On the internet, they come in all variations – we are talking about weight loss apps. Lose belly fat, achieve your desired figure, and other promises await users. The majority of these applications function as calorie counters and activity trackers – but sustainable effects have not been proven. While weight loss may succeed for a certain period of time, in many cases the notorious yo-yo effect follows, and those affected end up back where they started – possibly with a few extra pounds on their bodies than before.
That’s why it pays to take a close look when choosing an app and to seek expert advice. Two weight loss apps are available for obesity patients with a BMI between 30 and 40 as part of statutory health insurance coverage. We take a closer look at the jungle of diet apps and examine the two so-called Digital Health Applications (DiGA), for which statutory health insurers cover the costs.
Which weight loss apps are available?
Among the best-known types of apps are calorie trackers and combined diet applications. With MyFitnessPal and Calorie Counter, the main focus is on counting daily calories. All meals are documented, often conveniently with photos, and a barcode scanner allows individual foods to be logged.
Lose It!, Yazio, Lifesum, and Noom are calorie counters that also track physical activity and weight loss. Noom additionally offers personalized nutrition coaching.
Prices for the individual apps vary widely: from €4.99 per month to more than €50 per month.
So far, only two apps may officially call themselves Digital Health Applications, whose effectiveness for obesity patients has been proven in studies: Oviva and zanadio are CE-certified, approved by the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM), and can be prescribed by a physician for patients with a BMI between 30 and 40. The subscription costs for an initial three months are covered by statutory health insurers.
What criteria should weight loss apps meet?
To support an obesity patient in changing eating habits, weight loss apps should not only focus on short-term success but aim for a lasting change in lifestyle. Only this way can a relapse into old patterns be prevented and the yo-yo effect avoided.
Since obesity is a recognized disease in which behavioral patterns can rarely be changed overnight, an app must provide strong motivational impulses and support patients over a long period of time.
Below we list criteria expected of a goal-oriented, modern app with real prospects of success:
- easy meal documentation
- calorie counter
- nutritional information
- exercise tips and planner (option to connect with an activity tracker)
- intuitive, user-friendly interface
- suggest personal goal setting
- regular informational content
- daily motivation, e.g., through rewards
- individualized feedback
- consider specific dietary needs in recipe suggestions
- include comorbidities such as diabetes
- enable networking with other users for mutual exchange
What the DiGAs zanadio and Oviva offer
The DiGA Oviva targets weight reduction in obesity and also aims to address related health issues. The focus is not on calorie counting and food restrictions, but rather on supporting severely overweight individuals in sustainably improving behavior, activity, and diet. The focus areas are:
- self-monitoring
- self-management
- and self-education
It is also possible to seek professional support via chat. Its effectiveness has been confirmed in a study.
The same applies to the health app zanadio. A 12-month study was able to confirm its success. With zanadio, the focus is on obesity therapy specifically for weight loss, with the following key aspects:
- knowledge transfer
- self-observation
- goal setting and achievement
- automated coaching
Cochrane Review criticizes lack of long-term studies
The international research network Cochrane examined the available studies on various weight loss apps and concluded that even with DiGAs, which are usually prescribed for an initial period of 90 days, no long-term observations are available. This means no precise statement about lasting effectiveness can be made.
Adding to the problem is the fact that many users discontinue the programs prematurely.
Weight loss apps can, however, serve as a useful supplement to individualized obesity programs. It is also expected that in the coming years, these applications will be optimized and better adapted to users’ personal needs.
More meaningful studies are expected in the coming years.
Conclusion
So far, the long-term effectiveness of weight loss apps for obesity patients has not been clearly proven. As a supplementary measure, alongside personal coaching and especially psychological support, however, they may be useful. It is advisable to consult specialists when making a choice.
What options are available for obesity patients to lose weight and change their eating and lifestyle habits if all attempts fail? Even then, there are ways to improve health. The Leading Medicine Guide supports you in finding experienced obesity centers. We also provide contacts to specialists for bariatric surgery such as gastric bypass, gastric band, or sleeve gastrectomy, which can achieve lasting weight reduction.
Sources
- https://www.apotheken-umschau.de/gesund-bleiben/ernaehrung/abnehm-apps-welche-bei-der-diaet-mit-dem-smartphone-helfen-koennen-1225587.html
- https://oviva.com/de/de/oviva-oder-zanadio/
- https://www.apotheken.de/news/13834-was-bringen-apps-gegen-adipositas
- https://wissenwaswirkt.org/mit-smartphone-apps-gegen-adipositas-hilfreich-oder-sinnlos
- https://www.ernaehrungsradar.de/abnehm-apps/
- https://oviva.com/de/de/abnehm-app/
