health and fitness

Newly Published Research Links Mobile Engagement Behaviors with Sustained 15% Weight Loss

Leave a comment


These findings provide vital insights into the role that telehealth and mobile tracking can play in combating obesity through a holistic approach that takes into account lifestyle, diet, medications, genetics, environment and other factors.


SAN MATEO, Calif. (PRWEB)

Enara Health, a technology-powered personalized weight loss program focused on sustainable results, today announced the publication of new research that provides real-world evidence that digital health platforms can play a significant role in combating the obesity epidemic. According to the findings, published in the Journal of Obesity and Chronic Diseases, patients who incorporated mobile behaviors such as virtual provider consultations and regular food and weight tracking were more likely to achieve and sustain 15% or greater weight loss.

“These findings provide vital insights into the role that telehealth and mobile tracking can play in combating obesity through a holistic approach that takes into account lifestyle, diet, medications, genetics, environment and other factors,” said Dr. Rami Bailony, Co-Founder and CEO of Enara Health. “Particularly in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, in which obesity has proven to be a key risk factor among patients, it’s important for people to consider effective ways to manage their weight and health, even when in-person consultations and meetings aren’t advisable.”

The study explored mobile behaviors that are associated with higher weight loss in individuals enrolled in a comprehensive clinical weight loss program. The researchers compared 6-month vs. 18-month cohorts to examine what happens to mobile engagement over time. According to the findings, average weight loss for all participants in the Enara Health precision weight loss program at 6 months (n=479) and 18 months (n=145) was 12.40% and 13.99%, respectively. Specifically:


  • High achievers (defined as 15%+ weight loss) at 6 months attended 11% more appointments, took 21% more food pictures, completed 29% more educational activities, and stepped on the scale 25% more times per week.

  • High achievers at 18 months attended 19% more appointments and initiated 57% more text-based conversations with their provider. Sustained high achievers stepped on the scale 52% more times per week during the 12-18 month time period.

The study is also one of few that examines what happens to mobile engagement, and associated weight loss, over a duration of 18 months. While some studies have found short-term weight loss success through mobile app engagement, few have been able to show sustained weight loss beyond 6 months. Behaviors that were essential to driving weight loss at the start of the program become less important after the 6-month point, and new behaviors emerge as better predictors of long-term weight loss. This suggests that mobile health applications may be better suited to achieve sustained weight loss by designing features that facilitate provider-patient interactions on top of self-tracking technology.

The study’s findings highlight the potential for mobile and self-tracking applications to drive superior weight loss outcomes. Enara Health, which recently initiated a national rollout of its telehealth platform, is helping to explore the complicated interplay of multiple lifestyle modifications, as well as the use of medication, when it comes to effectively and sustainably treating obesity. Residents across California, Texas and Illinois can now enroll in the Enara Health program. Learn more at http://www.enarahealth.com.

For more details on the research findings, read the entire published study in the Journal of Obesity and Chronic Diseases here.

About Enara Health

Enara Health is building a data-driven platform and network to scale obesity treatment. Based in San Mateo, Calif., and operating since March 2015, Enara Health offers unique hybrid digital and in-person weight loss programs based on precision medicine. By combining mobile technology with health care visits and providing patients with personalized physician-driven medical weight loss programs, Enara Health routinely helps patients lose—and keep off—more than 15% of their baseline weight, which is far greater than the results seen with other e-health and m-health interventions. Learn more at http://www.enarahealth.com.

Share article on social media or email:

Leave a Reply