New Technologies for Weight Loss Programs

Source: Knowledge @ Wharton, October 4, 2013 Traditional weight loss programs are facing stiff competition from programs and mobile apps that embrace newer technologies. Katie Milkman’s research helps explain the popularity of these mobile apps by demonstrating how people can “get hooked” on healthy habits when they are paired with an engaging activity such as listening to a thrilling audio book. Kevin Volpp adds that many people still like the format of the traditional weight loss programs, so their challenge is to “morph their business model in ways that allow them to retain their core customer base while at the same time attract customers for whom the new [technologies] are appealing.”