Effect of Mobile Health on Obese Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
- Author:
Seong Hi PARK
1
;
Jeonghae HWANG
;
Yun Kyoung CHOI
Author Information
- Publication Type:Meta-Analysis ; Randomized Controlled Trial ; Original Article
- Keywords: Adult; Obesity; Cell Phone; Mobile Applications; Meta-analysis
- MeSH: Adult*; Body Mass Index; Body Weight; Cell Phones; Humans; Mobile Applications; Obesity; Telemedicine*; Weight Loss
- From:Healthcare Informatics Research 2019;25(1):12-26
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to examine the effects of mobile health (mHealth), using mobile phones as an intervention for weight loss in obese adults. METHODS: An electronic search was carried out using multiple databases. A meta-analysis of selected studies was performed. The effects of mHealth were analyzed using changes in body weight and body mass index (BMI). RESULTS: We identified 20 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 2,318 participants who fit our inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis showed that body weight was reduced with a weighted mean difference (WMD) of −2.35 kg (95% confidence interval [CI], −2.84 to −1.87). An examination of the impact of duration of intervention showed that weight loss was greater after 6 months of mHealth (WMD = −2.66 kg) than between three and four months (WMD = −2.25 kg); it was maintained for up to 9 months (WMD = −2.62 kg). At 12 months, weight loss was reduced to a WMD of −1.23 kg. BMI decreased with a WMD of −0.77 kg/m2 (95% CI, −1.01 to −0.52). BMI changes were not statistically significant at 3 months (WMD = −1.10 kg/m2), but they were statistically significant at 6 months (WMD = −0.67 kg/m2). CONCLUSIONS: The use of mHealth for obese adults showed a modest short-term effect on body weight and BMI. Although the weight loss associated with mHealth did not meet the recommendation of the Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network, which considers a reduction of approximately 5 to 10 kg of the initial body weight as a successful intervention. Well-designed RCTs are needed to reveal the effects of mHealth interventions.
