Adherence
eHealth interventions for weight management are significantly more effective than non-eHealth controls when they incorporate automated feedback, tailored feedback from healthcare providers, or tailored feedback via electronic channels.
To maximize weight loss using digital tools, choose interventions that provide automated feedback on your progress (like weight or diet tracking) or include regular feedback from a health coach, either via phone or electronic messaging. Simply having access to information is less effective than having interactive feedback or professional support.
Twenty-five randomized controlled trials reported significantly more weight loss between the intervention group utilizing eHealth, compared to a non-eHealth control intervention and/or within an eHealth intervention group. Of these 25 interventions, 15 (60%) used automated feedback (Domain 1), 13 (52%) used non-eHealth tailored feedback by a health care provider (Domain 5), and 8 (32%) used tailored feedback from a health care professional through an electronic channel (Domain 2).
Why this rating
Based on a systematic review of 49 RCTs, providing strong comparative evidence, though heterogeneity exists.
Source
A framework for examining the function of digital health technologies for weight management
Kristen M.J. Azar et al. · Translational Behavioral Medicine · 2018
DOI 10.1093/tbm/ibx050
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