Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-vdxz6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-24T12:09:58.614Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Treatment Alternatives for Overweight and Obesity: The Role of Online Interventions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 February 2012

Jacqueline Baulch ,
Andrea Chester  and
Leah Brennan
Jacqueline Baulch*
Affiliation:
RMIT University, Australia
Andrea Chester
Affiliation:
RMIT University, Australia
Leah Brennan
Affiliation:
RMIT University, Australia
*
*Address for correspondence: Jacqueline Baulch, Leopold Street, South Yarra VIC 3141, Australia. Email: [email protected]
Get access

Abstract

This review examines the application of online interventions to the treatment of obesity. The unprecedented prevalence rates of overweight and obesity worldwide are indicative of the need to develop efficacious treatment alternatives. While research suggests that diet, physical activity and behaviour therapy are core components of effective obesity treatment programs, their ability to penetrate large portions of the population is limited. The empirically verified effectiveness of online interventions for disorders such as depression and social phobia, coupled with unparalleled rates of internet access, suggest that online interventions for overweight and obesity are a feasible and logical treatment modality. A limited number of randomised controlled trials reviewed in this article have evaluated the efficacy of this treatment alternative. Results are promising and encourage further use, development and empirical research in this area.

Type
Invited Essay
Information
Behaviour Change , Volume 25 , Issue 1 , 01 April 2008 , pp. 1 - 14
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2008

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2005). Internet activity. Canberra: Author. Google Scholar
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2000). Australia's health 2000: The seventh biennial health report of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Canberra: Author. Google Scholar
Andersson, G., Bergstrom, J.A.N.,, Hollandare, F., Carlbring, P.E.R., Kaldo, V., & Ekselius, L. (2005). Internet-based self-help for depression: Randomised controlled trial. British Journal of Psychiatry, 187, 456–461.Google Scholar
Aronne, L.J. (2002). Current pharmacolgical treatments for obesity. In C.G., Fairburn & K.D., Brownell (Eds.), Eating disorders and obesity: A comprehensive handbook (2nd ed., pp. 551–556). New York: The Guilford Press.Google Scholar
Ayyad, C., & Andersen, T. (2000). Long-term efficacy of dietary treatment of obesity: A systematic review of studies published between 1931 and 1999. Obesity Reviews, 1, 113–119.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Baker, R.C., & Kirschenbaum, D.S. (1993). Self-monitoring may be necessary for successful weight control. Behavior Therapy, 24, 377–394.Google Scholar
Bandura, A. (1969). Principles of behaviour modification. New York: Holt, Rinehart, & Winston. Google Scholar
Blair, S.N., & Holder, S. (2002). Exercise in the management of obesity. In C.G., Fairburn & K.D. Brownell (Eds.), Eating disorders and obesity: A comprehensive handbook (2nd ed., pp. 518–523). New York: The Guilford Press.Google Scholar
Brownell, K.D., & Wadden, T.A. (1991). The heterogeneity of obesity: Fitting treatment to individuals. Behavior Therapy, 23, 153–177.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cameron, A.J., Wellborn, T.A., Zimmet, P.Z., Dunstan, D.W., Owen, N., Salmon, J., et al. (2003). Overweight and obesity in Australia: The 1999-2000 Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle Study (AusDiab). Medical Journal of Australia, 178, 427–432.Google Scholar
Carlbring, P.E.R., Gunnarsdottir, M., Hedensjo, L., Andersson, G., Ekselius, L., & Furmark, T. (2007). Treatment of social phobia: Randomised trial of internet-delivered cognitivebehavioural therapy with telephone support. British Journal of Psychiatry, 190, 123–128.Google Scholar
Celio, A.A., Winzelberg, A.J., Wilfley, D.E., Eppstein-Harald, D., Springer, E.A., Dev, P., et al. (2000). Reducing risk factors for eating disorders. Comparison of an internet-and a classroomdelivered psycho-education program. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 68, 650–657.Google Scholar
Chen, H.H., & Yeh, M.L. (2006). Developing and evaluating a smoking cessation program combined with an internet-assisted instruction program for adolescents and smoking. Patient and Education Counseling, 61, 411–418.Google Scholar
Christensen, H., Griffiths, K.M., & Jorm, A.F. (2004). Delivering interventions for depression by using the internet: randomised controlled trial. British Medical Journal, 328, 265–264.Google Scholar
Epstein, L.H., McCurley, J., Wing, R.R., & Valoski, A. (1990). Five-year follow-up of family-based behavioral treatments for childhood obesity. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 58, 661–664.Google Scholar
Epstein, L.H., Myers, M.D., Raynor, H.A., & Saelens, B.E. (1998). Treatment of pediatric obesity. Pediatrics, 101, 554–570.Google Scholar
Epstein, L.H., Saelens, B.E., Myers, M.D., & Vito, D. (1997). Effects of decreasing sedentary behaviours on activity choice in obese children. Health Psychology, 16, 107–113.Google Scholar
Falkner, N.M., Neumark-Sztainer, D., Story, M., Jeffery, R.W., Beuhring, T., & Resnick, M.D. (2001). Social, educational, and psychological correlates of weight status in adolescents. Obesity Research, 9, 32–43.Google Scholar
Fontaine, K.R., & Allison, D.B. (2002). Obesity and the . In C.D., Fairburn & K.D., Brownell (Eds.), Eating disorders and obesity: A comprehensive handbook (2nd ed., pp. 609–612). New York: The Guilford Press.Google Scholar
Foreyt, J.P., Mitchell, R.E., Garner, D.T., Gee, M., Scott, L.W., & Gotto, A.M. (1982). Behavioral treatment of obesity: Results and limitations. Behavior Therapy, 13, 153–161.Google Scholar
Freemark, M. (2007). Pharmacotherapy of childhood obesity. Diabetes Care, 30, 395–402.Google Scholar
Golay, A., Buclin, S., Ybarra, J., Toti, F., Pichard, C., Picco, N., et al. (2004). New interdisciplinary cognitive behavioural-nutritional approach to obesity treatment: A 5-year follow-up study. Eating and Weight Disorders, 9, 29–34.Google Scholar
Gollings, E.K., & Paxton, S.J. (2006). Comparison of internet and face-to-face delivery of a group body image and disordered eating intervention for women: A pilot study. Eating Disorders, 14, 1–15.Google Scholar
Greenberg, I., Perna, F., Kaplan, M., & Sullivan, M.A. (2005). Behavioral and psychological factors in the assessment and treatment of obesity surgery patients. Obesity Research, 13, 244–249.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Griffiths, K.M., & Christensen, H. (2004). Review of randomised controlled trials of internet interventions for mental disorders and related conditions. Clinical Psychologist, 10, 16–29.Google Scholar
Harvey-Berino, J., Pintauro, S.J., Buzzell, P., & Gold, E.C. (2004). Effect of internet support in the long-term maintenance of weight loss. Obesity Research, 12, 320–329.Google Scholar
Harvey-Berino, J., Pintauro, S.J., & Gold, E.C. (2002). The feasability of using internet support for the maintenance of weight loss. Behavior Modification, 26, 103–116.Google Scholar
Kenardy, J., McCafferty, K., & Rosa, V. (2003). Internet-delivered indicated prevention for anxiety disorders: A randomized controlled trial. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 31, 279–289.Google Scholar
Klem, M.L., Wing, R.R., McGuire, M.T., Seagle, H.M., & Hill, J.O. (1997). A descriptive study of individuals successful at long-term maintenance of substantial weight loss. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 66, 239–246.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kolotkin, R.L., Meter, K., & Williams, G.R. (2001). Quality of life and obesity. Obesity Reviews, 2, 219–229.Google Scholar
Lange, A., Rietdijk, D., Hudcovicova, A., van de Ven, J.P., Schrieken, B., & Emmelkamp, P.M.G. (2003). Interapy: A controlled randomized trial of the standardised treatment of posttraumatic stress through the internet. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 71, 901–909.Google Scholar
Lorig, K.R., Ritter, P.L., Laurent, D.D., & Plant, K. (2006). Internet-based chronic disease self-management: A randomized trial. Medical Care, 44, 964–971.Google Scholar
Luce, K.H., Winzelberg, A.J., Zabinski, M.F., & Osborne, M.I. (2003). Internet-delivered psychological interventions for body image dissatisfaction and disordered eating. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 40, 148–154.Google Scholar
Mahoney, M.J. (1974). Self-reward and self-monitoring techniques for weight control. Behavior Therapy, 5, 48–57.Google Scholar
Manson, J.E., Skerrett, P.J., & Willett, W.C. (2002). Epidemiology of health risks associated with obesity. In C.D., Fairburn & K.D., Brownell (Eds.), Eating disorders and obesity: A comprehensive handbook (2nd ed., pp. 422–428). New York: The Guilford Press.Google Scholar
McCoy, M.R., Couch, D., Duncan, M.D., & Lynch, G.S. (2005). Evaluating an internet weight loss program for diabetes prevention. Health Promotion International, 20, 221–228.Google Scholar
Moore, M.J., Soderquist, M.A., & Werch, C. (2005). Feasability and efficacy of a binge drinking prevention intervention for college students delivered via the internet versus postal mail. Journal of American College Health 54, 38–46.Google Scholar
Myers, M.D., Raynor, H.A., & Epstein, L.H. (1998). Predictors of child psychological changes during family-based treatment for obesity. Archive of Pediatric Adolescent Medicine, 152, 855–861.Google Scholar
Oenema, A., Tan, F., & Brug, J. (2005). Short-term efficacy of a web-based computer tailored nutrition intervention: Main effects and mediators. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 29, 54–63.Google Scholar
Peeters, A., Barendregt, J.J., Willekens, F., Mackenbach, M.D., Mamun, A.A., & Bonneux, L. (2003). Obesity in adulthood and its consequences for life expectancy: A life-table analysis. Annals of Internal Medicine, 138, 24–33.Google Scholar
Perri, M.G. (2002). Improving maintenance in behavioural treatment. In C.D., Fairburn & K.D., Brownell (Eds.), Eating disorders and obesity: A comprehensive handbook (2nd ed., pp. 593–598). New York: The Guilford Press.Google Scholar
Pew Internet and American Life Project. (2005). Teens and technology: Youth are leading the transition to a fully wired and mobile nation. Washington, DC: Pew Internet and American Life Project. Google Scholar
Pories, W.J., & Beshay, J.E. (2002). Surgery for obesity: Procedures and weight loss. In C.G., Fairburn & K.D., Brownell (Eds.), Eating disorders and obesity: A comprehensive handbook (2nd ed., pp. 562–567). New York: The Guilford Press.Google Scholar
Puhl, R.M., & Brownell, K.D. (2003). Psychosocial origins of obesity stigma: Toward changing a powerful and pervasive bias. Obesity Reviews, 4, 213–227.Google Scholar
Rapoport, L., Clark, M., & Wardle, J. (2000). Evaluation of a modified cognitive and behavioural programme for weight management. International Journal of Obesity, 24, 1726–1737.Google Scholar
Seidell, J.C., & Tijhuis, M.A.R. (2002). Obesity and quality of life. In C.D., Fairburn & K.D., Brownell (Eds.), Eating disorders and obesity: A comprehensive handbook (2nd ed., pp. 388–392). New York: The Guilford Press.Google Scholar
Shaw, K., O’Rourke, P., Del Mar, C., & Kenardy, J. (2007). Psychological interventions for overweight and obesity (review). The Cochrane Collaboration, 2, 1–62.Google Scholar
Sherwood, N.E., Morton, N., Jeffery, R.W., French, S.A., Neumark-Sztainer, D., & Falkner, N.H. (1998). Consumer preferences in format and type of community-based weight control programs. American Journal of Health Promotion, 13, 12–18.Google Scholar
Spek, V., Cuijpers, P., Nyklicek, I., Riper, H., Keyzer, J., & Pop, V. (2007). Internet-based cognitive behaviour therapy for symptoms of depression and anxiety: A meta-analysis. Psychological Medicine, 37, 319–328.Google Scholar
Strychar, I. (2006). Diet in the management of weight loss. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 174, 56–63.Google Scholar
Tate, D.F., Jackvony, E.H., & Wing, R.R. (2003). Effects of internet behavioral counseling on weight loss in adults at risk for type 2 diabetes: A randomized trial. Journal of the American Medical Association, 289, 1833–1836.Google Scholar
Tate, D.F., Wing, R.R., & Winett, R.A. (2001). Using internet technology to deliver a behavioural weight loss program. Journal of the American Medical Association, 285, 1172–1177.Google Scholar
Ververka, D.V., Anderson, J., Auld, G.W., Coulter, G.R., Kennedy, C., & Chapman, P.L. (2003). Use of the stages of change model in improving nutrition and exercise habits in enlisted Air Force men. Military Medicine, 168, 373–380.Google Scholar
Wagner, B., Knaevelsrud, C., & Maercker, A. (2006). Internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy for complicated grief: A randomized controlled trial. Death Studies, 30, 429–453.Google Scholar
Weinstein, P.K. (2006). A review of weight loss programs delivered via the internet. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 21, 221–228.Google Scholar
Wilson, G.T., & Brownell, K.D. (2002). Behavioral treatment for obesity. In C.D., Fairburn & K.D., Brownell (Eds.), Eating disorders and obesity: A comprehensive handbook (2nd ed., pp. 524–528). New York: The Guilford Press.Google Scholar
Winett, R.A., Tate, D.F., Anderson, E.S., Wojcik, J.R., & Winett, S.G. (2005). Long-term weight gain prevention: A theoretically based internet approach. Preventive Medicine, 41, 629–641.Google Scholar
Wing, R.R., & Hill, J. (2001). Successful weight loss maintenance. Annual Review of Nutrition, 21, 323–341.Google Scholar
World Health Organization. (2000). Obesity: Preventing and managing the global epidemic. Geneva: Author. Google Scholar
World Health Organization. (2006). Obesity and overweight: What are obesity and overweight. Geneva: Author. Google Scholar
Zabinski, M.F., Celio, A.A., Wilfley, D.E., & Taylor, C.B. (2003). Prevention of eating disorders and obesity via the internet. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 32, 137–150.Google Scholar
Zetterqvist, K., Maanmies, J., Strom, L., & Andersson, G. (2003). Randomized controlled trial of internet-based stress management. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 32, 151–160.Google Scholar