Despite US Preventive Services Task Force recommendations for screening and treating obesity, there are many barriers, several of which may be ameliorated through technological approaches. This is according to a new study by researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center published online August 21, 2014 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine (JGIM).
David Levine, MD, MA, a third year resident in the Department of Internal Medicine at NYU Langone, and colleagues found that compared to usual care, technology-assisted interventions specifically in the primary care setting help patients achieve weight loss. The researchers analyzed data from clinical trials from the medical literature since the year 2000 through a rigorous systematic review methodology. They found:
• Weight loss up to 5.4 kilograms (12 pounds) over a 36 month period with the use of technology-assisted interventions
• Technologies included
Web-based applications (such as http://www.heart360.org);
In-home DVD programs;
Software that guided doctors to better counsel their patients; and
• Self-monitoring and feedback systems. Technology-assisted weight loss compared favorably to traditional counseling and Pharmacotherapy options (e.g., FDA-approved diet pills), while allowing for remote treatment.
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Challenges still remain, including poor web utilization, improving ease-of-use for both provider and patient, allowing open access to technologies, and keeping pace with industry.
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Source-Eurekalert