Trying to Lose Weight? Your Computer Might Be Your Best Friend
If you're trying to lose weight, you may want to opt for an interactive computer program, suggests a new review of research. The study, which was published in the Cochrane Review suggests computer programs lead to greater weight loss over six months than methods like following a pamphlet.
The researchers looked at 14 weight loss studies with a total of 2537 participants, as well as four weight maintenance studies with an additional 1603 participants. The treatments studied ranged from four weeks to 30 months in length. At six months computer-based interventions were more successful in preventing weight gain than other treatments.
If you don't know where to start, log onto the internet. You'll find a number of ways to support your weight loss efforts on the web. You can use Fitbie's own Fit Tracker, or other sites, like Spark People and My Fitness Pal to monitor your progress by logging the calories you consume, as well as your daily physical activity. Think about investing in a wireless scale, like the Fitbit Aria or Withings scale--both of which record your weight and send it to your computer. And a number of body monitoring advices, such as the Nike+ FuelBand, Body Media CORE Armband, or the Basis Band, which keep a running tally of the calories you burn as you burn them and stores your info on your PC. (More: Tech-Savvy Ways to Lose Weight)
However, while computer-based interventions had a positive effect on short-term weight loss and maintenance, it was not quite as effective as in-person counseling. (Related: Should You Hire a Lifestyle Coach?) The downside with one-on-one treatments is, of course, the price. In the review the researchers mentioned that one study presented a cost-effectiveness ratio for a weekly in-person weight loss intervention relative to a computer-based intervention as $7,177 per life year gained.
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