Mapping the use of virtual reality in health promotion and weight management among overweight and obese individuals ‒ a scoping review

Abstract

Introduction and aim. Obesity and overweight, defined by excess body fat, are major global public health challenges. Virtual reality (VR) is emerging as a novel tool for health promotion and weight management. This scoping review aimed to map existing research on VR applications in overweight and obese populations. Material and methods. Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, systematic searches were conducted in PubMed, SCOPUS, EBSCO, Pedro, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar up to March 2025. Keywords included ‘obese’, ‘overweight’ and “virtual reality.” Eligible studies were cross-sectional, experimental or randomized controlled trials involving overweight or obese individuals exposed to VR-based interventions targeting physical health, behavior change, or weight control. Two reviewers independently screened and extracted the data. Results. Ten studies published between 2012 and 2025 were included. Most involved adolescents and women, with limited representation of men and older adults. VR interventions varied in immersion, platform, and focus, targeting physical activity, behavioral change, and nutrition. Outcomes commonly included body composition, physical activity, emotional well-being, and diet. Heterogeneity prevented meta-analysis. Conclusion. VR holds promise as a multidimensional tool for the management of obesity. However, more inclusive, culturally adapted, and long-term studies are needed to validate its effectiveness and applicability in diverse populations.