@Article{info:doi/10.2196/jmir.3921,
author="Seo, Dong-Chul
and Niu, Jingjing",
title="Evaluation of Internet-Based Interventions on Waist Circumference Reduction: A Meta-Analysis",
journal="J Med Internet Res",
year="2015",
month="Jul",
day="21",
volume="17",
number="7",
pages="e181",
keywords="waist circumference; obesity; adiposity; Internet; intervention studies",
abstract="Background: Internet-based interventions are more cost-effective than conventional interventions and can provide immediate, easy-to-access, and individually tailored support for behavior change. Waist circumference is a strong predictor of an increased risk for a host of diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, independent of body mass index. To date, no study has examined the effect of Internet-based lifestyle interventions on waist circumference change. Objective: This study aimed to systematically review the effect of Internet-based interventions on waist circumference change among adults. Methods: This meta-analysis reviewed randomized controlled trials (N=31 trials and 8442 participants) that used the Internet as a main intervention approach and reported changes in waist circumference. Results: Internet-based interventions showed a significant reduction in waist circumference (mean change --2.99 cm, 95{\%} CI −3.68 to −2.30, I2=93.3{\%}) and significantly better effects on waist circumference loss (mean loss 2.38 cm, 95{\%} CI 1.61-3.25, I2=97.2{\%}) than minimal interventions such as information-only groups. Meta-regression results showed that baseline waist circumference, gender, and the presence of social support in the intervention were significantly associated with waist circumference reduction. Conclusions: Internet-based interventions have a significant and promising effect on waist circumference change. Incorporating social support into an Internet-based intervention appears to be useful in reducing waist circumference. Considerable heterogeneity exists among the effects of Internet-based interventions. The design of an intervention may have a significant impact on the effectiveness of the intervention. ",
issn="1438-8871",
doi="10.2196/jmir.3921",
url="http://www.jmir.org/2015/7/e181/",
url="https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.3921",
url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26199208"
}