Maintaining weight loss achieved after a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome is one of the key challenges of treating and managing the condition. Studies have shown that both wearable technology and smartphone apps may be able to help people to adhere to lifestyle changes as part of lifestyle adjustments and treatment for metabolic syndrome.
Smartphone apps to aid weight loss
There are a number of smartphone apps developed to help users track and record their exercise and food intake, as well as provide an online community to support users in achieving their weight loss and health goals.
An example of this type of technology is Noom (https://www.noom.com), a smartphone app that gives users access to a personal nutrition coach and customised nutrition plan. The Noom app provides motivation and professional guidance for users to make easy lifestyle changes on their own. Noom also allows users to document their exercise and food intake and encourages them to read daily nutrition and health articles (and take quizzes after) to promote lifestyle changes. The app connects users with the other 47 million users on the app, so you can chat with and support each other.
Peer reviewed studies using Noom for weight loss programs in overweight or obese people have shown that the app may be a valuable tool for helping achieve and maintain weight loss. However, there are criticisms of this app from nutritionists including an oversimplified categorisation of foods as ‘good’ or ‘bad’ based on calorie content without considering nutritional content or the quantity of the food consumed.
Wearable devices
There are a number of wearable technologies that may be helpful in the management of metabolic syndrome. However, there is currently only limited evidence to show they are effective or provide a benefit compared with not using wearable technology. A small number of studies have shown that wearable devices that record the number of steps a user has taken each day and the estimated number of calories burned can help people adhere to regular walking. One study found that people who used the wearable device for 12 weeks were more likely to engage in daily physical activity and this led to improvements in blood pressure. It may therefore be motivational and helpful to use a wearable device to record your physical activity.
In the end, it is down to your personal preference and the way in which you are motivated. For many people, using the latest health technologies can greatly improve adherence to an exercise and healthy diet plan.
References
Toro-Ramos T, et al. Metab Syndr Relat Disord. 2017 Nov;15(9):465-473.
Huh U, et al. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2019 Jun; 7(6): e13381.