Objective: Preliminary results indicated effectiveness of the online weight reduction program KiloCoach. The current study presents a large collection of user data and compares KiloCoach with other evaluated commercial weight loss programs. Furthermore, potential factors influencing the effectiveness of internet weight loss programs should be identified. Method:4,310 data sets of KiloCoach users were available, 3,150 of them were suitable for further analysis. 946 program users were considered completers (at least 60 days of continuous protocol). For comparison with other programs, different subsamples were drawn that matched to the inclusion criteria of reference studies. Results: On average, KiloCoach overweight and obese completers lost 4.5 % of initial body weight. KiloCoach was as effective as the commercial program Weight Watchers® after 1 year (6.4% vs. 5.3% weight loss; p = 0.11) and 2 years (5.1% vs. 3.2% weight loss; p = 0.15). KiloCoach proved to be more effective than other online programs (Viktklubb, eDiets.com) as well as an in-person behavioral program, but less effective than Vtrim®, an online behavioral program providing intensive support. Conclusion: In comparison to reference programs, KiloCoach proved to be effective for weight reduction. The effect of online weight reduction programs seems to depend on methods and features applied.

Keywords:
Weight loss, Online program, Internet program, Obesity, Overweight
1.
Krukowski RA, West DS, Harvey-Berino J: Recent advances in internet-delivered, evidence-based weight control programs for adults. J Diabetes Sci Technol 2009;3:184–189.
2.
Tate DF, Wing RR, Winett RA: Using internet technology to deliver a behavioral weight loss program. JAMA 2001;285:1172–1177.
3.
Sherwood NE, Morton N, Jeffery RW, French SA, Neumark-Sztainer D, Falkner NH: Consumer preferences in format and type of community-based weight control programs. Am J Health Promot 1998;13:12–18.
4.
Krukowski RA, Tilford JM, Harvey-Berino J, West S: Comparing behavioral weight loss modalities: incremental cost-effectiveness of an internet-based versus an in-person condition. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2011;19:1629–1635.
5.
Arem H, Irwin M: A review of web-based weight loss interventions in adults. Obes Rev 2011;12:e236–e243.
6.
Rippe JM, Price JM, Hess SA, Kline G, DeMers KA, Damitz S, Kreidieh I, Freedson P: Improved psychological well-being, quality of life, and health practices in moderately overweight women participating in a 12-week structured weight loss program. Obes Res 1998;6:208–218.
7.
Heshka S, Anderson JW, Atkinson RL, Greenway FL, Hill JO, Phinney SD, Kolotkin RL, Miller-Kovach K, Pi-Sunyer FX: Weight loss with self-help compared with a structured commercial program: a randomized trial. JAMA 2003;289:1792–1798.
8.
Jonasson J, Linne Y, Neovius M, Rössner S: An internet-based weight loss programme – a feasibility study with preliminary results from 4209 completers. Scand J Public Health 2009;37:75–82.
9.
Gold BC, Burke S, Pintauro S, Buzzell P, Harvey-Berino J: Weight loss on the web: a pilot study comparing a structured behavioral intervention to a commercial program. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2007;15:155–164.
10.
Womble LG, Wadden TA, McGuckin BG, Sargent SL, Rothman RA, Krauthamer-Ewing ES: A randomized controlled trial of a commercial internet weight loss program. Obes Res 2004;12:1011–1018.
11.
Levitz LS, Stunkard AJ: A therapeutic coalition for obesity: behavior modification and patient self-help. Am J Psychiatry 1974;131:423–427.
12.
Tsai AG, Wadden TA: Systematic review: an evaluation of major commercial weight loss programs in the United States. Ann Intern Med 2005;142:56–66
13.
Pasanisi F, Contaldo F, de Simone G, Mancini M: Benefits of sustained moderate weight loss in obesity. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 2001;11:401–406.
14.
Harvey-Berino J, Pintauro S, Buzzell P, Gold EC: Effect of internet support on the long-term maintenance of weight loss. Obes Res 2004;12:320–329.
15.
Harvey-Berino J, Pintauro SJ, Gold EC: The feasibility of using internet support for the maintenance of weight loss. Behav Modif 2002;26:103–116.
16.
Svetkey LP, Stevens VJ, Brantley PJ, Appel LJ, Hollis JF, Loria CM, Vollmer WM, Gullion CM, Funk K, Smith P, Samuel-Hodge C, Myers V, Lien LF, Laferriere D, Kennedy B, Jerome GJ, Heinith F, Harsha DW, Evans P, Erlinger TP, Dalcin AT, Coughlin J, Charleston J, Champagne CM, Bauck A, Ard JD, Aicher K: Comparison of strategies for sustaining weight loss: the weight loss maintenance randomized controlled trial. JAMA 2008;299:1139–1148.
17.
Harvey-Berino J, Pintauro S, Buzzell P, DiGiulio M, Casey GB, Moldovan C, Ramirez E: Does using the internet facilitate the maintenance of weight loss? Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 2002;26:1254–1260.
18.
Funk KL, Stevens VJ, Appel LJ, Bauck A, Brantley PJ, Champagne CM, Coughlin J, Dalcin AT, Harvey-Berino J, Hollis JF, Jerome GJ, Kennedy BM, Lien LF, Myers VH, Samuel-Hodge C, Svetkey LP, Vollmer WM: Associations of internet website use with weight change in a long-term weight loss maintenance program. J Med Internet Res 2010;12:e29.
19.
Krukowski RA, Harvey-Berino J, Ashikaga T, Thomas CS, Micco N: Internet-based weight control: the relationship between web features and weight loss. Telemed J E Health 2008;14:775–782.
20.
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 2006;166:1620–1625.
21.
van der Mark M, Jonasson J, Svensson M, Linne Y, Rössner S, Trolle Lagerros Y: Older members perform better in an internet-based behavioral weight loss program compared to younger members. Obes Facts 2009;2:74–79.
22.
Chen HT: The bottom-up approach to integrative validity: A new perspective for program evaluation. Evaluation and Program Planning 2010;33:205–214.
© 2012 S. Karger GmbH, Freiburg
2012
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.