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Completed

NCT Number: NCT01744535

Pilot Trial of "My Meal Mate" (MMM), a Smartphone Application for Weight Loss

The aim of this study is to implement an exploratory pilot trial of "My Meal Mate" (MMM), a smartphone application developed to facilitate weight loss, assessing its feasibility and acceptability. Overweight and obese adults will be recruited from large employers within the local area. The trial will aim to recruit a sample size of 135 which is a pragmatic decision based on randomizing 45 people to each arm. Participants will be randomized to one of three groups. The researchers have developed a smartphone application for weight loss called "My Meal Mate" (MMM) which incorporates a large branded food and drink database. MMM was developed using focus group data collected from potential system users and by benchmarking with similar commercially available diet tracking applications. One group will receive a smartphone with the MMM app downloaded on it, one group will receive access to an online food diary and one group will be given a paper food diary. Participants will be asked to set a goal for weight loss and self-monitor their food intake and activity using their allocated study equipment. Participants will be weighed at the beginning of the trial, at 6 weeks and at 6 months. Feasibility and acceptability outcomes will be assessed.

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Key information

Conditions

Obesity Body Weight Nutrition Disorders Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Overnutrition Overweight Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 2

Primary location

University of Leeds

Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS29JT, United Kingdom

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Aged 18-65
  • BMI equal to or greater than 27 kg/m2
  • Willing to commit the necessary time and effort to the study,
  • Employed by a large employer in Leeds (and expects to continue to be employed there for the next 12 months),
  • Able to read and write in English,
  • Able to access the internet,
  • Willing to be randomised to one of three groups.

Exclusion criteria

  • Pregnant, planning a pregnancy within next 12 months, lactating
  • Has had surgery for weight loss
  • Taking the medication sertraline (due to associations with weight gain)
  • Taking anti-obesity medications or medications for diabetes

Treatment and study plan

"My Meal Mate" (smartphone application)

Behavioral

A smartphone application called "My Meal Mate" (MMM) designed to facilitate weight loss. The app allows system users to set a goal for weight loss and self monitor diet and activity in an electronic diary. Users receive instant nutritional feedback and feedback via text message.

Paper food diary

Behavioral

The paper food diary is provided by a commerical slimming organisation called "Weight Loss Resources". The diary allows the user to record daily food and drink consumed. It is accompanied by a book which provides a database of the nutritional content of 40,000 food and drinks. The diary also encourages participants to record their physical activity.

Online food diary

Behavioral

The online food diary is provided by a commerical slimming organisation called "Weight Loss Resources". The electronic diary allows the user to record daily food and drink consumed. System users are also encouraged to record their physical activity.

Primary outcomes

  1. Adherence to the trial

    Time frame: 6 months

    The number of completers in each group is a feasibility outcome.

  2. Adherence to the intervention arms

    Time frame: 6 months

    The number of days with a plausible record of diet (>500-5000 kcal recorded) in each arm is a feasibility outcome.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Weight change (kg)

    Time frame: 6 months

    Weight (kg) has been objectively measured at baseline and 6 months.

  2. BMI change

    Time frame: 6 months

    BMI(kg/m2) has been objectively measured at baseline and 6 months.

  3. change in body fat percentage

    Time frame: 6 months

    Body fat (%) has been objectively measured at baseline and 6 months.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Leeds

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Pilot Trial of "My Meal Mate" (MMM), a Smartphone Application Designed to Facilitate Weight Loss.

Important dates

Study start
2011
Primary completion
2012
Study completion
2012
First posted
Dec 6, 2012
Registry last updated
Dec 7, 2012

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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