Courtney M Monroe, Homayoun Valafar, Sara Wilcox, Gabrielle M Turner-McGrievy, Diana Carolina Delgado-Díaz, Kelli E DuBois, Halide Zeynep Aydin, Yesil Kim, James Hardin
Journal: Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.) 2025;33(8):1447-1456
PMID: 40629523
Social support plays a key role in the success of weight loss by individuals with overweight and obesity. However, it has been challenging to find ways to facilitate social support. This 12 month randomised control trial of 243 individuals known as the Mobile Lifestyle Intervention for Food and Exercise (mLIFE) study explored how adding a gaming element to social support could help adults with overweight or obesity lose weight. Participants were divided into two groups: one received points for engaging in social support activities, while the other group did not know about the points system. The researchers measured weight using Fitbit scales and analysed the data to see how effective the intervention was.
The results showed that participants in the group that received points were less likely to drop out of the study compared to those who did not receive points (22% vs. 41%). Differences in weight loss were not significant between the two groups. However, individuals who used the app at least 25% of the time were shown to lose 3.5kg more than those who did not receive points. This suggests that gamifying social support may encourage people to stay engaged in weight loss efforts.
It was concluded that although there were no differences in outcomes, there was higher engagement and better retention amongst those who used gamified social support. This study could be used by healthcare professionals to understand the potential benefits of incorporating gamification into social support for weight loss.
OBJECTIVE
The Mobile Lifestyle Intervention for Food and Exercise (mLIFE) study was a 12-month mobile weight loss intervention examining social gaming to promote social support.
METHODS
Adults with overweight or obesity (n = 243) were randomized to the mLIFE + points (received points for social support activities) or mLIFE group (blinded to points). Weight was measured via Fitbit scales. Repeated-measures mixed models were used to conduct both an intent-to-treat analysis and an analysis among adherent participants (logged on to the mLIFE app ≥25% of study days).
RESULTS
Attrition was lower in the mLIFE + points group (22% vs. 41% in mLIFE; χ = 9.8, p < 0.01), and adherence was higher (61% vs. 42% in mLIFE; χ = 7.6, p < 0.01). None of the group × time interactions was significant for the intent-to-treat analysis except for total number of points earned at 12 months (mLIFE + points mean 605.9 [SE 203.2] vs. mLIFE mean 350.0 [SE 200.0]; p < 0.01). The mLIFE + points participants lost a mean of 5.3 [SE 0.6] kg at 12 months (vs. mean 3.5 [SE 0.7] kg in mLIFE; p = 0.09). Among adherent participants (n = 127), mLIFE + points participants lost more weight (mean 7.3 [SE 0.8] kg) than mLIFE (mean 3.8 [SE 0.9] kg; p < 0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
The use of points led to greater weight loss at 12 months, but only among adherent participants. Providing points for completing social support activities is a way to retain participants and increase engagement in a mobile intervention.
© 2025 The Author(s). Obesity published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of The Obesity Society.
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