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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #381236
Research Project: Preventing the Development of Childhood Obesity

Location: Children's Nutrition Research Center

Title: Wearable activity tracking device use in an adolescent weight management clinic: A randomized controlled pilot trial

Author
item BOWEN-JALLOW, KANIKA - University Of Texas Medical Branch
item NUNEZ-LOPEZ, OMAR - University Of Texas Medical Branch
item WRIGHT, ALEX - University Of Texas Medical Branch
item FUCHS, ERIKA - University Of Texas Medical Branch
item AHN, MOLLIE - University Of Texas Medical Branch
item LYONS, ELIZABETH - University Of Texas Medical Branch
item JUPITER, DANIEL - University Of Texas Medical Branch
item BERRY, LINDSEY - University Of Texas Medical Branch
item SUMAN, OSCAR - University Of Texas Medical Branch
item RADHAKRISHNAN, RAVI - University Of Texas Medical Branch
item GLASER, ANDREA - University Of Texas Medical Branch
item Thompson, Deborah - Debbe

Submitted to: Journal of Obesity
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/30/2020
Publication Date: 1/8/2021
Citation: Bowen-Jallow, K., Nunez-Lopez, O., Wright, A., Fuchs, E., Ahn, M., Lyons, E., Jupiter, D., Berry, L., Suman, O., Radhakrishnan, R.S., Glaser, A.M., Thompson, D.J. 2021. Wearable activity tracking device use in an adolescent weight management clinic: A randomized controlled pilot trial. Journal of Obesity. 2021: 7625034. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/7625034.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/7625034

Interpretive Summary: Although activity trackers are a popular way to monitor physical activity, there is only limited information of their use in adolescents with obesity. In this study, the use of an activity tracking device was not associated with greater weight loss in adolescents with obesity. More work is needed to identify and understand factors which may help adolescents with obesity reduce their body weight.

Technical Abstract: The use of physical activity tracker devices has increased within the general population. However, there is limited medical literature studying the efficacy of such devices in adolescents with obesity. In this study, we explored the feasibility of using wearable activity tracking devices as an adjunct intervention on adolescents with obesity. A randomized controlled pilot trial evaluated the feasibility (attrition <=50%) of an activity tracking intervention (ATI) and its effects on weight loss in adolescents with obesity enrolled in an adolescent weight management clinic (AWMC). Outcomes included feasibility (attrition rate) and absolute change in BMI. Differences between groups at 6, 12, and 18 weeks were examined. Forty-eight participants were enrolled in the study. Eighteen subjects were randomly assigned to the ATI group and 30 to control. The average age was 14.5 years. Overall, the majority of participants were Hispanic (56%). Sexes were equally distributed. The average baseline BMI was 37.5 kg/m2. At the study conclusion, the overall attrition rate was 52.1%, 44.4% in the ATI group versus 56.6% in the control group, with a differential attrition of 12.2%. The ATI and control groups each showed an absolute decrease in BMI of -0.25 and -2.77, respectively, with no significant differences between the groups. The attrition rate in our study was >50%. Participation in the AWMC by the ATI and control groups resulted in maintenance of BMI and body weight for the study duration. However, the use of an activity tracking device was not associated with greater weight loss.