myPace: An Integrative Health Platform for Supporting Weight Loss and Maintenance Behaviors

Abstract

Obesity is a major health concern caused by unhealthy eating behaviors. Digital weight loss interventions have adopted mobile technology primarily in order to support self-monitoring. However, many available apps are not designed as a part of dietetic practice; therefore, a distinct gap in the research exists relating to technology that supports the patient-practitioner relationship. This paper presents myPace, which is a complete weight loss and management system that is deployed via a smartphone and a PC. It connects dietitians and patients between face-to-face consultations and extends the relationship through patients' regular progress updates and dietitians' tailored and timely advice, for sustained behavior change. The prototype was developed from research into behavior change for weight loss, which furthermore was underpinned by theory and tenets of human support models, such as the supportive accountability framework. We report on an early-phase system design goals via a formative research process, which aimed to implement theoretical principles and match practical dietetic practice. To that end, only the clinical end user's perspective was sought through a coaching think-aloud protocol on the first iteration of the prototype and interviews with dietitians. Findings show that the system has many positive design features, but which require further development in order for the system to be fully acceptable within dietetic practice and motivate patient engagement.

Smartphone-Based Wellness Assessment Using Mobile Environmental Sensors

“…Among the tools being used often in healthcare are smartphones [11]- [13] along with smartphone accessories [14] and Internet of Things (IoT) devices [3], [15]. A benefit achievable through many IoT-based solutions is the production of lowcost and low-power models [16].…”

Uma Arquitetura para Desenvolvimento de Aplicações Gamificadas para Suporte ao Paciente com Alzheimer

“…A plataforma MyPace [12] foi desenvolvida com a participação direta de nutricionistas e pacientes, principalmente considerando a prática de nutricionistas e a incorporação de princípios relevantes da teoria da mudança de comportamento, nas funcionalidades do software desenvolvidos para pacientes e nutricionistas.…”

“…Os dados de progresso dos pacientes fornecem uma base de evidências, para a discussão na próxima consulta, objetivando facilitar o aconselhamento, a orientação e ação do nutricionista [12].…”

“…Esses aplicativos permitem aos profissionais de saúde acompanhar a adesão dos pacientes ao tratamento e às condições de saúde destas pessoas. Exemplos como o Pain Squad [74], para acompanhar crianças e adolescentes no relato das dores provocadas pelo tratamento do câncer, o MyPace [12], para o acompanhamento e mudança de hábitos alimentares no combate à obesidade, o DeStress [48] no controle da diabetes, com o monitoramento da glicemia, dosagens de insulina e nutrição.…”

Designing Health Apps to Support Dietetic Professional Practice and Their Patients: Qualitative Results From an International Survey

“…Factors that were found to affect app use and recommendation included those relating to mobile devices and apps, the person and workplace; however, these findings were more centered on the barriers to app use rather than specific app design recommendations [18]. Dietitians and consumers were consulted during the development of a health platform designed for weight management, MyPace [21]; however, feedback was more relevant to the specific design features of the platform. The app design preferences of mobile phone users more generally, have been more commonly explored.…”