PathMate2: The Impact of Health Information System Services on the Effects of Therapy in Overweight Teenagers

To improve self-regulation of overweight adolescents and subsequently their weight status, we tested, whether a biofeedback relaxation exercise decreases stress and whether relaxation services as well as sensor data integration implemented in a novel Smartphone App supported intervention have effects on stress, physical activity and weight outcomes. During the intensive phase of 6 months, patients of the intervention group (IG) are equipped with a smartphone and a specially designed chat App with game character, which encourages them through a virtual coach to achieve daily activity, healty lifestyle or relaxation challenges and earn virtual rewards, to increase adherance to the health information system.

Overweight or obese adolescents of the treatment as-usual group (CG) have monthly visits on site during the intensive phase. Counseling for physical activity, healthy eating and lifestyle as well as psychosocial wellbeing is provided by a pediatrician.