Efficacy of Web-Based Weight Loss Maintenance Programs: A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Standard Features Versus the Addition of Enhanced Personalized Feedback over 12 Months.

Clare E Collins, Philip J Morgan, Melinda J Hutchesson, Christopher Oldmeadow, Daniel Barker, Robin Callister

Abstract read

In one paragraph

Article in Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland), 2017. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it

0cells of the map it votes in

3citing papers in PubMed, 1 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

3 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

Evaluation of the Aspects of Digital Interventions That Successfully Support Weight Loss: Systematic Review With Component Network Meta-Analysis.Journal of medical Internet research · 2025
Pooled it
A systematic review on eHealth technology personalization approaches.iScience · 2024
Article
What goes on in digital behaviour change interventions for weight loss maintenance targeting physical activity: A scoping review.Digital health
Article

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.

Clare E CollinsNutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. Clare.Collins@newcastle.edu.au.

Philip J MorganPriority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. Philip.Morgan@newcastle.edu.au.

Melinda J HutchessonNutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. Melinda.Hutchesson@newcastle.edu.au.

Christopher OldmeadowClinical Research Design, IT and Statistical Support Unit, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Level 3 Pod, HMRI building Lot 1, Kookaburra Circuit, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia. Christopher.Oldmeadow@hmri.org.au.

Daniel BarkerClinical Research Design, IT and Statistical Support Unit, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Level 3 Pod, HMRI building Lot 1, Kookaburra Circuit, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia. Daniel.Barker@newcastle.edu.au.

Robin CallisterPriority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. Robin.Callister@newcastle.edu.au.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Few randomized controlled trials (RCT) have evaluated the efficacy of web-based programs targeting maintenance of lost weight. The aims of this study were to evaluate two versions of a commercially available web-based weight loss maintenance (WLM) program and examine whether the provision of enhanced feedback was associated with better WLM. The study was an assessor-blinded RCT of change in body mass index (BMI) over 12 months WLM. Participants were 227 adults (44% male, 42.3 ± 10.1 years, BMI 30.4 ± 4.1 kg/m²) randomized to either a basic (Basic WLM) or enhanced program with additional support (Enhanced WLM). Analysis was intention-to-treat with imputation using last observation carried forward. There was no significant weight rebound from the start of weight loss maintenance to 12 months for either group (mean: basic 1.3%, enhanced 1.5%) and limited change in secondary outcomes for either program. There were no significant between-group differences in the primary outcome of change in BMI (basic -0.5 (1.9) kg/m², enhanced -0.5 (1.6) kg/m²,

Indexed as

calorie restrictioneHealthinterventionrandomized controlled trialweb-basedweight loss

Identifiers

PMID29117105

DOI10.3390/bs7040076

PMCPMC5746685

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LicenceCC BY

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Registered trials

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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.