Keyto app and device versus WW app on weight loss and metabolic risk in adults with overweight or obesity: A randomized trial
- PMID: 34124856
- PMCID: PMC8518592
- DOI: 10.1002/oby.23242
Keyto app and device versus WW app on weight loss and metabolic risk in adults with overweight or obesity: A randomized trial
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether a Mediterranean-style, ketogenic diet mobile health application (app) with breath acetone biofeedback is superior to a calorie-restricted, low-fat diet app in promoting weight loss.
Methods: Participants (n = 155) with overweight/obesity (mean [SD]: age 41 [11] years, BMI = 34 [5] kg/m2 , 71% female) were randomized to one of the interventions delivered entirely via app. Participants received a wireless scale and were instructed to take daily weight measurements. A third-party laboratory collected blood samples at baseline and 12 weeks.
Results: Weight loss at 12 weeks was greater in the ketogenic (-5.6 kg; 95% CI: -6.7 kg to -4.5 kg) compared with the low-fat group (-2.5 kg; 95% CI: -3.6 kg to -1.4 kg) (between-group difference: -3.1 kg; 95% CI: -4.6 kg to -1.5 kg; p < 0.001). Weight loss at 24 weeks indicated durability of the effect (between-group difference: -5.5 kg; 95% CI: -8.3 kg to -2.8 kg; p < 0.001). Secondary/exploratory outcomes of hemoglobin A1c and liver enzymes were improved to a greater extent in the ketogenic diet group (p < 0.01).
Conclusions: Among adults with overweight/obesity, a ketogenic diet app with breath acetone biofeedback was superior to a calorie-restricted diet app at promoting weight loss in a real-world setting.
© 2021 The Authors. Obesity published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of The Obesity Society (TOS).
Conflict of interest statement
JPL is chief scientific officer for the Institute for Personalized Therapeutic Nutrition, a not‐for‐profit organization promoting a food‐first approach to treating and preventing chronic disease. JPL holds shares in Metabolic Insights Inc., a for‐profit company developing a saliva insulin monitor. EJW is an equity holder at Keyto and Virta Health. DAL is employed as a consultant for Keyto. All other authors have no conflicts to declare.
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