Healthy living and smart choices - A project for developing a web-based Turkish obesity treatment program

Abstract

IntroductionObesity is a major public health problem in the world and getting obesity under control is one of the most important goals of the World Health Organization. Cognitive behavioral therapy techniques are helpful for adjusting lifestyle to stay at a healthy weight range. Success of web-based programs which designed with evidence-based behavioral strategies has been proven with different studies. However, a web-based program suitable for Turkish culture and eating habits is still missing.ObjectivesPrimary objective of this project is to develop and test a web-based obesity behavioral treatment program in collaboration with experienced academicians from different disciplines.AimsThe aim of this project is to develop a program which will help Turkish primary care physicians in treating and tracking obesity patients.MethodThe web-based program will include a 12-week-long core behavioral program. Participants will be asked to record their daily dietary intakes and automatic feedback will be given by the system. Weekly behavioral training videos will be available during the core program. As participants watch the videos and record their daily intakes, they will get instant awards such as virtual diet-coin which they will be able to spend for gifts such as low calorie recipes. One hundred obese patients (with body mass index greater than 30 kg/m2) will be recruited to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. The changes in their blood pressures, body weights and waist circumferences will be recorded.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.