Louisiana Researchers Pilot AI and Wearable Tech to Combat Adolescent Summer Weight Gain
Researchers in Louisiana, including teams from Pennington Biomedical Research Center, FMOL Health | Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health, and LSU, have conducted a pilot study on a technology-assisted approach to prevent summer weight gain in adolescents. The eight-week program combined an in-person summer camp with an AI-assisted mobile app, wearable activity trackers (Fitbit), and personalized behavioral support. Published in 'Frontiers in Physiology,' the study found that the technology successfully integrated into the structured camp, with adolescents averaging over two hours of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily during the 10-day camp. The 'ProudMe' app, featuring an AI chatbot, showed solid acceptability and engagement. However, researchers noted challenges in sustaining participant engagement with the technology once the in-person camp concluded, highlighting the difficulty of maintaining participation without a structured environment.
