Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42120596›Full record

Observational studyInternational journal of obesity (2005)2026

Novel energy balance tracking to support personalised AI health coaching: a real-world evaluation of the ENHANCE framework.

Arthur B Daw, Maxime Petit, Scott A Willis, Lewis J James, James A King

Abstract readObservational Study
In one paragraph

Observational study in International journal of obesity (2005), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

5 authors.

Arthur B DawNational Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK. a.daw@lboro.ac.uk.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0009-4488-9781
Maxime PetitNational Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK.
Scott A WillisNational Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8624-1427
Lewis J JamesNational Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6514-5823
James A KingNational Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8174-9173

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundEnergy balance (EB) is the key determinant of fat gain, yet accurate EB tracking is difficult outside laboratory settings. Traditional methods are burdensome (e.g. food-logs) or lack daily resolution (e.g. body weight monitoring), limiting suitability for integration with free-living AI-powered health coaching.

objectiveTo introduce ENHANCE-a novel framework prioritising interpretability and temporal accuracy-and demonstrate its use as a low-burden, accurate method for tracking EB using smart devices and minimal self-report, suitable for AI coaching.

methodsThis 4-week observational study spanned the Christmas to New Year 2024/25 festive period. Participants submitted daily blinded body weight measurements via Wi-Fi scales and EB-related questions via a mobile app, taking <2 min. Data were used to generate five weight trends: raw (from scales), smoothed (±3-day average), piecewise (3-segments), predicted (from EB), and corrected. The correction aligned predicted and smoothed trends, using proximity and noise-weighted adjustments, producing enhanced data for AI coaching. An end-of-study questionnaire assessed acceptability and behavioural reactivity.

resultsOf 23 participants, 18 were analysed. Five were excluded due to illness (n = 4) or bereavement (n = 1). Participants completed 94% (5.1%) of body weight measurements and 100% of EB-related submissions. Questionnaire results showed low burden (1.8/5) and behavioural reactivity (1.5/5). Group-level predicted trends explained 90.4% of smoothed trend variance (R² = 0.904; mean absolute error [MAE]: 93 g). Corrected trends aligned more closely with piecewise segments than raw trends (MAE: 46 g vs 77 g). Individual-level mean EB corrections were +41 kcal/day-just 2% of reported intake. The corrected trend enhanced interpretability and plausibility while preserving real-world validity. Calculated mean net fat weight change during the monitoring phase was +0.8 kg (0.4 kg); mean net EB was +223 kcal/day (130 kcal/day).

conclusionsThis scalable method delivers the accuracy and practicality needed for real-world EB tracking-laying the foundation for continuous personalised AI coaching.

Indexed as

Artificial IntelligenceEnergy MetabolismMentoringAdultFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedMobile ApplicationsSurveys and Questionnaires

Identifiers

PMID42120596
PMCPMC13461338

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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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.