A new study has found that combining human coaches with artificial intelligence (AI) in weight-loss programs greatly improves success.
The research used data from about 65,000 users of the HealthifyMe app over three years.
It showed that users who had both AI and human coaches lost 74% more weight over three months compared to those who used AI alone. This highlights the importance of adding a human touch to digital health tools.
The HealthifyMe app offers two types of paid plans. One is a cheaper plan, costing around $44 per month, which gives access only to an AI coach called “Ria.”
The other is a premium plan, about $50 per month, which includes both the AI coach and human coaches. These human coaches help users make personalized fitness and nutrition plans, give support, and answer questions.
The study, led by Puneet Manchanda from the University of Michigan, used statistical methods to make sure the comparison between the two groups was fair. It took into account things like age, gender, starting weight, and app usage habits.
On average, users with both AI and human support lost 2.12 kg (4.67 pounds) in three months, while those with only AI lost 1.22 kg (2.69 pounds).
The researchers also found that human coaches changed how people used the app. Users with human support:
Set higher weight-loss goals (17.6 kg vs. 15.2 kg)
Logged their meals more often (102 vs. 49.7 times per week)
Checked their weight more regularly (1.35 vs. 1.12 times per week)
These actions suggest that human coaches helped keep users more motivated and consistent.
Different users benefited in different ways. Women and older people saw better results with human coaching than men and younger people. Also, those who started with a lower body weight saw greater benefits.
This might be because people with higher body weight could feel embarrassed when talking to human coaches, which could reduce the effect of the support.
The findings are important for people thinking about using fitness apps. Paying a little more for a plan with human support might be worth it, especially for women, older users, and people who are not severely overweight.
Still, the actual weight loss difference is small—only about 2 pounds more over three months. So users should keep realistic expectations and think about whether the cost and time for human interaction are worth it.
For health app companies, this is the first large study to prove that human coaching adds real value to AI tools. Since human support is expensive and hard to scale, companies can use this information to focus human efforts where they matter most.
The study also has a message for public health policymakers. Obesity is a big global problem, and digital tools can help. But this research shows that AI alone may not be enough. Combining AI with targeted human support could give better and fairer results.
If you care about weight loss, please read studies about Scientists find secrets to long-term weight loss success and findings of Weight loss surgery linked to this mental disease.
For more about obesity, please read studies about Obesity drugs can help prevent weight regain after weight loss surgery and findings of Research shows big hidden cause of obesity.
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