• Gabrielle M Turner-McGrievy, Marci K Campbell, Deborah F Tate, Kimberly P Truesdale, J Michael Bowling, and Lelia Crosby.
• Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7461, USA. brie@unc.edu
• Am J Prev Med. 2009 Oct 1; 37 (4): 263269263-9.

BackgroundAs obesity rates rise, new weight-loss methods are needed. Little is known about the use of podcasting (audio files for a portable music player or computer) to promote weight loss, despite its growing popularity.DesignA 12-week RCT was conducted.Setting/ParticipantsThe study sample comprised overweight men and women (BMI=25-40 kg/m(2); n=78) in the Raleigh-Durham NC area.InterventionIn 2008, participants were randomly assigned to receive 24 episodes of a currently available weight-loss podcast (control podcast) or a weight-loss podcast based on social cognitive theory (SCT) designed by the researchers (enhanced podcast) for 12 weeks.Main Outcome MeasuresWeight was measured on a digital scale at baseline and follow-up. Both groups also completed questionnaires assessing demographic information, food intake, physical activity, and SCT constructs at the introductory and 12-week meetings. Additional questionnaires at the 12-week meeting assessed perceptions of the intervention.ResultsData collection and analysis occurred in 2008 and intention-to-treat was used. Enhanced group participants (n=41) had a greater decrease in weight (-2.9+/-3.5 kg enhanced group vs -0.3+/-2.1 control group; p<0.001 between groups) and BMI (-1.0+/-1.2 kg/m(2) enhanced group vs -0.1+/-0.7 kg/m(2) control group; p<0.001 between groups) than the control group (n=37) and had greater weight-loss-related knowledge (p<0.05), elaboration (p<0.001), and user control (p<0.001) and less cognitive load (p<0.001).ConclusionsThe results of this study suggest that the use of behavioral, theory-based podcasting may be an effective way to promote weight loss.Trial RegistrationNCT00771095.

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