A systematic review of the effectiveness of group versus individual treatments for adult obesity.
BACKGROUND
Both group and individual modes of delivery are employed for obesity treatments. Commercial weight loss groups commonly employ group-based delivery, while many clinical based settings employ one-to-one delivery. We systematically reviewed randomised controlled trials of treatments for adult obesity to compare the effectiveness of group-based to individual-based modes of treatment delivery.


METHODS
We searched 7 electronic databases and 2 journals and reviewed secondary references, based on a priori criteria to systematically review: randomised controlled trials of obesity treatments, participants with BMI >or=28 kg/m(2), age >or=18 years, comparison groups including at least 1 group-based and 1 individual-based treatment group, and follow-up >or=1 year. We extracted data and conducted meta-analysis of weight change.


RESULTS
Eleven comparison groups from 5 qualifying trials were obtained, representing a total participant pool of 336. Significantly greater (p = 0.03) weight change at 12 months was found in group-based over individualbased treatment, and sub-analyses showed that increased effectiveness was associated with the use of financial reward and psychologist-led interventions.


CONCLUSIONS
Group-based interventions were more effective than individual-based interventions among a predominantly female participant pool receiving psychologist-led interventions. Future studies to explore differences by professional group and interventions among men, which are accompanied by economic evaluation, are recommended.
Paul-Ebhohimhen
Virginia
V
Health Services Research Unit, School of Medicine, University of Aberdeen, UK. v.a.paul-ebhohimhen@abdn.ac.uk
Avenell
Alison
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004032:Diet; D004046:Dietetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods; D012944:Social Support; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss