Research
Adherence
A digital weight loss program augmented with a human-enhanced kick-off session yields significantly greater 3-month weight loss (-4.06%) compared to a fully automated program (-4.57%), though the difference was not statistically significant in this pilot.
If you are motivated and can lose weight quickly (2% in a month) using an app, you might not need extra human coaching. If you struggle, a brief check-in or more intensive counseling can help. The app itself is the core driver.
ModerateQualifiesLOW confidence
Mean percent weight changes at 4 weeks and 3 months were similar in those initially randomized to Fully Automated (−2.22% (0.33), −4.57% (0.77)) and Human Enhanced (−2.10% (0.34), −4.06% (0.61)).
Why this rating
Pilot SMART design with small sample size (n=99), not powered for efficacy.
Source
Results of a pilot sequential multiple assignment randomized trial using counseling to augment a digital weight loss program
Caitlin Martinez et al. · Obesity Science & Practice · 2024
DOI 10.1002/osp4.70018
rct · n=99Cited 1×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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