Mobile Phone App for Self-Monitoring of Eating Rhythm: Field Experiment (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Temporal aspects of eating are an integral part of healthy eating, and regular eating has been associated with good diet quality and more successful weight control. Unfortunately, irregular eating is becoming more common. Self-monitoring of behavior has been found to be an efficient behavioral change technique, but the solution should be simple enough to ensure long-lasting adherence. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore the influence of self-monitoring of daily eating pattern with mobile phone app on eating rhythm, eating behavior tendencies, and the underlying motives and attitudes related to eating. METHODS A mobile phone app, Button, was developed for effortless self-monitoring of eating rhythm. The feasibility of the app was tested in a 30-day intervention. The participants (N=74) recorded their eating occasions during the intervention by pressing a button in the app widget. RESULTS The average interval between meals increased (96 [SD 24] min during the first 10 days vs 109.1[SD 36.4] during the last 10 days) and the number of daily eating occasions decreased (4.9 [SD 0.9] during the first 10 days vs 4.4 [SD 0.9] during the last 10 days). The tendencies for cognitive restraint, emotional eating, and uncontrolled eating increased. Eating-related attitudes and motives remained largely unchanged. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that a simple self-monitoring tool is able to draw a user’s attention to eating and is a potential tool to aid people to change their eating rhythm.

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ADIPOQ gene is linked to emotional eating behaviour in young Nigerian adults independent of psychological traits

Bulletin of the National Research Centre ◽

10.1186/s42269-020-00450-5 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 44 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Awoyemi Abayomi Awofala ◽

Olusegun Emmanuel Ogundele ◽

Khalid Olajide Adekoya

Keyword(s):

Emotional Eating ◽

Genetic Variant ◽

Eating Behaviour ◽

Biological Factors ◽

Psychological Traits ◽

Adipoq Gene ◽

Cognitive Restraint ◽

Beta Coefficient ◽

And Gender ◽

Uncontrolled Eating

Abstract Background A disturbance in eating behaviour (EB) is the hallmark of patients with eating disorders, and depicts a complex interaction of environmental, psychological and biological factors. In the present study, we propose a model of association of genetic susceptibility—represented by adiponectin (ADIPOQ) gene—with eating behavioural and psychological traits. Results Evaluation of the distribution of a polymorphism of the ADIPOQ (rs1501299 G > T) with respect to three EB factors involving cognitive restraint, uncontrolled eating and emotional eating revealed that T-allele in rs1501299 was associated with a decreased susceptibility to emotional EB in codominant (e.g., GG vs. TT) (beta-coefficient [β] = 2.39, 95% Confidence interval [CI] = − 4.02, − 0.76; p value [p] = 0.02), recessive (GG + GT vs. TT) (β = − 2.77, 95% CI = − 3.65, − 0.69; p = 0.005) and additive (GG = 0, GT = 1, TT = 2) (β = − 1.02, 95% CI = − 1.80, − 0.24; p = 0.01) models of inheritance. The presence of the T-allele was not significantly associated with psychological factors involving depression, anxiety and stress. Finally, none of the psychological traits significantly predicted any of the EB factors after controlling for age, body weight and gender. Conclusions Our data suggest that genetic variant in ADIPOQ locus may influence human emotional eating behaviour.

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Eating behaviors and weight loss outcomes in a 12-month randomized trial of diet and/or exercise intervention in postmenopausal women

International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity ◽

10.1186/s12966-019-0887-1 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Caitlin Mason ◽

Jean de Dieu Tapsoba ◽

Catherine Duggan ◽

Ching-Yun Wang ◽

Catherine M. Alfano ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

Binge Eating ◽

Postmenopausal Women ◽

Eating Behavior ◽

Emotional Eating ◽

Eating Behaviors ◽

Dietary Intervention ◽

Restrained Eating ◽

Dietary Weight Loss ◽

Uncontrolled Eating

Abstract Background Certain eating behaviors are common among women with obesity. Whether these behaviors influence outcomes in weight loss programs, and whether such programs affect eating behaviors, is unclear. Methods Our aim was to examine the effect of baseline eating behaviors on intervention adherence and weight among postmenopausal women with overweight or obesity, and to assess intervention effects on eating behaviors. Four hundred and 39 women (BMI ≥25 kg/m2) were randomized to 12 months of: i) dietary weight loss with a 10% weight loss goal (‘diet’; n = 118); ii) moderate-to-vigorous intensity aerobic exercise for 225 mins/week (‘exercise’; n = 117); iii) combined dietary weight loss and exercise (‘diet + exercise’; n = 117); or iv) no-lifestyle change control (n = 87). At baseline and 12 months, restrained eating, uncontrolled eating, emotional eating and binge eating were measured by questionnaire; weight and body composition were assessed. The mean change in eating behavior scores and weight between baseline and 12 months in the diet, exercise, and diet + exercise arms were each compared to controls using the generalized estimating equation (GEE) modification of linear regression adjusted for age, baseline BMI, and race/ethnicity. Results Baseline restrained eating was positively associated with change in total calories and calories from fat during the dietary intervention but not with other measures of adherence. Higher baseline restrained eating was associated with greater 12-month reductions in weight, waist circumference, body fat and lean mass. Women randomized to dietary intervention had significant reductions in binge eating (− 23.7%, p = 0.005 vs. control), uncontrolled eating (− 24.3%, p < 0.001 vs. control), and emotional eating (− 31.7%, p < 0.001 vs. control) scores, and a significant increase in restrained eating (+ 60.6%, p < 0.001 vs. control); women randomized to diet + exercise reported less uncontrolled eating (− 26.0%, p < 0.001 vs. control) and emotional eating (− 22.0%, p = 0.004 vs. control), and increased restrained eating (+ 41.4%, p < 0.001 vs. control). Women randomized to exercise alone had no significant change in eating behavior scores compared to controls. Conclusions A dietary weight loss intervention helped women modify eating behaviors. Future research should investigate optimal behavioral weight loss interventions for women with both disordered eating and obesity. Trial registration NCT00470119 (https://clinicaltrials.gov). Retrospectively registered May 7, 2007.

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Discrepancies Between Clinician and Participant Intervention Adherence Ratings Predict Percent Weight Change During a Six-Month Behavioral Weight Loss Intervention

Translational Behavioral Medicine ◽

10.1093/tbm/ibab011 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 1006-1014

Author(s):

Michael P Berry ◽

Elisabeth M Seburg ◽

Meghan L Butryn ◽

Robert W Jeffery ◽

Melissa M Crane ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

Weight Change ◽

Weight Control ◽

Calorie Intake ◽

Behavioral Weight Loss ◽

Weight Loss Treatment ◽

Self Monitoring ◽

Weight Control Behaviors ◽

Behavioral Weight Loss Intervention ◽

Behavioral Weight Loss Treatment

Abstract Background Individuals receiving behavioral weight loss treatment frequently fail to adhere to prescribed dietary and self-monitoring instructions, resulting in weight loss clinicians often needing to assess and intervene in these important weight control behaviors. A significant obstacle to improving adherence is that clinicians and clients sometimes disagree on the degree to which clients are actually adherent. However, prior research has not examined how clinicians and clients differ in their perceptions of client adherence to weight control behaviors, nor the implications for treatment outcomes. Purpose In the context of a 6-month weight-loss treatment, we examined differences between participants and clinicians when rating adherence to weight control behaviors (dietary self-monitoring; limiting calorie intake) and evaluated the hypothesis that rating one’s own adherence more highly than one’s clinician would predict less weight loss during treatment. Methods Using clinician and participant-reported measures of self-monitoring and calorie intake adherence, each assessed using a single item with a 7- or 8-point scale, we characterized discrepancies between participant and clinician adherence and examined associations with percent weight change over 6 months using linear mixed-effects models. Results Results indicated that ratings of adherence were higher when reported by participants and supported the hypothesis that participants who provided higher adherence ratings relative to their clinicians lost less weight during treatment (p < 0.001). Conclusions These findings suggest that participants in weight loss treatment frequently appraise their own adherence more highly than their clinicians and that participants who do so to a greater degree tend to lose less weight.

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Session 23: Maintaining Motivation

Effective Weight Loss ◽

10.1093/med:psych/9780190232023.003.0024 ◽

2016 ◽

pp. 139-144

Author(s):

Evan M. Forman ◽

Meghan L. Butryn

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

Weight Control ◽

Hard Work ◽

Short Term ◽

Self Monitoring ◽

Healthy Behaviors ◽

Weight Control Behaviors ◽

Motivate Behavior ◽

Do So

This chapter (Session 23) discusses how to maintain long-term motivation for weight control by focusing on the importance of values to motivate behavior, even if short-term reward of weight control behaviors is decreasing (e.g., weight loss is slowing, self-monitoring is becoming tiresome). Clients are encouraged to view the hard work of weight control as working toward their values and to use the skill of willingness to continue to engage in healthy behaviors, even when it is difficult uncomfortable to do so.

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Feasibility of using a peer coach to deliver a behavioral intervention for promoting postpartum weight loss in Black and Latina mothers

Translational Behavioral Medicine ◽

10.1093/tbm/ibaa096 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Sharon J Herring ◽

Veronica M Bersani ◽

Christine Santoro ◽

Saleemah J McNeil ◽

Linda M Kilby ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

Ethnic Minority ◽

Weight Control ◽

Peer Coaching ◽

Minority Women ◽

Weight Loss Intervention ◽

Self Monitoring ◽

Latina Mothers ◽

Ethnic Minority Women ◽

Postpartum Weight

Abstract Peer coaching may provide a culturally relevant and potentially scalable approach for delivering postpartum obesity treatment. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of peer coaching to promote postpartum weight loss among ethnic minority women with obesity. This pilot study was a prospective, parallel-arm, randomized controlled trial. Twenty-two obese, Black or Latina mothers ≤6 months postpartum were recruited from the Philadelphia Special Supplemental Nutrition Education Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and randomly assigned to either: (a) a peer-led weight loss intervention (n = 11) or (b) usual WIC care (n = 11). The intervention provided skills training and problem solving via six calls and two in-person visits with a Black mother trained in behavioral weight control strategies. Text messaging and Facebook served as platforms for self-monitoring, additional content, and interpersonal support. Both arms completed baseline and 14 week follow-up assessments. All participants were retained in the trial. Intervention engagement was high; the majority (55%) responded to at least 50% of the self-monitoring text prompts, and an average of 3.4 peer calls and 1.7 visits were completed. Mean weight loss among intervention participants was −1.4 ± 4.2 kg compared to a mean weight gain of 3.5 ± 6.0 kg in usual WIC care. Most intervention participants strongly agreed that the skills they learned were extremely useful (90%) and that the coach calls were extremely helpful for weight control (80%). Results suggest the feasibility of incorporating peer coaching into a postpartum weight loss intervention for ethnic minority women with obesity. Future research should examine the sustained impact in a larger trial.

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LB1094 Usability testing of MySkinSelfie- A mobile phone application for skin self-monitoring

Journal of Investigative Dermatology ◽

10.1016/j.jid.2019.06.059 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 139 (9) ◽

pp. B13

Author(s):

P.J. Hampton

Keyword(s):

Mobile Phone ◽

Usability Testing ◽

Self Monitoring ◽

Mobile Phone Application

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Eating Behaviours and Food Cravings; Influence of Age, Sex, BMI and FTO Genotype

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu11020377 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 377 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Hanan Abdella ◽

Hameida El Farssi ◽

David Broom ◽

Dawn Hadden ◽

Caroline Dalton

Keyword(s):

Mediation Analysis ◽

Fast Food ◽

Emotional Eating ◽

Food Craving ◽

Eating Behaviours ◽

Food Cravings ◽

Linked Gene ◽

Cognitive Restraint ◽

Fatty Food ◽

Uncontrolled Eating

Previous studies indicate that eating behaviours and food cravings are associated with increased BMI and obesity. However, the interaction between these behaviours and other variables such as age, sex, BMI and genetics is complex. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between eating behaviours and food cravings, and to examine the influence of age, sex, body mass index (BMI) and fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) genotype on these relationships. A total of 475 participants (252 female, 223 male, BMI: 25.82 ± 6.14 kg/m2, age: 30.65 ± 14.20 years) completed the revised 18-question version of the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ-R18) to assess cognitive restraint, uncontrolled eating and emotional eating, and the Food Cravings Inventory (FCI) to assess cravings for fatty food, sweet food, carbohydrates and fast food. DNA samples were genotyped for the rs9939609 polymorphism in the obesity-linked gene FTO. Questionnaire data was analysed for associations between the TFEQ-R18 and FCI subscales for the whole study group, and the group divided by sex, genotype and age (≤25 years versus >25 years). Finally, mediation analysis was used to explore the relationships between BMI, cognitive restraint and food cravings. FTO AA + AT genotype was associated with increased BMI, but not with differences in eating behavior scores or food craving scores; age was associated with increased BMI and decreases in food craving scores in which this effect was stronger in women compared to men. Increased cognitive restraint was associated with decreased food craving scores in the ≤25 years group. Mediation analysis demonstrated that in this group the association between BMI and reduced food cravings was mediated by cognitive restraint indicating that in this age group individuals use cognitive restraint to control their food cravings. The positive correlation between age and BMI confirms previous results but the findings of this study show that age, sex, FTO genotype and BMI have an influence on the relationships between eating behaviours and food cravings and that these variables interact.

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Reducing Excessive Gestational Weight Gain: Lessons from the Weight Control Literature and Avenues for Future Research

Women s Health ◽

10.2217/whe.11.70 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 7 (6) ◽

pp. 641-661 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Suzanne Phelan ◽

Kris Jankovitz ◽

Todd Hagobian ◽

Barbara Abrams

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

Gestational Weight Gain ◽

Weight Control ◽

Future Research ◽

Self Monitoring ◽

Gestational Weight ◽

Excessive Gestational Weight Gain ◽

Daily Diet ◽

Potential Applications ◽

In Pregnancy

Excessive gestational weight gain is a prevalent problem and an independent predictor of future obesity in both mothers and offspring. Intervention research to prevent excessive gestational weight gain is still in its infancy but results to date have been quite modest. Research in weight control outside of pregnancy over the past 30 years has been more robust and identified several key components of effective programs, including use of caloric restriction, daily diet self-monitoring, self-weighing, behavior therapy and ongoing patient–provider contact. The aim of this article is to summarize intervention components shown to be effective in promoting successful weight control outside of pregnancy and explore potential applications in pregnancy. Available evidence suggests that the strategies shown to be effective for weight control outside of pregnancy may also promote better weight control in pregnancy, but several lines for future investigation remain.

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