Evaluation of Internet-Based Interventions on Waist Circumference Reduction: A Meta-Analysis
1College of Health Sciences, Department of Health Education and Management, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic Of Korea. dseo@ewha.ac.kr.
Journal of Medical Internet Research
|July 23, 2015
Summary
Internet-based lifestyle interventions significantly reduce waist circumference in adults. Incorporating social support enhances these effects, offering a promising approach for health behavior change.
Area of Science:
- Health Behavior Change
- Digital Health Interventions
- Obesity Research
Background:
- Internet-based interventions offer cost-effective, accessible, and personalized behavior change support.
- Waist circumference is a key indicator of metabolic disease risk, independent of BMI.
- No prior studies systematically reviewed Internet-based interventions' impact on waist circumference.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the effect of Internet-based interventions on waist circumference change in adults.
Main Methods:
- Meta-analysis of 31 randomized controlled trials involving 8442 participants.
- Included trials primarily used the Internet for intervention delivery.
- Focused on studies reporting changes in waist circumference.
Main Results:
- Internet interventions significantly reduced waist circumference (mean change -2.99 cm).
- These interventions showed greater waist circumference loss compared to information-only groups (mean loss 2.38 cm).
- Baseline waist circumference, gender, and social support were associated with reduction.
Conclusions:
- Internet-based interventions demonstrate a significant and promising effect on reducing waist circumference.
- Integrating social support into digital interventions may improve efficacy.
- Intervention design significantly impacts effectiveness, with notable heterogeneity observed.
