Using a personal digital assistant for self-monitoring influences diet quality in comparison to a standard paper record among overweight/obese adults.
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Date
2011-03-29
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Abstract
Self monitoring has traditionally been done using a paper record which can be tedious and burdensome A personal digital assistant PDA with dietary software can provide an alternative to a paper record The study aimed to describe the differences in dietary changes at 6 months between participants randomly assigned to use a paper record or PDA for self monitoring in a clinical trial of weight loss treatment Self monitoring adherence and changes in weight and diet were assessed between 2006 and 2009 The sample n 192 was 84 female and 78 white with a mean age of 49 years and body mass index calculated as kg m 2 of 34 1 At baseline the groups did not differ in energy intake percent calories from fat and number of servings of the examined food groups At 6 months both groups had significant reductions in weight energy intake and percent calories from total fat and saturated fatty acids PUnder0 001 no between group differences were found Compared to the paper record group the PDA group significantly increased consumption of fruit P 0 02 and vegetables P 0 04 and decreased consumption of refined grains P 0 02 Interactions among self monitoring and the two groups were found in relation to changes in percent calories from total fat P 0 02 monounsaturated fatty acids P 0 002 and trans fatty acids P 0 04 Frequent self monitoring was significantly associated with total sugar P 0 02 and added sugar P 0 01 intake in both groups Our findings suggest that use of a PDA for self monitoring might improve self awareness of behavior and dietary changes
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Keywords
Obesity, Short-term, Treatment adherence, Disease management, Digital form