%0 Journal Article
%@ 1438-8871
%I JMIR Publications Inc.
%V 17
%N 7
%P e181
%T Evaluation of Internet-Based Interventions on Waist Circumference Reduction: A Meta-Analysis
%A Seo,Dong-Chul
%A Niu,Jingjing
%+ College of Health Sciences, Department of Health Education and Management, Ewha Womans University, Human Ecology Building 204, 52, Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 120-750, Republic Of Korea, 82 2 3277 2580, dseo@ewha.ac.kr
%K waist circumference
%K obesity
%K adiposity
%K Internet
%K intervention studies
%D 2015
%7 21.07.2015
%9 Review
%J J Med Internet Res
%G English
%X 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. 
%M 26199208
%R 10.2196/jmir.3921
%U http://www.jmir.org/2015/7/e181/
%U https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.3921
%U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26199208