Effectiveness of digital behaviour change interventions for promoting physical activity in adolescents with overweight and obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Puteri Shanaz Jahn Kassim; Noor Azimah Muhammad; Nur Faraheen Abdul Rahman; Sherina Mohd Sidik; Cecilia A. Essau; Shamsul Azhar Shah

doi:10.1177/20552076251314904

Effectiveness of digital behaviour change interventions for promoting physical activity in adolescents with overweight and obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Puteri Shanaz Jahn Kassim, Noor Azimah Muhammad, Nur Faraheen Abdul Rahman, Sherina Mohd Sidik, Cecilia A. Essau, Shamsul Azhar Shah

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

Abstract

Background: Obesity in adolescence is associated with many adverse health and well-being outcomes. Physical activity plays an important role in the prevention of obesity; however, many adolescents with overweight and obesity are physically inactive. Digital behaviour change interventions (DBCI) are increasingly used to increase physical activity; however, there is insufficient evidence on their use in promoting physical activity among adolescents with overweight and obesity, including its active components. This review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of DBCIs in promoting physical activity among adolescents with overweight and obesity and to identify the behaviour change techniques (BCTs) used in these interventions. Methods: Seven electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies evaluating DBCIs for physical activity promotion in adolescents with overweight and obesity aged 10–19 years. The risk of bias in the included studies was assessed using Cochrane's Risk of Bias tool 2 and ROBINS-I tool. Meta-analyses were performed using random effects models. The BCTs used within the DBCIs were coded using the Behaviour Change Technique taxonomy (v1). Results: Eighteen studies involving 1769 participants were included. DBCIs showed a large, significant positive effect on total physical activity (SMD = 1.61, 95% CI: [0.56, 2.66], p = 0.003), but non-significant effects on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (SMD = 0.16, 95% CI: [−0.39, 0.71], p = 0.56) and step count (SMD = −0.10, 95% CI: [−0.52, 0.32], p = 0.65). High heterogeneity was observed in total physical activity and MVPA analyses. The most frequently used BCTs were information about health consequences, goal setting, self-monitoring, feedback on behaviour and social support. Conclusion: DBCIs can effectively promote overall physical activity among adolescents with overweight and obesity, although their impact on MVPA and step count remains unclear. Future research should focus on optimizing BCT combinations and improving long-term engagement while addressing intervention effect variability. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42021270008

Original language	English
Journal	DIGITAL HEALTH
Volume	11
Early online date	21 Jan 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076251314904
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - 21 Jan 2025

Keywords

obesity
meta-analysis
systematic review
physical activity
Digital intervention
overweight
adolescent
behaviour change techniques
eHealth
mHealth
behaviour change

Access to Document

10.1177/20552076251314904

Cite this

@article{cb6e11961a33463c83a48c5d565faf29,

title = "Effectiveness of digital behaviour change interventions for promoting physical activity in adolescents with overweight and obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis",

abstract = "Background: Obesity in adolescence is associated with many adverse health and well-being outcomes. Physical activity plays an important role in the prevention of obesity; however, many adolescents with overweight and obesity are physically inactive. Digital behaviour change interventions (DBCI) are increasingly used to increase physical activity; however, there is insufficient evidence on their use in promoting physical activity among adolescents with overweight and obesity, including its active components. This review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of DBCIs in promoting physical activity among adolescents with overweight and obesity and to identify the behaviour change techniques (BCTs) used in these interventions. Methods: Seven electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies evaluating DBCIs for physical activity promotion in adolescents with overweight and obesity aged 10–19 years. The risk of bias in the included studies was assessed using Cochrane's Risk of Bias tool 2 and ROBINS-I tool. Meta-analyses were performed using random effects models. The BCTs used within the DBCIs were coded using the Behaviour Change Technique taxonomy (v1). Results: Eighteen studies involving 1769 participants were included. DBCIs showed a large, significant positive effect on total physical activity (SMD = 1.61, 95% CI: [0.56, 2.66], p = 0.003), but non-significant effects on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (SMD = 0.16, 95% CI: [−0.39, 0.71], p = 0.56) and step count (SMD = −0.10, 95% CI: [−0.52, 0.32], p = 0.65). High heterogeneity was observed in total physical activity and MVPA analyses. The most frequently used BCTs were information about health consequences, goal setting, self-monitoring, feedback on behaviour and social support. Conclusion: DBCIs can effectively promote overall physical activity among adolescents with overweight and obesity, although their impact on MVPA and step count remains unclear. Future research should focus on optimizing BCT combinations and improving long-term engagement while addressing intervention effect variability. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42021270008",

keywords = "obesity, meta-analysis, systematic review, physical activity, Digital intervention, overweight, adolescent, behaviour change techniques, eHealth, mHealth, behaviour change",

author = "{Jahn Kassim}, {Puteri Shanaz} and Muhammad, {Noor Azimah} and {Abdul Rahman}, {Nur Faraheen} and Sidik, {Sherina Mohd} and Essau, {Cecilia A.} and Shah, {Shamsul Azhar}",

year = "2025",

month = jan,

day = "21",

doi = "10.1177/20552076251314904",

language = "English",

volume = "11",

journal = "DIGITAL HEALTH",

issn = "2055-2076",

publisher = "SAGE Publications",

}

Effectiveness of digital behaviour change interventions for promoting physical activity in adolescents with overweight and obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis. / Jahn Kassim, Puteri Shanaz; Muhammad, Noor Azimah; Abdul Rahman, Nur Faraheen et al.
In: DIGITAL HEALTH, Vol. 11, 21.01.2025.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

TY - JOUR

T1 - Effectiveness of digital behaviour change interventions for promoting physical activity in adolescents with overweight and obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis

AU - Jahn Kassim, Puteri Shanaz

AU - Muhammad, Noor Azimah

AU - Abdul Rahman, Nur Faraheen

AU - Sidik, Sherina Mohd

AU - Essau, Cecilia A.

AU - Shah, Shamsul Azhar

PY - 2025/1/21

Y1 - 2025/1/21

N2 - Background: Obesity in adolescence is associated with many adverse health and well-being outcomes. Physical activity plays an important role in the prevention of obesity; however, many adolescents with overweight and obesity are physically inactive. Digital behaviour change interventions (DBCI) are increasingly used to increase physical activity; however, there is insufficient evidence on their use in promoting physical activity among adolescents with overweight and obesity, including its active components. This review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of DBCIs in promoting physical activity among adolescents with overweight and obesity and to identify the behaviour change techniques (BCTs) used in these interventions. Methods: Seven electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies evaluating DBCIs for physical activity promotion in adolescents with overweight and obesity aged 10–19 years. The risk of bias in the included studies was assessed using Cochrane's Risk of Bias tool 2 and ROBINS-I tool. Meta-analyses were performed using random effects models. The BCTs used within the DBCIs were coded using the Behaviour Change Technique taxonomy (v1). Results: Eighteen studies involving 1769 participants were included. DBCIs showed a large, significant positive effect on total physical activity (SMD = 1.61, 95% CI: [0.56, 2.66], p = 0.003), but non-significant effects on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (SMD = 0.16, 95% CI: [−0.39, 0.71], p = 0.56) and step count (SMD = −0.10, 95% CI: [−0.52, 0.32], p = 0.65). High heterogeneity was observed in total physical activity and MVPA analyses. The most frequently used BCTs were information about health consequences, goal setting, self-monitoring, feedback on behaviour and social support. Conclusion: DBCIs can effectively promote overall physical activity among adolescents with overweight and obesity, although their impact on MVPA and step count remains unclear. Future research should focus on optimizing BCT combinations and improving long-term engagement while addressing intervention effect variability. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42021270008

AB - Background: Obesity in adolescence is associated with many adverse health and well-being outcomes. Physical activity plays an important role in the prevention of obesity; however, many adolescents with overweight and obesity are physically inactive. Digital behaviour change interventions (DBCI) are increasingly used to increase physical activity; however, there is insufficient evidence on their use in promoting physical activity among adolescents with overweight and obesity, including its active components. This review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of DBCIs in promoting physical activity among adolescents with overweight and obesity and to identify the behaviour change techniques (BCTs) used in these interventions. Methods: Seven electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies evaluating DBCIs for physical activity promotion in adolescents with overweight and obesity aged 10–19 years. The risk of bias in the included studies was assessed using Cochrane's Risk of Bias tool 2 and ROBINS-I tool. Meta-analyses were performed using random effects models. The BCTs used within the DBCIs were coded using the Behaviour Change Technique taxonomy (v1). Results: Eighteen studies involving 1769 participants were included. DBCIs showed a large, significant positive effect on total physical activity (SMD = 1.61, 95% CI: [0.56, 2.66], p = 0.003), but non-significant effects on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (SMD = 0.16, 95% CI: [−0.39, 0.71], p = 0.56) and step count (SMD = −0.10, 95% CI: [−0.52, 0.32], p = 0.65). High heterogeneity was observed in total physical activity and MVPA analyses. The most frequently used BCTs were information about health consequences, goal setting, self-monitoring, feedback on behaviour and social support. Conclusion: DBCIs can effectively promote overall physical activity among adolescents with overweight and obesity, although their impact on MVPA and step count remains unclear. Future research should focus on optimizing BCT combinations and improving long-term engagement while addressing intervention effect variability. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42021270008

KW - obesity

KW - meta-analysis

KW - systematic review

KW - physical activity

KW - Digital intervention

KW - overweight

KW - adolescent

KW - behaviour change techniques

KW - eHealth

KW - mHealth

KW - behaviour change

U2 - 10.1177/20552076251314904

DO - 10.1177/20552076251314904

M3 - Review article

SN - 2055-2076

VL - 11

JO - DIGITAL HEALTH

JF - DIGITAL HEALTH

ER -