Background: Approximately 70% of the adult population in the United States has overweight or obesity and increased risk for developing chronic diseases. Dietary self-monitoring adherence using a paper diary is associated with weight loss; however, few studies have examined this association with dietary self-monitoring apps. Objectives: 1) explore if an association exists between app-based dietary self-monitoring and weight change among adults with overweight or obesity and 2) explore the relationships between the frequency, consistency, and completeness of self-monitoring and weight change. Methods: Participants self-monitored dietary intake for 8 weeks using the app Calorie Counter by FatSecret. Participants were assigned a daily calorie goal to achieve a one-pound weight loss per week. Frequency was measured by the percentage of days that any self-monitoring occurred; consistency was the recording of any dietary intake on ≥ 3 days each week; completeness was the recording of ≥ 50% of the weekly calorie goal. Data were analyzed with paired sample t-test and linear regression. Results: The sample [N = 90, mean (M) age = 42 ± 10 years (SD)] was employed (100%), primarily female (96.7%), White (90%), and married (63.3%) with a Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree (60%). A significant mean difference [t (89) = 6.59, p < .001] was found between baseline and 8-week weight (M = -3.26 ± 4.70 lbs.). Linear regression analysis revealed a significant association [F (1, 88) = 7.18, p = .009] between total weeks of consistently self-monitoring (M = 4.44 ± 2.77) and percent weight loss (M = -1.54% ± 2.26%); a significant association (F (1, 88) = 6.42, p = .013] was also found between the frequency of self-monitoring (M = 50.14% ± 33%) and percent weight loss. Conclusions: Results suggest that consistent and frequent app-based dietary self-monitoring is associated with weight loss. Clinicians may wish to emphasize these aspects of self-monitoring when providing weight loss counseling. Future research should investigate if less stringent self-monitoring requirements, such as three days per week, support self-monitoring adherence and weight change.
","abstract_html":"<p><strong>Background:</strong> Approximately 70% of the adult population in the United States has overweight or obesity and increased risk for developing chronic diseases. Dietary self-monitoring adherence using a paper diary is associated with weight loss; however, few studies have examined this association with dietary self-monitoring apps. Objectives: 1) explore if an association exists between app-based dietary self-monitoring and weight change among adults with overweight or obesity and 2) explore the relationships between the frequency, consistency, and completeness of self-monitoring and weight change.<strong> Methods:</strong> Participants self-monitored dietary intake for 8 weeks using the app <em>Calorie Counter</em> by <em>FatSecret</em>. Participants were assigned a daily calorie goal to achieve a one-pound weight loss per week. Frequency was measured by the percentage of days that any self-monitoring occurred; consistency was the recording of any dietary intake on ≥ 3 days each week; completeness was the recording of ≥ 50% of the weekly calorie goal. Data were analyzed with paired sample t-test and linear regression. <strong>Results:</strong> The sample [<em>N</em> = 90, mean (<em>M</em>) age = 42 ± 10 years (<em>SD</em>)] was employed (100%), primarily female (96.7%), White (90%), and married (63.3%) with a Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree (60%). A significant mean difference [<em>t</em> (89) = 6.59, <em>p</em> < .001] was found between baseline and 8-week weight (<em>M</em> = -3.26 ± 4.70 lbs.). Linear regression analysis revealed a significant association [<em>F</em> (1, 88) = 7.18, <em>p</em> = .009] between total weeks of consistently self-monitoring (<em>M</em> = 4.44 ± 2.77) and percent weight loss (<em>M</em> = -1.54% ± 2.26%); a significant association (<em>F</em> (1, 88) = 6.42, <em>p</em> = .013] was also found between the frequency of self-monitoring (<em>M</em> = 50.14% ± 33%) and percent weight loss. <strong>Conclusions:</strong> Results suggest that consistent and frequent app-based dietary self-monitoring is associated with weight loss. Clinicians may wish to emphasize these aspects of self-monitoring when providing weight loss counseling. Future research should investigate if less stringent self-monitoring requirements, such as three days per week, support self-monitoring adherence and weight change.</p>","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Payne, Jason"],"institution":null,"degree_name":"PhD","degree_level":"One-year Embargo","degree_discipline":"Nursing","degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":["Melanie Turk","Melissa Kalarchian","Christine Pellegrini"],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2020,"date_issued":"2020-05-08T07:00:00Z","date_published":"2020-05-08T07:00:00Z","updated_at":"2026-07-24T02:10:58Z","subjects":["Self-monitoring","Weight loss","App","Adherence","Diet","mHealth","Mobile phone","eHealth","Obesity","Nutrition","Behavioral Medicine","Community Health","Community Health and Preventive Medicine","Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition","Family Medicine","Family Practice Nursing","Preventive Medicine","Primary Care","Public Health and Community Nursing"],"languages":["English"],"rights":[],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://dsc.duq.edu/etd/1895","outbound_label":"Repository record","outbound_source":"dc:identifier"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor","label":"Contributor","values":["Melanie Turk","Melissa Kalarchian","Christine Pellegrini"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Payne, Jason"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date.available","label":"Dc Date Available","values":["2022-05-08T07:00:00Z"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["Nursing"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["One-year Embargo"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["PhD"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["Self-monitoring","Weight loss","App","Adherence","Diet","mHealth","Mobile phone","eHealth","Obesity","Nutrition","Behavioral Medicine","Community Health","Community Health and Preventive Medicine","Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition","Family Medicine","Family Practice Nursing","Preventive Medicine","Primary Care","Public Health and Community Nursing"]}]},{"id":"language_rights","label":"Language and Rights","entries":[{"key":"dc:language","label":"Dc Language","values":["English"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["https://dsc.duq.edu/etd/1895"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["Background: Approximately 70% of the adult population in the United States has overweight or obesity and increased risk for developing chronic diseases. Dietary self-monitoring adherence using a paper diary is associated with weight loss; however, few studies have examined this association with dietary self-monitoring apps. Objectives: 1) explore if an association exists between app-based dietary self-monitoring and weight change among adults with overweight or obesity and 2) explore the relationships between the frequency, consistency, and completeness of self-monitoring and weight change. Methods: Participants self-monitored dietary intake for 8 weeks using the app Calorie Counter by FatSecret. Participants were assigned a daily calorie goal to achieve a one-pound weight loss per week. Frequency was measured by the percentage of days that any self-monitoring occurred; consistency was the recording of any dietary intake on ≥ 3 days each week; completeness was the recording of ≥ 50% of the weekly calorie goal. Data were analyzed with paired sample t-test and linear regression. Results: The sample [N = 90, mean (M) age = 42 ± 10 years (SD)] was employed (100%), primarily female (96.7%), White (90%), and married (63.3%) with a Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree (60%). A significant mean difference [t (89) = 6.59, p < .001] was found between baseline and 8-week weight (M = -3.26 ± 4.70 lbs.). Linear regression analysis revealed a significant association [F (1, 88) = 7.18, p = .009] between total weeks of consistently self-monitoring (M = 4.44 ± 2.77) and percent weight loss (M = -1.54% ± 2.26%); a significant association (F (1, 88) = 6.42, p = .013] was also found between the frequency of self-monitoring (M = 50.14% ± 33%) and percent weight loss. Conclusions: Results suggest that consistent and frequent app-based dietary self-monitoring is associated with weight loss. Clinicians may wish to emphasize these aspects of self-monitoring when providing weight loss counseling. Future research should investigate if less stringent self-monitoring requirements, such as three days per week, support self-monitoring adherence and weight change.
"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["Exploring the Relationship between Dietary Self-Monitoring with a Mobile App and Weight Change"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor":["Melanie Turk","Melissa Kalarchian","Christine Pellegrini"],"dc:creator":["Payne, Jason"],"dc:date.available":["2022-05-08T07:00:00Z"],"dc:description.abstract":["Background: Approximately 70% of the adult population in the United States has overweight or obesity and increased risk for developing chronic diseases. Dietary self-monitoring adherence using a paper diary is associated with weight loss; however, few studies have examined this association with dietary self-monitoring apps. Objectives: 1) explore if an association exists between app-based dietary self-monitoring and weight change among adults with overweight or obesity and 2) explore the relationships between the frequency, consistency, and completeness of self-monitoring and weight change. Methods: Participants self-monitored dietary intake for 8 weeks using the app Calorie Counter by FatSecret. Participants were assigned a daily calorie goal to achieve a one-pound weight loss per week. Frequency was measured by the percentage of days that any self-monitoring occurred; consistency was the recording of any dietary intake on ≥ 3 days each week; completeness was the recording of ≥ 50% of the weekly calorie goal. Data were analyzed with paired sample t-test and linear regression. Results: The sample [N = 90, mean (M) age = 42 ± 10 years (SD)] was employed (100%), primarily female (96.7%), White (90%), and married (63.3%) with a Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree (60%). A significant mean difference [t (89) = 6.59, p < .001] was found between baseline and 8-week weight (M = -3.26 ± 4.70 lbs.). Linear regression analysis revealed a significant association [F (1, 88) = 7.18, p = .009] between total weeks of consistently self-monitoring (M = 4.44 ± 2.77) and percent weight loss (M = -1.54% ± 2.26%); a significant association (F (1, 88) = 6.42, p = .013] was also found between the frequency of self-monitoring (M = 50.14% ± 33%) and percent weight loss. Conclusions: Results suggest that consistent and frequent app-based dietary self-monitoring is associated with weight loss. Clinicians may wish to emphasize these aspects of self-monitoring when providing weight loss counseling. Future research should investigate if less stringent self-monitoring requirements, such as three days per week, support self-monitoring adherence and weight change.
"],"dc:identifier":["https://dsc.duq.edu/etd/1895"],"dc:language":["English"],"dc:subject":["Self-monitoring","Weight loss","App","Adherence","Diet","mHealth","Mobile phone","eHealth","Obesity","Nutrition","Behavioral Medicine","Community Health","Community Health and Preventive Medicine","Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition","Family Medicine","Family Practice Nursing","Preventive Medicine","Primary Care","Public Health and Community Nursing"],"dc:title":["Exploring the Relationship between Dietary Self-Monitoring with a Mobile App and Weight Change"],"thesis:degree_discipline":["Nursing"],"thesis:degree_level":["One-year Embargo"],"thesis:degree_name":["PhD"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-24T02:10:58Z"}