Effects of a Web-based Weight Management Education Program on Various Factors for Overweight and Obese Women: Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Mediated diet/exercise methods yield effective short-term weight loss but are costly and hard to manage. However, Web-based programs can serve many participants, offering ease of access and cost-efficiency. Objective: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of a web-based weight management program through Web-based education alone (MINE) or combined with tailored video feedback (MINE Plus) with a control (CO) group. Methods: This intervention included 60 Korean women with overweight and obese (BMI?23 kg/m²) aged 19–39 years old. Sixty participants were randomly allocated to each of three groups: (1) the MINE group (Web-based education video and selfmonitoring application), (2) the MINE Plus group (Web-based education video, self-monitoring application, and 1:1 tailored video feedback), and (3) the CO group (only self-monitoring application). Web-based education included nutrition, physical activity, psychological factors, medical knowledge for weight loss, goal-setting, and cognitive/behavioral strategies. Tailored feedback aimed to motivate and provide solutions via weekly 10-minute real-time video sessions. The intervention lasted 6 weeks, followed by a 6-week observation period to assess education's lasting effects, with evaluations at baseline, 6, and 12 weeks. A generalized linear mixed model evaluated time and group interactions. Results: In the intention-to-treat analysis including all 60 participants, there were significant differences in weight change at 6 weeks in the MINE and MINE Plus groups with mean weight changes of -0.74±1.96 kg and -1.87±1.8 kg (P=.03, P