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ABSTRACT: Background
Internet or mobile device use as a form of information and communication technology (ICT) can be more effective in weight loss and weight maintenance than traditional obesity interventions.Objective
The study aims to assess the effectiveness of child-centered ICT interventions on obesity-related outcomes.Methods
Articles were retrieved from the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, and PubMed web-based databases. We selected randomized controlled trials in which the participants were aged <18 years. The primary outcomes were BMI, body weight, BMI z-score, waist circumference, and percentage body fat.Results
In total, 10 of the initial 14,867 studies identified in the databases were selected according to the inclusion criteria. A total of 640 participants were included in the intervention group and 619 in the comparator group. Meta-analyses were conducted considering various subgroups (intervention type, comparator type, target participants, mean age, sex, BMI status, and follow-up period). Overall, ICT interventions demonstrated no significant effect on BMI, body weight, BMI z-score, waist circumference, and percentage body fat. Subgroup analyses revealed that the effect of the intervention was statistically significant for the following: web intervention (weighted mean difference [WMD]=-1.26 kg/m2, 95% CI -2.24 to -0.28), lifestyle modification comparator (WMD=-1.75, 95% CI -2.76 to -0.74), intervention involving both boys and girls (WMD=-1.30, 95% CI -2.14 to -0.46), and intervention involving obesity only (WMD=-1.92, 95% CI -3.75 to -0.09).Conclusions
The meta-analysis results for children with obesity who used the web intervention program confirmed significant effects on BMI reduction compared with lifestyle modification. Evidence from the meta-analysis identified internet technology as a useful tool for weight loss in children with obesity.
SUBMITTER: Park J
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8726568 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature