Engagement in Digital Health App-Based Prevention Programs Is Associated With Weight Loss Among Adults Age 65+

Background: Digital health programs have been shown to be feasible and effective for the prevention of chronic diseases such as diabetes. Contrary to expectations, findings also suggest that older adults have higher levels of engagement with digital health programs than younger adults. However, there is a paucity of research examining outcomes among older adults in digital health programs and whether higher engagement is related to better outcomes.

Methods: We examined weight loss outcomes for 538 users aged 65 and older participating in one of two app-based prevention programs called the Diabetes Prevention Program and the Prevention Program, respectively. Both programs were available on a single artificial intelligence (AI)-powered digital health platform and shared a common goal of weight loss. We also examined the relationship between key engagement metrics (i.e., conversing with the AI-powered coach, weigh-ins, and initiating educational lessons early in the program) and weight loss outcomes.

Results: The average weight loss of all enrollees having a weight measurement after after the 9th week was 4.51%, and the average weight loss of the Diabetes Prevention Program enrollees meeting a minimum engagement level was 8.56%. Greater weight loss was associated with a greater number of days with AI-powered coaching conversations (p = 0.03), more weigh-ins (p = 0.00), and early educational lesson initiation (p = 0.02).

Conclusions: Digital health programs powered by AI offer a promising solution for health management among older adults. The results show positive health outcomes using app-based prevention programs, and all three engagement metrics were independently associated with weight loss.