ReviewInternet interventions2020
Using avatars in weight management settings: A systematic review.
Review in Internet interventions, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 16 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled 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.
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.
Who cites it
16 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- The difference in gait pattern between adults with obesity and adults with a normal weight, assessed with 3D-4D gait analysis devices: a systematic review and meta-analysis.International journal of obesity (2005) · 2025Pooled it
- The Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Interventions on Smoking, Nutrition, Alcohol, Physical Activity and/or Obesity Risk Factors: A Systematic Review.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2022Pooled it
- Use of Technology-Based Interventions in the Treatment of Patients with Overweight and Obesity: A Systematic Review.Nutrients · 2020Pooled it
- Virtual body image exercises for people with obesity - results on eating behavior and body perception of the ViTraS pilot study.BMC medical informatics and decision making · 2025Trial
- Usefulness of a virtual reality programme for body self-image in obese and overweight patients: a focus on gender differences - a randomised trial.Archives of public health = Archives belges de sante publique · 2026Article
- Review
- Emerging Trends in Telehealth and AI-Driven Approaches for Obesity Management: A New Perspective.The Malaysian journal of medical sciences : MJMS · 2025Review
- Beyond Body Mass Index: Accurate Metabolic Disease-Risk Phenotyping With 3D Smartphone Application.Obesity science & practice · 2024Article
- Accurate prediction of three-dimensional humanoid avatars for anthropometric modeling.International journal of obesity (2005) · 2024Article
- Accurate Prediction of Three-Dimensional Humanoid Avatars for Anthropometric Modeling.Research square · 2024Article
- Digital communication and virtual reality for extending the behavioural treatment of obesity - the patients' perspective: results of an online survey in Germany.BMC medical informatics and decision making · 2023Article
- Using Personalized Avatars as an Adjunct to an Adult Weight Loss Management Program: Randomized Controlled Feasibility Study.JMIR formative research · 2022Article
- Review
- Development of an Extended-Reality (XR)-Based Intervention to Treat Adolescent Obesity.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2022Article
- Attitude of Nutrition Experts Toward Psychotherapy and Virtual Reality as Part of Obesity Treatment-An Online Survey.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2022Article
- Virtual conference design: features and obstacles.Multimedia tools and applications · 2022Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundObesity interventions rely predominantly on managing dietary intake and/or increasing physical activity but sustained adherence to behavioural regimens is often poor. Avatar technology is well established within the computer gaming industry and evidence suggests that virtual representations of self may impact real-world behaviour, acting as a catalyst for sustained weight loss behaviour modification. However, the effectiveness of avatar technology in promoting weight loss is unclear.
aimsWe aimed to assess the quantity and quality of empirical support for the use of avatar technologies in adult weight loss interventions.
methodA systematic review of empirical studies was undertaken. The key objectives were to determine if: (i) the inclusion of avatar technology leads to greater weight loss achievement compared to routine intervention; and (ii) whether weight loss achievement is improved by avatar personalisation (avatar visually reflects self).
resultsWe identified 6 papers that reported weight loss data. Avatar-based interventions for weight loss management were found to be effective in the short (4-6 weeks) and medium (3-6 months) term and improved weight loss maintenance in the long term (12 months). Only 2 papers included avatar personalisation, but results suggested there may be some added motivational benefit.
conclusionsThe current evidence supports that avatars may positively impact weight loss achievement and improve motivation. However, with only 6 papers identified the evidence base is limited and therefore findings need to be interpreted with caution.
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Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
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 OpenQuestion graph.