Efficacy of Interventions to Promote Exercise Adherence in People With Overweight or Obesity: A Systematic Review

The World Health Organization estimates that more than 500 million people will be affected by diseases related to physical inactivity in the next decade. Individuals with overweight or obesity are particularly vulnerable, making exercise adherence a critical public health concern. This review aimed to evaluate the efficacy of interventions designed to improve adherence to exercise in this population.

A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, Virtual Health Library, Cochrane Library, and SPORTDiscus. Two independent researchers performed screening, data extraction, and synthesis of studies including adults aged 18-59 years with overweight or obesity. Eligible interventions lasted at least 12 weeks, included a control group, and reported adherence-related outcomes. Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. When possible, meta-analysis was performed.

Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria. Group-based programs and interventions supervised by trained professionals were consistently associated with higher adherence. Factors, such as body weight, exercise frequency, session duration, intensity, and type of intervention, showed no consistent influence. However, most studies presented a moderate to high risk of bias.

Group and supervised interventions appear effective in improving exercise adherence among adults with overweight or obesity, but further high-quality studies are needed.