Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42243497›Full record

SynthesisScientific reports2026

Meta-analysis of smartphone applications targeting eating behaviour for weight loss.

Kadri Arumäe, Neeme Ilves, Eno-Martin Lotman, Triin Viskus, Tõnu Esko, Priit Palta, Taavi Tillmann, Uku Vainik

Abstract readMeta-Analysis
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Scientific reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Kadri ArumäeInstitute of Psychology, University of Tartu, Näituse 2, 50409, Tartu, Estonia. kadri.arumae@ut.ee.
Neeme IlvesInstitute of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
Eno-Martin LotmanCardiology Centre, North Estonia Medical Centre, Tallinn, Estonia.
Triin ViskusDepartment of Sustainable Development, North Estonia Medical Centre, Tallinn, Estonia.
Tõnu EskoEstonian Genome Centre, Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
Priit PaltaEstonian Genome Centre, Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
Taavi TillmannInstitute of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
Uku VainikInstitute of Psychology, University of Tartu, Näituse 2, 50409, Tartu, Estonia.

Funding

Estonian Business and Innovation Agency SMVPT21688T
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Smartphone applications ("apps") could be safe, cost-effective, and accessible tools for weight loss. Numerous weight-loss apps are available, but their longer-term efficacy is unclear. We conducted a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials of weight loss apps that target eating behaviour in adults. We (a) compared the amount of weight lost in app-based interventions to other interventions and waitlists, and (b) estimated mean weight loss at six months and longer in app-based interventions. A database search identified 23 studies matching our criteria. We used three-level meta-analytic models and applied various bias-correction methods. More weight was lost in app-based interventions than on waitlists (mean difference 2.07 kg) and in non-app-based interventions (mean difference 1.64 kg) at six months. In app-based interventions, weight loss estimates ranged from 0.63 to 3.87 kg at six months; mean weight loss was 2.64 kg at longer follow-ups. We found no moderating effects of factors such as calorie counting, social support, involvement of medical workers, or automatic feedback reports. Smartphone apps could be cost-effective tools to facilitate weight loss and help maintain weight loss after surgery or drug treatments, but more studies on apps' long-term effectiveness are needed.

Indexed as

Feeding BehaviorMobile ApplicationsSmartphoneWeight LossWeight Reduction ProgramsHumansRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicBias correctionSmartphone applicationsThree-level meta-analysisWeight loss

Identifiers

PMID42243497
PMCPMC13478153

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.