Mobile Apps for Weight Management: A Review of the Latest Evidence to Inform Practice

Abstract

Over the last decade, mobile technology has emerged as a potentially useful platform to facilitate weight management and tackle the current obesity epidemic. Clinicians are being more frequently asked to give advice about the usefulness of mobile apps and many individuals have already integrated apps into their attempts to manage weight. Hence, it is imperative for clinicians involved in weight management to be aware of the latest developments and knowledge about available mobile apps and their usefulness in this field. A number of newly published studies have demonstrated promising results of mobile-based interventions for weight management across different populations, but the extent of their effectiveness remains widely debated. This narrative literature review synthesizes the latest evidence, primarily from randomized controlled trials (RCTs), regarding the clinical use of mobile applications for weight management, as well as highlight key limitations associated with their use and directions for future research and practice. Overall, evidence suggests that mobile applications may be useful as low-intensity approaches or adjuncts to conventional weight management strategies. However, there is insufficient evidence to support their use as stand-alone intensive approaches to weight management. Further research is needed to clarify the extent of utility of these applications, as well as the measures required to maximize their potential both as stand-alone approaches and adjuncts to more intensive programs.

Low Comparability of Nutrition-Related Mobile Apps against the Polish Reference Method—A Validity Study

“…The authors concluded that the inclusion of additional strategies could make apps more helpful to users who have motivational challenges. On the other hand, systemic reviews and metanalysis [ 9 , 41 , 42 ] performed in past years revealed that dietary interventions including self-monitoring based on nutrition-related apps may be a useful tool for weight management or reduction. Flores Mateo, et al [ 9 ] analyzed 12 articles and observed that the use of a mobile app was associated with significant changes in body weight (kg) and body mass index (kg/m 2 ), −1.04 kg and −0.43 kg/m 2 , respectively.…”

Improving insulin sensitivity, liver steatosis and fibrosis in type 2 diabetes by a food-based digital education-assisted lifestyle intervention program: a feasibility study

“…Latest obesity management guidelines advocate for the implementation of emerging technologies and virtual medicine incorporating online education, coaching as well as weight and activity tracking to improve weightloss outcomes [14]. Although numerous applications are available for weight loss and diabetes management and mobile health interventions hold great promise to optimize treatment strategies for several chronic diseases, many studies using such applications (apps) are of insufficient quality [15,16]. There is also room for improvement as the functionality of some apps is limited and app development is rarely evidence-based [17].…”

A Technology-Mediated Interventional Approach to the Prevention of Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…According to a literature review related to the prevention and management of MetS, about a third of the studies were only targeting the middle-aged population, and over 60% were concerned about people already living with MetS. On the other hand, studies on young adults, a group with the highest success rate of MetS prevention, were scarce [ 25 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ].…”