Comparing outcomes of a digital commercial weight loss program in adult cancer survivors and matched controls with overweight or obesity: Retrospective analysis Journal Article


Authors: May, C. N.; Ho, A. S.; Yang, Q.; McCallum, M.; Iyengar, N. M.; Comander, A.; Mitchell, E. S.; Michaelides, A.
Article Title: Comparing outcomes of a digital commercial weight loss program in adult cancer survivors and matched controls with overweight or obesity: Retrospective analysis
Abstract: Maintaining a healthy weight is beneficial for cancer survivors. However, weight loss program effectiveness studies have primarily been in highly controlled settings. This is a retrospective study exploring real-world outcomes (weight loss and program engagement) after use of a digital commercial weight loss program (Noom) in cancer survivors and matched controls. All participants had voluntarily self-enrolled in Noom. Weight and engagement data were extracted from the pro-gram. Cancer-related quality of life was secondarily assessed in a one-time cross-sectional survey for survivors. Controls were a sample of Noom users with overweight/obesity who had no history of cancer but 0–1 chronic conditions. Primary outcomes were weight change at 16 weeks and program engagement over 16 weeks. Engagement included frequency of weight, food, and physical activity logging, as well as number of coach messages. Multiple regression controlling for baseline age, gender, engagement, and BMI showed that survivors lost less weight than controls (B = −2.40, s.e. = 0.97, p = 0.01). Survivors also weighed in less (survivors: 5.4 [2.3]; controls: 5.7 [2.1], p = 0.01) and exercised less (survivors: 1.8 [3.2]; controls: 3.2 [4.1], p < 0.001) than controls. However, survivors sent more coach messages (survivors: 2.1 [2.4]; controls: 1.7 [2.0], p < 0.001). Despite controls losing more weight than cancer survivors (−7.0 kg vs. −5.3 kg), survivors lost significant weight in 4 months (M = −6.2%). Cancer survivors can have success on digital commercial programs available outside of a clinical trial. However, they may require additional support to engage in weight management behaviors. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
Keywords: weight loss; obesity; retrospective study; cancer survivors
Journal Title: Nutrients
Volume: 13
Issue: 9
ISSN: 2072-6643
Publisher: MPDI AG  
Date Published: 2021-09-01
Start Page: 2908
Language: English
DOI: 10.3390/nu13092908
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC8470305
PUBMED: 34578787
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 1 October 2021 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Neil Mukund Iyengar
    150 Iyengar