A Scoping Review of the Mechanisms Influencing Socioeconomic Disparities in Outcomes of Digital Interventions for Weight-Related Behaviors

Title data

Mercer, Lee C. ; Al Masri, Mirna ; Rocha, Diana ; König, Laura M. ; Western, Max:
A Scoping Review of the Mechanisms Influencing Socioeconomic Disparities in Outcomes of Digital Interventions for Weight-Related Behaviors.
In: Obesity Reviews. (2026) . - e70121.
ISSN 1467-789X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.70121

Official URL:

Abstract in another language

Digital behavioral change interventions (DBCIs) for weight-related behaviors may be less effective in disadvantaged populations, potentially widening health inequalities despite increased access. Limited research has explored the psychosocial mechanisms that may contribute to this divide. Following JBI guidelines for conducting scoping reviews, we conducted an electronic search on Embase, PubMed, APA PsycInfo, Web of Science, and SCOPUS on March 8, 2023, including studies published since 1990. The mechanisms of action ontology was used for deductive coding of the mechanisms discussed. The protocol was registered
on the Open Science Framework (https:// osf. io/ ctua5 ). After initial screening of 17,503 papers, 21 studies met inclusion criteria, including RCTs, pre-post
studies, systematic reviews, qualitative studies, cross-sectional, pilot, and feasibility studies. A second
screen of 7840 articles in June 2025 identified three further studies that met the inclusion criteria. Socioeconomic inequalities and ethnicity were the predominant focus. Environment, motivation, and social influences were frequently cited mechanisms.
However, mechanisms are inconsistently conceptualized and measured, highlighting a gap in explanatory research on the digital health divide.

Further data

Item Type:	Article in a journal
Refereed:	Yes
Keywords:	digital divide; digital health; health inequalities; socioeconomic status
Institutions of the University:	Faculties Faculties > Faculty of Law, Business and Economics Faculties > Faculty of Law, Business and Economics > Chair Planetary and Public Health Faculties > Faculty of Law, Business and Economics > Chair Planetary and Public Health > Chair Planetary and Public Health - Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. Wilm Quentin Faculties > Faculty of Life Sciences: Food, Nutrition and Health > Ehemalige ProfessorInnen > Junior Professor Public Health Nutrition - Juniorprof. Dr. Laura Maria König
Result of work at the UBT:	Yes
DDC Subjects:	600 Technology, medicine, applied sciences > 610 Medicine and health
Date Deposited:	14 Mar 2026 22:00
Last Modified:	16 Mar 2026 06:19
URI:	https://eref.uni-bayreuth.de/id/eprint/96579