Programmes helped overweight adults move more and eat better, but only a little
HelpedThe short version
At six months or less, these programmes helped people move more or eat better, by a small amount.
- 50
- studies pooled
- 11,183
- adults who were overweight or obese
- 2 tools
- tested
The review
Who took part
11,183 overweight or obese adults took part in 48 trials published from 2007 to 2014. On average they were 40 or older, with a BMI of 30 or more.
What they did
Each programme aimed to change what people ate or how active they were, and lasted at least 12 weeks. Each was compared with usual care, with people who were still waiting to start, or with a less intensive programme.
What happened
The programmes gave a small gain at six months or less, and a smaller gain at a year or more. Results varied a lot between studies, and setting goals and tracking progress were linked to bigger gains. The long-term chart looked lopsided, with more small studies that showed weak results than expected.
What the review found
- Helped
At six months or less, these programmes helped people move more or eat better, by a small amount.
Pooled analysis of 50 studies with 11,183 people · vs usual care, or people who were still waiting · ⚠ whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited
- Helped
At a year or more, these programmes still helped people, though less than at six months.
Pooled analysis of 32 studies · vs usual care, or people who were still waiting · ⚠ signs that small negative studies went unpublished; whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited
- Helped
At six months or less, setting a goal and tracking progress were linked to bigger gains.
Pooled analysis of 50 studies · vs programmes without goals or progress tracking · ⚠ whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited
- Helped
At a year or more, setting a goal and tracking progress were still linked to bigger gains.
Pooled analysis of 32 studies · vs programmes without goals or progress tracking · ⚠ signs that small negative studies went unpublished; whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited
How solid is this?
- Large group
- Whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited
- Signs that small negative studies went unpublished
Source
Effective behaviour change techniques for physical activity and healthy eating in overweight and obese adults; systematic review and meta-regression analyses (2017)
DOI: 10.1186/s12966-017-0494-y (opens in a new tab)
