title: Use of mobile phones as a tool for weight loss: a systematic review.
abstract: We conducted a systematic review of the literature on the use of mobile phones for weight loss. A total of 43 studies were identified on obese or overweight adults, aged 18 years or over. After review, ten articles met the inclusion criteria. There were 19-534 participants per study. Participants were from European, Asian and North American regions. The mean body mass index (BMI) of the subjects varied from 22 to 36 kg/m(2). Two studies used text messaging or multimedia messaging. All the other studies used mobile-phone apps or web-based programmes that could be accessed from mobile phones as a part of a weight-loss intervention or for evaluating their potential for use and their acceptance. Most studies lasted 2-4 months and the maximum duration was 1 year. All but two studies showed reductions in the participants' bodyweight, BMI, waist circumference and body fat in the various interventions. There appeared to be a proportional relationship between weight loss and programme use. The programmes most benefited those who took a pro-active approach to everyday problems. Frequent self-recording of weight seemed to be important, as was the personalisation of the intervention (counselling and individualized feedback). Finally, a social support system acted as a motivational tool.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Alicia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aguilar-Martínez
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital Universitari del Mar, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Josep M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Solé-Sedeño
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital Universitari del Mar, Barcelona, Spain School of Medicine, Hospital Universitari del Mar, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Gemma
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mancebo-Moreno
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: F Xavier
authors.initials: FX
authors.lastname: Medina
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital Universitari del Mar, Barcelona, Spain School of Medicine, Hospital Universitari del Mar, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Ramon
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Carreras-Collado
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain fsaigi@uoc.edu.
authors.forename: Francesc
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Saigí-Rubió
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D040421:Cell Phone; D004032:Diet; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008875:Middle Aged; D019212:Multimedia; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000379:methods*; D012944:Social Support; D060145:Text Messaging; D015431:Weight Loss