Next Article in Journal
Critical Review on the Anti-Tumor Activity of Bioactive Compounds from Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms over the Last Five Years
Previous Article in Journal
An Isobolographic Analysis of the Antinociceptive Effect of Salvia hispanica L. in Combination with Citrus × latifolia in Rats
Previous Article in Special Issue
Study on the Differences in the Thirst-Quenching Effects of Different Beverages Supplemented Before Exercise: A Randomized Crossover Trial
 
 
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Systematic Review

Integrated GPS-Enabled Physical Activity and Dietary Interventions Versus Physical Activity Alone for Obesity Control: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

1
Global Health Institute, School of Public Health, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an 710061, China
2
Department of Applied Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
3
Centre for National Training and Research Excellence in Understanding Behaviour (CENTRE-UB), Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
4
Department of Public Health, Qinghai University Medical College, No. 16 Kunlun Rd, Xining 810008, China
5
School of Food Engineering and Dietary Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710119, China
6
Key Laboratory of Sports Technology Analysis and Skill Assessment General Administration of Sport, Xi’an Physical Education University, Xi’an 710068, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Nutrients 2025, 17(11), 1886; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17111886 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 30 April 2025 / Revised: 28 May 2025 / Accepted: 29 May 2025 / Published: 30 May 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Technology for Dietary Assessment)

Abstract

Background: The escalating prevalence of obesity underscores the urgent need for effective and scalable interventions. Global Positioning System (GPS)-enabled technologies have emerged as promising strategies to promote physical activity (PA) and address obesity. However, the comparative effectiveness of GPS-enabled PA interventions integrated with dietary components versus PA interventions alone remained unclear. This study aimed to systematically evaluate and compare the effectiveness of GPS-enabled PA interventions, with or without dietary strategies, in improving obesity-related outcomes among adults. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between January 2000 and April 2025 were retrieved from five databases. Eligible studies included GPS-enabled PA interventions targeting adults (≥18 years old), and reported at least one primary obesity-related outcome. Meta-analyses were performed using random- or fixed-effects models, depending on heterogeneity levels, and subgroup analyses explored effect modifiers. Results: Nine studies (involving 1363 participants, 424 males and 939 females, aged from 34.5–64.8) were included. GPS-enabled PA interventions significantly reduced body weight (Hedges’ g = −0.241, 95% CI: −0.356 to −0.127, I2 = 6.5%, Q = 7.49, p = 0.380) and body fat percentage (BFP) (Hedges’ g = −0.412, 95% CI: −0.804 to −0.020, I2 = 76.0%, Q = 16.66, p = 0.002). Subgroup analyses revealed that interventions involving PA alone produced a moderate effect on weight reduction (Hedges’ g = −0.328; 95% CI: −0.616 to −0.039), whereas those combining PA with dietary strategies showed a slightly smaller yet significant effect (Hedges’ g = −0.208; 95% CI: −0.372 to −0.044). Short-term interventions (≤3 months) demonstrated greater effects on weight reduction. Sensitivity and bias assessments supported the robustness of short-term outcomes. Conclusions: GPS-enabled PA interventions were effective for promoting short-term reductions in body weight and BFP. Notably, the addition of dietary components did not consistently provide greater benefits compared to PA interventions alone. These findings highlight the utility of geospatial technology in enhancing behavioral interventions and support the development of scalable digital health strategies aligned with public health priorities such as “Healthy China 2030”.
Keywords: GPS-enabled interventions; physical activity; dietary; obesity control; digital health; meta-analysis; dietary intervention; wearable technology GPS-enabled interventions; physical activity; dietary; obesity control; digital health; meta-analysis; dietary intervention; wearable technology

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Fan, Y.; Zhang, S.; Sun, X.; Sun, Z.; Peng, W.; Shi, L.; Gou, B.; Wang, Y. Integrated GPS-Enabled Physical Activity and Dietary Interventions Versus Physical Activity Alone for Obesity Control: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients 2025, 17, 1886. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17111886

AMA Style

Fan Y, Zhang S, Sun X, Sun Z, Peng W, Shi L, Gou B, Wang Y. Integrated GPS-Enabled Physical Activity and Dietary Interventions Versus Physical Activity Alone for Obesity Control: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients. 2025; 17(11):1886. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17111886

Chicago/Turabian Style

Fan, Yu, Sichen Zhang, Xiaomin Sun, Zhaozhang Sun, Wen Peng, Lin Shi, Bo Gou, and Youfa Wang. 2025. "Integrated GPS-Enabled Physical Activity and Dietary Interventions Versus Physical Activity Alone for Obesity Control: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis" Nutrients 17, no. 11: 1886. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17111886

APA Style

Fan, Y., Zhang, S., Sun, X., Sun, Z., Peng, W., Shi, L., Gou, B., & Wang, Y. (2025). Integrated GPS-Enabled Physical Activity and Dietary Interventions Versus Physical Activity Alone for Obesity Control: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients, 17(11), 1886. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17111886

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop