Project TwEATs. A feasibility study testing the use of automated text messaging to monitor appetite ratings in a free-living population

There are no standardized methods for monitoring appetite in free-living populations. Fifteen participants tested a computer-automated text-messaging system designed to track hunger ratings over seven days. Participants were sent text-messages (SMS) hourly and instructed to reply during waking hours with their current hunger rating. Of 168 SMS, 0.6-7.1% were undelivered, varying by mobile service provider. On average 12 SMS responses were received daily with minor variations by observation day or day of the week. Compliance was over 74%, and 93% of the ratings were received within 30-min. Automated text-messaging is a feasible method to monitor appetite ratings in this population. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.