Successful weight loss maintainers use health-tracking smartphone applications more than a nationally representative sample: comparison of the National Weight Control Registry to Pew Tracking for Health

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this paper is to evaluate successful weight loss maintainers' use of self-monitoring technology. Methods: National Weight Control Registry (NWCR) participants, who maintained a ≥13.6 kg weight loss for ≥1 year, completed an online survey about self-monitoring technology use. The NWCR sample (n = 794) was compared with a demographically similar subsample of 833 individuals answering the same questions in the Pew Tracking for Health Survey. Results: The NWCR had higher rates of tracking weight, diet or exercise using any modality (92.8% vs. 71.3%), on a regular basis (67.4% vs. 41.3%), and frequency of updating records, compared with Pew (ps