Describing the Process and Tools Adopted to Cocreate a Smartphone App for Obesity Prevention in Childhood: Mixed Method Study.

Paolo Giorgi Rossi,Mirco Pinotti,Teresa Gallelli,Marco Tamelli,Veronica Moretti,Riccardo Prandini,Andrea Bassi,Marta Fontana,Alessandra Fabbri,Barbara Ilari,Giulia Ganugi,Luca Dall'Aglio,Sara Lo Scocco,Francesca Ferrari,Marco Foracchia,Sergio Amarri,Hayley Trowbridge,Francesco Venturelli,Costantino Panza,Laura Bonvicini,Simone Storani,Elena Ferrari,Alessandro Volta,Maria Elisabeth Street,Claudia Della Giustina,Gianluca Maestri,Antonella Ferrari ,A Davoli

doi:10.2196/16165

Abstract

BackgroundChildhood obesity prevention is a public health priority in industrialized countries. The Reggio Emilia Local Health Authority has implemented a program involving primary and secondary prevention as well as the care of obese children. There are many health-promoting mobile apps, but few are targeted to children and very few are sponsored by public health agencies.ObjectiveThe goal of the research was to describe the process and tools adopted to cocreate a mobile app sponsored by the Reggio Emilia Local Health Authority to be installed in parents’ phones aimed at promoting child health and preventing obesity.MethodsAfter stakeholder mapping, a consulting committee including relevant actors, stakeholders, and users was formed. Key persons for childhood obesity prevention were interviewed, focus groups with parents and pediatricians were conducted, and community reporting storytelling was collected. The results of these activities were presented to the consulting committee in order to define the functionalities and contents of the mobile app.ResultsThree key trends emerged from community reporting: being active, playing, and being outdoors; time for oneself, family, and friends; and the pressures of life and work and not having time to be active and socialize. In focus groups, interviews, and labs, mothers showed a positive attitude toward using an app to manage their children's weight, while pediatricians expressed concerns that the app could increase their workload. When these findings were explored by the consulting committee, four key themes were extracted: strong relationships with peers, family members, and the community; access to safe outdoor spaces; children’s need for age-appropriate independence; and professional support should be nonjudgmental and stigma-free. It should be a dialogue that promotes family autonomy. The app functions related to these needs include the following: (1) newsletter with anticipatory guidance, recipes, and vaccination and well-child visit reminders; (2) regional map indicating where physical activity can be done; (3) information on how to manage emergencies (eg, falls, burns, fever); (4) module for reinforcing the counseling intervention conducted by pediatricians for overweight children; and (5) a function to build a balanced daily diet.ConclusionsThe pilot study we conducted showed that cocreation in health promotion is feasible, with the consulting committee being the key co-governance and cocreation tool. The involvement of stakeholders in this committee made it possible to expand the number of persons and institutions actively contributing to the project.

Highlights

Obesity, its metabolic consequences, and its risk factors are responsible for the vast majority of disability-adjusted life years lost worldwide and in industrialized countries in particular [1,2]
The app functions related to these needs include the following: (1) newsletter with anticipatory guidance, recipes, and vaccination and well-child visit reminders; (2) regional map indicating where physical activity can be done; (3) information on how to manage emergencies; (4) module for reinforcing the counseling intervention conducted by pediatricians for overweight children; and (5) a function to build a balanced daily diet
The pilot study we conducted showed that cocreation in health promotion is feasible, with the consulting committee being the key co-governance and cocreation tool

Summary

Introduction

Its metabolic consequences (eg, hyperglycemia, hypercholesterolemia), and its risk factors (ie, incorrect diet and low physical activity) are responsible for the vast majority of disability-adjusted life years lost worldwide and in industrialized countries in particular [1,2]. The program adopted a multilevel and multisetting strategy for primary prevention in the community ( in infant-toddler centers and preschools and in primary and secondary schools); secondary prevention (with individual screening for overweight and obese children at age 5 years and counseling by family pediatricians [5,6]); and management of obese children by multidisciplinary teams with treatment of those with complicated pathological obesity The implementation of such a program increased the need for communication between institutions (LHA, schools, and municipalities), family pediatricians, and families to exchange information about initiatives in school cafeterias, promote physical activity initiatives, facilitate pediatrician counseling, and manage multidisciplinary team activities. There are many health-promoting mobile apps, but few are targeted to children and very few are sponsored by public health agencies

Methods

Results

Conclusion