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Digital avatars as a resource for weight loss

Avatar based digital triggers are promising tools for initiating weight management. This paper describes the effects of a digital avatar trigger on weight (Study 1) and motivation for weight loss (Study 2) in overweight individuals who were interested in losing weight. Use of a digital avatar to provide particpants with an image of a future self based on projected changes to diet and exercise resulted in ambitious goals and positive change, but a modest degree of weight loss. Timing of exposure to the future-self image and gender were found to influence the degree of weight loss acheived. While digital avatar triggers can effect positive weight management action, a significant gap exists between weight loss goal and weight loss achievements. Individuals need to be adequately resourced to achieve their weight loss goal and targets set need to be realistic and achievable. Consideration also needs to be given to how digital avatar triggers are best utilized to maximise weight loss outcomes.