mHealth Solutions Show Promise in Obesity Treatment

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from Stockholm, Sweden, have conducted a study to evaluate the use of mobile health (mHealth) chat functions in obesity treatment. The study included 492 patients from a specialist obesity treatment clinic in Sweden, who were monitored for six months and assessed for chat usage based on factors such as age, sex, body mass index (BMI), socioeconomic status, prescribed weight management medications, and digital welcome letter. The results showed that nearly 90% of participants used the chat function during their treatment, with younger participants, those prescribed weight management medications, and those who received a digital welcome letter before admission being the most active users.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study involved 492 patients from a specialist obesity treatment clinic in Sweden, with a mean age of 30.5 years and a mean BMI of 42.5 kg/m2.
  • Over 90% of participants used the mHealth chat function during their treatment, with younger participants, those prescribed weight management medications, and those who received a digital welcome letter before admission being the most active users.
  • Socioeconomic status or sex did not appear to be associated with chat activity.
  • The study concluded that integrating mHealth solutions, including chat function, into obesity treatment programs can be a way to maintain patient contact, also for patients with low socioeconomic status.
  • Healthcare provider-initiated digital interactions may encourage greater patient engagement.

Statistics:

  • 492 patients were included in the study, with 73.4% being women and 26.6% being men.
  • The mean age of participants was 30.5 years, with a range of 16-65 years.
  • The mean BMI of participants was 42.5 kg/m2, with a range of 30-60 kg/m2.
  • 90.2% of participants had low socioeconomic status.
  • 23.8% of participants were prescribed weight management medications.
  • 90% of participants used the chat function during their treatment.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Research Findings from Stockholm Update Understanding of Obesity (Patients' use of mHealth in their obesity treatment: a Swedish descriptive observational study). Telemedicine Law Weekly. November 1, 2025; p 5236.
  • Patients' use of mHealth in their obesity treatment: a Swedish descriptive observational study. BMJ Public Health, 2025,3(2).
  • BMJ Publishing Group.