ArticleBMC nutrition2022
Fasting and weight loss: mobile application-based approach.
Article in BMC nutrition, 2022. 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.
What it found
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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.
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.
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 3 citations in OpenAlex.
- Inequalities in Exclusively Mobile Interventions Targeting Weight-Related Behaviors: Systematic Review of Observational Studies.Obesity reviews : an official journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity · 2026Pooled it
- Intermittent fasting in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.Frontiers in nutrition · 2025Review
- The effectiveness of mobile app usage in facilitating weight loss: An observational study.Obesity science & practice · 2024Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of intermittent fasting (IF) guidance, delivered through a smartphone application, in terms of engagement and weight loss.
methodsWe performed a retrospective chart-review study of all consecutive users with overweight or obesity of the DoFasting mobile application, which integrates IF solutions for people looking to lose weight. Users with overweight and obesity at the beginning of application use, who met the inclusion criteria (entered their gender, height, and starting weight; had more than one weight entry; used the app for at least a month; had at least one active day per week with valid app-related activities) and used the application for weight loss were included in the study.
resultsThe final study cohort comprised 22,022 consecutive users. The short-term cohort comprised 17,221 users (8585 females and 8636 males), while 4801 users (2983 females and 1818 males) were in the long-term cohort. Long-term active users of the application lost a statistically significant amount of weight over the study period and lost more than inactive users did (2.2 [3.5] vs 1.4 [3.2], p < 0.0001; the results are shown in kilograms as medians with the interquartile range in brackets). Active and long-term users were also more likely to reduce their BMI class (p < 0.05) in comparison to non-active short-term users. A multiple regression model showed that the total length of use and active days were the most significant predictors of weight loss. In-app activities such as total fasting hours, weight logging, completing challenges, and providing feedback were also statistically significant predictors of weight loss with varying contributions.
conclusionWe found that the DoFasting mobile application that implements IF is an effective tool for weight loss if used actively and sufficiently.
trial registrationThis retrospective chart review study was approved by BRANY IRB in January 2022 (study ID.: 22-08-034-939).
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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.