Abstract
SummaryBackgroundObesity levels continue to rise annually. Face‐to‐face weight loss consultations have previously identified mixed effectiveness and face high demand with limited resources. Therefore, alternative interventions, such as internet‐delivered interventions, warrant further investigation. The aim was to assess whether internet‐delivered weight loss interventions providing personalized feedback were more effective for weight loss in overweight and obese adults in comparison with control groups receiving no personalized feedback.MethodNine databases were searched, and 12 studies were identified that met all inclusion criteria.ResultsMeta‐analysis, identified participants receiving personalized feedback via internet‐delivered interventions, had 2.13 kg mean difference (SMD) greater weight loss (and BMI change, waist circumference change and 5% weight loss) in comparison with control groups providing no personalized feedback. This was also true for results at 3 and 6‐month time points but not for studies where interventions lasted ≥12 months.ConclusionThis suggests that personalized feedback may be an important behaviour change technique (BCT) to incorporate within internet‐delivered weight loss interventions. However, meta‐analysis results revealed no differences between internet‐delivered weight loss interventions with personalized feedback and control interventions ≥12 months. Further investigation into longer term internet‐delivered interventions is required to examine how weight loss could be maintained. Future research examining which BCTs are most effective for internet‐delivered weight loss interventions is suggested.
Highlights
Obesity is of growing concern owing to the rise in prevalence with levels reaching 26% in men and 24% in women within the UK [1]
The aim was to assess whether internet-delivered weight loss interventions providing personalized feedback were more effective for weight loss in overweight and obese adults in comparison with control groups receiving no personalized feedback
Meta-analysis, identified participants receiving personalized feedback via internet-delivered interventions, had 2.13 kg mean difference (SMD) greater weight loss in comparison with control groups providing no personalized feedback. This was true for results at 3 and 6-month time points but not for studies where interventions lasted ≥12 months. This suggests that personalized feedback may be an important behaviour change technique (BCT) to incorporate within internet-delivered weight loss interventions
Summary
Obesity is of growing concern owing to the rise in prevalence with levels reaching 26% in men and 24% in women within the UK [1]. Traditional weight loss interventions, such as in-person consultations, have reported mixed findings for effectiveness in terms of weight loss and its sustainability [4,5], which may be related to poor adherence rates. Sherrington et al obesity reviews non-adherence within in-person consultations include personal reasons, cost of travel, limited availability and lack of parking at venues [6]. Internet-delivered weight loss interventions could minimize these problems by increasing the convenience and control for the user and health professional and reducing the cost of an intervention [7,8]. Several reviews have shown heterogeneity in results between studies, with several reporting no consistent benefits of internet-delivered weight loss interventions in comparison with control groups [10,11,14,15,16]. Many studies have demonstrated high attrition rates for both intervention and control groups [10,13,17]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
