The number on the bathroom scale tells only part of the story in modern obesity treatment. Doctors need to know whether patients are losing fat or muscle mass. But getting people to actually step on connected scales remains a major challenge.
New data from 9amHealth shows patients who weigh themselves monthly lose 46% more weight than those who don’t track regularly. The problem? Most people hate using the hardware.
How does it work?
The Withings Body Pro 2 bypasses the usual setup headaches that kill patient engagement. No app downloads, no Bluetooth pairing, no Wi-Fi passwords. The scale arrives with cellular connectivity built in.
Patients step on, and the data goes straight to their medical team. A “ProgramMember ID” feature identifies who’s using the scale, preventing mix-ups when family members step on.
The standout feature addresses a psychological barrier. Many obesity patients experience severe anxiety when they see their weight. Withings created “Eyes Closed Mode” – patients can step on the scale to send data to doctors while the display stays blank.
Why does it matter?
“Weight loss can also support blood pressure, sleep quality, and A1c for people with diabetes,” says Dr. Avantika Waring, Chief Medical Officer at 9amHealth. “With the Body Pro 2, our Care Team can see weight, body composition, and trends in real time.”
This visibility helps doctors adjust treatments faster and protect muscle mass during weight loss. Losing muscle instead of fat leads to frailty and slower metabolism.
The engagement numbers back up the approach. More than 90% of patients using the cellular scale stay active with regular measurements for at least six months, according to Withings.
The context
Remote patient monitoring programs fail constantly because the technology is too complex. Patients get frustrated with setup and abandon devices.
“Effective obesity care depends on consistent participation, not just access to treatment,” says Antoine Pivron, Vice President of Withings Health Solutions.
The partnership represents a shift toward removing friction from health monitoring. By addressing both technical barriers and emotional triggers, the companies are tackling two major reasons patients stop tracking their progress.