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INNOSC Theranostics and
Pharmacological Sciences Digital therapeutics for obesity management

obesity and eating-related problems. However, previous developed for diabetes management and now expanded
self-management DTx studies have often overlooked to address obesity and other chronic conditions. BlueStar
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mental health, focusing instead on behaviors such as provides personalized, real-time guidance to users via a
glucose and weight monitoring, medication adherence, mobile app that integrates with various health data sources,
food logging, and physical activity. 16,17 Most mobile health including wearable devices, glucose monitors, and fitness
interventions have only shown improvements in physical trackers. The platform uses artificial intelligence (AI) to
health outcomes, such as hemoglobin A1c levels or body deliver customized coaching and educational content based
weight, but have not effectively addressed mental health on individual user data, assisting users in managing their
issues. 18-20 Factors like motivation, depression, anxiety, and diet, physical activity, medication adherence, and overall
self-esteem are predictors of successful weight control. health behavior. The app features an intuitive and user-
Therefore, developing practical DTx for obesity and eating friendly interface with dashboards displaying health metrics,
behavior problems requires a multidisciplinary approach progress tracking, and actionable insights. Clinicians can
that includes psychological components. 21 access patient data through a dedicated portal, enabling
better-informed treatment decisions and more personalized
3.1. Key players and products care. BlueStar has been validated in multiple clinical
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Omada Health is a prominent provider of DTx focused on studies demonstrating its effectiveness in improving health
obesity management and chronic disease prevention. The outcomes and is approved by regulatory bodies like the
Omada Health program is built on a comprehensive, behavior FDA, ensuring its credibility and reliability as a PDT. 24,25
change-oriented platform that integrates human coaching,
peer support, digital tools, and data-driven insights. Key 3.2. Mechanisms of action
features include personalized health coaching, an interactive PDTs leverage several mechanisms to effectively manage
mobile app, and digital tracking tools for monitoring weight, obesity. Central to their approach are behavioral interventions
diet, and physical activity. The user interface is designed to rooted in cognitive-behavioral therapy principles, which help
be intuitive and engaging, offering goal-setting capabilities, users modify unhealthy eating patterns and adopt healthier
educational content, and progress tracking. The platform behaviors. Gamification techniques further enhance user
uses cognitive-behavioral techniques to help users develop engagement and adherence by making the process more
lasting healthy habits. Participants receive wireless scales and interactive and motivating. In addition, PDTs utilize data
activity trackers, which integrate their health data into the app tracking and personalization through wearables and mobile
for real-time feedback and personalized recommendations. apps, which monitor physical activity, dietary intake,
Omada’s evidence-based approach has proven effective in and other health metrics, providing users with real-time
clinical trials, showing significant weight loss and improved feedback and personalized insights. Advanced technologies
health outcomes for participants. 22 such as AI and machine learning play a critical role in
Noom is a well-known PDT that uses a psychology- this personalization, analyzing user data to create tailored
based method to promote sustainable weight loss and treatment plans that adapt to individual needs and progress.
manage obesity. At the heart of Noom’s program is its mobile Together, these mechanisms create a comprehensive and
application, which offers various features to assist users on dynamic approach to obesity management, fostering
their weight loss journey. Notable features of Noom include sustained behavior change and improved health outcomes.
customized meal plans, calorie tracking, and an extensive The differences between conventional pharmacotherapy
food database to aid users in making informed dietary and DTx are shown in Table 2.
decisions. The app incorporates cognitive-behavioral
therapy techniques to address the psychological aspects of 3.3. Clinical evidence and effectiveness
eating, fostering healthier habits and behaviors. In addition, 3.3.1. Issues of DTx in obesity treatment
Noom provides virtual coaching from trained professionals Based on the current status of the field, there as six major
who offer guidance, motivation, and accountability. The constructive issues currently facing the application of DTx
user interface is designed to be intuitive and engaging, with in the management of obesity and eating-related problems
daily lessons, quizzes, and progress tracking tools to keep (Figure 3).
users actively engaged in their health goals. By combining
behavioral science, personalized coaching, and technology, 3.3.1.1. Comprehensiveness of an individual’s multifactorial
Noom strives to offer a comprehensive and user-friendly health condition
solution for effective obesity management. 23 As noted previously, obesity and eating behavior issues
WellDoc is a pioneering digital health company that are complex and multifaceted in nature. To thoroughly
3
offers BlueStar , a comprehensive DTx platform initially understand and monitor the progress of weight control
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Volume 7 Issue 4 (2024) 4 doi: 10.36922/itps.4042