Abstract
BackgroundWeight management apps may provide support and management options for individuals with overweight and obesity. Research on the quality of weight management mHealth apps among the Saudi population is insufficient despite frequent use.ObjectiveThe aims of this study were to explore user perceptions of weight management apps, explore reasons for starting and stopping app use, appraise the quality of weight management apps available in the App Store, and compare the features currently available within the app market and those that are most desirable to weight management app users.MethodsA web-based survey consisted of 31 open and closed questions about sociodemographic information, general health questions, app use, app user perceptions, and discontinuation of app use. The quality of the weight management apps available on the App Store was assessed using the Mobile App Rating Scale and evidence-based strategies. We also used six sigma evaluations to ensure that the quality measured by the tools consistently meets customer expectations.ResultsData from the survey were analyzed. Of the respondents, 30.17% (324/1074) had used a weight management app, 18.16% (195/1074) used the apps and stopped, and 51.68% (555/1074) had never used a weight management app. Of apps mentioned, 23 met the inclusion criteria. The overall average Mobile App Rating Scale quality of apps was acceptable; 30% (7/23) received a quality mean score of 4 or higher (out of 5), and 30% (7/23) did not meet the acceptability score of 3 or higher. Evidence-based strategy results showed that feedback was not observed in any of the apps, and motivation strategy was observed in only 1 app. The sigma results of evidence-based strategies reflect that most of the apps fail to pass the mean.ConclusionsApp users desired a feature that allows them to communicate with a specialist, which is a missing in the available free apps. Despite the large number and accessibility of weight management apps, the quality and features of most are variable. It can be concluded from six sigma results that passing the mean does not ensure that the quality is consistently distributed through all app quality properties and Mobile App Rating Scale and evidence-based strategies do not give developers an indication of the acceptance of their apps by mobile users. This finding stresses the importance of reevaluating the passing criterion, which is ≥50% for designing an effective app.
Highlights
Obesity, a multifactorial health problem related to behavioral factors such as physical activity and diet [1], is a major public health concern worldwide, and its incidence nearly doubled from 1975 to 2016 according to a long-term analysis of trends using BMI [2]
App users desired a feature that allows them to communicate with a specialist, which is a missing in the available free apps
Despite the large number and accessibility of weight management apps, the quality and features of most are variable. It can be concluded from six sigma results that passing the mean does not ensure that the quality is consistently distributed through all app quality properties and Mobile App Rating Scale and evidence-based strategies do not give developers an indication of the acceptance of their apps by mobile users
Summary
A multifactorial health problem related to behavioral factors such as physical activity and diet [1], is a major public health concern worldwide, and its incidence nearly doubled from 1975 to 2016 according to a long-term analysis of trends using BMI [2]. Data from large-scale surveys have showed that weight management apps were some of the most popular among medical and public health apps (mHealth apps) [7,8,9]. The use of these weight management apps showed effectiveness according to a systematic review and meta-analysis of 12 clinical trials that reported significant weight losses of 1 kg relative to traditional weight reduction interventions or intensive consulting [10]. Research on the quality of weight management mHealth apps among the Saudi population is insufficient despite frequent use
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