Efficacy of an Online Weight Loss Program for Mexican Adults: Findings From a Randomized Controlled Trial

Obesity is a major public health crisis in Mexico. With internet usage rapidly increasing, digital health interventions present a clear opportunity for treating obesity. This study addressed a key gap in research by evaluating a web-based Intensive Lifestyle Modification intervention adapted from the Diabetes Prevention Program for weight loss (DPP-web) in this population.

To evaluate the efficacy of the DPP-web in Mexican adults with overweight or obesity at 3 and 6 months compared with a wait-list control group, a randomized controlled trial (n = 62) with two groups was conducted. The primary outcome was the change in weight at 3 months, with secondary outcomes including changes in anthropometric parameters, quality of life and depressive symptoms at three and 6 months, and biochemical measures at 3 months.

Participants, predominantly women (81%), with an average age of 31.5 ± 8.6 years and BMI of 33.4 ± 4.85 kg/m², had retention rates of 77% at 3 months and 60% at 6 months. The treatment effect by intention-to-treat analysis was -3.65 kg (95% CI -5.41, -1.89, p < 0.01) at 3 months and -5.50 kg (95% CI -7.58, -3.41) at 6 months, favoring the DPP-group.

The DPP-web was effective for weight loss in the Mexican population at three and 6 months and could help to improve access to an effective obesity treatment in Spanish-speaking countries, including Mexico.