Abstract
BackgroundA technology-based intervention, such as a mobile application, was a growing interest and potentially effective modality for treating obesity. The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the OBEST, a new mobile/tablet-based application in reducing weight and encouraging healthy eating behaviors and quality of life in children with obesity. The application could assist healthcare professionals to treat children and adolescents with obesity.MethodsA randomized controlled trial was conducted in the hospital and school settings in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Seventy-seven children and adolescents with obesity were randomized into two groups; one received standard care combined with the OBEST application, and the other received only standard care. The outcomes were changes in weight, healthy eating behaviors, and quality of life assessed by the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) from baseline to six-month follow-up between the two groups.ResultsThe results showed that the intervention group reduced more body mass index (BMI) and had a higher number of participants engaging in healthy eating behaviors than the standard care group but did not reach a statistically significant level, except for less frequent consumption of fast food. The participants in the intervention group had 4.5 times higher odds of decreased engaging in fast-food consumption than the standard care group at 6 months follow-up (odds ratio, 4.5 [95% CI, 1.41 to 14.35]). There were no statistically significant changes in PedsQL scores over 6 months in between groups.ConclusionsThe current study was unable to detect a significant effect of the OBEST application as an adjunct tool to the standard treatment on reducing weight in obese children and adolescents. However, the mobile application might help to increase engaging in healthy eating behaviors. Further studies with a larger sample are needed to confirm our findings.Trial registrationThe trial was retrospectively registered at the Thai Clinical Trials Registry (trial registration number: TCTR20200604008, on June 4, 2020).
Highlights
A technology-based intervention, such as a mobile application, was a growing interest and potentially effective modality for treating obesity
This study aimed to evaluate the The OBEST application (OBEST) application’s effectiveness in reducing weight and improving eating habits and quality of life in obese children and adolescents
The participants were randomized into the group receiving the intervention (OBEST application added to the standard care) and receiving standard care in a 1:1 ratio using a block size of four randomization from a web-based randomization system
Summary
A technology-based intervention, such as a mobile application, was a growing interest and potentially effective modality for treating obesity. The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the OBEST, a new mobile/ tablet-based application in reducing weight and encouraging healthy eating behaviors and quality of life in children with obesity. The worldwide prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents aged 5-19 has noticeably increased in roughly 40 years. Many obese children grow into obese adolescents and obesity in adult life unless they are appropriately treated [5]. Obesity does affect physical health but many children and adolescents with obesity suffer from psychological problems and have a poor quality of life. Wallander et al reported that children with obesity had a lower health-related quality of life than non-overweight/non-obese children, in psychosocial functioning [7]
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