Implementing texting programs in the P.O.W.E.R. (preventing obesity with eating right) medical group visit for weight loss

BACKGROUND: The effect of incorporating mobile technology to support participants’ lifestyle change and weight loss in medical group visits has not been well studied in a safety‐net setting. RATIONALE AND DESIGN: Thus, the rationale of the current study was to examine the effect of text messaging in a medical group visit, and test the effect of two texting programs (12 weeks and 20 weeks), compared to those who did not receive text‐messaging in the Preventing Obesity With Eating Right (POWER) group visit program. The primary outcome was weight loss. RESULTS: We found that those enrolled in the 20‐week and 12‐week texting programs attended more group visit sessions than those enrolled in the POWER group only (p < 0.001). Both POWER and POWER + 20‐week texting groups had a significant reduction in weight at their final group visit compared to their baseline (POWER, 114 ± 27 kg vs. 112 ± 26 kg, p < 0.001; POWER + 20‐week texting, 111 ± 28 kg vs. 109 ± 28 kg, p < 0.01), but not the 12‐week texting group (114 ± 29 kg vs. 113 ± 29 kg, p = 0.22), with no differences between the groups. The number of group visits was correlated with a decrease in weight (r(s) = 0.12, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, text messaging programs led to more attendance in the medical group visits, but not greater weight loss or reduction in HbA1c than the POWER group obesity program alone. Further studies are needed to maximize the beneficial effects of texting programs in medical group visits in underserved minority populations.