Daily Self-Weighing for Obesity

Overseen By Carolyn Bramante, MD

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Minnesota

Disqualifiers: Eating disorders, Anxiety, Depression, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 5

Duration: 12 weeks

99 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for this trial?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the idea that Daily Self-Weighing for Obesity is an effective treatment?

The available research shows that daily self-weighing can be an effective treatment for obesity. One study found that people who weighed themselves daily and used a supportive program lost more weight than those who did not. Another study showed that young women who weighed themselves daily had significant declines in body weight and body fat over two years. Additionally, a study using a commercial app found that people who consistently tracked their weight lost more weight than those who did not. These findings suggest that daily self-weighing can help people lose weight and prevent weight gain. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Daily Self-Weighing for Obesity?

Research shows that daily self-weighing can help with weight loss and prevent weight gain. Studies found that people who weigh themselves daily and track their weight consistently tend to lose more weight and maintain it better over time. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

What safety data exists for daily self-weighing in obesity treatment?

The literature suggests that daily self-weighing is generally safe and effective for weight control, with recent studies showing it can aid in weight loss and prevent weight gain. While early research raised concerns about potential negative psychological effects, more recent trials have not confirmed these concerns. However, more research is needed to understand the role of feedback and individual differences in response to self-weighing. ^{1 3 6 7 8}

Is daily self-weighing safe for humans?

Daily self-weighing is generally considered safe for humans, though early studies suggested it might cause negative psychological effects. However, more recent research does not support this concern, indicating it is safe for most people. ^{1 3 6 7 8}

Is daily self-weighing a promising treatment for obesity?

Yes, daily self-weighing is a promising treatment for obesity. It helps people keep track of their weight, which can motivate them to lose weight and prevent weight gain. Studies show that people who weigh themselves daily tend to have better control over their weight and body fat over time. ^{1 3 9 10 11}

How does daily self-weighing differ from other treatments for obesity?

Daily self-weighing is unique because it involves individuals regularly monitoring their weight, which can help with weight loss and maintenance by increasing awareness and motivation. Unlike other treatments that may involve medication or structured diet plans, this approach focuses on self-monitoring and behavioral change. ^{1 3 9 10 11}

What is the purpose of this trial?

99 patients age 12 to \<18 years old with obesity (BMI \>/=95th percentile), will be randomized to one of three treatment interventions: 1. Usual Care 2. Usual Care plus advice to weigh daily on simple scale 3. Usual Care plus advice to weigh-daily on an EHR-connected scale Survey data collected at baseline, 2, 4, 6, and 12-weeks, and qualitative interviews at 12 weeks, will assess acceptability, safety, self-efficacy, and BMI. Recruitment will also be assessed (% eligible patients who consent). In order to understand real-world feasibility of this intervention, the clinic staff will work with patients to connect the scales to Epic.

Research Team

Carolyn Bramante, MD

Principal Investigator

University of Minnesota

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adolescents aged 12 to under 18 who are dealing with obesity, defined as having a BMI at or above the 95th percentile. It's not clear what conditions exclude someone from participating.

Inclusion Criteria

You have a BMI in the highest 5% for your age and height.

I am between 12 and 17 years old.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants are randomized to one of three interventions: Usual Care, Usual Care plus advice to weigh daily on a simple scale, or Usual Care plus advice to weigh daily on an EHR-connected scale. Survey data collected at baseline, 2, 4, 6, and 12 weeks.

12 weeks

5 visits (in-person or virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, including qualitative interviews at 12 weeks to assess acceptability, safety, self-efficacy, and BMI.

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Self-Weighing

Trial Overview The study is testing three approaches in treating adolescent obesity: usual care alone, usual care with daily self-weighing using a simple scale, and usual care plus daily weighing on an EHR-connected scale. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of these groups.

Participant Groups

Group I: Standard Care Active Control 1 Intervention

Individuals in this arm will receive standard care for their obesity in the Pediatric Weight Management Clinic

Group II: Simple Scale Active Control 1 Intervention

Individuals in this arm will receive standard care for their obesity in the Pediatric Weight Management Clinic and will be encouraged to self-weigh daily utilizing a simple scale.

Group III: EHR-Connected Scale Active Control 1 Intervention

Individuals in this arm will receive standard care for their obesity in the Pediatric Weight Management Clinic and will be encouraged to self-weigh daily utilizing a Smart scale that is connected to the Electronic Health Record (EHR).

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Minnesota

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,459

Recruited

1,623,000+

Findings from Research

In a study of 294 young women over 2 years, daily self-weighing was linked to significant reductions in both BMI and body fat percentage, suggesting it may help in weight maintenance.

The findings indicate that incorporating daily self-weighing could be a valuable strategy for preventing unwanted weight gain, although further research is needed to establish a causal relationship.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Daily self-weighing and weight gain prevention: a longitudinal study of college-aged women. Rosenbaum, DL., Espel, HM., Butryn, ML., et al.[2018]

Self-reported weights in a weight loss trial showed increasing underestimation over time, with an average difference of -0.5 kg at 6 months and -1.1 kg at 24 months, indicating that participants were less accurate in reporting their weights as the study progressed.

Participants who accurately reported their weights were more likely to achieve the weight loss goal, with a 9% misclassification rate in achieving the 5% weight loss goal when using self-reported weights compared to clinic measurements.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Longitudinal accuracy of web-based self-reported weights: results from the Hopkins POWER Trial. Jerome, GJ., Dalcin, A., Coughlin, JW., et al.[2022]

In a study of 60 overweight adults, those who self-weighed twice a day lost significantly more weight (2.7 kg) compared to those who weighed themselves once a day (1.0 kg) over 12 weeks.

Participants who weighed themselves twice daily were also more likely to achieve a weight loss of 5% or more, with 28.6% reaching this goal compared to only 3.6% in the once-daily group, highlighting the effectiveness of more frequent self-monitoring combined with daily target setting.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of weight-loss program using self-weighing twice a day and feedback in overweight and obese subject: a randomized controlled trial. Oshima, Y., Matsuoka, Y., Sakane, N.[2022]

A 6-month weight loss intervention using daily self-weighing with a smart scale led to significant weight loss in 91 overweight adults, with the intervention group losing an average of 6.55% of their body weight compared to only 0.35% in the control group.

The intervention group not only lost more weight but also self-weighed more frequently (6.1 days/week vs. 1.1 days/week) and consumed fewer calories, indicating that daily self-monitoring can effectively support weight loss efforts.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The efficacy of a daily self-weighing weight loss intervention using smart scales and e-mail. Steinberg, DM., Tate, DF., Bennett, GG., et al.[2022]

In a 12-week weight loss intervention involving 100 participants, those who consistently self-monitored their diet and weight using the MyFitnessPal app lost significantly more weight compared to those who did not track consistently, with an average difference of 2.42 kg at 3 months.

Consistent trackers (tracking at least 6 out of 7 days for 75% of the weeks) were over three times more likely to achieve a weight loss of 5% or more at 3 and 6 months, highlighting the importance of regular self-monitoring in successful weight loss efforts.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Consistent self-monitoring in a commercial app-based intervention for weight loss: results from a randomized trial. Patel, ML., Brooks, TL., Bennett, GG.[2021]

In a study of 74 adults with overweight and obesity over 12 weeks, it was found that daily self-weighing is an effective strategy for weight loss, with high adherence rates of 87% for weighing and 85% for caloric intake.

The research revealed that increased caloric intake on one day significantly raised the likelihood of not self-weighing the next day, suggesting that weight management programs should offer additional support to participants who overeat to maintain adherence to self-monitoring.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Overeat today, skip the scale tomorrow: An examination of caloric intake predicting nonadherence to daily self-weighing. Tanenbaum, ML., Ross, KM., Wing, RR.[2018]

A study involving 74 adults in a 12-week weight management program found that self-reported weights closely matched objective measurements from a smart scale, indicating that self-reporting can be a reliable method for tracking weight.

However, the frequency of self-weighing was only moderately agreed upon between methods, and missing self-weighing data could lead to underestimations of actual weight, suggesting that consistent tracking is crucial for accurate weight management.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Accuracy of Self-Report Versus Objective Smart-Scale Weights During a 12-Week Weight Management Intervention. Ross, KM., Eastman, A., Wing, RR.[2022]

Daily self-weighing, especially when combined with personalized electronic feedback, has been shown to effectively support weight loss and prevent age-related weight gain, according to recent studies.

While earlier research suggested that frequent self-weighing might lead to negative psychological effects, newer studies do not support this idea, indicating that self-weighing can be a beneficial strategy for weight management in certain adults.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Daily Self-Weighing to Control Body Weight in Adults: A Critical Review of the Literature. Pacanowski, CR., Bertz, FC., Levitsky, DA.[2020]

Only 35% of primary care patients with overweight or obesity self-weigh weekly, and less than 23% do so daily, indicating a need for increased awareness of self-weighing as a tool for weight management.

Patients who self-weighed daily had a lower average BMI (29 kg/m²) compared to those who did not (31 kg/m²), suggesting that regular self-weighing may help in preventing obesity.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Understanding Primary Care Patients' Self-weighing Habits: Cohort Analysis from the PaTH Clinical Data Research Network. Bramante, CT., McTigue, KM., Lehmann, HP., et al.[2020]

In a 24-month randomized controlled trial involving a behavioral weight-loss program, self-reported weighing frequency showed an 80.8% agreement with objective measurements at 12 months, but this dropped to 48.5% by 24 months, indicating that participants tended to overreport their weighing frequency over time.

Both self-reported and objective weighing frequencies were significantly associated with weight loss at both 12 and 24 months, suggesting that regular self-monitoring through weighing can be beneficial for weight management, but objective measures are more reliable.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

How Accurate are Recalls of Self-Weighing Frequency? Data from a 24-Month Randomized Trial. Crane, MM., Gavin, K., Wolfson, J., et al.[2020]

Daily self-weighing was found to be a motivating factor for individuals who successfully lost weight during a 12-month intervention, with participants feeling more in control of their weight management.

The study identified both positive aspects and barriers to daily weighing, suggesting that understanding these factors can help improve adherence to self-weighing as a weight loss strategy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Experiences of Daily Weighing Among Successful Weight Loss Individuals During a 12-Month Weight Loss Study. Zheng, Y., Terry, MA., Danford, CA., et al.[2018]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Daily self-weighing and weight gain prevention: a longitudinal study of college-aged women. [2018]

2. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Longitudinal accuracy of web-based self-reported weights: results from the Hopkins POWER Trial. [2022]

3. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of weight-loss program using self-weighing twice a day and feedback in overweight and obese subject: a randomized controlled trial. [2022]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The efficacy of a daily self-weighing weight loss intervention using smart scales and e-mail. [2022]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Consistent self-monitoring in a commercial app-based intervention for weight loss: results from a randomized trial. [2021]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Overeat today, skip the scale tomorrow: An examination of caloric intake predicting nonadherence to daily self-weighing. [2018]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Accuracy of Self-Report Versus Objective Smart-Scale Weights During a 12-Week Weight Management Intervention. [2022]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Daily Self-Weighing to Control Body Weight in Adults: A Critical Review of the Literature. [2020]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Understanding Primary Care Patients' Self-weighing Habits: Cohort Analysis from the PaTH Clinical Data Research Network. [2020]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

How Accurate are Recalls of Self-Weighing Frequency? Data from a 24-Month Randomized Trial. [2020]

11. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Experiences of Daily Weighing Among Successful Weight Loss Individuals During a 12-Month Weight Loss Study. [2018]