Accepted for/Published in: JMIR mHealth and uHealth
Date Submitted: Mar 16, 2023
Date Accepted: Jun 3, 2024
A Mobile-Based Platform with a Low-Calorie Dietary Intervention Involving Prepackaged Food for Weight Loss for People with Overweight and Obesity in China: Half-Year Follow-Up Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial
ABSTRACT
Background:
Obesity is a rapidly increasing health problem in China, causing massive economic and health losses annually. To help patients with obesity to better adhere to intervention programs and achieve their weight loss goals, many techniques have emerged, including food replacements and internet-delivered weight loss consultations. Most studies on weight loss interventions mainly focused on the change in body weight or body mass index; however, body fat, especially visceral fat mass, is considered the main pathogenic factor in obesity. In China, more reliable evidence on this topic is required. Moreover, it is unclear whether an integrated weight loss program combining food replacement products, mobile app-based platforms, and daily monitoring of body composition using a wireless scale is useful and practical in China
Objective:
In this two-arm, parallel-designed, randomized study, we explored the effectiveness and safety of the Metawell weight loss program, which combines prepackaged biscuits, a wireless scale, and a mobile app, in China.
Methods:
Participants in the intervention group were guided to use food replacement products and a scale for weight loss and monitoring, whereas participants in the control group received printed material with a sample diet as well as face-to-face education on weight loss at enrollment. The intervention lasted for 3 months, and follow-up visits were conducted at months 3 and 6 after enrollment. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and quantitative computed tomography were used to assess the body fat of the participants. A multilevel model for repeated measurements was used to compare the difference between the two groups.
Results:
Two hundred and twenty patients were randomly assigned to the intervention (n=110) and control (n=110) groups. Participants in the intervention group had significantly greater decreases in body mass index, total body fat, visceral adipose area, and subcutaneous adipose area (all P<.001) than those in the control group. However, the difference in the change rate of lean mass was not significantly different between the two groups (P=.62). Thirty-five participants reported adverse events in the intervention group. Constipation was the most frequently reported adverse event (11/110), followed by dizziness (6/110), hypoglycemia (4/110), fatigue (3/110), and gastritis (3/35).
Conclusions:
The Metawell program is effective for weight loss. After the intervention, participants in the intervention group lost more body weight and body fat while retaining muscle mass than those in the control group. Clinical Trial: http://www.chictr.org.cn/ ChiCTR1900021630
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