Physical Activity Self-Monitoring and Weight Loss

Abstract

Introduction Weight loss has been associated with higher physical activity (PA) levels and frequent dietary self-monitoring. Less is known about how PA self-monitoring affects adherence to PA goals, PA levels and weight change. Methods The SMART Trial is a clinical weight loss trial in which 210 overweight adults were randomized equally to one of three arms: 1) paper record (PR); 2) personal digital assistant with self-monitoring software (PDA); and 3) PDA with daily tailored feedback message (PDA+FB). PA self-monitoring and adherence to PA goals were based on entries in weekly submitted diaries. PA levels were measured via self-report by the past 6 month Modifiable Activity Questionnaire at baseline and 6 months. Results Data are presented on 189 participants with complete 6-month PA data [84% female, 77% White, mean age: 47.3 ± 8.8 years, mean BMI: 34.1 ± 4.5 kg/m2]. Median PA level was 7.96 MET-hr-wk−1 at baseline and 13.4 MET-hr-wk−1 at 6 months, with significant PA increases in all three arms. PDA+FB arm had a higher mean number of weekly self-monitoring entries than the PR arm (3.4 vs. 2.4; p=0.003) and were more likely to maintain high (i.e., 100%) adherence to PA goals over time than the PDA (p=0.02) or PR arms (p=0.0003). Both PA self-monitoring and adherence to PA goals were related to higher PA levels at 6 months. A higher mean rate of PA self-monitoring was associated with a greater percentage of weight decrease (rho=−0.49; p<0.0001) at 6 months. Conclusions PA self-monitoring and adherence to PA goals were more likely in participants in the PDA+FB arm and in turn predicted higher PA levels and weight loss.

Guidelines for Rehabilitation in Patients With Cardiovascular Disease (JCS 2012)

“…It has been demonstrated that ICTbased lifestyle interventions are beneficial helping the patient to reduce body weight, stop using tobacco, and continue exercise training programs. [369][370][371][372] In Australia, the Australian e-Health Research Centre (AEHRC) is conducting a RCT of patients recovering from a MI, comparing an ICT-based cardiac rehabilitation program, in which all elements of cardiac rehabilitation (education, instruction, setting goals, and counseling) are enacted using mobile phones and the Internet, with a conventional homebased cardiac rehabilitation program. 373 Figure 15.…”

Feasibility and Potential Benefits of a Self-Monitoring Enhanced Lifestyle Intervention to Prevent Excessive Gestational Weight Gain in Women Who Are Overweight or Obese

“…In our study, the attrition rates were 27.3% by T2 and 40.9% by T3. Previous studies, which ranged from 6 weeks to 18 months of self-monitoring, reported attrition rates of 22% to 72% (Burke et al, 2012;Conroy et al, 2011;Donaldson et al, 2013;Hood et al, 2013;Kong et al, 2012;Steinberg et al, 2013;Wing et al, 2006). The longer a study, the higher the attrition rate was.…”

“…Among them, self-monitoring with at least one of the other four selfregulatory strategies (prompt intention, specific goal setting, review of behavioral goals, and feedback) are significantly more effective than interventions without these strategies in changing lifestyle behaviors (effect size .54 vs. .24 for healthy eating and .38 vs. .27 for physical activity) (Bird et al, 2013;Michie, Abraham, Whittington, & McAteer, 2009). Among non-pregnant adults who perform self-monitoring, increased frequency of self-monitoring of diet, physical activity, or weight is linked to eating less fat and getting more exercise and to decreased waist circumference and weight loss (Burke et al, 2012;Conroy et al, 2011;Kong et al, 2012).…”

“…Information on how to conduct self-monitoring and self-monitoring adherence data was not reported. Previous selfmonitoring studies in non-pregnant overweight/obese adults reported compliance rates of 22% to 72%, ranging from 6 weeks to 18 months of self-monitoring (Burke et al, 2012;Conroy et al, 2011;Donaldson et al, 2013;Hood et al, 2013;Kong et al, 2012;Steinberg et al, 2013;Wing et al, 2006). Information on how pregnant women respond to and comply with performing selfmonitoring has not been well documented in the literature.…”

A Behavioral Lifestyle Intervention Enhanced With Multiple-Behavior Self-Monitoring Using Mobile and Connected Tools for Underserved Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes and Comorbid Overweight or Obesity: Pilot Comparative Effectiveness Trial (Preprint)

“…Fourth, our measure on adherence to self-monitoring of physical activity depended on patient adherence to the recommended physical activity behaviors. While this approach has been used in several other studies [26,33], it may underestimate the actual adherence to self-monitoring of physical activity. For example, our adherence to self-monitoring of physical activity was lower than adherence dietary self-monitoring, which could suggest that participants did not exercise at all on that particular day, they did not bother to enter 0 for exercise minutes, and instead, they left it blank.…”