This AI weight loss coach motivates users to stick to diet, exercise programs

The CSIRO has released a new artificial intelligence (AI) weight loss coach as part of its Total Wellbeing Diet offering.

The AI coach – called Hope – uses psychological techniques to prompt and motivate members throughout their weight loss journey.

The program was developed after researchers flagged three critical behaviours that, when put into practice regularly, have the biggest impact for people looking to get healthier and achieve their weight loss goals.

The analysis of nearly 11,000 Total Wellbeing Diet members revealed that those who weighed in regularly, followed the menu plan and tracked their food intake the most achieved a weight loss of 8.1 per cent of their starting body weight in 12 weeks, or an average of 7.5kgs.

CSIRO says those who engaged in these behaviours the least achieved a 3.3 per cent drop in their weight (3.1kgs) – a difference of nearly 4.5kgs between the two groups.

And Hope can predict appropriate weight loss targets, track progress and provide timely feedback, using state-of-the-art machine learning.

Hope could help with compliance. Pic: Percentage of body weight lost by level of compliance (CSIRO)

Real-time insights via AI

“Hope equips you with the real-time insights, personalised support and encouragement to help you to put your best foot forward, and achieve your weight loss goals,” CSIRO Total Wellbeing Dietitian Pennie McCoy said.

“In designing Hope, the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet continues to prove how the latest science can transform health outcomes, with an innovation that uses data from Australians, for Australians, to achieve enhanced weight loss success throughout the entire program.”

While high diligence across all three behaviours resulted in the greatest weight loss of 8.1 per cent, it was also found that individuals displaying high diligence across two of the three behaviours were still able to achieve above average weight loss, losing 7.5 per cent of their starting body weight.

“Many people feel they have to be really strict to see results. This pressure can lead to unrealistic expectations so it’s really exciting to see in the research findings that there is room for flexibility in a sustainable weight loss journey,” McCoy said.

“With the additional support of Hope, Australians can feel assured that they are embarking on a weight loss journey that is not only proven but also fits into their lifestyle.”