Internet Weight-Loss Counseling: Automatic Response vs. Human Care

In a new study appearing in Archives of Internal Medicine, individuals participated in internet-based weight-loss programs. All participants attended one group weight-loss session, were supplied with meal-replacement coupons, and received access to an interactive website specializing in weight loss. Individuals were randomized into 1 of 3 groups in which they received either no treatment, weekly human e-mail counseling, or computer-automated feedback messages. After 3 months, the computer-automated group and the human e-mail counseling group exhibited significant improvement compared to the group receiving no counseling. After 6 months, weight loss was more significant in the human e-mail counseling group compared to the groups receiving either no treatment or computer-automated feedback. http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/166/15/1620