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Abstract
BackgroundTo our knowledge, no meta-analysis to date has assessed the efficacy of mobile phone apps to promote weight loss and increase physical activity.ObjectiveTo perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies to compare the efficacy of mobile phone apps compared with other approaches to promote weight loss and increase physical activity.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of relevant studies identified by a search of PubMed, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and Scopus from their inception through to August 2015. Two members of the study team (EG-F, GF-M) independently screened studies for inclusion criteria and extracted data. We included all controlled studies that assessed a mobile phone app intervention with weight-related health measures (ie, body weight, body mass index, or waist circumference) or physical activity outcomes. Net change estimates comparing the intervention group with the control group were pooled across studies using random-effects models.ResultsWe included 12 articles in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Compared with the control group, use of a mobile phone app was associated with significant changes in body weight (kg) and body mass index (kg/m2) of -1.04 kg (95% CI -1.75 to -0.34; I2 = 41%) and -0.43 kg/m2 (95% CI -0.74 to -0.13; I2 = 50%), respectively. Moreover, a nonsignificant difference in physical activity was observed between the two groups (standardized mean difference 0.40, 95% CI -0.07 to 0.87; I2 = 93%). These findings were remarkably robust in the sensitivity analysis. No publication bias was shown.ConclusionsEvidence from this study shows that mobile phone app-based interventions may be useful tools for weight loss.
Highlights
Overweight and obesity are a global public health issue and an important feature in discussions about strategies for primary and secondary health care
A recent analysis of app store catalogs identified more than 97,000 mHealth apps, most of them dealing with general health and physical fitness; in general, they facilitate the monitoring of various parameters by individual users and provide general information and support related to those topics [5]
The net effect size was calculated as the change in body weight-related and physical activity measures resulting from treatment from baseline to the end of the intervention in the intervention group, minus the change in body weight-related and physical activity measures in the control group during the same time period
Summary
Overweight and obesity are a global public health issue and an important feature in discussions about strategies for primary and secondary health care. An estimated 205 million men and 297 million women were obese—a total of more than half a billion adults worldwide [3] For these reasons, identifying effective interventions is an important component in public health efforts to curb obesity, but the most effective strategies for weight loss remain unclear. Mobile phone apps meet a variety of user needs, and are designed and adapted for each type of mobile device; they are applicable in most social and economic sectors and environments. At present, these apps, apart from their recreational function, are becoming instruments of patient education and support and are helpful to health care professionals [5]. No meta-analysis to date has assessed the efficacy of mobile phone apps to promote weight loss and increase physical activity
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