Elsevier

Behavior Therapy

Volume 29, Issue 3, Summer 1998, Pages 505-519
Behavior Therapy

Original Research
Changing health behavior via telecommunications technology: Using interactive television to treat obesity*

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0005-7894(98)80046-4Get rights and content

This study compared a 12-week behavioral weight-control treatment program conducted over interactive television (N = 133) to a standard therapist-led (in-person) treatment condition (N = 33). Subjects started treatment with an average Body Mass Index (BMI) of 34.9 and lost 7.7 kg over 12 weeks with no difference between conditions noted for weight loss, calorie (− 622 calories per day), or exercise changes (+ 970 calories expended per day). Ratings of the technology were positive and there was no difference in subjects' expectations for change, nor was there any difference by treatment condition in overall attrition. A cost-effectiveness analysis showed that the per-person cost of the interactive technology was higher.

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      2007, Gastroenterology
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      Studies were included if the intervention was representative of standard behavioral treatment and did not prescribe a diet of <900 kcal per day. The table is adapted from an earlier publication11 and updated.17–25 The data show that participants currently treated by a comprehensive behavioral approach lose approximately 10.7 kg, equal to 11% of initial weight.

    • A randomized controlled trial on the long-term effects of a 1-month behavioral weight control program assisted by computer tailored advice

      2007, Behaviour Research and Therapy
      Citation Excerpt :

      However, behavioral therapy for weight control has not widely been carried out because of its time-consuming nature and the lack of a sufficient number of adequately trained practitioners. To solve those problems, several methods have been reported; treatments utilizing self-manuals (Hagen, 1974; Peterson, Abrams, Elder, & Beaudin, 1985), correspondence programs (Jeffery & Gerber, 1982; Jeffery, Hellerstedt, & Schmid, 1990) and/or computer technologies (Burnett, Taylor, & Agras, 1985; Harvey-Berino, 1998; Harvey-Berino et al., 2002; Tate, Wing, & Winnet, 2001; Taylor, Agras, Losch, Plante, & Burnett, 1991; Wylie-Rosett et al., 2001). Computerized treatments using internet (Harvey-Berino et al., 2002; Tate et al., 2001) and telecommunication (Harvey-Berino, 1998) or totally computerized treatment trials (Wylie-Rosett et al., 2001) has also been introduced.

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    *

    Supported by the General Clinical Research Center of Fletcher Allen Health Care (GCRC M01 RR109) and USDA Hatch funds (VT-97-516).

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