JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Recent meta-analyses suggest the use of technology-based interventions as a treatment option for obesity in adulthood. Similar meta-analytic approaches for children are scarce.

Objective:

This meta-analysis examined the effect of technology-based interventions on overweight/obesity treatment in children and adolescents.

Methods:

A systematic literature search was performed in Medline (PubMed), Scopus and Cochrane Library for randomized clinical trials to identify interventional studies published since Jan 2000 on Feb 2021.

Results:

In total, 9 manuscripts from 8 clinical trials of 582 children/adolescents were considered as eligible. BMI, BMI z-score and other BMI-related baseline metrics, during and post- intervention were considered as primary outcomes. In 7 to 8 studies the technology-based intervention was applied on the top of conventional care. Six studies were conducted in USA, 1 study in Australia and 1 study in northwestern Europe. Five studies included adolescents while the rest addressed 9-12 year-old children. Intervention duration ranged from 3 to 24 months. Five to 8 studies reported significant difference between groups in BMI metrics change. Pooled analysis revealed an overall significantly higher decrease in BMI metrics in intervention group (SMD=-0.61, 95%CI=[-1.10, -0.13]; p=0.014). Subgroup analysis revealed that significance was lost in case of no parental involvement (SMD=-0.36; 95%CI=[-0.83, 0.11]; p=0.135). The small number of clinical trials found, the varying study quality and the study heterogeneity are some limitations.

Conclusions:

Finally, this field is advancing so quickly that the technology used is often no longer state-of-the art; interventions that employ the full range of novel technologies, such as ubiquitous sensing and real-time feedback are currently being developed and pilot tested. Thereby, similar meta-analytic approaches should be repeated on regular basis. not relevant