Researchers from the Department of Nutrition at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill examined the efficacy of a podcasting program to promote weight loss.

The study sample was made up of 78 overweight men and women in the Raleigh-Durham NC area. They were randomly assigned to receive 24 episodes of a currently available weight-loss podcast (control podcast) or a 12-week weight-loss podcast based on social cognitive theory (SCT), designed by the researchers (enhanced podcast).

Outcomes were measured by weight on a digital scale at baseline and follow-up. Both groups also completed questionnaires assessing demographic information, food intake, physical activity, and SCT constructs at the introductory and 12-week meetings. Additional questionnaires at the 12-week meeting assessed perceptions of the intervention.

Data revealed that the enhanced podcast group (n=41) had a greater decrease in weight (-2.9+/-3.5 kg enhanced group vs -0.3+/-2.1 control group; p<0.001 between groups) and BMI (-1.0+/-1.2 kg/m(2) enhanced group vs -0.1+/-0.7 kg/m(2) control group; p<0.001 between groups) than the control group (n=37) and had greater weight-loss-related knowledge (p<0.05), elaboration (p<0.001), and user control (p<0.001) and less cognitive load (p<0.001).

The results of this study suggest that the use of behavioral, theory-based podcasting may be an effective way to promote weight loss.

Citation:  Turner-McGrievy GM, Campbell MK, Tate DF, Truesdale KP, Bowling JM, Crosby L. Pounds Off Digitally study: a randomized podcasting weight-loss intervention. American Journal of Preventive Medicine  2009 Oct; 37 (4): pages 263-9. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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