8th Annual Association for Bariatric Endoscopy (ABE) Meeting: Practical Approaches to Treating Obesity and Related Comorbidities| May 2023 ABEANN2023-Harnessing Technology in Weight Loss

Pdf Summary

The document discusses the use of technology, specifically mobile apps and social media, in weight loss efforts. It begins with an overview of mHealth apps, which are categorized into various types such as software as a medical device, telehealth, health management, and more. The author highlights that there are a large number of mHealth apps available, with a significant portion dedicated to weight management. However, only a small percentage of these apps have input from healthcare professionals.<br /><br />The document also mentions the FDA's Software Pre-Cert Pilot Program, which evaluates companies before reviewing their products. This program involves shared responsibility between the companies and the FDA to review post-market data.<br /><br />The effectiveness of mobile apps in weight loss is discussed, citing studies that show short-term benefits in terms of weight loss but not sustained results in the long term. Different types of mobile apps are listed, such as calorie/fitness tracking, food education, food suggestions, fitness tracking, and more.<br /><br />The document then transitions to discuss the use of social media in weight loss efforts. Various social media platforms, such as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube, are mentioned, along with their purposes and target audiences. The author emphasizes that choosing the right platform depends on proficiencies, purpose, and the target audience.<br /><br />The key takeaways from the document include the notion that there is no one-size-fits-all approach or app for weight loss, and that there are many factors to consider in optimizing efficacy, usability, and retention. Additionally, while mobile apps and social media can be beneficial, they also have their limitations and potential negative consequences. The document concludes by thanking the author, Dr. Austin Chiang, who can be reached on Twitter at @austinchiangmd.

Asset Subtitle

Austin Chiang, MD

Keywords

technology

mobile apps

social media

weight loss

mHealth apps

FDA

Software Pre-Cert Pilot Program

calorie tracking

fitness tracking

social media platforms