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The only complete diet
and exercise program that fits in the palm of your hand
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Computerized Self-Management for the Treatment of Obesity
Albert Jerome, Ph.D.
Lee W. Frederiksen, Ph.D.
Candace B. Frederiksen, Ph.D.
Health Innovations, Inc., Reston, VA
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Presented at the 25th Annual Convention of the
Association for the Advancement of Behavior Therapy, New York, N.Y.,
November, 1991.
This research was funded in part by a grant from the National
Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) (1
R43 DK42397).
Address all correspondence pertaining to this presentation to Dr.
Neal R. Boyd, PICS, Inc., 12007 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, VA.
20191.
Introduction
We describe preliminary results from an ongoing clinical trial
conducted with a weight-management program implemented via a
hand-held microcomputer. The program--DietMate--combines
microcomputer technology with concepts from nutrition science,
behavior modification, and exercise physiology to provide an
interactive, self-help approach to weight loss. Data on
effectiveness and user satisfaction collected after 12 weeks of
treatment are provided.
DietMate
 | Comprehensive weight management program implemented via a
hand-held microcomputer. |
| Combines microcomputer technology with principles from
nutrition science, behavioral psychology and exercise physiology.
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| Computer individualizes a nutritionally balanced menu plan and
exercise program that adjust dynamically for within treatment
behavior and changes in weight. |
| Behavioral principles such as prompting, self-monitoring, goal
setting, shaping, and feedback are used to modify eating and
exercise behaviors. |
| Emphasis is on gradual behavior change in eating and exercise
habits to promote long-term maintenance of weight loss.
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| Storage of weekly summary data for up to 2 years and daily
variables for 14 days. |
| PC interface allows for uploading of data for storage and
analysis. |
Subjects
Subjects were 19 women and 9 men recruited through newspaper
announcements for research volunteers. Mean age of subjects was 44.6
years (SD = 7.7), and subjects had completed a mean of 15.3 years of
education (SD = 2.5). Subjects were a mean of 26.2% over their ideal
body weight (SD = 14.4), and had a mean Body Mass Index of (BMI)
33.6 (SD = 7.3). All subjects had previous dieting experience.
Procedures
Baseline assessment included demographics, dieting history, a
variety of physical measurements, and questions concerning
expectancies for success and level of motivation. Subjects met in
small groups to receive computers, written materials, and
instructions. Treatment was run in a self-help format. Subjects met
with a research technician three times during treatment to upload
computer data, weigh in, and fill out satisfaction ratings.
funded in part by grants from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood
Institute (1 R43 HL44260) and the National Institute
Results
Twenty-one subjects completed 12 weeks of treatment. Subjects
lost a mean of 10 lbs. (SD = 6.7). Mean loss per week was .83 lbs.
(SD = .56). Weight, BMI, systolic blood pressure, and pulse rate
decreased significantly from pre-treatment to post-treatment, while
self-rated body satisfaction increased significantly. Subjects
reported a high level of overall satisfaction with the program (M =
5.9, SD = 1.4 on a seven-point scale), and rated the program as
being very easy to use (M = 5.8, SD = 1.2 on a seven-point scale).
Table 1. Dependent Variables
| Variable |
Pre |
Post |
t |
(p level) |
| Weight |
207.2
(45.6) |
197.2
(46.7) |
6.79 |
(p<.001) |
| BMI |
33.4
(7.7) |
31.7
(7.7) |
6.55 |
(p<.001) |
| Diastolic BP |
77.2
(8.4) |
73.9
(10.2) |
2.03 |
(p<.06) |
| Systolic BP |
124.7
(13.7) |
120.3
(12.7) |
2.47 |
(p<.05) |
| Pulse |
68.5
(14.9) |
62.6
(8.4) |
2.36 |
(p<.05) |
Body
Satisfaction |
2.1
(1.2) |
3.2
(1.7) |
3.53 |
(p<.01) |
Conclusions
| Subjects rated DietMate as being easy to use, and they
indicated overall satisfaction with the program. |
| Subjects lost weight at a moderate rate that is within
recommended guidelines for safe weight loss. |
| Significant changes occurred in body mass index, blood
pressure, pulse rate and self-rated body satisfaction from pre- to
post-treatment. |
| Overall, these data concur with results from previous studies
suggesting that computerized treatment is a viable approach to
weight loss that is both effective and perceived positively by
users. |
 
Information
and graphics courtesy of PICS, Inc.
© PICS, Inc. |
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