Digital weight management lifestyle interventions in adults: systematic review of behaviour change theories and techniques

Abstract

Background: This review examined intervention components of published digital-based lifestyle interventions for weight management with regards to i) theory use; 2) use of behaviour change techniques (BCTs); and iii) modes of delivery (MoD). Methods: Studies were identified through electronic database searches. Studies were eligible if they (1) were digital-based lifestyle interventions aimed at managing weight, (2) targeted overweight/ obese adults or participants who have recently lost weight, and (3) assessed any of the following outcomes - weight/BMI, physical activity, or dietary behaviour, measured at post-treatment and/or follow-up. Characteristics of studies - use of theory (Theory Coding Scheme), BCTs (adapted BCT taxonomy) and MoDs (Webb’s coding scheme) - were synthesized and linked to effects. Findings: Forty-nine articles describing 38 unique digital lifestyle interventions were included. Only about half of the trials were theory-based (mainly Social Cognitive Theory), either based on single or multiple theories. The use of theory was not associated with intervention effects. A considerable number of interventions employed common self-regulation techniques (e.g., self-monitoring, planning), and its use was associated with significant positive effects. Most trials used more than one MoD for delivering techniques, the most frequent being automated tailored feedback. Discussion: While this review provides valuable information on key intervention components of digital interventions for weight management, it also highlights some important challenges in synthesizing interventions using current taxonomies, which will be addressed in this presentation. The project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 643309