Obesity: Technology-Supported Multicomponent Coaching or Counseling Interventions To Maintain Weight Loss

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Findings and Recommendations

The Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) recommends multicomponent interventions that use technology-supported coaching or counseling to help clients maintain weight loss.

The CPSTF also recommends this type of intervention to help clients lose weight.

The full CPSTF Finding and Rationale Statement and supporting documents for Obesity Prevention and Control: Technology-Supported Multicomponent Coaching or Counseling Interventions to Maintain Weight Loss are available in The Community Guide Collection on CDC Stacks.

Intervention

In these interventions, coaches or counselors use technology to communicate with individuals or groups and help them maintain weight loss. Such technologies may include computers, video conferencing, personal digital assistants, pedometers with computer interaction, or mobile applications. Interventions may be used with additional components such as tracking and monitoring, social interaction, in-person counseling, or education.

About The Systematic Review

The CPSTF finding is based on evidence from a systematic review of 4 studies (search period 1966-June 2008).

Study Characteristics

  • All of the included studies used randomized controlled trials
  • Studies were conducted in the U.S. and targeted adults

Summary of Results

All four studies included in the review showed that clients maintained weight loss for periods ranging from 12 to 18 months after the start of the intervention.

Summary of Economic Evidence

An economic review of this intervention did not find any relevant studies.

Applicability

Findings of the review should be applicable to the following:

  • Adults
  • Home and community settings
  • U.S.
  • Interventions delivered by counselors, therapists, or health coaches
  • Assorted technologies (e.g., websites, email, interactive TV modalities)

Evidence Gaps

  • Does the type of technology and whether it is mobile make a difference?
  • Are technology-based interventions as effective in subpopulations? Does effectiveness vary by age, cultural, SES, sex, race, or ethnicity?
  • Is there an interaction between subpopulations (e.g., cultural, age) and type of technology (e.g. computer, mobile device)?
  • How does provider training or credentialing affect services to clients?
  • Are clients and providers more likely to engage if technical support or training on computer applications are provided?

Implementation Considerations and Resources

  • Technology supported counseling may offer increased access for people living in remote areas, people who cannot travel easily, or people with unusual work schedules. They also allow anonymity for those who prefer it and can be available 24 hours a day.
  • Developing technology-supported interventions requires an initial investment in computer hardware, software, and application design.
  • Participants will need access to a computer or other technology.
  • Practitioners and participants may require training with new technology.
  • It may be difficult to keep up with rapid changes in technology (data security).

Crosswalks