Evidence map›Paper›PMID 23512320›Full record

Trial reportObesity (Silver Spring, Md.)2013

The efficacy of a daily self-weighing weight loss intervention using smart scales and e-mail.

Dori M Steinberg, Deborah F Tate, Gary G Bennett, Susan Ennett, Carmen Samuel-Hodge, Dianne S Ward

Abstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Trial report in Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.), 2013. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 125 papers, 10 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
125citing papers in PubMed, 10 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

125 citing papers in PubMed, 10 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. A meta-analysis of eHealth interventions to promote physical activity in young, middle-aged, and late middle-aged adults with obesity or overweight.Obesity reviews : an official journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity · 2025
    Pooled it
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  4. Guideline
  5. Systematic review of electronically delivered behavioral obesity prevention interventions targeting men.Obesity reviews : an official journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity · 2022
    Pooled it
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  8. Is self-weighing an effective tool for weight loss: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis.The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity · 2015
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  13. Smartphone-Based Cancer and Obesity Prevention Education Program for Chinese Women (SCOPE): A Pilot RCT.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2023
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65 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Dori M SteinbergDepartment of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
Deborah F Tate
Gary G Bennett
Susan Ennett
Carmen Samuel-Hodge
Dianne S Ward

Funding

LINEBERGER CANCER CONTROL EDUCATION PROGRAMR25CA057726 · NCI · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · PI EARP, JO ANNE L, RIBISL, KURT M. · 1992 to 2016
$8.0M
NCI NIH HHS R25 CA057726
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveTo examine the impact of a weight loss intervention that focused on daily self-weighing for self-monitoring as compared to a delayed control group among 91 overweight adults. DESIGN AND

methodsThe 6-month intervention included a cellular-connected "smart" scale for daily weighing, web-based weight loss graph, and weekly e-mails with tailored feedback and lessons. An objective measure of self-weighing frequency was obtained. Weight was measured in clinic at 3 and 6 months. Caloric intake and expenditure, and perceptions of daily self-weighing were also measured.

resultsUsing intent-to-treat analyses, the intervention group lost significantly more weight compared to the control group [mean (95% CI); 3 months: -4.41% (-5.5, -3.3) vs. -0.37% (-1.5, 0.76); 6 months: -6.55% (-7.7, -5.4) vs. -0.35% (-1.5, 0.79); group × time interaction: P < 0.001] and a greater percentage achieved 5% (42.6% vs. 6.8%; P < 0.0001) and 10% (27.7% vs. 0%; P < 0.0001) weight loss. On average, the intervention group self-weighed more days/week (6.1 ± 1.1 vs. 1.1 ± 1.5; P < 0.0001) and consumed fewer calories/day compared to the control group [mean (95% CI); 6 months: 1,509 (1,291, 1,728) vs. 1,856 (1,637, 2,074); group × time interaction: P = 0.006]. Among intervention participants, daily self-weighing was perceived positively.

conclusionsThese results indicate that an intervention focusing on daily self-weighing can produce clinically significant weight loss.

Indexed as

Electronic MailEnergy IntakeHealth BehaviorInternetWeight LossAdultBody WeightEnergy MetabolismFemaleHealth PromotionHumansIntention to Treat AnalysisMaleMiddle AgedObesityPatient Satisfaction

Identifiers

PMID23512320
PMCPMC3788086

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.