Results of Innovative Clinical Study Show New Combination for Weight Loss Success

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- As the weight loss and fitness industry thought leaders gathered this week to discuss the nation's obesity epidemic, a new research study presented at the conference identified a new formula for weight loss success.

BodyMedia, Inc., the pioneer in developing wearable body monitoring systems, shared results from the first six months of an independently-funded clinical trial that evaluated the weight loss impact of its wearable body monitoring system when used with lifestyle intervention (behavior support) at the 28th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Obesity Society held in San Diego, October 8-12.

Researchers have long known the importance of the role of behavior support in weight loss, with in-person behavior support weight loss programs generally yielding 10% weight loss after thirty weeks (1,2,3,4). Now results of the new clinical study show that by combining a lifestyle intervention program and a body monitoring device to track physical activities and calories, people trying to lose weight can double their amount of weight loss.

The results of the study independently-conducted by Dr. John Jakicic, Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh's Physical Activity and Weight Management Research Center, not only provide new insight into a successful weight loss program for consumers, but a successful way to retain people in a weight loss program. Another important finding of the study showed that one hundred percent of the participants in the lifestyle intervention plus Armband group remained in the study during the entire six months, pointing to the fact that the body monitoring device and behavior support can keep people motivated and engaged in their weight loss program.

Results at six months showed that participants in the study who were attending the face-to-face group intervention program plus using BodyMedia FIT™ lost an average of 18 pounds, or more than 2X those in the lifestyle intervention alone group. Participants in the study who used just the Armband with phone calls as an alternative to face-to-face meetings, also showed positive weight loss success with an average weight loss of over 12 pounds. In addition to the weight loss benefits, the study also concluded that by using BodyMedia FIT there was an increase of physical activity, self-monitoring and cardio respiratory fitness among the study participants. The BodyMedia FIT system includes a wearable Armband and allows users to track their calorie intake and burn, physical activity, steps taken and sleep efficiency to make informed decisions based on their body's information to help them lose weight and stay fit.

"The six month outcomes of this study illustrate the success of the combination of a body monitoring device and a lifestyle intervention program," stated Dr. John M. Jakicic, University of Pittsburgh Physical Activity and Weight Management Resource Center. "It's important that the weight loss community is aware of the successful results that body monitoring devices alone and in concert with a lifestyle intervention program can yield."

The current study further validates past research on the powerful combination of utilizing the BodyMedia technology while participating in an in-person group weight loss program. This study comes on the heels of  the results of a two-year clinical study in conjunction with The Arnold School of Public Health released this past Spring that touted wearing BodyMedia's technology while participating in a group weight loss program can help you lose three times more weight than a lifestyle intervention program alone.

"We are pleased to learn of the results of this study at such an important meeting of industry leaders who are working to fight the obesity epidemic and research successful methods for weight loss," said Christine Robins, Chief Executive Officer of BodyMedia. "This study confirms that the BodyMedia technology is an important part of the solution to keep people motivated to achieve their wellness and fitness goals by itself or with a lifestyle intervention program. The results of this study solidify the important role body monitoring devices can play in addressing the obesity epidemic  by giving people a real time tool to manage their health and fitness."

The 6 month results presented were entitled: A Technology-based System is an Effective Alternative to an In-Person Weight Loss Intervention, and followed fifty-one overweight and obese men and women between the ages of 21-55 over the course of the study from October 2009 through March 2010.  The study was independently funded by the Physical Activity and Weight Management Research Center and the Obesity and Nutrition Research Center (NIH supported) at the University of Pittsburgh.

Participants were divided into the following groups:

• Group Lifestyle Intervention
• BodyMedia FIT users alone
• Group Lifestyle plus BodyMedia FIT users.

Dr. Jakicic added, "With such positive results at six months, the study shows a promising trend for weight loss success and retention."

About BodyMedia, Inc.

Founded in 1999, BodyMedia, Inc. is the pioneer in developing wearable body monitoring systems designed to help people lose weight, improve performance, and live a healthier lifestyle.  Our patented multi-sensor technology has been adapted for a variety of markets,  enabling us to deliver validated products that monitor calorie expenditure, amount of physical activity, number of steps taken, and sleep efficiency.  No other comfortable, convenient, continuous body-monitoring product can measure physical activity and calories burned with BodyMedia's greater-than-90% accuracy. For more information, visit www.bodymedia.com.

(1) Wadden TA, Crerand CE, Brock J. Behavioral treatment of obesity. Psychiatry Clin North Am. Mar 2005; 28(1):151-170, ix.

(2) Tate DF, Wing RR, Winett RA. Using Internet technology to deliver a behavioral weight loss program. Jama. Mar 7 2001;285(9):1172-1177.

(3) Tate DF, Jackvony EH, Wing RR. Effects of Internet behavioral counseling on weight loss in adults at risk for type 2 diabetes: a randomized trial. Jama. Apr 9 2003;289(14):1833-1836.

(4) Tate DF, Jackvony EH, Wing RR. A randomized trial comparing human e-mail counseling, computer-automated tailored counseling and no counseling in an Internet weight loss program. Arch Intern Med. Aug 14-28 2006; 166(15):1620-1625.

SOURCE BodyMedia, Inc.