Effects of a Web-based Weight Management Education Program on Various Factors for Overweight and Obese Women: Randomized Controlled Trial

Mediated diet and exercise methods yield effective short-term weight loss but are costly and hard to manage. However, web-based programs can serve many participants, offering ease of access and cost-efficiency. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of a web-based weight management program through web-based education alone (MINE) or combined with tailored video feedback (MINE Plus) with a control (CO) group. This intervention included 60 Korean women with overweight and obesity (BMI≥23 kg/m ) aged 19 years to 39 years old. We randomly allocated 60 participants to each of 3 groups: (1) MINE group (web-based education video and self-monitoring app), (2) MINE Plus group (web-based education video, self-monitoring app, and 1:1 tailored video feedback), and (3) CO group (only self-monitoring app). Web-based education included nutrition, physical activity, psychological factors, medical knowledge for weight loss, goal setting, and cognitive and behavioral strategies. Tailored feedback aimed to motivate and provide solutions via weekly 10-minute real-time video sessions. The intervention lasted 6 weeks, followed by a 6-week observation period to assess the education's lasting effects, with evaluations at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. A generalized linear mixed model was used to evaluate time and group interactions. In the intention-to-treat analysis including all 60 participants, there were significant differences in weight change at 6 weeks in the MINE and MINE Plus groups, with mean weight changes of -0.74 (SD 1.96) kg (P=.03) and -1.87 (SD 1.8) kg (P