Implementing texting programs in the P.O.W.E.R. (preventing obesity with eating right) medical group visit for weight loss

Abstract

Background The effect of incorporating mobile technology to support participants’ lifestyle change and weight loss in medical group visits has not been well studied in a safety‐net setting. Rationale and Design Thus, the rationale of the current study was to examine the effect of text messaging in a medical group visit, and test the effect of two texting programs (12 weeks and 20 weeks), compared to those who did not receive text‐messaging in the Preventing Obesity With Eating Right (POWER) group visit program. The primary outcome was weight loss. Results We found that those enrolled in the 20‐week and 12‐week texting programs attended more group visit sessions than those enrolled in the POWER group only (p < 0.001). Both POWER and POWER + 20‐week texting groups had a significant reduction in weight at their final group visit compared to their baseline (POWER, 114 ± 27 kg vs. 112 ± 26 kg, p < 0.001; POWER + 20‐week texting, 111 ± 28 kg vs. 109 ± 28 kg, p < 0.01), but not the 12‐week texting group (114 ± 29 kg vs. 113 ± 29 kg, p = 0.22), with no differences between the groups. The number of group visits was correlated with a decrease in weight (rs = 0.12, p < 0.05). Conclusion In conclusion, text messaging programs led to more attendance in the medical group visits, but not greater weight loss or reduction in HbA1c than the POWER group obesity program alone. Further studies are needed to maximize the beneficial effects of texting programs in medical group visits in underserved minority populations.

Can Digital Technologies Be Useful for Weight Loss in Individuals with Overweight or Obesity? A Systematic Review

“…After the full-text assessment of the 133 articles that remained, 102 articles were excluded, 42 of them because they did not pertain to our question, 12 because the individuals were affected by other comorbidities, 16 because they were a different type of study from RCT, 7 because they considered a young age population (<18 years), 4 because did not have control groups, and 21 because they did not consider the assessment of changes in PA. Finally, we included 31 articles that met the inclusion criteria ( Figure 1 ) [ 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 ].…”

“…The included articles were published between 2013 [ 54 ] and 2023 [ 61 , 68 ], and 15 of them were performed in the USA [ 40 , 41 , 42 , 45 , 46 , 51 , 54 , 55 , 58 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 67 ], 9 in Europe [ 38 , 39 , 47 , 49 , 56 , 57 , 59 , 61 , 66 ], 5 in Asia [ 43 , 47 , 52 , 60 , 68 ] and 2 in Australia [ 44 , 50 ]. Both genders were represented in most studies, except in two studies that did not report this information [ 50 , 54 ], and two studies that included only women [ 47 , 48 ].…”

eHealth weight loss interventions for adults with low income: A systematic review.

“…Saldivar et al (2021) tested a non-randomized trial. Patients were asked whether they wanted to participate in the texting program.…”

“…Both the Control (M = −1.9 kg; SD = 9.1) and 20 Week Program groups (M = −1.5 kg; SD = 4.9) achieved significant reductions in weight at their final group visit compared to their baseline, but not the 12 Week Program (M = −0.7 kg; SD = 4.9). Between-group analysis showed no significant difference between groups, indicating that the text messaging component did not provide additional benefit beyond the control condition (i.e., medical group visits alone; Saldivar et al, 2021).…”

“…However, those in the IBWL+$ group lost significantly more weight than the IBWL group (IBWL M % weight loss = 2.6%; SD = 4.6 vs. IBWL+$ M % weight loss = 6.4%; SD = 4.9; Leahey et al, 2018). Saldivar et al (2021) tested a non-randomized trial. Patients were asked whether they wanted to participate in the texting program.…”