Effectiveness of Information and Communication Technology on Obesity in Childhood and Adolescence: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
BackgroundInternet or mobile device use as a form of information and communication technology (ICT) can be more effective in weight loss and weight maintenance than traditional obesity interventions. ObjectiveThe study aims to assess the effectiveness of child-cen...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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JMIR Publications
2021-11-01
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| Series: | Journal of Medical Internet Research |
| Online Access: | https://www.jmir.org/2021/11/e29003 |
| _version_ | 1797735513196593152 |
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| author | Jihyun Park Mi-Jeong Park Young-Gyun Seo |
| author_facet | Jihyun Park Mi-Jeong Park Young-Gyun Seo |
| author_sort | Jihyun Park |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
BackgroundInternet or mobile device use as a form of information and communication technology (ICT) can be more effective in weight loss and weight maintenance than traditional obesity interventions.
ObjectiveThe study aims to assess the effectiveness of child-centered ICT interventions on obesity-related outcomes.
MethodsArticles were retrieved from the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, and PubMed web-based databases. We selected randomized controlled trials in which the participants were aged <18 years. The primary outcomes were BMI, body weight, BMI z-score, waist circumference, and percentage body fat.
ResultsIn total, 10 of the initial 14,867 studies identified in the databases were selected according to the inclusion criteria. A total of 640 participants were included in the intervention group and 619 in the comparator group. Meta-analyses were conducted considering various subgroups (intervention type, comparator type, target participants, mean age, sex, BMI status, and follow-up period). Overall, ICT interventions demonstrated no significant effect on BMI, body weight, BMI z-score, waist circumference, and percentage body fat. Subgroup analyses revealed that the effect of the intervention was statistically significant for the following: web intervention (weighted mean difference [WMD]=−1.26 kg/m2, 95% CI −2.24 to −0.28), lifestyle modification comparator (WMD=−1.75, 95% CI −2.76 to −0.74), intervention involving both boys and girls (WMD=−1.30, 95% CI −2.14 to −0.46), and intervention involving obesity only (WMD=−1.92, 95% CI −3.75 to −0.09).
ConclusionsThe meta-analysis results for children with obesity who used the web intervention program confirmed significant effects on BMI reduction compared with lifestyle modification. Evidence from the meta-analysis identified internet technology as a useful tool for weight loss in children with obesity. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T13:00:10Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-21462a2ebe224aeeb63ec0784c39f62f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1438-8871 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T13:00:10Z |
| publishDate | 2021-11-01 |
| publisher | JMIR Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Medical Internet Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-21462a2ebe224aeeb63ec0784c39f62f2023-08-28T19:47:47ZengJMIR PublicationsJournal of Medical Internet Research1438-88712021-11-012311e2900310.2196/29003Effectiveness of Information and Communication Technology on Obesity in Childhood and Adolescence: Systematic Review and Meta-analysisJihyun Parkhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-3494-1840Mi-Jeong Parkhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-1664-4452Young-Gyun Seohttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-8294-1741 BackgroundInternet or mobile device use as a form of information and communication technology (ICT) can be more effective in weight loss and weight maintenance than traditional obesity interventions. ObjectiveThe study aims to assess the effectiveness of child-centered ICT interventions on obesity-related outcomes. MethodsArticles were retrieved from the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, and PubMed web-based databases. We selected randomized controlled trials in which the participants were aged <18 years. The primary outcomes were BMI, body weight, BMI z-score, waist circumference, and percentage body fat. ResultsIn total, 10 of the initial 14,867 studies identified in the databases were selected according to the inclusion criteria. A total of 640 participants were included in the intervention group and 619 in the comparator group. Meta-analyses were conducted considering various subgroups (intervention type, comparator type, target participants, mean age, sex, BMI status, and follow-up period). Overall, ICT interventions demonstrated no significant effect on BMI, body weight, BMI z-score, waist circumference, and percentage body fat. Subgroup analyses revealed that the effect of the intervention was statistically significant for the following: web intervention (weighted mean difference [WMD]=−1.26 kg/m2, 95% CI −2.24 to −0.28), lifestyle modification comparator (WMD=−1.75, 95% CI −2.76 to −0.74), intervention involving both boys and girls (WMD=−1.30, 95% CI −2.14 to −0.46), and intervention involving obesity only (WMD=−1.92, 95% CI −3.75 to −0.09). ConclusionsThe meta-analysis results for children with obesity who used the web intervention program confirmed significant effects on BMI reduction compared with lifestyle modification. Evidence from the meta-analysis identified internet technology as a useful tool for weight loss in children with obesity.https://www.jmir.org/2021/11/e29003 |
| spellingShingle | Jihyun Park Mi-Jeong Park Young-Gyun Seo Effectiveness of Information and Communication Technology on Obesity in Childhood and Adolescence: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Journal of Medical Internet Research |
| title | Effectiveness of Information and Communication Technology on Obesity in Childhood and Adolescence: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis |
| title_full | Effectiveness of Information and Communication Technology on Obesity in Childhood and Adolescence: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis |
| title_fullStr | Effectiveness of Information and Communication Technology on Obesity in Childhood and Adolescence: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effectiveness of Information and Communication Technology on Obesity in Childhood and Adolescence: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis |
| title_short | Effectiveness of Information and Communication Technology on Obesity in Childhood and Adolescence: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis |
| title_sort | effectiveness of information and communication technology on obesity in childhood and adolescence systematic review and meta analysis |
| url | https://www.jmir.org/2021/11/e29003 |
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