NoObesity Apps – From Approach to Finished App

Abstract

Obesity is still a growing public health problem in the UK and many healthcare workers find it challenging to have a discussion with service users about this sensitive topic. They also feel they are not competent to provide the relevant heath advice and are seeking easily accessible, evidence-based, mobile health learning (mHealth). mHealth applications (apps) such as the Professional NoObesity and Family NoObesity (due for release late 2018), have been designed to: support families with making sustainable positive behaviour changes to their health and well-being, ease pressure on practitioners' overweight and obesity care related workloads, as well as to support the education of professionals, students and service users. This paper describes the process of designing the apps from the inception of the idea, through the stages of research, app builds and testing. The processes of collaborative working to design and develop the apps to meet the needs of both service users and health professionals will also be reflected upon. Childhood obesity is an complex problem and whilst it is recognised that the NoObesity apps cannot singlehandedly resolve this health crisis, it is proposed that they can support families to identify and reduce the barriers that prevent them from living healthier, happier lives.

Barriers and facilitators to parents’ engagement with and perceived impact of a childhood obesity app: A mixed-methods study

“…The term HEE is used as that was the organisation at the time of the study, but the organisation has since been incorporated into the South East School of Public Health, Workforce Training and Education Directorate, NHS England. The target audience included families wanting behavioural support (regardless of weight) and HCPs working with families [ 62 ]. It was not based on a particular behavioural theory but was co-produced with HCPs [ 62 ] and included features aligned with several BCTs (see S3 Table for a full list of features, previously published in [ 45 ]).…”

“…The target audience included families wanting behavioural support (regardless of weight) and HCPs working with families [ 62 ]. It was not based on a particular behavioural theory but was co-produced with HCPs [ 62 ] and included features aligned with several BCTs (see S3 Table for a full list of features, previously published in [ 45 ]). For families, the app helps them set behavioural goals to improve healthy eating and physical activity (e.g.…”

“…The target audience included families wanting behavioural support (regardless of weight) and HCPs working with families [62]. It was not based on a particular behavioural theory but was co-produced with HCPs [62] and included features aligned with several BCTs (see S3…”

Engagement with and impact of a mobile health app for childhood obesity prevention and management: a mixed methods study protocol

“…The NoObesity app was originally developed by Health Education England (HEE, now the South East School of Public Health, Workforce Training and Education Directorate, NHS England) in collaboration with the Universities of Bournemouth and Southampton to support childhood obesity management and prevention [47]. The aim of the intervention was to provide health behavioural support for families via goal-setting, self-monitoring, and educational games and resources and to deliver training for HCPs on communicating with families about childhood obesity.…”

Development of an mHealth Platform for Adolescent Obesity Prevention: User-Centered Design Approach

“…Regarding the specificity of the topic of prevention of adolescent obesity, we explored applications that were available to the general public [58][59][60]. Most applications have auto-monitoring features (to be used by adolescents) that allow adults (teachers, health professionals) to oversee the progress related to food intake, rest/sleep habits, and exercise.…”