Integrating AI in digital weight loss coaching: enhancing automated health guidance for scalable learning

Obesity is a global epidemic requiring innovative solutions. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of an online weight loss coaching platform (OWLCP) that provides personalized advice through coach–participant interactions. Additionally, this research explores how artificial intelligence (AI)-driven optimization methods can enhance coaching productivity, scalability and cost-efficiency. By integrating AI into digital weight loss coaching to optimize personalized meal planning and feedback on food logs, we demonstrate how user engagement and effectiveness can be enhanced. A sample of participants engaged with the OWLCP, receiving tailored weight loss coaching. The study assesses the impact of human–coach interactions on weight loss outcomes. Furthermore, three AI-based optimization methods were evaluated for their ability to generate personalized meal plans, supporting human coaches in providing more effective feedback. Additionally, the study discusses the future integration of machine learning-generated meal plans with large language models (LLMs) to improve AI-driven coaching. Results indicate that AI-supported automation can enhance the efficiency of digital weight loss coaching while maintaining the effectiveness of personalized guidance. The study demonstrates that AI-driven feedback on dietary habits improves user adherence and machine learning-based meal plans offer tailored solutions for sustainable weight management. The integration of AI technologies into OWLCP has the potential to scale personalized coaching while reducing human workload. This study provides insights into the application of AI in digital health education, demonstrating how automated coaching can complement human expertise to offer cost-effective and scalable weight management solutions. The findings support the use of AI-driven personalization in health coaching as an educational tool for fostering sustainable lifestyle changes. This research highlights the transformative role of AI in optimizing digital weight loss coaching. By investigating AI-based meal plan generation and its impact on coaching effectiveness, the research contributes to the evolving field of intelligent digital health interventions. Furthermore, it outlines the potential for integrating LLMs to refine and enhance online coaching platforms.