A Review of Efficacious Technology-Based Weight-Loss Interventions: Five Key Components
Open accessAbstract
Objective:Obesity is highly prevalent among American adults and has negative health and psychosocial consequences. The purpose of this article was to qualitatively review studies that used technology-based interventions for weight loss and to identify specific components of these interventions that are effective in facilitating weight loss.Materials and Methods:We conducted a narrow, qualitative review, focusing on articles published in the last 10 years that used an experimental or pre/posttest design and used a technology-based intervention for weight loss.Results:Among the 21 studies reviewed, we identified the following five components that we consider to be crucial in technology-based weight-loss interventions that are successful in facilitating weight loss: self monitoring, counselor feedback and communication, social support, use of a structured program, and use of an individually tailored program.Conclusions:Short-term results of technologically driven weight-loss interventions using these components have been promising, but long-term results have been mixed. Although more longitudinal studies are needed for interventions implementing these five components, the interface of technology and behavior change is an effective foundation of a successful, short-term weight-loss program and may prove to be the basis of long-term weight loss. A qualitative review focusing on articles published in the last 10 years that used an experimental or pre/post-test design and used a technology-based intervention for weight loss was conducted. Five technology-based components—self-monitoring, counselor feedback and communication, social support, use of a structured program, and use of an individually tailored program—were reviewed from 21 studies. Although short-term results have been promising, long-term results have been mixed. The interface of technology and behavior change is an effective foundation of a successful, short-term weight-loss program and may prove to be the basis of long-term weight loss.
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Self-monitoring is believed to promote the diet and activity changes needed for weight loss by increasing accountability and awareness of one's actions relative to long-term goals.
“Self-monitoring is thought to facilitate the necessary diet and activity changes for weight loss through increased accountability, and enhanced awareness of one’s own actions and how these actions align with a longer-term goal”
From Associations Between Self-Monitoring and Weight Change in Behavioral Weight Loss Interventions (2019) · cites this paper as Khaylis, Yiaslas, Bergstrom, & Gore-Felton, 2010
The SELF-MONITORING section describes tracking diet and physical activity as important to weight loss. SELF-MONITORING AND TECHNOLOGY suggests that accountability to another person may sustain behavioral change. The copy does not specifically say that self-monitoring works by making people aware of how their actions align with a longer-term goal. (LLM, conf=0.84)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredOther effective aspects were not included, such as study counselor feedback and tailoring of messages and information.
“Other effective aspects were not included, such as study counselor feedback and tailoring of messages and information [44].”
From Tweets, Apps, and Pods: Results of the 6-Month Mobile Pounds Off Digitally (Mobile POD) Randomized Weight-Loss Intervention Among Adults (2011) · cites this paper as [44]
Several of the components of Internet-based weight-loss interventions that have been shown to be effective were part of the Podcast+Mobile intervention, including self-monitoring, use of established behavioral strategies, and social support.
“Several of the components of Internet-based weight-loss interventions that have been shown to be effective were part of the Podcast+Mobile intervention, including self-monitoring, use of established behavioral strategies, and social support [44].”
From Tweets, Apps, and Pods: Results of the 6-Month Mobile Pounds Off Digitally (Mobile POD) Randomized Weight-Loss Intervention Among Adults (2011) · cites this paper as [44]
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- Authors
- Khaylis, A., Yiaslas, T., Bergstrom, J., & Gore-Felton, C.
- Affiliations
- Stanford Medicine (US)
- Palo Alto University (US)
- Pacific Graduate School of Psychology–Stanford Psy.D. Consortium, Palo Alto University, Palo Alto, California.
- Corresponding author
- Khaylis, Anna
- ORCID
- Yiaslas, Themis
- Venue
- Telemedicine and e-Health
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2010-11
- Volume
- 16
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 931-938
- ISSN
- 1530-5627 (ISSN-L)
- 1556-3669
- PMC
- PMC3000900
- OpenAlex
- W2157909351
- Cited by
- 218
- References
- 49
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 19 · 2020: 21 · 2019: 25 · 2018: 19 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 24 · 2015: 20 · 2014: 17 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 6
- FWCI
- 14.77
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Telemedicine Journal and e-Health (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute of Mental Health (5MH019938)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mobile Health and mHealth Applications
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Pharmacy › Obesity and Health Practices
- Keywords
- obesity, weight loss, technology-based interventions, self-monitoring, social support, behavior change, digital health interventions
- MeSH terms
- Behavior Therapy, Feedback, Humans, Obesity, Patient Compliance, Self Care, Social Support, Medical Laboratory Science, Time Factors, Weight Loss, Health Behavior, Treatment Outcome, Directive Counseling
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