Potential role of hybrid weight management intervention: A scoping review

Abstract

Background

Digital health has been widely used in delivering healthcare, presenting emerging opportunities to overcome barriers to effective obesity care. One strategy suggested for addressing obesity involves a hybrid weight management intervention that incorporates digital health. This scoping review aimed to map existing evidence regarding hybrid weight management intervention.

Methods

PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and the Web of Science electronic databases were searched for studies published between January 1, 2012 and May 16, 2023, with language restricted to English. The focus was on controlled trials in which a hybrid weight management intervention was used in the intervention among overweight or obese adults. The scoping review framework followed Arksey and O’Malley's guidelines and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISM-P).

Results

Full-text article review in the screening stage resulted in a total of 10 articles being included for narrative synthesis. Almost two-third of the articles originated from the United States (60%), followed by Europe and Australia, each accounting for 20%. The most common hybrid weight management intervention type was the combination of face-to-face and telehealth (i.e. phone call/text messaging) (40%), closely followed by a combination email intervention (30%) and mHealth apps intervention (30%). Most of the face-to-face dietary interventions were delivered as a group counseling (80%), while some were conducted as individual counseling (20%). Most studies observed a positive effect of the hybrid weight management intervention on body weight (weight lost 3.9–8.2 kg), body mass index (decreased 0.58 kg/m ²), waist circumference (decreased 2.25 cm), and physical activity level compared to standard care. Findings suggest a direct association between hybrid weight management interventions and weight loss. The weight loss ranged from 3.9 to 8.2 kg, with some evidence indicating a significant weight loss of 5% from baseline. There is a need to explore stakeholders’ telehealth perspective to optimize the delivery of hybrid weight management interventions, thereby maximizing greatest benefits for weight management.