Adherence
Synchronous remote weight management interventions for adults with excess weight (BMI ≥ 27.5 kg/m2) face significant engagement barriers including privacy concerns, time burden, technical issues, and digital exclusion, which can be mitigated by facilitators such as digital competency, tailored feedback, convenience, and professional support.
To succeed with a remote weight management program, prioritize platforms that offer strong privacy protections, ease of use, and professional support. Address technical barriers by ensuring you have reliable internet and basic digital skills. Leverage features like self-monitoring and tailored feedback to maintain engagement, as these are key facilitators identified in the research.
Barriers to engagement (n = 18) included concerns surrounding privacy, time burden to engage, embarrassment/anxiety surrounding self-disclosure, technical issues, access to technology, and access to the internet. Facilitators to engagement (n = 39) included digital competency, familiarity with technology, self-monitoring, tailored feedback, convenience, accountability, regular check-ins, support from a professional, social support, peer support, ease of use and simplicity.
Why this rating
Systematic review of 39 studies with high quality assessment (MMAT), though narrative synthesis limits causal inference.
Source
A systematic review of influences on engagement with remote health interventions targeting weight management for individuals living with excess weight
Jamie M Whitehall et al. · International Journal of Obesity · 2025
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