Use of mobile phones as a tool for weight loss: a systematic review.
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Date
2014-08-09
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Abstract
We conducted a systematic review of the literature on the use of mobile phones for weight loss A total of 43 studies were identified on obese or overweight adults aged 18 years or over After review ten articles met the inclusion criteria There were 19 534 participants per study Participants were from European Asian and North American regions The mean body mass index BMI of the subjects varied from 22 to 36 kg m 2 Two studies used text messaging or multimedia messaging All the other studies used mobile phone apps or web based programmes that could be accessed from mobile phones as a part of a weight loss intervention or for evaluating their potential for use and their acceptance Most studies lasted 2 4 months and the maximum duration was 1 year All but two studies showed reductions in the participants bodyweight BMI waist circumference and body fat in the various interventions There appeared to be a proportional relationship between weight loss and programme use The programmes most benefited those who took a pro active approach to everyday problems Frequent self recording of weight seemed to be important as was the personalisation of the intervention counselling and individualized feedback Finally a social support system acted as a motivational tool
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Keywords
Adult, Client, Access to information or data, Quality of care, Acceptability, Feasibility, Nutrition, Obesity, Social and behavior change communication, Health education or promotion, Treatment adherence, Disease prevention, SMS, Voice, Internet