Feasibility Study of a Newly Developed Technology-Mediated Lifestyle Intervention for Overweight and Obese Young Adults.

Publisher: MDPI Publishing Country of Publication: Switzerland NLM ID: 101521595 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2072-6643 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 20726643 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Nutrients Subsets: MEDLINE

Original Publication: Basel, Switzerland : MDPI Publishing

Health Promotion* ; Healthy Lifestyle* ; Internet* ; Mobile Applications* ; Obesity* ; Overweight* ; Weight Loss*; Adult ; Exercise ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Health Education ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Self Efficacy ; Social Support ; Young Adult

Background: Poor eating habits and sedentary lifestyle are common among young adults and increase the risk for chronic diseases later in life. Due to the widespread use of information technology among young adults, the Rashakaty (Fitness for Me) study aimed to develop and test the feasibility of a technology-based nutrition education intervention. This would support overweight and obese university students to achieve weight loss, enhance nutrition knowledge, and increase physical activity levels.
Methods: We enrolled 246 participants in a 16-week non-randomized feasibility study with two arms: Rashakaty-Basic and Rashakaty-Enhanced. The intervention was guided by social cognitive theory and was delivered via a website and mobile apps.
Results: Among the 161 participants who completed the endline assessments, there was no significant difference in weight loss between the two arms. However, waist circumference decreased more ( p = 0.003) in the Rashakaty -Enhanced group. Additionally, changes in knowledge related to sources of nutrients ( p < 0.001) and diet-disease relationships ( p = 0.006) were significantly higher among the Rashakaty-Enhanced group. Rashakaty-Enhanced participants reported increased number of days spent on moderate physical activity ( p = 0.013) and minutes walked ( p < 0.001). Moreover, they also reported higher scores in social support from friends to reduce fat intake ( p = 0.006) and from family and friends to increase physical activity ( p = 0.001).
Conclusions: The results of this feasibility study can assist in the development and implementation of future technology-mediated health promotion programs in the UAE, especially for young adults.

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31R059-Research Center-ZCHS -8-2014 United Arab Emirates University, Zayed Center for Health Sciences

Keywords: United Arab Emirates; feasibility study; lifestyle intervention; mobile applications; obesity; technology-mediated; young adults

Date Created: 20210827 Date Completed: 20210917 Latest Revision: 20210917

20221213

PMC8399959

10.3390/nu13082547

34444707