Real-time fluctuations in mindful awareness, willingness, and values clarity, and their associations with craving and dietary lapse among those seeking weight loss

Abstract Objectives We examined whether a diet personalized to reduce postprandial glycemic response (PPGR) to foods increases weight loss self-efficacy. Methods The Personal Diet Study is an ongoing clinical trial that aims to compare two weight loss diets: a one-size-fits-all, calorie-restricted, low-fat diet (Standardized) versus a diet having the same calorie restriction but utilizing a machine learning algorithm to predict and reduce PPGR (Personalized). Both groups receive the same behavioral counseling to enhance weight loss self-efficacy. Both groups self-monitor dietary intake using a mobile app, with Standardized receiving real-time feedback on calories and macronutrient distribution, and Personalized receiving real time feedback on calories, macronutrient distribution, and predicted PPGR. We examined changes in self-efficacy between baseline and 3 mos, using the 20-item Weight Efficacy Lifestyle questionnaire (WEL). Linear mixed models were used to analyze differences, adjusting for age, gender, and race. Results The analyses included the first 75 participants to complete 3-mos assessments (41 Personalized and 34 Standardized). The majority of the participants were white (69.3%), female (61.3%), with a mean age of 61.7 years (SD = 9.9) and BMI of 33.4 kg/m2 (SD = 4.8). At baseline, WEL scores were similar between the 2 groups [Standardized WEL: 118.8 (SD = 27.6); Personalized WEL: 124.9 (SD = 29.5), P = 0.47]. At 3 mos, the WEL score was significantly improved in both groups [16.0 (SD = 4.1) in the Standardized group (P < 0.001) and 7.4 (SD = 3.7) in the Personalized group (P = 0.048)], but the between group difference was not significant (P = 0.12). Conclusions Personalized feedback on predicted PPGRs does not appear to enhance weight loss self-efficacy at 3 mos. The lack of significance may be related to the short follow-up period in these preliminary analyses, the small sample accrued to date, or the fact that WEL is designed to assess confidence in various situations (e.g., depressed, anxious) that may not be impacted by personalization. These analyses will be replicated with a larger sample using data obtained through the 6-mos follow-up. New self-efficacy measures may be required to assess the impact of personalized dietary counseling. Funding Sources This research was supported by the American Heart Association.

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Contextual, Real-Time Micro-Nudges Improve Eating Mindfulness and are Associated with Weight Loss (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.14497 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Katherine Nameth ◽

Lisa C Offringa ◽

Katelijn Vleugels ◽

Christopher Gardner ◽

Dena Bravata

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

Behavior Change ◽

Real Time ◽

Average Weight ◽

Mindful Eating ◽

Dominant Hand ◽

Obese People ◽

Novel Technology ◽

Management Interventions ◽

Drinking Behaviors

BACKGROUND Most obesity management interventions do not achieve sustained behavior change and, thus, do not result in long term weight loss. A promising approach to weight loss involves mindful eating coaching, which increases awareness of internal cues including hunger and satiety. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of a novel technology that promotes mindful eating and drinking behaviors by providing contextual, real-time micro-nudges on wrist-worn wearable devices. OBJECTIVE Evaluate the use of a novel technology, promoting mindful eating and drinking behaviors using contextual micro-nudges on a wrist-worn device, and assess how it facilitates behavior change and weight loss. METHODS Participants used the mindful eating technology for 5 weeks. The primary outcomes of interest collected at the end of the intervention were user acceptability and engagement. Secondary outcomes collected before and at the end of the intervention were mindfulness while eating, consumptions behaviors, and weight loss. RESULTS 17 overweight and obese people completed the intervention. They found the technology to be highly acceptable: 75% reported that using the wearable on their dominant hand felt natural; 88% found it convenient to keep their phone nearby and use the wearable all day; 75% did not find the wearable’s vibrations (haptic) associated with the micro-nudges to be disruptive to the meal experience; 88% enjoyed having the Klue metrics visible on their wearable at all times. On average, the duration of the intervention was 34.2 days (SD 1.2). On average, participants used the app for all but 1.8 (SD 2.0) days, 13.0 (SD 1.0) hours per day when active, received to 27.2 micro-nudges (notifications) per day and engaged in 13.9 daily interactive coaching moments. Moreover, 94% of participants significantly improved their scores on the validated Mindful Eating Questionnaire (P=.001). Similarly, 94% of participants reported improving at least one consumption behavior during the study and 77% reported improving three or more consumption behaviors (e.g., eating more mindfully, remaining well hydrated). Average weight loss was 1.3kg (SD 2.3, P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS The novel technology evaluated in this study provided real-time micro-nudges on a wrist-worn wearable that were acceptable to users and used frequently. Technologies such as these that interact with the user in-the-moment as behaviors are developing may lead to sustained engagement and could have a significant role in increasing mindful eating and producing positive behavior changes associated with successful weight loss. CLINICALTRIAL Stanford e-Protocol #39068

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The Effect of Weight Loss on Serum Mannose-Binding Lectin Levels

Clinical and Developmental Immunology ◽

10.1155/2012/354894 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

P. H. Høyem ◽

J. M. Bruun ◽

S. B. Pedersen ◽

S. Thiel ◽

B. Richelsen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

Adipose Tissue ◽

Real Time ◽

Liver Tissue ◽

Human Adipose Tissue ◽

Mannose Binding Lectin ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Mannose Binding ◽

Binding Lectin

Background. Serum levels of the mannose-binding lectin (MBL), which is an activator of the complement system, have been considered as a pathogenic factor in a broad range of diseases, and means of modulating MBL are therefore being evaluated. In this study we examine the effects of weight loss on MBL levels, and in continuation of this if MBL is synthesized in human adipose tissue.Methods. 36 nondiabetic obese subjects received a very low-calorie diet (VLCD) of 800 kcal/day for 8 weeks. Blood samples were collected at baseline and after VLCD. Furthermore, we measured MBL mRNA levels by the real-time RT-PCR on human adipose tissue compared to liver tissue.Results. The mean body weight was reduced from106.3±2.6 kg to92.8±2.4 kg,P<0.0001. Median MBL at baseline was 746 μg/L (IQR 316–1190) versus 892 μg/L (IQR 336–1511) after 8 weeks,P=0.23. No correlations were found between weight loss and changes in MBL (r=-0.098,P=0.57). MBL real-time RT-PCR showed no expression of mRNA in adipose tissue, but as expected a good expression in liver tissue was seen.Conclusions. MBL levels are not affected by weight loss and MBL is not synthesized in human adipose tissue.

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Abstract MP15: Promoting Lifestyle Change Via Real-time Feedback: Short-term Weight Loss Outcomes In The Smarter Trial

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.143.suppl_1.mp15 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 143 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Lora E Burke ◽

Susan M Sereika ◽

Zhadyra Bizhanova ◽

Bambang Parrmanto ◽

Jacob Kariuki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Weight Loss ◽

Real Time ◽

Self Report ◽

Short Term ◽

Percent Weight Loss ◽

Treatment Groups ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Weight Loss Outcomes ◽

Non Parametric

Background: Obesity is a major risk factor for CVD. Standard behavioral treatment (SBT) typically requires face-to-face sessions, is expensive, has limited evidence for sustained weight loss, and critically, is not available to many with obesity. Using innovative mobile technology to provide real-time tailored feedback (FB) to the self-monitoring (SM) of diet, physical activity, and weight can improve lifestyle and weight management habits. It can be accessible to those without access to SBT, or to those not wishing to participate in a structured, in-person program. We report short-term, 6-month weight findings from the SMARTER Trial. Methods: SMARTER tests the efficacy of adding automated FB to smartphone SM compared to SM alone on weight loss. We randomized 502 adults with overweight/obesity to either 1) SM alone (n=251) or 2) SM+FB (n=251). The SM+FB group received up to 3 FB pop-up messages/day on their smartphone which were tailored to data in SM entries and delivered at random times during waking hours. Participants used a smartphone app to self-report diet, a Fitbit Charge 2 to monitor physical activity, and a digital Bluetooth scale for weight tracking. At baseline, all had a 90-min one-on-one session with a dietitian on behavioral changes to target weight loss. Percent weight loss from baseline to 6 months and the percentage of participants having at least a 5% weight loss at 6 months were compared between treatment groups using an intention to treat (ITT) approach with either parametric or non-parametric group comparisons. Missing assessment weights at 6 months were imputed using participants’ weight tracking data. Results: Groups had similar demographic characteristics and anthropometric measures at baseline (all p≥.05). The sample was mostly female (79.5%,399/502) and white (84.3%, 423/502) with mean BMI of 33.10 ± 3.93 kg/m 2 . There was no difference between groups in having weight data available at 6 months (SM: 84.9%, 213/251), SM+FB: 83.7%, 210/251); p=.713). Based on ITT analyses, there was no significant difference between the two groups in mean percent weight loss from baseline to 6 months (SM: Mean= -3.24% [SD=5.27], SM+FB: Mean= -3.16% [SD=5.50]; p=.860). Similar results were obtained using non-parametric methods, further supporting no difference in percent weight loss between the groups (SM: Median= -2.25% [IQR=5.53], SM+FB: Median= -2.45% [IQR=6.88]; p=.962). Overall, 30.1%,151/502) achieved at least 5% weight loss at 6 months, with similar percentages between treatment groups (SM: 28.3%,71/251, SM+FB: 31.9%, 80/251); p=.381). Conclusions: These findings demonstrate excellent 6-month assessment completion rates. We did not support our hypothesis that participants in the SM+FB group would show greater weight loss at 6 months than those in the SM group. It is possible that weight loss outcomes may differ between groups in the second half of the 12-month intervention.

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A TENSION APPARATUS FOR MONITORING WEIGHT LOSS FROM A SINGLE CORE

Canadian Journal of Soil Science ◽

10.4141/cjss90-011 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 70 (1) ◽

pp. 105-107

Author(s):

A. V. RODD ◽

D. H. WEBSTER

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

Key Words ◽

Real Time ◽

Soil Core

A top loading balance can be used to monitor and record drainage from a soil core. Possible applications of the apparatus are discussed. Key words: Tension apparatus, real-time weight loss, soil core

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Mindful Eating, General Mindful Awareness, and Acceptance as Predictors of Weight Loss

Mindfulness ◽

10.1007/s12671-020-01493-5 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (12) ◽

pp. 2818-2827

Author(s):

Jena S. Tronieri ◽

Thomas A. Wadden ◽

Rebecca L. Pearl ◽

Robert I. Berkowitz ◽

Naji Alamuddin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

Mindful Eating ◽

Mindful Awareness ◽

Predictors Of Weight Loss

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Acute Weight Loss Restores Dysregulated Circulating MicroRNAs in Individuals Who Are Obese

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism ◽

10.1210/jc.2018-00684 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 104 (4) ◽

pp. 1239-1248 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Patrick Manning ◽

Pujika Emani Munasinghe ◽

Jayanthi Bellae Papannarao ◽

Andrew R Gray ◽

Wayne Sutherland ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

Real Time ◽

Real Time Pcr ◽

Pcr Analysis ◽

Control Group ◽

Plasma Samples ◽

Circulating Micrornas ◽

Global Epidemic ◽

Lean Control ◽

Before And After

Abstract Context Obesity is a global epidemic and an independent risk factor for several diseases. miRNAs are gaining interest as early molecular regulators of various pathological processes. Objective To examine the miRNA signatures in women who are obese and determine the response of miRNAs to acute weight loss. Methods Plasma samples were collected from women who are obese (n = 80) before and after acute weight loss (mean, 7.2%). Plasma samples from age-matched lean volunteers (n = 80) were used as controls. Total RNA was extracted from the plasma samples and subjected to NanoString analysis of 822 miRNAs. The expression level of candidate miRNAs was validated in all participants using quantitative real-time PCR analysis. Results NanoString analysis identified substantial dysregulation of 21 miRNAs in women who are obese that were associated with impaired glucose tolerance, senescence, cardiac hypertrophy, angiogenesis, inflammation, and cell death. Acute weight loss reversed the expression pattern of 18 of these miRNAs toward those seen in the lean control group. Furthermore, real-time PCR validation of all the samples for 13 miRNAs with at least twofold upregulation or downregulation confirmed substantial dysregulation of all the chosen miRNAs in women who are obese at baseline. After acute weight loss, the levels of seven miRNAs in women who are obese and who are lean were comparable, with no statistically significant evidence for differences between the two groups. Conclusions Our study has provided evidence that the circulating miRNAs associated with various disorders are dysregulated in women who are obese. We also found that seven of these miRNAs showed levels comparable to those in lean controls after acute weight loss in women who are obese.

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