Computer-tailored weight reduction interventions targeting adults: a narrative systematic review

Issue addressed: Potentially modifiable risk factors such as high body mass, physical inactivity and poor nutrition are, when combined, the largest contributors to the preventable burden of disease in Australia. Computer-tailoring has shown promise in modifying lifestyle risk factors. This paper describes a narrative systematic review examining the evidence for 'second' generation computer-tailored primary prevention weight reduction interventions. Method: Studies published from January 1996-2008 were identified through electronic databases and searches of reference lists of relevant articles. Only randomised controlled trials or quasi-experimental designs with pretest and post-test weight reduction outcome data were included. Results: Six articles were identified, three of which reported significant positive effects. The intervention intensity and duration, method of tailoring and theory used differed. The internal validity was good but external validity poor for the majority of studies. Conclusions: The evidence of effectiveness for computer-tailored primary prevention interventions for weight reduction is limited to a small number of heterogeneous studies. There is uncertainty whether reported effects are generalisable and sustained. The relative success of different components of efficacious interventions and the optimal intervention intensity and tailoring methods are unclear.