Effect of an mHealth Intervention Using a Pedometer App With Full In-Person Counseling on Body Composition of Overweight Adults: Randomized Controlled Weight Loss Trial

BACKGROUND: In clinical practice, it is difficult to convey the benefits of sustained physical activity to adult patients with excess weight or obesity. For this purpose, a goal-setting walking prescription may be an effective strategy. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the efficacy of the intervention of a pedometer app in setting a goal to reach 10,000 steps per day in adults. METHODS: Overweight adults (n=98; mean body mass index 32.53 [SD 4.92] kg/m2) were randomized to one of two conditions (control or intervention). Both groups downloaded a pedometer app that recorded their daily step counts and were given a daily walking goal of 10,000 steps. Subjects participated in a 24-week in-person behavioral weight control program and were asked to monitor their daily levels using the pedometer app. Baseline data were recorded and followed up weekly. Only the intervention group had structured information delivery, a personalized physical activity prescription, and follow-up on number of steps per day. RESULTS: The results show that regardless of sex or age, prescribing walking increased the number of steps per day by 4806 step on average (standardized β coefficient=–0.813, SE=427.586, t=–11.242, P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: These results could have implications for improving self-monitoring in overweight adults during periods of weight loss. Health professionals should analyze the implementation of tools that permit them to prescribe, follow up, and encourage the achievement of a goal of physical activity in overweight or obese patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03845478; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03845478