The Effect of Using a Food and Fitness iPad Application to Increase Obesity Awareness in Pre-licensure Nursing Students

Abstract

Background: Obesity is a major health issue that increases medical costs and decreases the quality of life. It is therefore important to try to prevent obesity by adhering to a healthy lifestyle. The definition of a healthy lifestyle may be very different for individuals in their perception of obesity. The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of healthy eating and activity patterns of pre-licensure nursing students in order to increase their obesity awareness. Methods: A pre-test questionnaire on healthy eating and activity patterns was administered to a convenience sample of 44 pre-licensure nursing students. The students then tracked their eating and activity patterns for one week using the iPad application of ChooseMyPlate Tracker by Live strong.com and a post-test was given to those nursing students who used the application. Only half of the students who tracked their eating and activity patterns had received nutrition training (n=22). The data was analyzed for variances using descriptive statistics and the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: There was a significant difference (p<.05) between the pre-test and post-test scores. Nursing students had higher perceptions of healthy eating and activity after tracking their own eating and activity patterns for a week. There was no significant difference in the scores between the groups of nursing students who were provided nutrition training and those that did not receive the training. Conclusion: Findings from this study indicate that nursing students had a greater awareness of a healthy lifestyle when they actively tracked their own eating and activity patterns. Nutrition training had no impact on how they perceived their healthy eating and activity patterns. These findings highlight how an iPad applicationcan promote healthy eating and activity in individuals to increase obesity awareness. This awareness has significant implications for the prevention of obesity. Research ArticleOpen Access IntroductionObesity has been a rising epidemic over the past couple of decades with its prevalence increasing in both developed and developing nations. Globally, it is a major contributor to chronic disease and disability [1]. It remains one of the biggest threats to the health of the children and to America as a country. Obesity rates in America rose sharply from 1980 to 2000; adult rates doubled and children's rates tripled [2]. Change has been slow to decrease the rates of obesity, and obesity rates remain very high; in national surveys, more than 30% of adults and nearly 17% of children were found to be obese.Reversing the obesity epidemic in America will require the encouragement of healthy eating and active living. Better policies are needed to change the course of the nation's obesity epidemic so that children will have the opportunity to grow into healthy adults. A culture of health needs to be built. Organizations need to advocate for healthier lifestyles, such as good nutrition and daily exercise, to curb this growing epidemic. One type of organiz...