J Korean Diet Assoc.  2010 Nov;16(4):369-377.

Short Term Weight Control Program of Obese Female College Students through Food Consumption Monitoring Using Mobile Phone Equipped with Camera

• Jung EY
• Hong YH
• Kim YS
• Kim YJ
• Chang UJ

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of food consumption monitoring based on a digital photography method using a mobile phone on food consumption and weight reduction. Eighteen female college students (>30% body fat) participated in the weight control program using a mobile-phone for 4 wks. The energy intake was reduced significantly after 3 wks compared to baseline (P<0.05, baseline: 1,453.0 kcal, 3rd wk: 1,171.1 kcal, 4th wk: 1,130.8 kcal). The subjects lost 2.8 kg of body weight, 1.4% of % body fat, and 1.1 kg/m2 of body mass index (BMI) after 4 wks. There were also significant differences in blood pressure (P<0.001) and serum cholesterol (total cholesterol: P<0.05, LDL-cholesterol: P<0.01) before and after the self-regulated diet program. In this study, the digital photography method using a mobile-phone influenced weight control through trained consumption monitoring, which helps individuals reduce discrepancies between perceived and actual consumption levels. Therefore, effective monitoring by taking food pictures using a mobile-phone can lead individuals to rely more heavily on easy-to-monitor visual cues.

Keyword

mobile-phone; digital photography method; body weight; consumption monitoring

MeSH Terms

Adipose Tissue
Blood Pressure
Body Mass Index
Body Weight
Cellular Phone
Cholesterol
Cues
Diet
Energy Intake
Female
Humans
Photography
Weight Loss
Cholesterol