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Technology-based interventions for weight management: current randomized controlled trial evidence and future directions

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Abstract

Obesity is a prevalent health care issue associated with disability, premature morality, and high costs. Behavioral weight management interventions lead to clinically significant weight losses in overweight and obese individuals; however, many individuals are not able to participate in these face-to-face treatments due to limited access, cost, and/or time constraints. Technological advances such as widespread access to the Internet, increased use of smartphones, and newer behavioral self-monitoring tools have resulted in the development of a variety of eHealth weight management programs. In the present paper, a summary of the most current literature is provided along with potential solutions to methodological challenges (e.g., high attrition, minimal participant racial/ethnic diversity, heterogeneity of technology delivery modes). Dissemination and policy implications will be highlighted as future directions for the field of eHealth weight management.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, 48309, USA

    Andrea T. Kozak

  2. Department of Psychology, DePaul University, Chicago, IL, USA

    Joanna Buscemi

  3. Department of Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA

    Misty A. W. Hawkins

  4. Department of Community Health Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA

    Monica L. Wang

  5. Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, CA, USA

    Jessica Y. Breland

  6. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA

    Jessica Y. Breland

  7. Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

    Kathryn M. Ross

  8. Mind Body Connection, Inc., Manassas, VA, USA

    Anupama Kommu

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  1. Andrea T. Kozak
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  2. Joanna Buscemi
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  3. Misty A. W. Hawkins
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  4. Monica L. Wang
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  5. Jessica Y. Breland
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  7. Anupama Kommu
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Correspondence to Andrea T. Kozak.

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Andrea T. Kozak, Joanna Buscemi, Misty A.W. Hawkins, Monica L. Wang, Jessica Y. Breland, Kathryn M. Ross, and Anupama Kommu declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Kozak, A.T., Buscemi, J., Hawkins, M.A.W. et al. Technology-based interventions for weight management: current randomized controlled trial evidence and future directions. J Behav Med 40, 99–111 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-016-9805-z

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