OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects on weight loss of three abbreviated behavioral weight loss interventions with and without coaching and mobile technology. METHODS: A randomized controlled efficacy study of three 6-month weight loss treatments was conducted in 96 adults with obesity: (1) self-guided (SELF), (2) standard (STND), or (3) technology-supported (TECH). STND and TECH received eight in-person group treatment sessions. SELF and STND used paper diaries to self-monitor diet, activity, and weight; TECH used a smartphone application with social networking features and wireless accelerometer. RESULTS: Weight loss was greater for TECH and STND than SELF at 6 months (-5.7 kg (95% confidence interval -7.2 to -4.1) versus -2.7 kg (95% confidence interval -5.1 to -0.3), p < 0.05) but not 12 months. TECH and STND did not differ except that more STND (59%) than TECH (34%) achieved >= 5% weight loss at 6 months (p < 0.05). Self-monitoring adherence was greater in TECH than STND (p < 0.001), greater in both interventions than SELF (p < 0.001), and covaried with weight loss (r[84] = 0.36 to 0.51, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Abbreviated behavioral counseling can produce clinically meaningful weight loss regardless of whether self-monitoring is performed on paper or smartphone, but long-term superiority over standard of care self-guided treatment is challenging to maintain.

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