The effectiveness of wearable technologies as physical activity interventions in weight control: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials

Yen, Hsin Yen; Chiu, Huei Ling

doi:10.1111/obr.12909

Cited by 66 publications

(59 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Digital health approaches have flourished in the past decade. As found in numerous reviews, interventions using technology-based modalities (17)(18)(19), including SMS (20), apps (21,22), wearables (23,24), and websites (25), often produce weight loss similar to or less than that of in-person interventions but better than that of control arms; however, these reviews did not focus on self-monitoring. The seminal review that examined self-monitoring by Burke et al included studies published up to 2009 and found that greater engagement in selfmonitoring is associated with greater weight loss (26).…”

Section: Clinical Trials and Investigationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Self‐Monitoring via Digital Health in Weight Loss Interventions: A Systematic Review Among Adults with Overweight or Obesity

Patel

Wakayama

Bennett

2021

Obesity

120

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Objective: Self-monitoring is a core component of behavioral obesity treatment, but it is unknown how digital health has been used for selfmonitoring, what engagement rates are achieved in these interventions, and how self-monitoring and weight loss are related. Methods: This systematic review examined digital self-monitoring in behavioral weight loss interventions among adults with overweight or obesity. Six databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, PsycInfo, CINAHL, and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses) were searched for randomized controlled trials with interventions ≥ 12 weeks, weight outcomes ≥ 6 months, and outcomes on self-monitoring engagement and their relationship to weight loss. Results: Thirty-nine studies from 2009 to 2019 met inclusion criteria. Among the 67 interventions with digital self-monitoring, weight was tracked in 72% of them, diet in 81%, and physical activity in 82%. Websites were the most common self-monitoring modality, followed by mobile applications, wearables, electronic scales, and, finally, text messaging. Few interventions had digital self-monitoring engagement rates ≥ 75% of days. Rates were higher in digital-than in paper-based arms in 21 out of 34 comparisons and lower in just 2. Interventions with counseling had similar rates to standalone interventions. Greater digital self-monitoring was linked to weight loss in 74% of occurrences. Conclusions: Self-monitoring via digital health is consistently associated with weight loss in behavioral obesity treatment.

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Section: Clinical Trials and Investigationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Self‐Monitoring via Digital Health in Weight Loss Interventions: A Systematic Review Among Adults with Overweight or Obesity

Patel

Wakayama

Bennett

2021

Obesity

120

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“…As random effects, we had intercepts for subjects as well as by-subject random slopes for the effect of time. We used 6 months of data, with the origin of the time variable (week) set at week 4 (posthoc decision), for 2 main reasons: the likelihood of observing weight changes due to the intervention would be higher at 4 weeks rather than before (given that weight loss increases with intervention duration [36]) and the amount of missing data was minimal during the first month of the intervention, allowing for a more robust model [37]. P values were obtained by using likelihood ratio tests of the full model with the effect in question against the model without it.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Mobile Social Networking App for Weight Management and Physical Activity Promotion: Results From an Experimental Mixed Methods Study (Preprint)

Laranjo¹,

Quiroz²,

Tong³

et al. 2020

Preprint

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BACKGROUND Smartphone applications (apps), fitness trackers, and online social networks have shown promise in weight management and physical activity interventions. However, knowledge gaps remain regarding which are the most effective and engaging interventions, and what intervention features are preferred by their users. OBJECTIVE This 6-month study pilot tested a social networking mobile app connected to wireless weight and activity tracking devices to evaluate effects on body mass index (BMI), weight, and physical activity levels in users from different BMI categories. Another aim was to assess user perspectives on the intervention, particularly on social comparison and automated self-monitoring and feedback. METHODS This was a mixed-methods study involving a one-arm, pre-post quasi-experimental pilot with post-intervention interviews and focus groups. Healthy young adults used a social networking mobile app intervention integrated with wireless tracking devices (a weight scale and a physical activity tracker) for 6 months. Quantitative results were analysed separately for two groups—underweight-normal BMI and overweight-obese—using t-tests, Wilcoxon sum rank, Wilcoxon-signed rank, and Chi-square tests. Weekly BMI change of participants was explored using linear mixed effects analysis. Interviews and focus groups were analysed inductively using thematic analysis. RESULTS Fifty-five participants were recruited (mean age of 23.6 years; 28 women) and 45 returned for the final session (retention rate=81.8%). There were no differences in BMI change from baseline to post-intervention (6 months) overall and between the two BMI groups. However, at 4 weeks participants had lowered their BMI by 0.34 Kg/m2 (P<0.001), with a loss of 0.86 Kg/m2 in the overweight-obese group (P=0.01). Participants in the overweight-obese group used the app significantly less compared to individuals in the underweight-normal BMI group, as they mentioned negative feelings and demotivation from social comparison, particularly from upward comparison with fitter people. Participants in the underweight-normal BMI group were more avid users of the app’s self-monitoring and feedback (P=0.02) and social features (P=0.04) compared to participants in the overweight-obese group, and significantly increased their daily step count over the 6-month study duration by an average of 2292 steps (confidence interval 898 to 3370; P<0.001). Most participants mentioned a desire for a more personalised intervention. CONCLUSIONS Our study showed different intervention effects on participants from higher and lower BMI groups. Participants in the overweight-obese group did not sustain the short-term decrease in their BMI and mentioned negative emotions from app use. Participants in the underweight-normal BMI group used the app more frequently and significantly increased their daily step count. These differences, compounded by distinct perspectives regarding the intervention, highlight the importance of intervention personalisation. Future research should explore the use of personalised features to help overcome personal barriers and better match individual preferences and needs.

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“…The advent of wearable technologies, which encourages users to engage in PA and provides useful information for personalized care, has also positively influenced the prevention of overweight and obesity. Different studies have been conducted in this field [ 19 ], some of which demonstrate the effectiveness of wearables in weight control [ 20 ].…”

Section: Related Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

OBINTER: A Holistic Approach to Catalyse the Self-Management of Chronic Obesity

Álvarez

Torres

Artola

et al. 2020

Sensors

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Obesity is a preventable chronic condition that, in 2016, affected more than 1.9 billion people globally. Several factors have been identified that have a positive impact on long-term weight loss programs such as personalized recommendations, adherence strategies, weight and diet follow-up or physical activity tracking. Recently, various applications have been developed which help patients to self-manage their condition. These apps implement either one or some of these identified factors; however, there is not a single application that combines all of them following a holistic approach. In this context, we developed the OBINTER platform, which assists patients during the weight loss process by targeting user engagement during the longer term. The solution includes a mobile application which allows users to fill out dietetic questionnaires, receive dietetic and nutraceutical plans, track the evolution of their weight and adherence to the diet, as well as track their physical activity via a wearable device. Furthermore, an adherence strategy has been developed as a tool to foster the app usage during the whole weight loss process. In this paper, we present how the OBINTER approach gathers all of these features as well as the positive results of a usability testing study performed to assess the performance and usability of the OBINTER platform.

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The effectiveness of wearable technologies as physical activity interventions in weight control: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials

Cited by 66 publications

References 28 publications

Self‐Monitoring via Digital Health in Weight Loss Interventions: A Systematic Review Among Adults with Overweight or Obesity

Self‐Monitoring via Digital Health in Weight Loss Interventions: A Systematic Review Among Adults with Overweight or Obesity

A Mobile Social Networking App for Weight Management and Physical Activity Promotion: Results From an Experimental Mixed Methods Study (Preprint)

OBINTER: A Holistic Approach to Catalyse the Self-Management of Chronic Obesity

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