Association of mobile health applications usage with eating behaviour and physical activity among young adults in Malaysia

Abstract

Mobile health applications (mHealth Apps) are useful technology for personal health management. However, evidence in health improvement is lacking in mHealth Apps usage with eating behaviour and physical activity (PA) in Malaysia. This study aims to investigate the association between mHealth Apps usage with eating behaviour and PA among young adults with different Body Mass Indices (BMI) in Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted. 280 samples were recruited using convenience sampling. An online questionnaire comprised of sociodemographic characteristics, anthropometry measurements, mindful eating behaviour questionnaire, International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and acceptance of mHealth Apps use were distributed. Among the 280 respondents (78.2% female, 18–28-year-old, BMI=21.5±3.79kg/m2), 22.1% were mHealth Apps users. Underweight respondents had the highest mindful eating behaviour score (2.84±0.25), while lowest in obesity Class II (2.57±0.06). Majority of the respondents (68.6%) were not practicing sedentary lifestyle (sitting<8hours). Underweight and obesity Class I respondents were inactive, whereas normal weight and overweight were moderately active. Besides, there is a significant mean difference between mHealth Apps usage with eating behaviour (p=0.048), but not PA level (p=0.134) and sedentary behaviour (p=0.759). The six motivating factors that significantly (p<0.05) influence the acceptance of mHealth Apps usage were: perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, social influence, facilitating conditions, self-efficacy, and behavioural intention to adopt. The mHealth Apps usage is associated with eating behaviour but not physical activity. Our findings suggested potential for related stakeholders to promote mHealth Apps targeting in young adults to improve health outcome.