Key messages from scientific research that's ready to be acted on
Got It, Hide thisSherrington A, Newham J, Bell R, et al. Systematic review and meta-analysis of internet-delivered interventions providing personalized feedback for weight loss in overweight and obese adults Obes Rev. 2016; 17: 541-551.
Are Internet-delivered weight loss programs with personalized feedback more effective than other weight loss programs for overweight and obese adults?
With more adults accessing the internet, online weight loss programs delivered may be an alternative to traditional in-person programs to maximize convenience for the participant and reduce program costs. Previous reports have stated online weight loss programs are effective but it is not clear which aspects of these programs are most important for losing weight.
Researchers did a systematic review and meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials including 3547 overweight adults (body mass index (BMI) greater than 25 kg/m2).
Key features of the studies were:
Quality assessment of studies revealed that only 2 studies had a low risk of bias.
Participants in internet weight loss programs with personalized feedback lost on average over 2kg more than those in control groups receiving no personalized feedback. These benefits were only shown at 3 to 6 months, however; at 12 months or longer there was not a significant difference in weight loss between people in the study groups vs control groups. Different programs also included different types of personalized feedback (eg. feedback on performance, information about consequences, self-monitoring, goal setting). There was too much variability to determine which types of feedback may be the most effective.
Internet-delivered weight loss programs that provide personalized feedback are more effective than programs that do not provide this type of support, especially in the short-term. Studies lasting more than 12 months or longer are needed to assess whether these types of programs lead to long-term weight loss.
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