Weight Loss Adherence Improves With Dietary Self-Monitoring App

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Researchers at the AACE Annual Meeting 2025 found that educating patients to use a diet self-monitoring mobile app improved adherence to a weight loss program.

Educating patients about a dietary self-monitoring mobile app improved patients’ knowledge of calorie tracking and overall adherence during a weight management program, according to findings presented at AACE 2025.¹

The Latest From AACE 2025

Jorge Hernández and colleagues examined whether educating patients about a self-monitoring app could improve dietary adherence and weight loss outcomes in patients with obesity. The study included 30 adults with BMI greater than 25 kg/m².

Patients received a 30-minute training session on the app, which they used during an 8-week management program. The researchers administered pre- and post-intervention questionnaires with Likert scales to measure participants’ app knowledge and confidence.

The study’s objective was “to boost patient knowledge of calorie tracking, achieve 75% adherence to a calorie-restricted diet, and reach a 3-5% weight loss goal over eight weeks through educational sessions, app tracking, and regular in-clinic consultations,” Hernández and colleagues wrote.

The researchers reported a statistically significant improvement from pre- to post-test scores (mean difference, -1.078; SD, 1.665; 95% CI, -1.859 to -0.297; t(116)=-3.268; P<0.001), indicating that the intervention was successful.

What Do We Know About Mobile Apps for Weight Loss?

Other studies not presented at the meeting have demonstrated the effectiveness of mobile apps in supporting weight loss programs.

A review published in Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports² found that mobile apps can facilitate weight loss comparable with, or even surpassing, traditional paper-based methods. These apps often incorporate dietary tracking, physical activity monitoring, and educational content, which comprehensively contribute to patient outcomes.

In addition, a 2021 systematic review and meta-analysis published in Obesity Reviews³ concluded that digital self-monitoring interventions for diet and physical activity significantly support weight loss in adults with overweight or obesity. The review noted that tailored interventions were more effective than non-tailored ones.

Considerations for Recommending Apps to Patients

Personalization may improve adherence. Evidence suggests that clinicians should personalize the implementation of digital interventions to boost adherence, using tailored feedback when possible. Some patients require additional support from clinicians for dietary tracking.³

Engagement varies by population. Not all patients have equal access to technology or the digital literacy required to use these apps effectively, which could widen health disparities.² For instance, one study conducted in China found that people were more likely to lose weight with a mobile health app if they resided in high-income regions.⁴

Timing may influence outcomes. A retrospective, observational study published in JMIR⁵ found that higher app engagement within the first three months of a weight management program predicted greater overall weight loss across several countries. Therefore, it may be helpful to encourage patients to adopt digital tools as early as possible in their treatment plan.

Apps contribute to disordered eating in some patients. Per a study in the Journal of Eating Disorders,⁶ disordered weight control behaviors increased over time, with some patients reporting that app use restriction/binge cycles. The study authors encouraged clinicians to screen patients for signs of disordered eating while implementing self-monitoring apps.