Table 1.

Characteristics of the studies included in the meta-analysis.

First author (year)	Country	Study design	Study sample	Male, %	Age (years), mean	Study duration	Inclusion criteria	Exclusion criteria	Outcomes
Patel (2019)	USA	RCTa	100	16	42.7	3 months	Age 21-65 years with BMI 25-45 kg/m2, and willingness to reduce weight through dietary change. Availability of an iPhone or Android smartphone and personal email address, and ability to read and write in English.	Enrollment in other weight loss programs, use of MyFitnessPal to track diet in the past 6 months, loss of ≥10 lb, or use of weight loss medication in the past 6 months. Moreover, pregnancy and disorders, such as cancer, eating disorders, uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular events, and congestive heart failure.	Weight and BMI
Farinelli (2016)	Australia	RCT	258	40.7	28.1	9 months	Age 18-35 years, BMI 25.0-31.9 kg/m2 or 23.0-24.9 kg/m2 with reported weight gain greater than 2 kg over the previous 12 months. Fruit intake of less than two servings daily, vegetable intake of less than five servings daily, and SSBb intake of at least 1 L weekly. Energy-dense meals prepared away from home more than once per week. Owning a mobile phone capable of receiving text messages and having access to the internet at least once a week.	Pregnancy or plan for pregnancy within the next 9 months, enrollment in another mobile app–based weight loss program, weight reduction more than 10 kg voluntarily in the past 3 months, taking medications that cause more than 2 kg of weight gain, medical conditions that preclude following dietary or physical recommendations, history of disorders like eating disorders, and inability to read or write in English.	Weight, BMI, and PAc
Partridge (2015)	Australia	RCT	250	38	27.2	9 months	BMI 25.0-31.9 kg/m2 or 23.0-24.9 kg/m2 with reported weight gain greater than 2 kg over the previous 12 months, fruit intake of less than two servings daily, vegetable intake of less than five servings daily, SSB intake of at least 1 L weekly, energy-dense meals prepared away from home more than once per week, etc.	Pregnancy or plan for pregnancy within the study period, enrollment in other mobile app–based weight loss programs, reduction in weight greater than 10 kg in the past 3 months, use of medications that help to gain weight greater than 2 kg, other medical conditions that preclude following dietary or physical activity recommendations, and inability to speak English.	Weight, BMI, MPAd, and VPAe
Laing (2014)	USA	RCT	212	27	43.3	6 months	Age ≥18 years, BMI ≥25 kg/m2, and smartphone ownership.	Current, planned, or previous pregnancy within the last 6 months, hemodialysis, life expectancy less than 6 months, lack of interest in weight loss, or current use of other kinds of apps for weight loss.	Weight
Hebden (2014)	Australia	RCT	41	15	22.6	3 months	BMI 24.00-31.99 kg/m2 with weight gain greater than 2 kg in the past 12 months, age 18-35 years, moderate intensity physical activity <60 min/day, SSB intake of at least 1 L weekly, fruit intake of less than two servings daily, vegetable intake of less than five servings daily, or at least two energy-dense takeaway meals weekly.	Inability to receive SMS messages or no regular internet access, a diet required for medical reasons, medical conditions that influence body weight or ability to comply with the intervention, intake of medications or herbal preparations that might influence body weight, enrollment in weight loss programs, pregnancy, or plan for pregnancy in the next 3 months.	Weight, BMI, and PA
Smith (2014)	Australia	RCT	361	100	12.7	7 months	Male students in their first year at the study schools completed a short screening questionnaire.	NRf	BMI and waist circumference
Glynn (2014)	Ireland	RCT	139	32	44	2 months	Age >16 years and active use of an Android smartphone.	No android smartphone, acute psychiatric illness, pregnancy, or inability to undertake moderate exercise.	Weight, BMI, and PA
Brindal (2013)	Australia	RCT	58	0	42	2 months	BMI >25 kg/m2 and ability to measure weight at home.	Medical conditions that are likely to interfere with the ability to undertake the meal replacement program (eg, pregnancy, breastfeeding, active cancer, gastrointestinal disorders, and type 1 diabetes).	Weight
Carter (2013)	UK	RCT	128	23.3	41.2	6 months	BMI ≥27 kg/m2, age 18-65 years, and willingness to commit the necessary time and effort to the study. Ability to read and write in English, ability to access the internet, and willingness to be randomized to one of three groups.	Pregnancy, breast feeding, plan for pregnancy, use of antiobesity medication or medication/insulin for diabetes, surgery for weight loss, and use of the antidepressant sertraline.	Weight and BMI
Allen (2013)	USA	RCT	35	22.1	44.9	6 months	Age 21-65 years, BMI 28-42 kg/m2, ownership of an iPhone or Android phone, willingness to download the app to be used on their device.	History of myocardial infarction, angina, coronary artery bypass graft surgery, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, congestive heart failure, and diabetes. Current participation in other weight loss programs, pregnancy, plan for pregnancy in the next 6 months, use of weight loss medications, and history of psychiatric illness, alcohol, or substance abuse within the past 12 months.	Weight, BMI, and waist circumference
McGrievy (2011)	USA	RCT	96	24.7	44	6 months	Age 18-60 years and BMI 25-45 kg/m2.	Smoking, unstable medical status, uncontrolled thyroid condition, inability to attend the three monitoring visits or improve the walking status, psychiatric illness, alcohol consumption, drug dependency, eating disorders, enrollment in another weight loss program, pregnancy, breast feeding, and plan for pregnancy within the next 6 months.	BMI and PA
Li (2010)	South Korea	CCSg	36	NR	28.5	6 weeks	Different ages and blood groups because of individual lifestyle and health effects according to blood group and the requirement of various amounts of calories based on gender.	NR	Weight and BMI

^aRCT: randomized controlled trial.

^bSSB: sugar-sweetened beverage.

^cPA: physical activity.

^dMPA: moderate physical activity.

^eVPA: vigorous physical activity.

^fNR: not reported.

^gCCS: case-control study.