Evidence mapPaperPMID 42458178Full record

SynthesisCurrent obesity reports2026

Digital Mental Health Interventions in Obesity Management: A Systematic Review and Evidence-Based Recommendations.

Gloria Marchesi, Giada Rapelli, Michelle Semonella, Alessia Bruzzese, Martina Molinaro, Gerhard Andersson, Gianluca Castelnuovo, Giada Pietrabissa

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Current obesity 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

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

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.

Gloria MarchesiDepartment of Psychology, Catholic University of Milan, Milan, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0004-4502-3705
Giada RapelliDepartment of Psychology, Catholic University of Milan, Milan, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6457-2169
Michelle SemonellaDepartment of Psychology, Catholic University of Milan, Milan, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0284-0575
Alessia BruzzeseDepartment of Psychology, Catholic University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
Martina MolinaroDepartment of Psychology, Catholic University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
Gerhard AnderssonDepartment of Behavioural Science and Learning, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4753-6745
Gianluca CastelnuovoDepartment of Psychology, Catholic University of Milan, Milan, Italy. gianluca.castelnuovo@auxologico.it.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9625-0797
Giada PietrabissaDepartment of Psychology, Catholic University of Milan, Milan, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5911-5748

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundObesity is a complex condition encompassing behavioral, psychological, and physiological factors, frequently associated with elevated mental health burden. Digital Mental Health Interventions (DMHIs) have emerged as promising tools to enhance accessibility, personalization, and scalability of psychological care in obesity management. However, evidence on their effectiveness across delivery modalities and outcomes remains fragmented.

objectiveThis systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of DMHIs on obesity-related clinical, behavioral, and psychological outcomes; examine whether specific delivery modalities are differentially associated with particular outcomes; and identify methodological gaps to guide future research and implementation.

methodsA systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The review followed PRISMA guidelines, applying rigorous inclusion criteria and independent screening by two reviewers. Quality appraisal was performed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool (RoB 2.0), and studies rated as high risk of bias were excluded. Due to heterogeneity in study design and outcomes, data were synthesized narratively, and no claims of statistical superiority between modalities were made.

resultsThirty-eight randomized controlled trials were included. DMHIs effectively targeted behavioral and psychological aspects of obesity when based on evidence-based psychotherapeutic frameworks - often independently of weight-related improvements. No single delivery format emerged as universally superior; rather, each modality appeared to serve distinct therapeutic purposes. Outcomes were more favorable in interventions that incorporated human guidance, although this finding should be interpreted cautiously because of heterogeneity and the absence of meta-analytic comparisons.

conclusionsDigital mental health approaches-particularly when integrated into stepped-care or hybrid models-represent scalable, person-centered strategies to improve both physical and emotional well-being in adults with obesity.

Indexed as

Digital HealthMental HealthObesityObesity ManagementDigital MediaHumansPractice Guidelines as TopicPsychotherapyRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicSelf CareAdherenceClinical psychologyDigital mental health interventionsObesityPsychological outcomesWeight loss

Identifiers

PMID42458178
PMCPMC13372837

What Socratic holds

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Registered trials

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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.