Table 3 Intervention and Control Characteristics, Outcomes, Follow-up Time Points and Key Findings for Studies Investigating the Effects of Internet-based Interventions

Chen et al., 2011

1) Taored web-based intervention

2) General health, web-based information

Weekly online sessions for 8 weeks

1) BMI

2) WHtR

3) BP

4) Dietary intake

5) PA; knowledge and self-efficacy

6) Nutrition

2, 6, and 8 months

Statistically significantly more adolescents in the intervention group than the control group had:

- decreased their WHtR (−0.01, p = 0.02)

- decreased their DBP (− 1.12, p = 0.02)

- increased PA as measured by the actigraph (12.46, p = 0.01)

- increased FV intake (0.14, p = 0.001)

- increased knowledge of PA (0.16, p = 0.008) and nutrition (0 .18, p = 0.001)

- Statistically significant within group changes for the intervention group included WHtR, DBP, PA, FV intake and knowledge related to PA and nutrition (p < 0.05)

-There were no statistically significant changes for any outcomes in the control group

BMI (kg/m²)

WHtR

% BF

Ezendam et al., 2012

1) FATaintPHAT- computer-tailored intervention

2) No intervention control group

15 min allocated for each of 8 lessons timetabled into regular school curriculum over 10 weeks

1) Self-reported behaviours (diet, PA, sedentary behaviour)

2) Pedometer counts

3) BMI

4) WC

5) Fitness

4 months and 2 years

Among the students at risk, those in the intervention group, compared to the control group:

- reported eating more FV at 4-month follow-up (0.3, p = 0.02)

- reported more steps at 2-year follow-up (12,389, p = 0.03)

- The intervention had no effects on anthropometric outcomes or on sedentary behaviour

BMI (kg/m²)

WC (cm)

Jones et al., 2008

1) SB2-BED - an internet-based weight maintenance program

2) Wait-list control group

Over 16 weeks, a new topic was introduced weekly with previous content accessible at any time

1) BMI

2) Binge eating behaviours

3) Dietary fat and sugar intake

4) Depression

5) Programme adherence

Post treatment and 9 months

- Compared to the wait- list control group, the SB2-BED group had significantly reduced weight and shape concerns from baseline assessment to follow-up assessment at 9 months (−0.33, p = 0.03)

- No difference in all other outcomes between groups

- Statistically significant reductions in OBEs and SBEs from baseline assessment to posttreatment assessment (p < 0.01) and from baseline assessment to follow-up assessment (p < 0.05) were observed among SB2-BED participants

BMI (kg/m²)

BMI z-score

Nawi & Jamaludin., 2015

1) ObeseGO! – healthy lifestyle website

2) Health education pamphlets

12 weeks

Intensity not stated

1) BMI

2) WC

3) % BF

Post treatment and at 12 weeks post-intervention

- There was no statistically significant reduction in BMI, WC or BF % between the intervention and control groups

- The mean BMI, WC and % BF in the obeseGO! group were statistically significantly lower after the intervention (p < 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.001)

BMI (kg/m²)

WC (cm)

% BF

Williamson et al., 2006

1) Interactive behavioural internet programme

2) Passive internet health education programme

Programmes continuously available for use over 24 months

1) BMI

2) BMI percentile

3) Body weight

4) % BF

5) Weight loss behaviours: dieting, weight concerns, exercise, overeating, and avoidance of fattening foods

6) Website use

6, 12, 18 and 24 months

- In comparison with the control group, adolescents in the behavioural programme statistically significantly reduced their % BF (−1.12 (0.47) vs 0.43 (0.47), p < 0.05) during the first 6 months. However, after 2 years, % BF did not differ between the two groups (−0.08 (0.71) vs. 0.84 (0.72), p > 0.05)

- Adolescents in both the treatment and control groups reported improvement in exercise and overeating, in comparison with baseline (p < 0.05)

BMI (kg/m2)

% BF

BMI percentile