Mobile and Web Apps for Weight Management in Overweight and Obese Adults: An Updated Umbrella Review and Meta-Analysis

Felipe da Fonseca Silva Couto () and Carlos Podalirio Borges de Almeida
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Felipe da Fonseca Silva Couto: Professional Master’s Program in Family Health (PROFSAÚDE), Institute of Health and Biological Studies, Federal University of the South and Southeast of Pará (UNIFESSPA), Avenida dos Ipês, s/n, Cidade Universitária, Loteamento Cidade Jardim, Marabá 68508-970, Pará, Brazil
Carlos Podalirio Borges de Almeida: Professional Master’s Program in Family Health (PROFSAÚDE), Institute of Health and Biological Studies, Federal University of the South and Southeast of Pará (UNIFESSPA), Avenida dos Ipês, s/n, Cidade Universitária, Loteamento Cidade Jardim, Marabá 68508-970, Pará, Brazil

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 7, 1-27

Abstract: Obesity is a global epidemic with substantial health and economic impacts, making scalable weight management strategies essential. A comprehensive synthesis of eHealth interventions for weight management is needed to guide clinical practice. This umbrella review evaluated mobile and web-based interventions for weight loss in adults with overweight or obesity, compared to conventional or non-intervention controls. Systematic reviews were identified across five electronic databases from inception to February 2025. Two reviewers independently selected studies and assessed methodological quality using AMSTAR 2. Pooled estimates were calculated using random-effects models. Eleven systematic reviews (261 primary studies, 62,407 participants) were included. Mobile app interventions yielded a significant reduction in body weight (MD = −1.32 kg; I 2 = 82%), as did long-term eHealth interventions (MD = −1.13 kg; I 2 = 76%). Most meta-analyses showed high heterogeneity. Web-based interventions showed no significant effect. In conclusion, mobile apps and long-term eHealth interventions resulted in modest but statistically significant reductions in body weight, body mass index, and waist circumference. The evidence for web-based approaches remains inconclusive. Further research should focus on low-resource settings, primary care, and the integration of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. (PROSPERO CRD42025644218).

Keywords: obesity management; weight loss; mobile health; web-based interventions; eHealth; primary healthcare; public health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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