Development of Smartphone Applications for Nutrition and Physical Activity Behavior Change

Abstract

BackgroundYoung adults (aged 18 to 35) are a population group at high risk for weight gain, yet we know little about how to intervene in this group. Easy access to treatment and support with self-monitoring of their behaviors may be important. Smartphones are gaining in popularity with this population group and software applications (“apps”) used on these mobile devices are a novel technology that can be used to deliver brief health behavior change interventions directly to individuals en masse, with potentially favorable cost-utility. However, existing apps for modifying nutrition or physical activity behaviors may not always reflect best practice guidelines for weight management.ObjectiveThis paper describes the process of developing four apps aimed at modifying key lifestyle behaviors associated with weight gain during young adulthood, including physical activity, and consumption of take-out foods (fast food), fruit and vegetables, and sugar-sweetened drinks.MethodsThe development process involved: (1) deciding on the behavior change strategies, relevant guidelines, graphic design, and potential data collection; (2) selecting the platform (Web-based versus native); (3) creating the design, which required decisions about the user interface, architecture of the relational database, and programming code; and (4) testing the prototype versions with the target audience (young adults aged 18 to 35).ResultsThe four apps took 18 months to develop, involving the fields of marketing, nutrition and dietetics, physical activity, and information technology. Ten subjects provided qualitative feedback about using the apps. The slow running speed of the apps (due to a reliance on an active Internet connection) was the primary issue identified by this group, as well as the requirement to log in to the apps.ConclusionsSmartphone apps may be an innovative medium for delivering individual health behavior change intervention en masse, but researchers must give consideration to the target population, available technologies, existing commercial apps, and the possibility that their use will be irregular and short-lived.

Persuasive Technology in Mobile Applications Promoting Physical Activity: a Systematic Review

“…Figure 2 trial or outcome studies, five articles focused on software design and evaluation and the remaining articles are on focus groups and interview studies on stakeholders' opinions on smart phone apps for physical activity (see Table 1). [25] × × [26] × [27] × × × × × × × × × [28] × × × × × × × × [29] × × × × [30] × × × [31] × [32] × × × × × × × × × × × × [33] × × [34] × × × × × × × [35] × × × × [36] × × × × × × [37] × [38] × × × [39] × × × × × [40] × [41] × [42] × × × × [43] × × [44] Illustrations in figure 2 and table 2 show features that are highly present in articles on physical activity intervention studies, those features that were occasionally mentioned, or those that were not cited often in these articles. Visualisation of persuasive features is presented to provide more insights about the highlights, 9 gaps and blank spots [45] in current mobile application persuasive design features on physical activity.…”

“…Suggestion also came in the form of motivational text suggestions [39] or video clips that provided tips or motivational messages to the user [40]. A study of the attitudes of users towards the persuasive features revealed that users may sometimes perceive suggestions to be too obtrusive to them [28].…”

“…The images of young adults exhibiting a desirable appearance were intended to motivate users to achieve their behaviour goals [39]. As previously discussed with regard to the principle of social role, another application featured a message board for users to post messages.…”

Do Arabic weight-loss apps adhere to evidence-informed practices?

“…The development of smartphone and tablet applications (apps) has turned these devices into multifunctional tools. They can be used to amalgamate data collected from sensors, the Internet, and, most importantly, online social networks and can therefore function as interventional tools to treat and prevent obesity [7]. Smartphones and tablets have been used to raise awareness in different health-related areas, such as smoking and sexual health [8].…”

Feed Safe: a multidisciplinary partnership approach results in a successful mobile application for breastfeeding mothers

“…This particular problem was experienced by researchers who developed a physical activity and nutrition web-based application; they found that the slow operating speed was a barrier to their participants' engagement. 16 The application development process is a complex network of interwoven considerations, all with long-term ramifications, and many health professionals will not have the technical experience to navigate the options. 17 Indeed, keeping up to date with the progression of technology is something that has been identified as a challenge by public health researchers.…”