Background As obesity rates rise, new weight loss methods are needed. Little is known about the use of podcasting (audio files for a portable music player or computer) to promote weight loss, despite its growing popularity. Design A 12-week randomized controlled trial. Setting/Participants Overweight men and women (body mass index, 25–40 kg/m2) (n=78) in the Raleigh–Durham, NC area. Intervention In 2008, participants were randomly assigned to receive 24 episodes of a currently available weight loss podcast (control podcast) or a weight loss podcast based on social cognitive theory (SCT) designed by the researchers (enhanced podcast) for 12 weeks. Main outcome measures Weight was measured on a digital scale at baseline and follow-up. Both groups also completed questionnaires assessing demographic information, food intake, physical activity, and SCT constructs at the introductory and 12-week meetings. Additional questionnaires at the 12-week meeting assessed perceptions of the intervention. Results Data collection and analysis occurred in 2008 and intention-to-treat was used. Enhanced group participants (n=41) had a greater decrease in weight (−2.9 ± 3.5 kg enhanced group vs −0.3 ± 2.1 control group; P < 0.001 between groups) and BMI (−1.0 ± 1.2 kg/m2 enhanced group vs −0.1 ± 0.7 kg/m2 control group; P < 0.001 between groups) than the control group (n=37) and had greater weight loss–related knowledge (P < 0.05), elaboration (P < 0.001), and user control (P < 0.001) and less cognitive load (P < 0.001). Conclusions The results of this study suggest that the use of behavioral, theory-based podcasting may be an effective way to promote weight loss.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the effects of the combination of a low-fat plant-based diet and soybeans on the frequency and severity of menopausal hot flashes. Methods: Postmenopausal women ( n = 38) reporting two or more hot flashes/day were randomly assigned to a low-fat, vegan diet, including ½ cup (86 g) of cooked soybeans daily, or to no diet changes for 12 weeks. Frequency and severity of hot flashes were recorded using a mobile application, and vasomotor, psychosocial, physical, and sexual symptoms were assessed using the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire. Significance was assessed using t -tests (continuous outcomes) and chi-squared/McNemar tests (binary outcomes). Results: Total hot flashes decreased 79% in the intervention group ( P < 0.001) and 49% in the control group ( P = 0.002; between-group P = 0.01). Moderate-to-severe hot flashes decreased 84% in the intervention group ( P < 0.001) and 42% in the control group P = 0.009; between-group P = 0.01). From 0 to 12 weeks, 59% (10/17) of intervention-group participants reported becoming free of moderate and severe hot flashes ( P = 0.002). There was no change in this variable in the control group (between-group P < 0.001). The Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire revealed significantly greater reductions in the intervention group in vasomotor ( P < 0.0001), psychosocial ( P = 0.04), physical ( P < 0.002), and sexual ( P = 0.01) domains. Conclusions: The combination of a low-fat, vegan diet and whole soybeans was associated with reduced frequency and severity of hot flashes and improved quality of life in vasomotor, psychosocial, physical, and sexual domains in postmenopausal women. During the 12-week study period, the majority of intervention-group participants became free of moderate-to-severe hot flashes. Video Summary : .

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