Vince Kuraitis, MBA, JD, is Principal of the firm Better Health Technologies, LLC, which specializes in concerns such as Strategy, Business Models, Partnerships, Disease Management and eHealth. In the following interview with Audrey Kinsella, he provides a capsule description of the promising state of obesity management through technologies today and of the supporting role technology will more likely play in future.

Q. How would you describe the state-of-the-art for technologies used to assist people with obesity?

In a few words, the market is early, fragmented, and promising.

It is early in that there a wide range of experimental technologies being tried. While a few of the technologies have reached the market, much is also being done in the laboratory, in demonstration projects funded by governments or research organizations, or in the "garage" by entrepreneurs.

It is fragmented in that most of the technologies are focused on potential niche applications to assist people with weight management. The technologies have not yet begun to come together in a comprehensive system.

It is promising in that early evidence suggests that technology can play a significant role in assisting people manage their weight.

Q. Can you elaborate on some of the technologies that are available in the market today?

There are several categories of technologies:

Cyberdiet websites provide people with information and online tools to help them manage their weight. For example, eDiets has 200,000 members registered. These websites are particularly helpful for people who are already interested and/or motivated to lose weight.

Metabolic measurement technologies provide information about how much energy you are expending, most typically caloric output. Weight management is based on a simple formula: calories in/calories out. Almost all weight advice to date has focused on the first half of the formula -- counting calories (or grams of fat, or grams of carbohydrates) for food we eat.

Some innovative companies have developed technologies that provide information about the second half of the equation -- how much energy (calories) are we expending? Examples in this area are Stayhealthy.com and HealtheTech. Stayhealthy.com has a kit that measures lean body mass, body fat, calories and hydration. HealtheTech's technology focuses on a different measure -- resting metabolic rate.

Remote patient monitoring (RPM) companies are incorporating tools to assist people in managing their weight. These companies typically provide a customized set of vital sign measuring components (e.g., blood pressure, glucose, pulse oximetry). They are selling their offerings in a number of markets, including home health agencies, clinical research organizations, disease management companies, and hospitals. Carematix is one company that can incorporate weight measurement tools into their RPM offering.

Disease/Condition Management companies are just beginning to develop offerings in this area. For example, Healthtrac has developed a lifestyle risk module that incorporates tailored health assessments, personalized response letters and reports, and health coaching calls.

This is not an exhaustive list, but its representative of what's available in the market today.

Q. Are there any "killer applications" on the horizon for obesity management technology?

No. Technology can be part of the answer, but it is not THE answer. There is no magic pill or gadget on the near-term horizon. At best, weight management technologies should be viewed as tools to help people manage their weight -- they are part of a comprehensive lifestyle management process.