Abstract
BackgroundOverweight and obesity have become major health problems globally with more than 1.9 billion overweight adults. In Lebanon, the prevalence of obesity and overweight is 65.4% combined. Risk factors of obesity and overweight are preventable and can be addressed by modifications in the environment and in an individual’s lifestyle. Mobile technologies are increasingly used in behavioral, self-directed weight management interventions, providing users with additional opportunities to attain weight control (weight loss, weight gain prevention, etc). Mobile apps may allow for the delivery of Just-in-Time Adaptive Interventions (JITAIs), which provide support through skill building, emotional support, and instrumental support, following the participants’ progress. A few commercially available apps offer JITAI features, but no studies have tested their efficacy.ObjectiveThe primary objective of this study is to examine the feasibility of a self-directed weight loss intervention, targeting employees of an academic institution, using a virtual coaching app with JITAI features (Lark) and a self-help calorie-counting app (MyFitnessPal). The secondary objective is to estimate the effects of the intervention on main study outcomes.MethodsThis study is a single-center, parallel, randomized controlled trial with 2 study arms (intervention and control). Participants will be randomly allocated in equal proportions to the intervention (Lark) and control groups (MyFitnessPal). To be eligible for this study, participants must be employed full- or part-time at the university or its medical center, able to read English, have a smartphone, and be interested in controlling their weight. Recruitment strategies entail email invitations, printed posters, and social media postings. We will assess quantitative rates of recruitment, adherence, and retention, self-reported app quality using the user version of the Mobile App Rating Scale. We will also assess changes in weight-related outcomes (absolute weight and waist circumference), behavioral outcomes (physical activity and diet), and cognitive factors (motivation to participate in the trial and to manage weight).ResultsWaznApp was funded in June 2017, and recruitment started in March 2018.ConclusionsThis study will provide information as to whether the selected mobile apps offer a feasible solution for promoting weight management in an academic workplace. The results will inform a larger trial whose results might be replicated in similar workplaces in Lebanon and the Middle East and North Africa region, and will be used as a benchmark for further investigations in other settings and similar target groups.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03321331; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03321331 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6ys9NOLo5)Registered Report IdentifierRR1-10.2196/9793
Highlights
BackgroundNoncommunicable diseases (NCDs), known as chronic diseases, are one of the major global public health challenges of the 21st century, being responsible for about 40 million deaths per year, 15 of which are premature [1]
WaznApp was funded in June 2017, and recruitment started in March 2018
This study will provide information as to whether the selected mobile apps offer a feasible solution for promoting weight management in an academic workplace
Summary
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), known as chronic diseases, are one of the major global public health challenges of the 21st century, being responsible for about 40 million deaths per year, 15 of which are premature (ie, between 30 and 69 years) [1]. This imbalance is due to global trends of increased availability and intake of energy-dense foods that are high in sugar and saturated fats, and insufficient physical activity, due to the sedentary nature of many forms of work, modes of transportation, and increased urbanization [3] All these behavioral risk factors are preventable, as they can be addressed by modifications in the environment and lifestyle of individuals (ie, increasing physical activity, reducing sedentary time, and following a healthy diet) [5]. A few commercially available apps offer JITAI features, but no studies have tested their efficacy
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