Behavior Change Techniques and mHealth Interventions for Obesity Management and Weight Loss: A Narrative Review and Case Study of Noom
Open Access
- Author:
- Wiggins, Noah
- Area of Honors:
- Biobehavioral Health
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Joseph Peter Gyekis, Thesis Supervisor
Marie P Cross, Thesis Honors Advisor - Keywords:
- mHealth
Obesity
behavioral interventions
weight management
Noom
weight loss - Abstract:
- Obesity poses a growing mortality, disability, financial, and environmental burden for a large fraction of the world’s population. This multifaceted problem has led to a wide array of weight-loss management techniques which include nutrition and physical activity modification, pharmacotherapy interventions, bariatric surgery, and behavioral interventions. While moderate success has been shown in some weight management techniques, a comprehensive behavioral intervention is a critical component to maintaining weight loss according to the AHA, ACC, NIH, CDC, and WHO. Successful behavioral interventions for weight loss include cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, self-monitoring, and group therapy. However, these interventions are often time-intensive and require trained health professionals which can be costly and unscalable to address the obesity pandemic. Mobile health (mHealth) weight loss behavioral interventions have emerged as a promising solution, as they allow individuals to receive treatment and support through mobile devices. This delivery mode reduces the need for in-person appointments and enables remote monitoring and personalized coaching. Furthermore, mHealth interventions have shown to be effective in promoting weight loss, improving dietary habits, increasing physical activity, and enhancing self-management skills, all of which are critical components for long-term weight management success. As the prevalence of obesity continues to rise, mHealth interventions could play a critical role in addressing this growing burden by providing accessible and effective behavioral interventions that can be scaled to reach large populations in need. This thesis reviews the rise in mHealth interventions for weight loss management in overweight and obese populations, as well as a content analysis and quality assessment of Noom, the leading mHealth weight loss intervention on the public market.