A Scientific Overview of Smartphone Applications and Electronic Devices for Weight Management in Adults

Abstract

Worldwide, there are rising trends in overweight and obesity. Therefore, novel digital tools are discussed to improve health-related behaviors. The use of smartphone applications (apps) and wearables (e.g., activity trackers) for self-monitoring of diet and physical activity might have an impact on body weight. By now, the scientific evaluation of apps and wearables for weight management is limited. Although some intervention studies have already investigated the efficacy of aforementioned digital tools on weight management, there are no clear recommendations for its clinical and therapeutic use. Besides the lack in long-term randomized controlled trials, there are also concerns regarding the scientific quality of apps and wearables (e.g., no standards for development and evaluation). Therefore, the objective of present work is: (1) To address challenges and concerns regarding the current digital health market and (2) to provide a selective overview about intervention studies using apps and activity trackers for weight-related outcomes. Based on cited literature, the efficacy of apps and wearables on weight management is assessed. Finally, it is intended to derive potential recommendations for practical guidance.

Mobile Apps for Weight Management: A Review of the Latest Evidence to Inform Practice

“…Furthermore, mHealth applications need to be approved and certified by relevant health authorities before they can be integrated into routine medical management within clinical practice. Except for a few countries, there is currently a lack of acknowledgment of the role of mHealth in weight management guidelines and national policies with no established regulations on the use of mobile applications by clinicians ( 72 ). Where the use of smartphone technology has been incorporated into national health programs as part of the slow shift toward digital health, they are used more as a means of providing information than a tool to encourage behavior change ( 73 ).…”

Digital Health in Cardiac Rehabilitation and Secondary Prevention: A Search for the Ideal Tool

“…Digital technology through smartphone applications and wearables currently mainly focusses on physical activity and nutrition [33]. Nutritional education and recording are already widely used.…”

A review on intelligent wearables: Uses and risks

“…Since obesity can lead to many serious diseases, it is becoming a global health issue. People are trying to use wearables to track and provide interventions on weight management (Holzmann & Holzapfel, 2019;Lewis, Lyons, Jarvis, & Baillargeon, 2015). Increased physical activity and diet control are two main ways that wearables can help people combat obesity.…”