A Randomized Trial Comparing Human e-Mail Counseling, Computer-Automated Tailored Counseling, and No Counseling in an Internet Weight Loss Program

Tate DF, Jackvony EH, Wing RR. Arch Intern Med 2006;166:1620-1625.

Objective

To compare the effectiveness of e-mail counseling on weight loss.

Methods

One hundred ninety-two adults, aged 49.2±9.8 years, having a BMI 32.7 ± 3.5, were randomized to one of three Internet treatment groups: No counseling, computer-automated feedback, or human e-mail counseling. All participants were seen in the clinic at baseline, 3 and 6 months for objective measurement of body weight and completion of questionnaires. A standard 1200-1500 kcal/day diet was recommended based on baseline weight and encouraged 2 meal replacement liquid Slim-Fast^® beverages to help meet caloric goals. All participants were also instructed on how to use the Slim-Fast website, which included weekly reporting and graphs of weight, weekly e-mail prompts to report weight, weekly weight loss tips via e-mail, recipes, and a weight loss e-buddy network.

Results

At 3 months, participants in the computer-automated feedback (-5.3 ± 4.2 kg) and human e-mail counseling (-6.1 ± 3.9 kg) groups had significantly greater weight losses compared with the no counseling group (-2.8 ± 3.5 kg). At 6 months, weight losses were significantly greater in the human e-mail counseling group (-7.3 ± 6.2 kg) than in the computer-automated feedback (-4.9 ± 5.9 kg) or no counseling (-2.6 ± 5.7 kg) groups.

Summary

Internet behavioral weight loss programs providing weekly feedback about weight, diet, and activity from either a computer-automated program or a human e-mail counselor produced significant weight loss and both were more effective during the first 3 months than was a weight loss web site that provided no feedback on behavioral change.

Return to: Previous Page

Back to: Articles and Abstracts