JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Self-monitoring smartphone apps and health coaching have both individually been shown to improve weight-related outcomes, but their combined effects remain unclear.

Objective:

To examine the effectiveness of combining self-monitoring apps with health coaching on anthropometric, cardiometabolic and lifestyle outcomes in people with overweight and obesity.

Methods:

Relevant articles published from inception till 9 June 2022 were searched through eight databases (EMBASE, CINAHL, PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, The Cochrane Library, and Web of Science). Effect sizes were pooled using random effects models. Behavioral strategies were coded using the behavior change taxonomy V1.

Results:

: 14 articles were included, representing 2,478 participants with mean age of 39.1 years old and BMI of 31.8 kg/m2. Using combined intervention significantly improved weight loss by 2.15kg (95% CI: -3.17kg, -1.12kg, P<.001, I2=60.3%), waist circumference by 2.48cm (95% CI:-3.51cm, -1.44cm, P<.001, I2=29%), triglyceride by .22mg/dl (95% CI:-.33mg/dl, 0.11mg/dl, P=.008, I2=0%), glycated hemoglobin by 0.12% (95% CI:-.21%, -0.02%, P=.030, I2=.0%) and total calorie consumption/day by 128.30kcal (95% CI:-182.67 kcal, -73.94 kcal, P=.003, I2=0%) but not BMI, blood pressure, body fat percentage, cholesterol, and physical activity. Combined interventional effectiveness was superior to receiving usual care and apps for waist circumference but only superior to usual care for weight loss.

Conclusions:

Combined intervention could improve weight-related outcomes, but more research is needed to examine its added benefits to using an app. Clinical Trial: NA.