Abstract
Emergence of tablet computers has led to interest in their use to impact health-related behaviors of users. However, little is known regarding which devices are most effective for changing these behaviors, and whether or not these devices or accompanying applications (apps) are feasible or desired vehicles for behavior change. Four focus groups were conducted with students from a Western university who were given iPads to download diet-related apps. Participants were asked questions about preferences regarding iPad functionality, app functionality, and the likelihood of using apps and iPads for facilitating diet-related behavior change in the future. Two key themes emerged from focus group discussions on diet-related apps for iPads and their usefulness to facilitate behavior change. The first theme, lack of iPad practicality, contained three subthemes: inconvenient mid-way technology, internet access barriers, and smart-phone preference. The second theme that emerged was attitudes towards apps in general. Three subthemes were identified under the second theme: too intensive; positive functions not specific to iPads; and lack of reliable/trustworthy information. This paper is the first, to this author’s knowledge, to report the use of qualitative methods to study the practicality of using apps and iPads in changing dietrelated behaviors. Early generations of iPads may not be effective devices for facilitating behavior change among college students; and diet-related apps seem to have poor functionality that lead to cessation of use.
Highlights
Recent research has outlined the importance of using theory-based approaches in constructing health-related apps [2,3], and consulting consumers in the development of apps to ensure that functionality matches users desires for use [38]
Since smartphones and tablets have become so common among the general population, many developers have pursued the opportunity to create apps that seek to address behavior change [31]
This may have been done without enough consideration of whether or not this means of behavior change is feasible, or preferred by the consumer
Summary
The use of mobile devices in supporting health behavior change has been the topic of several recent research studies. Aside from expanded opportunities for users to access health information, mobile devices are becoming useful for facilitating the ongoing collection of personal data and cueing behavior change [1,2,3]. One of the earliest applications of using mobile devices was in 1998 when wristwatches were used to cue recovering addicts to complete logs regarding their behavior and feelings [4]. The most recent health applications have focused on a simple message system (SMS), commonly known as text messaging [5], mostly related to diabetes management [6,7,8] and smoking cessation [9]. Applications that assist patients manage existing conditions or illnesses, are most prevalent with fewer targeting preventive health behaviors [6,10]
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