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Observational Study
. 2020 Apr 30;15(4):e0232221.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0232221. eCollection 2020.

Outcomes in a digital weight management intervention with one-on-one health coaching

Jordan M Silberman  1 , Manpreet Kaur  1 , Jakob Sletteland  1 , Aarathi Venkatesan  1
Affiliations
Observational Study

Outcomes in a digital weight management intervention with one-on-one health coaching

Jordan M Silberman et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Background: Some guidelines state that in-person weight management interventions are more efficacious than those delivered digitally. However, digital programs are more scalable and accessible. We hypothesized that one-on-one health coaching via app-based video chat would simulate an in-person experience and help achieve outcomes comparable to those of in-person interventions.

Methods: A 12-month digital weight management intervention was provided to overweight or obese adults recruited from a large technology company. One-on-one health coaching sessions were offered during a 24-week intensive phase as well as subsequent maintenance phase. Focused on sustainable changes in activity and diet, the intervention incorporates SMART goals, in-app food and activity logs, Fitbit integration, as well as optional sleep and stress modules. Self-Determination Theory and the Transtheoretical Model are incorporated to drive behavior change. Multilevel mixed-effects models were used to analyze weight changes retrospectively.

Results: Six hundred eighty-three participants reported 29,051 weights. At 12 months, mean percent changes in body weight were -7.2% and -7.6% for overweight and obese groups, respectively. A weight change of -5% is commonly targeted for in-person weight management interventions. Observed weight loss exceeded this target by 2.2% (95% CI, 0.7% to 3.8%; P < .01) for the overweight group and 2.6% (95% CI, 1.4% to 3.9%; P < .01) for the obese group.

Conclusions: Further research is needed with randomization to in-person or digital interventions. Though limited by an observational, retrospective design, preliminary results suggest that some digital weight management programs with one-on-one coaching may achieve outcomes comparable to those of robust, in-person interventions.

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Conflict of interest statement

We have read the journal's policy and the authors of this manuscript have the following competing interests: JMS, MK, JS, and AV received salary support as well as equity compensation for this research from Vida Health, Inc., San Francisco, CA. This does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Twelve-month adjusted mean weight loss as a percentage of baseline body weight.
A, Mean 12-month weight loss by baseline BMI category. B, Mean 12-month weight loss by gender. C, Mean 12-month weight loss by age group. Error bars represent 95% confidence intervals. *Significantly more weight loss than the 5% benchmark, P < .05. **Significantly more weight loss than the 5% benchmark, P < .01.
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Publication types

Grants and funding

Financial support for this study was provided by Vida Health, Inc., San Francisco, CA. The sponsor had a role in the study design, in the collection of the data, and in preparation and review of the manuscript.