JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Internet or mobile-device usage as a form of information and communication technology (ICT) can be more effective in weight loss and weight maintenance than traditional obesity intervention.

Objective:

We aimed to assess the effectiveness of child-centered ICT interventions on obesity-related outcomes.

Methods:

Articles were retrieved from the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, and PubMed online databases. We selected randomized controlled trials, in which participants were aged <18 years. Primary outcomes were body mass index (BMI), body weight (BW), BMI z-score, waist circumference (WC), and percentage body fat (%BF).

Results:

In total, ten 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. ICT interventions demonstrated no significant effect on BMI, BW, BMI z-score, WC , and %BF. Subgroup analyses revealed that the intervention’s effect was statistically significant for the following: “web” intervention (weighted mean difference [WMD] = −1.41 kg/m2, 95% confidence interval [CI] −2.27 to −0.54), “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).

Conclusions:

The meta-analysis results for children with obesity who used the “web” intervention program confirmed significant effects on BMI reduction compared to “lifestyle modification.” Evidence from the meta-analysis identified internet technology as a useful tool for weight loss in children with obesity.