The Efficacy of Mobile Applications for Weight Loss

A variety of mobile-based applications aimed at weight loss have become popular in recent years. This review describes the features and effectiveness of mobile weight loss apps.

Overall, mobile apps can help patients lose weight either as well as or better than traditional paper-and-pencil weight loss interventions and often better than minimal intervention control groups. Mobile apps promote multiple strategies, including self-monitoring of diet, exercise, and weight, as well as social support and educational content. Significant variation exists in app types, which makes it difficult to conclude which features drive program effectiveness. Intervention success varies based on patients' level of engagement with the app. There is a deficit of apps and app-based studies of older, less tech-savvy adults, ethnic/racial minorities, and low-income individuals, as well as longer-term studies.

Mobile apps can successfully help patients lose weight and represent a cost-effective, accessible alternative to intensive in-person weight loss programs. More research is needed into their long-term potential, especially for hard-to-reach populations.