Obesity Prevention and Control: Technology-Supported Multicomponent Coaching or Counseling Interventions to Reduce Weight and Maintain Weight Loss

Task Force Finding and Rationale Statement

Definition

Technology-supported multicomponent coaching or counseling interventions use technology to facilitate or mediate interactions between a coach or counselor and an individual or group, with a goal of influencing weight-related behaviors or weight-related outcomes. These interventions often also include other components, which may be technological or non-technological.

Technology-supported components may include the use of computers (e.g., internet, CD-ROM, e-mail, kiosk, computer program), video conferencing, personal digital assistants, pagers, pedometers with computer interaction, or computerized telephone system interventions targeting physical activity, nutrition, or weight. Non-technological components may include in-person counseling, manual tracking, printed lessons, and written feedback. Because of differences in implementation and in the intended outcomes, interventions aimed at reducing weight were considered separately from those intended to maintain weight loss.

Technology-supported Multicomponent Coaching or Counseling Interventions to Reduce Weight

Task Force Finding

The Community Preventive Services Task Force recommends technology-supported multicomponent coaching or counseling interventions intended to reduce weight on the basis of sufficient evidence that they are effective in improving weight-related behaviors or weight-related outcomes.

Rationale

A systematic review of the literature in the period 1966-June 2008 identified 14 studies that examined technology-supported multicomponent coaching or counseling interventions relevant to weight loss. All of the studies reported reductions in weight, with a median decrease of 3.7 kgs (8.1 lbs.) with a median follow-up time of 6 months. Seven studies reported physical activity and/or nutrition outcomes. The results for physical activity outcomes were mixed. Effects on nutrition outcomes were generally small but showed a reduction in caloric intake. On the basis of this evidence, the Task Force concludes that technology-supported multicomponent coaching or counseling interventions to reduce weight are effective for improving weight-related behaviors and/or weight-related outcomes. Although the body of evidence consisted of a number of methodologically sound studies, the included comparison groups were exposed to a variety of different treatment conditions. Because the heterogeneity among the treated comparison groups added uncertainty to the effect estimates, the Task Force considered these studies to provide sufficient rather than strong evidence of intervention effectiveness. The review found no evidence of harms from these interventions.

Technology-supported Multicomponent Coaching or Counseling Interventions to Maintain Weight Loss

Task Force Finding

The Community Preventive Services Task Force recommends technology-supported multicomponent weight coaching or counseling interventions intended to maintain weight loss on the basis of sufficient evidence that they are effective in maintaining weight-related behaviors or weight-related outcomes.

Rationale

The Task Force finds sufficient evidence of effectiveness for technology-supported multicomponent coaching or counseling interventions to maintain weight loss based on a systematic review of the literature in the period 1966-June 2008. Four studies examined technology-supported multicomponent weight maintenance coaching or counseling interventions. All studies showed that weight loss was maintained for periods ranging from 12 to 18 months after the start of the intervention. No evidence of harms from these interventions was found.

Review completed: June 2009

The data presented on this page are preliminary and are subject to change as the systematic review goes through the scientific peer review process.