%0 Journal Article
%@ 1438-8871
%I JMIR Publications
%V 24
%N 2
%P e30675
%T Digital Health Interventions for Weight Management in Children and Adolescents: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
%A Kouvari,Matina
%A Karipidou,Melina
%A Tsiampalis,Thomas
%A Mamalaki,Eirini
%A Poulimeneas,Dimitrios
%A Bathrellou,Eirini
%A Panagiotakos,Demosthenes
%A Yannakoulia,Mary
%+ Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University, Eleftheriou Venizelou 70, Athens, 17671, Greece, 30 6944362633, myianna@hua.gr
%K childhood obesity
%K eHealth
%K mHealth
%K digital health
%K youth
%K mobile phone
%D 2022
%7 14.2.2022
%9 Review
%J J Med Internet Res
%G English
%X Background: Recent meta-analyses suggest the use of technology-based interventions as a treatment option for obesity in adulthood. Similar meta-analytic approaches for children are scarce. Objective: The aim of this meta-analysis is to examine the effect of technology-based interventions on overweight and obesity treatment in children and adolescents. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed using MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, and Cochrane Library for randomized clinical trials to identify interventional studies published between January 2000 and February 2021. Results: In total, 9 manuscripts from 8 clinical trials of 582 children or adolescents were considered eligible. BMI, BMI z-score, and other BMI-related baseline metrics during and after intervention were considered as primary outcomes. In 7 of 8 studies, a technology-based intervention was applied in addition to conventional care. Of the 8 studies, 6 studies were conducted in the United States, 1 in Australia, and 1 in northwestern Europe. In total, 5 studies included adolescents, whereas the rest addressed children aged 9 to 12 years. Intervention duration ranged from 3 to 24 months. Significant differences between groups in BMI metric changes were reported by 5 of the 8 studies. Pooled analysis revealed an overall significant decrease in BMI metrics in the intervention group (standardized mean difference –0.61, 95% CI –1.10 to –0.13; P=.01). Subgroup analysis revealed that significance was lost in case of no parental involvement (standardized mean difference –0.36, 95% CI –0.83 to 0.11; P=.14). The small number of clinical trials found, the varying study quality, and the study heterogeneity are some limitations of this review. Conclusions: The studies reported herein describe functional and acceptable technology-based approaches, in addition to conventional treatments, to enhance weight loss in young populations. 
%M 35156934
%R 10.2196/30675
%U https://www.jmir.org/2022/2/e30675
%U https://doi.org/10.2196/30675
%U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35156934