Do activity monitors increase physical activity in adults with overweight or obesity? A systematic review and meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To systematically assess contemporary knowledge regarding behavioral physical activity interventions including an activity monitor (BPAI+) in adults with overweight or obesity.


METHODS
PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, CENTRAL, and PEDro were searched for eligible full-text articles up to 1 July 2015. Studies eligible for inclusion were (randomized) controlled trials describing physical activity outcomes in adults with overweight or obesity. Methodological quality was independently assessed employing the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for risk of bias.


RESULTS
Fourteen studies (1,157 participants) were included for systematic review and 11 for meta-analysis. A positive trend in BPAI+ effects on several measures of physical activity was ascertained compared with both wait list or usual care and behavioral physical activity interventions without an activity monitor (BPAI-). No convincing evidence of BPAI+ effectiveness on weight loss was found compared with BPAI-.


CONCLUSIONS
Behavioral physical activity interventions with an activity monitor increase physical activity in adults with overweight or obesity. Also, adding an activity monitor to behavioral physical activity interventions appears to increase the effect on physical activity, although current evidence has not yet provided conclusive evidence for its effectiveness.
Clinical Health Sciences, Utrecht University/University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands. hermandevries@gmail.com.|Paramedics PT Center, Assen, The Netherlands. hermandevries@gmail.com.
Herman J
HJ
de Vries
Research Group Healthy Ageing, Allied Health Care and Nursing, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen, The Netherlands.|Quantified Self Institute, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Thea J M
TJ
Kooiman
Quantified Self Institute, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen, The Netherlands.|Physiotherapy Department, School of Health Care Studies, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Miriam W
MW
van Ittersum
Clinical Health Sciences, Utrecht University/University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands.|Child Development & Exercise Center, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Marco
M
van Brussel
Research Group Healthy Ageing, Allied Health Care and Nursing, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen, The Netherlands.|Quantified Self Institute, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Martijn
M
de Groot
D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D015444:Exercise; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy*; D050177:Overweight / Q000628:therapy; D015431:Weight Loss