A new study in this week’s Journal of Medical Internet Research finds that a mobile platform using artificial intelligence helps diabetics and obese people better than the federal government’s National Diabetes Prevention Program. The pilot study, “Weight Loss Using a Novel Mobile Diabetes Prevention Program Delivery Platform With Human Coaching: 65-Week Observational Follow-Up,” published yesterday followed diabetics and obese people over the course of 65 weeks. Participants logged their exercise, caloric intake, overall diet and sleep patterns on the mobile platform, Noom. Participants were also in weekly contact with coaches who monitored their progress.
Pilot Study Results
Participants lost an average 16 pounds by week 24 and a total weight loss of 20 pounds by week 65. Participants who were highly engaged in study lost even more – an average of 9 percent of their starting weight. The study results are better than the CDC’s National Diabetes Prevention Program, which requires participants lose 5 percent of their body weight over the course of 6 – 12 months. The study showed participants were highly engaged, with 80 percent completing the program.
In the United States, 84 million people have prediabetes while 30.3 million have diabetes, according to the 2017 National Diabetes Statistics Report. It’s estimated the total annual cost for diagnosed diabetes is $245 billion.
The CEO and co-founder of Noom, Saeju Jeong, says diabetes and obesity is a global problem, but Americans are at the top of this health epidemic.
“Noom is bringing technology, artificial intelligence, and human coaches to tackle the diabetes and obesity epidemic,” said Jeong. “This latest study is further academic proof that Noom’s platform delivers long-lasting, healthy weight loss that is based on behavior change.”
