Role of Digital Technologies in Supporting Weight Loss among Overweight and Obese Individuals: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Digital technologies are increasingly influencing many areas of human life, including health management and lifestyle behavior’s (1,2). Tools such as mobile applications, wearable devices, and activity-tracking platforms have been widely adopted to encourage healthier behaviours’, including increased physical activity and improved dietary habits (2,3). These technologies provide users with reminders, personalized feedback, and goal-setting features that can support weight-management efforts (4). The purpose of this review is to evaluate the effectiveness of digital health technologies in promoting weight loss among overweight and obese individuals. Many people currently rely on smart phone applications and wearable devices to monitor their health behaviours’, and healthcare professionals are increasingly asked to evaluate the usefulness of these tools (5). At the same time, the rapid expansion of technology has coincided with a growing global prevalence of obesity (6). Digital interventions such as mobile health (mHealth) programs, internet-based platforms, short message services (SMS), and wearable monitoring systems have demonstrated potential in supporting behavioural change related to diet and physical activity(7,8). However, despite rapid technological advancement, research evaluating the effectiveness of these tools is still evolving (9). This review summarizes existing evidence regarding digital technologies used in weight management and discusses their role in improving behavioural outcomes and supporting long-term weight control.