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Effect of web-based lifestyle modification on weight control: a meta-analysis

International Journal of Obesity volume 36, pages 675–685 (2012)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

Web-based treatment programs are attractive in primary care because of their ability to reach numerous individuals at low cost. Our aim of this meta-analysis is to systematically review the weight loss or maintenance effect of the Internet component in obesity treatment programs.

Methods:

MEDLINE and EMBASE literature searches were conducted to identify studies investigating the effect of Web-based individualized advice on lifestyle modification on weight loss. Randomized controlled trials that consisted of a Web-user experimental and non-Web user control group were included. Weight changes in the experimental group in comparison with the control group were pooled with a random-effects model.

Results:

A total of 23 studies comprising 8697 participants were included. Overall, using the Internet had a modest but significant additional weight-loss effect compared with non-Web user control groups (−0.68 kg, P=0.03). In comparison with the control group, stratified analysis indicated that using the Internet as an adjunct to obesity care was effective (−1.00 kg, P<0.001), but that using it as a substitute for face-to-face support was unfavorable (+1.27 kg, P=0.01). An additional effect on weight control was observed when the aim of using the Internet was initial weight loss (−1.01 kg; P=0.03), but was not observed when the aim was weight maintenance (+0.68 kg; P=0.26). The relative effect was diminished with longer educational periods (P-trend=0.04) and was insignificant (−0.20 kg; P=0.75) in studies with educational periods of 12 months or more.

Conclusion:

The current meta-analysis indicates that the Internet component in obesity treatment programs has a modest effect on weight control. However, the effect was inconsistent, largely depending on the type of usage of the Internet or the period of its use.

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Acknowledgements

Dr Sone and Dr Kodama are recipients of a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (#20300227) and Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (#202965), respectively, both from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS). This work is also financially supported by Japan Cardiovascular Research Foundation and Ministry of Health Labour and Welfare, Japan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, University of Tsukuba Institute of Clinical Medicine, Ibaraki, Japan

    S Kodama, K Saito, C Horikawa, K Fujiwara, R Hirasawa, Y Yachi, H Shimano, N Yamada & H Sone

  2. Department of Clinical Trial, Design & Management, Translational Research Center, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan

    S Tanaka

  3. Department of Lifestyle Medicine, Ochanomizu University, Tokyo, Japan

    K T Iida

  4. Department of Biostatistic, Epidemiology and Preventive Health Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

    Y Ohashi

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Kodama, S., Saito, K., Tanaka, S. et al. Effect of web-based lifestyle modification on weight control: a meta-analysis. Int J Obes 36, 675–685 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2011.121

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