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Review
. 2014 May;8(3):596-608.
doi: 10.1177/1932296814525189. Epub 2014 Feb 27.

The technology boom: a new era in obesity management

L Anne Gilmore  1 , Abby F Duhé  1 , Elizabeth A Frost  1 , Leanne M Redman  2
Affiliations
Review

The technology boom: a new era in obesity management

L Anne Gilmore et al. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2014 May.

Abstract

As technology continues to develop rapidly, the incidence of obesity also continues to climb at an alarming rate. The increase in available technology is thought to be a contributor in the obesogenic environment, yet at the same time technology can also be used to intervene and improve health and health behaviors. This article reviews the components of effective weight management programs and the novel role that technology, such as SMS, websites, and smartphone apps, is playing to improve the success of such programs. Use of these modern technologies can now allow for individualized treatment recommendations to be delivered to individuals remotely, increased self-monitoring/tracking of health-related data, broader and more rapid dissemination of health information/recommendations, and increased patient-dietician/physician contact. The use of technology in weight management programs results in improved long-term weight management, and in most cases improved cost-effectiveness. Rather than blaming increased food intake and sedentary lifestyle on technology, rapidly developing and innovative technologies should be used to our advantage and deployed to combat the obesity epidemic.

Keywords: Internet; obesity; smartphone; weight loss.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Mathematical models are used to generate personalized caloric prescriptions for weight loss. Individual parameters (sex, age, weight, height) are imputed to generate personalized weight graphs that show the expected trajectory of weight change as well as upper and lower limits for a given caloric prescription.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Mobile phone and Internet program can be used to enhance communication and weight management interventions between a patient and his or her health care providers. We are currently working with our graphic designer on a high-definition image.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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