Pilot Trial of "My Meal Mate" (MMM), a Smartphone Application for Weight Loss

Summary

The aim of this study is to implement an exploratory pilot trial of "My Meal Mate" (MMM), a smartphone application developed to facilitate weight loss, assessing its feasibility and acceptability. Overweight and obese adults will be recruited from large employers within the local area. The trial will aim to recruit a sample size of 135 which is a pragmatic decision based on randomizing 45 people to each arm. Participants will be randomized to one of three groups. The researchers have developed a smartphone application for weight loss called "My Meal Mate" (MMM) which incorporates a large branded food and drink database. MMM was developed using focus group data collected from potential system users and by benchmarking with similar commercially available diet tracking applications. One group will receive a smartphone with the MMM app downloaded on it, one group will receive access to an online food diary and one group will be given a paper food diary. Participants will be asked to set a goal for weight loss and self-monitor their food intake and activity using their allocated study equipment. Participants will be weighed at the beginning of the trial, at 6 weeks and at 6 months. Feasibility and acceptability outcomes will be assessed.

Conditions

• Obesity
• Overweight

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

"My Meal Mate" (smartphone application)

A smartphone application called "My Meal Mate" (MMM) designed to facilitate weight loss. The app allows system users to set a goal for weight loss and self monitor diet and activity in an electronic diary. Users receive instant nutritional feedback and feedback via text message.

BEHAVIORAL

Paper food diary

The paper food diary is provided by a commerical slimming organisation called "Weight Loss Resources". The diary allows the user to record daily food and drink consumed. It is accompanied by a book which provides a database of the nutritional content of 40,000 food and drinks. The diary also encourages participants to record their physical activity.

BEHAVIORAL

Online food diary

The online food diary is provided by a commerical slimming organisation called "Weight Loss Resources". The electronic diary allows the user to record daily food and drink consumed. System users are also encouraged to record their physical activity.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Leeds

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Janet Cade, Professor · University of Leeds

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2011-03-31

Primary Completion

2012-01-31

Completion

2012-01-31

Countries

• United Kingdom

Study Locations