Personal digital assistants are comparable to traditional diaries for dietary self-monitoring during a weight loss program.

Dietary self-monitoring is considered the core of behavioral weight control programs. As software for personal digital assistants (PDA) has become more available, this study investigated whether the use of a PDA would improve dietary self-monitoring frequency and subsequent weight loss over the use...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Journal of Behavioral Medicine Vol. 30; no. 2; pp. 165 - 176
Autores principales: Yon BA, Johnson RK, Harvey-Berino J, Gold BC, Howard AB
Formato: research tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: Springer Nature Apr2007
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:Dietary self-monitoring is considered the core of behavioral weight control programs. As software for personal digital assistants (PDA) has become more available, this study investigated whether the use of a PDA would improve dietary self-monitoring frequency and subsequent weight loss over the use of traditional paper diaries. One-hundred-seventy-six adults (BMI 25-39.9) participated in a 6-month behavioral weight control program. Treatment subjects ( n = 61) were provided with a PalmZire 21 with Calorie King's Diet Diary software installed. Their self-monitoring habits and weight loss were compared with the results from a previous program ( n = 115) which followed the same protocol using paper diaries for self-monitoring. No significant differences in weight loss or dietary self-monitoring were found. More frequent self-monitoring correlated with weight loss in both groups ( p<.001). People seeking to lose weight should be encouraged to self-monitor and be matched with a mode of self-monitoring that is fitting to their lifestyle and skills.