However, individuals need to be supported to achieve their weight management goals. Clinical Trial: The study is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): ACTRN12619001481167; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=378055&isReview=true.