Smartphone Interventions for Weight Treatment and Behavioral Change in Pediatric Obesity: A Systematic Review

Attrition rate and predictors of a monitoring mHealth application in adolescents with obesity

BACKGROUND

Integrating mobile health (mHealth) into paediatric obesity treatment can provide opportunities for more personalized and lifetime treatment. However, high attrition rates pose a significant challenge. The current study attempts to better understand attrition by exploring (1) attrition rates of a monitoring mHealth application for usage over 14 days and (2) testing predictors of attrition in adolescents with obesity.

METHODS

Participants were 69 adolescents between 12 and 16 years old who engaged in a multidisciplinary obesity treatment centre (either outpatient or inpatient) in two countries (Belgium and France). To assess the attrition rates, frequency distributions were used. To test the predictors of attrition, zero-inflated negative binomial regression was performed.

RESULTS

Attrition rates were high, in the outpatient group, more than half of the participants (53.3%) used the app for only 0-7 days. In the inpatient group, this percentage was 24.1%. Only deficits in initiating (a component of executive functions) were a negative predictor of attrition, indicating that deficits in initiating lead to lower attrition rates.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides evidence for high attrition rates in mHealth interventions for adolescents with obesity and was the first to investigate psychological predictors of attrition to an mHealth monitoring tool in adolescents with obesity in treatment. Findings regarding predictors of attrition should be approached with caution due to the small sample size.

Delivery Strategies Supporting School-Age Child Health: A Systematic Review

CONTEXT

School-aged children (SAC; 5-9 years) remain understudied in global efforts to examine intervention effectiveness and scale up evidence-based interventions.

OBJECTIVE

This review summarizes the available evidence describing the effectiveness of key strategies to deliver school-age interventions.

DATA SOURCES

We searched Medline, PsycINFO, Campbell Collaboration, and The Cochrane Library during November 2020.

STUDY SELECTION

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses that: target SAC, examine effective delivery of well-established interventions, focus on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), were published after 2010, and focus on generalizable, rather than special, populations.

DATA EXTRACTION

Two reviewers conducted title and abstract screening, full-text screening, data extraction, and quality assessments.

RESULTS

Sixty reviews met the selection criteria, with 35 containing evidence from LMICs. The outcomes assessed and the reported effectiveness of interventions varied within and across delivery strategies. Overall, community, school, and financial strategies improved several child health outcomes. The greatest evidence was found for the use of community-based interventions to improve infectious disease outcomes, such as malaria control and prevention. School-based interventions improved child development and infectious disease-related outcomes. Financial strategies improved school enrollment, food security, and dietary diversity.

LIMITATIONS

Relatively few LMIC studies examined facility, digital, and self-management strategies. Additionally, we found considerable heterogeneity within and across delivery strategies and review authors reported methodological limitations within the studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite limited research, available information suggests community-based strategies can be effective for the introduction of a range of interventions to support healthy growth and development in SAC. These also have the potential to reduce disparities and reach at-risk and marginalized populations.

ADRB2 gene influences responsiveness to physical exercise programs: A longitudinal study applied to overweight or obese Brazilian children and adolescents

We aimed to investigate whether the expression levels and polymorphisms in the ADRB2 gene have influenced the anthropometric and cardiometabolic outcomes changes in obese/overweight children submitted to physical exercise programs. This longitudinal study included 197 overweight or obese children aged 10-16 years, submitted to physical exercise programs - three sessions per week for 12 weeks. Anthropometric and cardiometabolic profile was collected before and after interventions. The ADRB2 gene expression levels were also measured in these two moments in a small intervention group (n = 17) and a control group (n = 18). Arg16Gly and Gln27Glu polymorphisms were genotyped. A positive correlation between ADRB2 expression and loss of body fat (%) (p = 0.038) was observed, which remained after sex and BMI change corrections. Carriers of the Glu27Glu genotype presented a better response to physical exercise programs regarding their triglycerides levels and triglyceride-glucose index (p = 0.001 for both). The participants' responsiveness to physical exercise programs showed variation due to the ADRB2 gene expression and the Gln27Glu polymorphism. A more significant loss of body fat was associated with higher levels of ADRB2 expression, and the Glu27Glu genotype was associated with a better cardiometabolic response. The Arg16Gly polymorphism did not show interaction with the responsiveness to physical exercise.

Digital Health Interventions for Weight Management in Children and Adolescents: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background

Recent meta-analyses suggest the use of technology-based interventions as a treatment option for obesity in adulthood. Similar meta-analytic approaches for children are scarce.

Objective

The aim of this meta-analysis is to examine the effect of technology-based interventions on overweight and obesity treatment in children and adolescents.

Methods

A systematic literature search was performed using MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, and Cochrane Library for randomized clinical trials to identify interventional studies published between January 2000 and February 2021.

Results

In total, 9 manuscripts from 8 clinical trials of 582 children or adolescents were considered eligible. BMI, BMI z-score, and other BMI-related baseline metrics during and after intervention were considered as primary outcomes. In 7 of 8 studies, a technology-based intervention was applied in addition to conventional care. Of the 8 studies, 6 studies were conducted in the United States, 1 in Australia, and 1 in northwestern Europe. In total, 5 studies included adolescents, whereas the rest addressed children aged 9 to 12 years. Intervention duration ranged from 3 to 24 months. Significant differences between groups in BMI metric changes were reported by 5 of the 8 studies. Pooled analysis revealed an overall significant decrease in BMI metrics in the intervention group (standardized mean difference –0.61, 95% CI –1.10 to –0.13; P=.01). Subgroup analysis revealed that significance was lost in case of no parental involvement (standardized mean difference –0.36, 95% CI –0.83 to 0.11; P=.14). The small number of clinical trials found, the varying study quality, and the study heterogeneity are some limitations of this review.

Conclusions

The studies reported herein describe functional and acceptable technology-based approaches, in addition to conventional treatments, to enhance weight loss in young populations.

The effectiveness of e-health interventions for the treatment of overweight or obesity in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine the effectiveness of e-health interventions for the treatment of children and adolescents with overweight or obesity. Databases were searched up to November 2020. Studies were randomized controlled trials where interventions were delivered via e-health (e.g., computers, tablets, and smartphones, but not phone calls). Studies should target the treatment of overweight or obesity in children or their agent of changes and report body mass index (BMI) or BMI z-score. A meta-analysis using a random-effects model was conducted. Nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria, and 60% were of high quality. The narrative review revealed variation in behavior change strategies and modes of delivery. The pooled mean reduction in BMI or BMI z-score showed evidence for a nonzero effect (standardized mean difference = -0.31, 95% confidence interval -0.49 to -0.13), with moderately high heterogeneity between studies (I²  = 74%, p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis revealed high heterogeneity in studies with a high or unclear risk of bias. E-health interventions can be effective in treating children and adolescents with overweight and obesity and should be considered by practitioners and policymakers. However, an understanding of the most effective and acceptable intervention components, long-term benefits, and sustainability should be further studied.

E-&mHealth interventions targeting nutrition, physical activity, sedentary behavior, and/or obesity among children: A scoping review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses

Childhood obesity is a public health concern. Electronic and mobile health (e-&mHealth) approaches can facilitate the delivery of interventions for obesity prevention and treatment. Synthesizing reviews of e-&mHealth interventions to improve weight and weight-related behaviors (physical activity, sedentary behavior, and diet) is useful to characterize the current scope of the literature and identify opportunities for future reviews and studies. Using a scoping review methodology, we aimed to evaluate the breadth and methodological quality of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of e-&mHealth interventions targeting weight and weight-related behaviors in children and adolescents aged <19 years. A systematic search of seven databases was conducted, including reviews published between 2000 and 2019. Review characteristics were extracted, and methodological quality was assessed using the AMSTAR 2 tool. Forty-five systematic reviews and meta-analyses were included. All reviews evaluated intervention efficacy (100%), but few assessed other aspects (20% in total) such as cost-effectiveness. Smartphone applications (47%), text messages (44%), and websites (35%) were the main modalities. Weight (60%), physical activity (51%), and diet (44%) were frequently assessed, unlike sedentary behavior (8%). Most reviews were rated as having critically low or low methodological quality (97%). Reviews that identify the effective active ingredients of interventions and explore metrics beyond efficacy are recommended.

Use of continuous glucose monitoring in obesity research: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

This scoping review provides a timely synthesis of the use of continuous glucose monitoring in obesity research with considerations to adherence to continuous glucose monitor devices and metrics most frequently reported.

METHODS

This scoping review was conducted adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist. Eligible studies (n = 31) evaluated continuous glucose monitor use in research on participants, of all ages, with overweight or obesity.

RESULTS

Reviewed studies varied in duration from one to 84 days (mean: 8.74 d, SD 15.2, range 1-84 d) with 889 participants total (range: 11-118 participants). Across all studies, the mean percent continuous glucose monitor wear time (actual/intended wear time in days) was 92% (numerator - mean: 266.1 d, SD: 452, range: 9-1596 d/denominator - mean: 271.6 d, SD: 451.5, range: 9-1596 d). Continuous glucose monitoring was utilized to provide biofeedback (n = 2, 6%), monitor dietary adherence (n = 2, 6%), and assess glycemic variability (n = 29, 93%). The most common variability metrics reported were standard deviation (n = 19, 62%), area under the curve (n = 12, 39%), and glycemic range (n = 12, 39%).

CONCLUSIONS

Available evidence suggests that continuous glucose monitoring is a well-tolerated and versatile tool for obesity research in pediatric and adult patients. Future investigation is needed to substantiate the feasibility and utility of continuous glucose monitors in obesity research and maximize comparability across studies.

Novel dietary interventions for adolescents with obesity: A narrative review

Adolescent obesity is increasing and a range of treatment approaches are needed. Provision of tailored treatment options accounting for individual and family needs, preferences, and capacity may encourage adolescents with obesity to seek treatment, and/or improve treatment outcomes. Delivered by trained health care professionals, novel dietary interventions may have utility for adolescents not responding to conventional diets, adolescents with comorbidities or severe obesity, and/or when rapid or substantial weight loss is required. This review describes current evidence and clinical considerations relating to the use of very low energy diets, low carbohydrate diets, and intermittent energy restriction in the treatment of adolescent obesity. Emerging evidence on the use of these novel dietary interventions demonstrates short-term weight-related and cardiometabolic improvements. While the evidence is encouraging, and no serious adverse effects have been reported, monitoring of intervention safety is essential. Considerations for health care professionals providing care to adolescents include nutritional adequacy, psychosocial health and social relationships during the intervention. Furthermore, long-term weight-related, cardiometabolic and psychological health outcomes of these dietary interventions are not well understood. Large randomised controlled trials are warranted to inform clinical practice and future guidelines for the use of novel dietary interventions in adolescents with obesity.

Healthy Lifestyle Management of Pediatric Obesity with a Hybrid System of Customized Mobile Technology: The PediaFit Pilot Project

Pediatric obesity management strategies suffer from a high rate of dropout and persistence of weight excess, despite the use of new tools, such as automated mobile technology (MT). We aimed to compare the efficacy of two 6-month personalized MT protocols in terms of better engagement, adherence to follow-up visits and improved anthropometric and lifestyle parameters. MT contacts consisted of three personalized/not automated What's App^® self-monitoring or challenge messages per week. Messages, sent by a dedicated coach were inserted between three-monthly in-presence regular visits with (PediaFit 1.2) or without (PediaFit 1.1) monthly free-of charge short recall visits carried out by a specialized pediatric team. The sample included 103 children (mean age 10 years, range 6-14) recruited in the Pediatric Obesity Clinic between January 2017 and February 2019, randomized into Intervention group (IG) (n = 24 PediaFit 1.1; n = 30 PediaFit 1.2) and Control group (CG) (total n = 49). Controls received standard treatment only (indications for healthy nutrition and physical activity, and three months in presence regular visits). Overall, both IGs achieved significantly better results than the CGs for all considered parameters. Comparison of the two IGs at the sixth month in particular showed an IG 1.2 statistically significantly lower drop-out rate (10% vs. 62%, p = 0.00009), along with significantly improved BMI (p = 0.003), Screen Time (p = 0.04) and fruit and vegetables consumption (p = 0.02). The study suggests that the hybrid association of messaging through personalized/not automated MT plus monthly free-of charge recall visits may improve the prefixed outcomes of MT weight loss intervention programs.

Harnessing technological solutions for childhood obesity prevention and treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis of current applications

BACKGROUND

Technology holds promise for delivery of accessible, individualized, and destigmatized obesity prevention and treatment to youth.

OBJECTIVES

This review examined the efficacy of recent technology-based interventions on weight outcomes.

METHODS

Seven databases were searched in April 2020 following PRISMA guidelines. Inclusion criteria were: participants aged 1-18 y, use of technology in a prevention/treatment intervention for overweight/obesity; weight outcome; randomized controlled trial (RCT); and published after January 2014. Random effects models with inverse variance weighting estimated pooled mean effect sizes separately for treatment and prevention interventions. Meta-regressions examined the effect of technology type (telemedicine or technology-based), technology purpose (stand-alone or adjunct), comparator (active or no-contact control), delivery (to parent, child, or both), study type (pilot or not), child age, and intervention duration.

FINDINGS

In total, 3406 records were screened for inclusion; 55 studies representing 54 unique RCTs met inclusion criteria. Most (89%) included articles were of high or moderate quality. Thirty studies relied mostly or solely on technology for intervention delivery. Meta-analyses of the 20 prevention RCTs did not show a significant effect of prevention interventions on weight outcomes (d = 0.05, p = 0.52). The pooled mean effect size of n = 32 treatment RCTs showed a small, significant effect on weight outcomes (d = ‒0.13, p = 0.001), although 27 of 33 treatment studies (79%) did not find significant differences between treatment and comparators. There were significantly greater treatment effects on outcomes for pilot interventions, interventions delivered to the child compared to parent-delivered interventions, and as child age increased and intervention duration decreased. No other subgroup analyses were significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Recent technology-based interventions for the treatment of pediatric obesity show small effects on weight; however, evidence is inconclusive on the efficacy of technology based prevention interventions. Research is needed to determine the comparative effectiveness of technology-based interventions to gold-standard interventions and elucidate the potential for mHealth/eHealth to increase scalability and reduce costs while maximizing impact.

A smartphone application for semi-controlled collection of objective eating behavior data from multiple subjects

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

The study of eating behavior has made significant progress towards understanding the association of specific eating behavioral patterns with medical problems, such as obesity and eating disorders. Smartphones have shown promise in monitoring and modifying unhealthy eating behavior patterns, often with the help of sensors for behavior data recording. However, when it comes to semi-controlled deployment settings, smartphone apps that facilitate eating behavior data collection are missing. To fill this gap, the present work introduces ASApp, one of the first smartphone apps to support researchers in the collection of heterogeneous objective (sensor-acquired) and subjective (self-reported) eating behavior data in an integrated manner from large-scale, naturalistic human subject research (HSR) studies.

METHODS

This work presents the overarching and deployment-specific requirements that have driven the design of ASApp, followed by the heterogeneous eating behavior dataset that is collected and the employed data collection protocol. The collected dataset combines objective and subjective behavior information, namely (a) dietary self-assessment information, (b) the food weight timeseries throughout an entire meal (using a portable weight scale connected wirelessly), (c) a photograph of the meal, and (d) a series of quantitative eating behavior indicators, mainly calculated from the food weight timeseries. The designed data collection protocol is quick, straightforward, robust and capable of satisfying the requirement of semi-controlled HSR deployment.

RESULTS

The implemented functionalities of ASApp for research assistants and study participants are presented in detail along with the corresponding user interfaces. ASApp has been successfully deployed for data collection in an in-house testing study and the SPLENDID study, i.e., a real-life semi-controlled HSR study conducted in the cafeteria of a Swedish high-school in the context of an EC-funded research project. The two deployment studies are described and the promising results from the evaluation of the app with respect to attractiveness, usability, and technical soundness are discussed. Access details for ASApp are also provided.

CONCLUSIONS

This work presents the requirement elucidation, design, implementation and evaluation of a novel smartphone application that supports researchers in the integrated collection of a concise yet rich set of heterogeneous eating behavior data for semi-controlled HSR.

Anthropometric nutritional status, and social and dietary characteristics of African and Indian adolescents taking part in the TALENT (Transforming Adolescent Lives through Nutrition) qualitative study

OBJECTIVE

To describe the anthropometry, socioeconomic circumstances, diet and screen time usage of adolescents in India and Africa as context to a qualitative study of barriers to healthy eating and activity.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey, including measured height and weight and derived rates of stunting, low BMI, overweight and obesity. Parental schooling and employment status, household assets and amenities, and adolescents' dietary diversity, intake of snack foods, mobile/smartphone ownership and TV/computer time were obtained via a questionnaire.

SETTING

Four settings each in Africa (rural villages, West Kiang, The Gambia; low-income urban communities, Abidjan, Cote D'Ivoire; low/middle-class urban communities, Jimma, Ethiopia; low-income township, Johannesburg, South Africa) and India (rural villages, Dervan; semi-rural villages, Pune; city slums, Mumbai; low-middle/middle-class urban communities, Mysore).

PARTICIPANTS

Convenience samples (n 41-112 per site) of boys and girls, half aged 10-12 years and another half aged 15-17 years, were recruited for a qualitative study.

RESULTS

Both undernutrition (stunting and/or low BMI) and overweight/obesity were present in all settings. Rural settings had the most undernutrition, least overweight/obesity and greatest diet diversity. Urban Johannesburg (27 %) and Abidjan (16 %), and semi-rural Pune (16 %) had the most overweight/obesity. In all settings, adolescents reported low intakes of micronutrient-rich fruits and vegetables, and substantial intakes of salted snacks, cakes/biscuits, sweets and fizzy drinks. Smartphone ownership ranged from 5 % (West Kiang) to 69 % (Johannesburg), higher among older adolescents.

CONCLUSIONS

The 'double burden of malnutrition' is present in all TALENT settings. Greater urban transition is associated with less undernutrition, more overweight/obesity, less diet diversity and higher intakes of unhealthy/snack foods.

Formative Evaluation of a Smartphone App for Monitoring Daily Meal Distribution and Food Selection in Adolescents: Acceptability and Usability Study

Background

Obesity interventions face the problem of weight regain after treatment as a result of low compliance. Mobile health (mHealth) technologies could potentially increase compliance and aid both health care providers and patients.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the acceptability and usability and define system constraints of an mHealth system used to monitor dietary habits of adolescents in real life, as a first step in the development of a self-monitoring and lifestyle management system against adolescent obesity.

Methods

We recruited 26 students from a high school in Stockholm, Sweden. After a 30-minute information meeting and 5-minute individual instruction on how to use an mHealth system (smartphone with app and two external sensors), participants used it for 2-3 weeks to objectively collect dietary habits. The app and sensors were used by the participants, without supervision, to record as many main meals and snacks as possible in real life. Feasibility was assessed following the “mHealth evidence reporting and assessment checklist,” and usability was assessed by questionnaires. Compliance was estimated based on system use, where a registration frequency of 3 main meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) per day for the period of the experiment, constituted 100% compliance.

Results

Participants included in the analysis had a mean age of 16.8 years (SD 0.7 years) and BMI of 21.9 kg/m2 (SD 4.1 kg/m2). Due to deviations from study instructions, 2 participants were excluded from the analysis. During the study, 6 participants required additional information on system use. The system received a ‘Good’ grade (77.1 of 100 points) on the System Usability Scale, with most participants reporting that they were comfortable using the smartphone app. Participants expressed a willingness to use the app mostly at home, but also at school; most of their improvement suggestions concerned design choices for the app. Of all main meals, the registration frequency increased from 70% the first week to 76% the second week. Participants reported that 40% of the registered meals were home-prepared, while 34% of the reported drinks contained sugar. On average, breakfasts took place at 8:30 AM (from 5:00 AM to 2:00 PM), lunches took place at 12:15 PM (from 10:15 AM to 6:15 PM), and dinners took place at 7:30 PM (from 3:00 PM to 11:45 PM). When comparing meal occurrence during weekdays vs weekends, breakfasts and lunches were eaten 3 hours later during weekends, while dinner timing was unaffected.

Conclusions

From an infrastructural and functional perspective, system use was feasible in the current context. The smartphone app appears to have high acceptability and usability in high school students, which are the intended end-users. The system appears promising as a relatively low-effort method to provide real-life dietary habit measurements associated with overweight and obesity risk.

Mobile Health for Pediatric Weight Management: Systematic Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

The prevalence and consequences of obesity among children and adolescents remain a leading global public health concern, and evidence-based, multidisciplinary lifestyle interventions are the cornerstone of treatment. Mobile electronic devices are widely used across socioeconomic categories and may provide a means of extending the reach and efficiency of health care interventions.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to synthesize the evidence regarding mobile health (mHealth) for the treatment of childhood overweight and obesity to map the breadth and nature of the literature in this field and describe the characteristics of published studies.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic scoping review in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews, by searching nine academic databases in addition to gray literature for studies describing acceptability, usability, feasibility, effectiveness, adherence, or cost-effectiveness of interventions assessing mHealth for childhood obesity treatment. We also hand searched the reference lists of relevant articles. Studies aimed at the prevention of overweight or obesity were excluded, as were studies in which mHealth was not the primary mode of treatment delivery for at least one study arm or was not independently assessed. A random portion of all abstracts and full texts was double screened by a second reviewer to ensure consistency. Data were charted according to study characteristics, including design, participants, intervention content, behavior change theory (BCT) underpinning the study, mode of delivery, and outcomes measured.

RESULTS

We identified 42 eligible studies assessing acceptability (n=7), usability (n=2), feasibility or pilot studies (n=15), treatment effect (n=17), and fidelity (n=1). Change in BMI z-scores or percentiles was most commonly measured, among a variety of dietary, physical activity, psychological, and usability or acceptability measures. SMS, mobile apps, and wearable devices made up the majority of mobile interventions, and 69% (29/42) of the studies specified a BCT used.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric weight management using mHealth is an emerging field, with most work to date aimed at developing and piloting such interventions. Few large trials are published, and these are heterogeneous in nature and rarely reported according to the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials for eHealth guidelines. There is an evidence gap in the cost-effectiveness analyses of such studies.

The French eHealth Acceptability Scale Using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 Model: Instrument Validation Study

Background

Technology-based physical activity suggests new opportunities for public health initiatives. Yet only 45% of technology interventions are theoretically based, and the acceptability mechanisms have been insufficiently studied. Acceptability and acceptance theories have provided interesting insights, particularly the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology 2 (UTAUT2). In several studies, the psychometric qualities of acceptability scales have not been well demonstrated.

Objective

The aim of this study was to adapt the UTAUT2 to the electronic health (eHealth) context and provide a preliminary validation of the eHealth acceptability scale in a French sample.

Methods

In line with the reference validation methodologies, we carried out the following stages of validating the scale with a total of 576 volunteers: translation and adaptation, dimensionality tests, reliability tests, and construct validity tests. We used confirmatory factor analysis to validate a 22-item instrument with 7 subscales: Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy, Social Influence, Facilitating Conditions, Hedonic Motivation, Price Value, and Habit.

Results

The dimensionality tests showed that the bifactor confirmatory model presented the best fit indexes: χ²₁₇₃=434.86 (P<.001), χ²/df=2.51, comparative fit index=.97, Tucker-Lewis index=.95, and root mean square error of approximation=.053 (90% CI .047-.059). The invariance tests of the eHealth acceptability factor structure by sex demonstrated no significant differences between models, except for the strict model. The partial strict model demonstrated no difference from the strong model. Cronbach alphas ranged from .77 to .95 for the 7 factors. We measured the internal reliability with a 4-week interval. The intraclass correlation coefficients for each subscale ranged from .62 to .88, and there were no significant differences in the t tests from time 1 to time 2. Assessments for convergent validity demonstrated that the eHealth acceptability constructs were significantly and positively related to behavioral intention, usage, and constructs from the technology acceptance model and the theory of planned behavior.

Conclusions

The 22-item French-language eHealth acceptability scale, divided into 7 subscales, showed good psychometric qualities. This scale is thus a valid and reliable tool to assess the acceptability of eHealth technology in French-speaking samples and offers promising avenues in research, clinical practice, and marketing.

Remotely Delivered Interventions for Obesity Treatment

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review synthesizes recent research on remotely delivered interventions for obesity treatment, including summarizing outcomes and challenges to implementing these treatments as well as outlining recommendations for clinical implementation and future research.

RECENT FINDINGS

There are a wide range of technologies used for delivering obesity treatment remotely. Generally, these treatments appear to be acceptable and feasible, though weight loss outcomes are mixed. Engagement in these interventions, particularly in the long term, is a significant challenge. Newer technologies are rapidly developing and enable tailored and adaptable interventions, though research in this area is in its infancy. Further research is required to optimize potential benefits of remotely delivered interventions for obesity.

Impact of a Mobile App-Based Health Coaching and Behavior Change Program on Participant Engagement and Weight Status of Overweight and Obese Children: Retrospective Cohort Study

Background

Effective treatment of obesity in children and adolescents traditionally requires frequent in-person contact, and it is often limited by low participant engagement. Mobile health tools may offer alternative models that enhance participant engagement.

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess child engagement over time, with a mobile app–based health coaching and behavior change program for weight management, and to examine the association between engagement and change in weight status.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of user data from Kurbo, a commercial program that provides weekly individual coaching via video chat and supports self-monitoring of health behaviors through a mobile app. Study participants included users of Kurbo between March 2015 and March 2017, who were 5 to 18 years old and who were overweight or obese (body mass index; BMI ≥ 85th percentile or ≥ 95th percentile) at baseline. The primary outcome, engagement, was defined as the total number of health coaching sessions received. The secondary outcome was change in weight status, defined as the change in BMI as a percentage of the 95th percentile (%BMIp95). Analyses of outcome measures were compared across three initial commitment period groups: 4 weeks, 12 to 16 weeks, or 24 weeks. Multivariable linear regression models were constructed to adjust outcomes for the independent variables of sex, age group (5-11 years, 12-14 years, and 15-18 years), and commitment period. A sensitivity analysis was conducted, excluding a subset of participants involuntarily assigned to the 12- to 16-week commitment period by an employer or health plan.

Results

A total of 1120 participants were included in analyses. At baseline, participants had a mean age of 12 years (SD 2.5), mean BMI percentile of 96.6 (SD 3.1), mean %BMIp95 of 114.5 (SD 16.5), and they were predominantly female 68.04% (762/1120). Participant distribution across commitment periods was 26.07% (292/1120) for 4 weeks, 61.61% (690/1120) for 12-16 weeks, and 12.32% (138/1120) for 24 weeks. The median coaching sessions (interquartile range) received were 8 (3-16) for the 4-week group, 9 (5-12) for the 12- to 16-week group, and 19 (11-25) for the 24-week group (P<.001). Adjusted for sex and age group, participants in the 4- and 12-week groups participated in –8.03 (95% CI –10.19 to –5.87) and –9.34 (95% CI –11.31 to –7.39) fewer coaching sessions, compared with those in the 24-week group (P<.001). Adjusted for commitment period, sex, and age group, the overall mean change in %BMIp95 was –0.21 (95% CI –0.25 to –0.17) per additional coaching session (P<.001).

Conclusions

Among overweight and obese children using a mobile app–based health coaching and behavior change program, increased engagement was associated with longer voluntary commitment periods, and increased number of coaching sessions was associated with decreased weight status.

A Promising Food-Coaching Intervention Program to Achieve Optimal Gestational Weight Gain in Overweight and Obese Pregnant Women: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of a Smartphone App

Background

Traditional dietary recommendations for achieving optimal gestational weight gain are ineffective for pregnant women due to the lack of real-time communication and tedious consultation processes.

Objective

In this pilot study, we aimed to determine the feasibility of a novel food-coaching smartphone app for controlling gestational weight gain and macronutrient intake among overweight and obese pregnant women.

Methods

We designed a randomized controlled trial and recruited 30 overweight and obese pregnant women (1:1 ratio) during 18-20 weeks of gestation and followed them up after 4 and 8 weeks, respectively. Both groups received standard pregnancy dietary orientation at recruitment, while the intervention group received 8 weeks of real-time food coaching via a smartphone app. This food-coaching smartphone app (Glycoleap, Holmusk, Singapore) aimed to improve care and outcomes for people with diabetes. Pregnant women using this app were able to upload food images (eg, a picture of a meal, a drink, or a dessert) and received real-time and detailed food-coaching comments and guidance provided by professional dietitians during the day (8 AM to 8 PM). We recorded detailed characteristics during recruitment and examined anthropometry at all visits. We compared the mean differences of the 8-week gestational weight gain and macronutrient intake between the two groups.

Results

Upon study completion, three subjects dropped out from the intervention, and one gave birth prematurely in the control group. The acceptance rate of the smartphone app was 90%. More participants achieved optimal gestational weight gain per week in the intervention group (8/12, 67%) than in the control group (5/14, 36%). After the 8-week intervention, women in the intervention group appeared to have lower gestational weight gain (mean difference=–0.08 kg; 95% CI –1.80 to 1.63) and cholesterol intake (mean difference=–31.73 mg; 95% CI –102.91 to 39.45) than those in the control group.

Conclusions

Our findings showed that this food-coaching smartphone app is feasible and favorable for weight gain control and cholesterol intake control among overweight and obese pregnant women. Although our results were not significant (perhaps, attributed to the small sample size), it provided proof of concept for the feasibility of applying such technology in future randomized controlled trials with a larger sample size, an earlier intervention onset, and a longer follow-up for overweight and obese pregnant women.

Effects of Mobile Health Including Wearable Activity Trackers to Increase Physical Activity Outcomes Among Healthy Children and Adolescents: Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Children and adolescents do not meet the current recommendations on physical activity (PA), and as such, the health-related benefits of regular PA are not achieved. Nowadays, technology-based programs represent an appealing and promising option for children and adolescents to promote PA.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this review was to systematically evaluate the effects of mobile health (mHealth) and wearable activity trackers on PA-related outcomes in this target group.

METHODS

Electronic databases such as the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science were searched to retrieve English language articles published in peer-reviewed journals from January 2012 to June 2018. Those included were articles that contained descriptions of interventions designed to increase PA among children (aged 6 to 12 years) only, or adolescents (aged 13 to 18 years) only, or articles that include both populations, and also, articles that measured at least 1 PA-related cognitive, psychosocial, or behavioral outcome. The interventions had to be based on mHealth tools (mobile phones, smartphones, tablets, or mobile apps) or wearable activity trackers. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs, cohort studies, before-and-after studies, and cross-sectional studies were considered, but only controlled studies with a PA comparison between groups were assessed for methodological quality.

RESULTS

In total, 857 articles were identified. Finally, 7 studies (5 with tools of mHealth and 2 with wearable activity trackers) met the inclusion criteria. All studies with tools of mHealth used an RCT design, and 3 were of high methodological quality. Intervention delivery ranged from 4 weeks to 12 months, whereby mainly smartphone apps were used as a tool. Intervention delivery in studies with wearable activity trackers covered a period from 22 sessions during school recess and 8 weeks. Trackers were used as an intervention and evaluation tool. No evidence was found for the effect of mHealth tools, respectively wearable activity trackers, on PA-related outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the small number of studies, poor compliance with accelerometers as a measuring instrument for PA, risk of bias, missing RCTs in relation to wearable activity trackers, and the heterogeneity of intervention programs, caution is warranted regarding the comparability of the studies and their effects. There is a clear need for future studies to develop PA interventions grounded on intervention mapping with a high methodological study design for specific target groups to achieve meaningful evidence.

Mobile phone applications to overcome malnutrition among preschoolers: a systematic review

Background

Malnutrition is one of the most important reasons for child mortality in developing countries, especially during the first 5 years of life. We set out to systematically review evaluations of interventions that use mobile phone applications to overcome malnutrition among preschoolers.

Methods

The review was conducted and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses: the PRISMA statement. To be eligible, the study had to have evaluated mobile phone interventions to increase nutrition knowledge or enhance behavior related to nutrition in order to cope with malnutrition (under nutrition or overweight) in preschoolers. Articles addressing other research topics, older children or adults, review papers, theoretical and conceptual articles, editorials, and letters were excluded. The PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus databases covering both medical and technical literature were searched for studies addressing preschoolers’ malnutrition using mobile technology.

Results

Seven articles were identified that fulfilled the review criteria. The studies reported in the main positive signals concerning the acceptance of mobile phone based nutritional interventions addressing preschoolers. Important infrastructural and technical limitations to implement mHealth in low and middle income countries (LMICs) were also communicated, ranging from low network capacity and low access to mobile phones to specific technical barriers. Only one study was identified evaluating primary anthropometric outcomes.

Conclusions

The review findings indicated a need for more controlled evaluations using anthropometric primary endpoints and put relevance to the suggestion that cooperation between government organizations, academia, and industry is necessary to provide sufficient infrastructure support for mHealth use against malnutrition in LMICs.

Smartphone-based Healthy Weight Management Intervention for Chinese American Adolescents: Short-term Efficacy and Factors Associated With Decreased Weight

PURPOSE

This study aimed to examine the short-term efficacy of a smartphone-based intervention for Chinese American adolescents who are overweight or obese and to explore factors associated with decreased body mass index (BMI).

METHODS

A randomized controlled study design was used. Intervention group received culturally appropriate and tailored educational program for weight management while control group received general health information. Anthropometrics, blood pressure, levels of physical and sedentary activity, diet, self-efficacy, and quality of life were assessed at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Linear mixed-effects models and regression models were used to analyze outcomes.

RESULTS

The study included 40 adolescent participants. Adolescents in the intervention reduced their BMI (z = -4.89, p < .001), BMI z score (z = -4.72, p < .001), sugary beverage (z = -.44, P = .001), and TV and computer time (z = -.51, p < .001) and increasing in self-efficacy in nutrition and physical activity significantly more than those in the control group. BMI reduction was significantly correlated with decreased fast food consumption and increased physical activity (F = 6.99, p = .007, r2 = .40). Being female and decreased sugary beverage consumption were related to decreased BMI z score (F = 8.38, p = .003, r2 = .511).

CONCLUSIONS

A culturally appropriate smartphone-based intervention has great potential to reduce obesity and improve adherence to a healthy lifestyle. Reducing sugary beverages and fast food intake and decreasing sedentary time are associated with decreased BMI among adolescents who are overweight or obese.

Adolescents With Overweight or Obesity: A Qualitative Study of Participation in an Internet-Based Program to Increase Physical Activity

Adolescents who are overweight or obese are reported to be less active than their peers. Motivation is a critical factor in sustaining physical activity and thereby positive health outcomes. This qualitative study explores how participation in a 12-week Internet-based intervention study, Young & Active, influenced the participants' short-term and long-term motivation to increase and sustain physical activity. The overall purpose of Young & Active was to design, test, and evaluate a health-promoting Internet-based program for use in the school health services in Norway. The program was informed by self-determination theory and motivational interviewing. Two postintervention qualitative research interviews were conducted with 21 adolescents, aged 13 to 14 years, with a 9- to 12-month interval. The adolescents were recruited from a total of 84 participants from the Young & Active study intervention group. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Self-determination theory was used as a theoretical and explanatory framework. Following the motivational continuum from self-determination theory, all adolescents showed changes in motivation, from extrinsic toward more intrinsic motivation, and for some, a reversal after completing the program. Analysis of the adolescents' utterances formed patterns that could be divided into four main categories: (a) reinforcement of a habit, (b) promotion of competence and enjoyment, (c) boost of temporary change, and (d) reinforcement of adverse habits. An Internet-based intervention may help adolescents increase and sustain physical activity if participation is based on self-choice and if they have sufficient support in their social environments. The intervention alone is not enough to support adolescents who are less motivated or have other challenges in life and may even provoke resistance and reinforce negative health behavior. Such a program may be used together with face-to-face counseling in school health services, provided that it is further refined on a larger scale and that the counseling is performed by qualified health service professionals.

Effectiveness and Behavioral Mechanisms of Social Media Interventions for Positive Nutrition Behaviors in Adolescents: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE

To determine the effectiveness of social media-based interventions in promoting positive changes in nutrition behaviors amongst adolescents, and identify the behavior change technique(s) (BCT(s)) that were used in effective interventions.

METHODS

MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Cinahl, and Cochrane library were systematically searched. Eligible studies included: participants aged 13-18 years; use of one or more social media platform(s) in the intervention; a comparison group not exposed to the social media-based intervention; nutrition- and diet-related behavior outcome(s); and an experimental study design. BCTs were identified using a behavior change taxonomy. Quality and risk of bias assessments were also conducted.

RESULTS

Seven eligible interventions were included, varying from internet-only programs to in-person programs with internet or website-based component(s). Studies used relatively outdated forms of social media such as purpose-built discussion boards or chat rooms rather than commercial social media interfaces (e.g. Facebook). Five of the seven interventions demonstrated improvements in at least one nutrition behavior. The most common improvement was for fruit or vegetable intake, and two of four studies showed improvements for sugar-sweetened beverage consumption. The most common BCT used was social support, followed by demonstration of behavior, self-monitoring, goal setting, and feedback.

CONCLUSIONS

The current evidence base is equivocal with respect to changing overall dietary behaviors, as increasing intakes of desirable food groups were more successful than decreasing unfavorable food habits. Further research using better quality interventions, full description of the BCTs, long-term follow-up, and popular contemporary social media platforms to build the evidence base are required.

Opportunities for and Barriers to Using Smartphones for Health Education Among Families at an Urban Primary Care Clinic

Mobile technology is omnipresent in society. Though studies suggest increased rates of smartphone accessibility, current access and barriers to smartphone usage at urban primary care clinics remains unclear. A self-administered survey was distributed to families presenting to an urban, underserved pediatric primary care clinic in spring 2017. Survey questions related to smartphone ownership and barriers to usage. A total of 273 parents completed the survey. Ninety-five percent of participants owned a smartphone. Fifty-eight percent of participants identified no barriers to smartphone usage. Among those who identified one or more barriers (n = 108), difficulties were primarily related to Wi-Fi access (46%), available phone memory (45%), existing phone data (28%), and discomfort with technology (11%). The majority of parents (59%) were interested in using a smartphone to learn about their child's health. In conclusion, there is opportunity to transform health education utilizing mobile devices, though disparities to usage should be considered.

Text Messaging Interventions for Improvement in Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Youth: Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

The use of text messages (short message service, SMS) to change physical activity and sedentary behavior in youth is of interest due to the need for novel, more effective intervention approaches. Previous reviews have examined a variety of technology-based interventions and their impact on different health behaviors, but evidence regarding the impact of just SMS on physical activity and sedentary behavior is lacking.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness and use of theory of SMS interventions for improving physical activity and sedentary behavior in youth.

METHODS

Authors systematically searched electronic databases from March to November 2017. Citations were sifted using additional reviewers, and a qualitative synthesis of eligible studies was conducted using piloted data extraction forms. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to be of a randomized controlled or quasi-experimental design, incorporate SMS, involve adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 years, and assess at least one physical activity or sedentary behavior outcome. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's Risk of Bias tool.

RESULTS

A total of 13 studies reporting 11 interventions were included in the qualitative analysis. Studies included interventions that were conducted in schools, online, or face-to-face. Studies were of high heterogeneity with regard to study duration, participant characteristics, intervention content, and outcome measures. Findings were equivocal with regard to intervention effectiveness for physical activity and sedentary behavior. Overall, 7 interventions resulted in an improvement for physical activity and 6 for sedentary behavior. All studies were judged to be of high risk of bias for at least 1 item.

CONCLUSIONS

Some studies in this review showed promising results for using SMS to improve physical activity and sedentary behavior in youth. High heterogeneity of design and outcome measures precluded data pooling and conclusions as to which specific intervention elements are linked to increased effectiveness cannot be drawn. The authors propose incorporating the following elements in future studies: specific focus on desired health behavior; mixed-methods design; include long-term follow-up; include self-monitoring, goal setting, and feedback; combine SMS with a mobile app; and send 3 or more SMS text messages per week. More rigorous studies are needed to explore the relationship between intervention effectiveness and specific intervention components such as content and delivery.

Strategies to Engage Adolescents in Digital Health Interventions for Obesity Prevention and Management

Obesity is one of the greatest health challenges facing today’s adolescents. Dietary interventions are the foundation of obesity prevention and management. As adolescents are digital frontrunners and early adopters of technology, digital health interventions appear the most practical modality for dietary behavior change interventions. Despite the rapid growth in digital health interventions, effective engagement with adolescents remains a pertinent issue. Key strategies for effective engagement include co-designing interventions with adolescents, personalization of interventions, and just-in-time adaptation using data from wearable devices. The aim of this paper is to appraise these strategies, which may be used to improve effective engagement and thereby improve the dietary behaviors of adolescents now and in the future.

User-Centered Design of a Mobile App for Weight and Health Management in Adolescents With Complex Health Needs: Qualitative Study

Background

Growing research has been conducted into the deployment and evaluation of mobile technology interventions for weight management in adolescents. However, no work has yet been conducted toward the development of these technologies for adolescents with complex health needs receiving specialized tertiary-level health care.

Objective

The aim of this study was to conduct a user-centered needs assessment of adolescents interested in weight management with complex health needs requiring specialized health care services, their parents, and health care providers (HCPs) to inform the design and development of a mobile app for weight and health management.

Methods

A qualitative study design was employed. Participants were recruited from two tertiary health care centers. Separate audiotaped focus group interviews were conducted with adolescents aged 12 to 18 years, parents, and HCPs. Interviews were transcribed, and field notes were collected by research staff. Iterative simple content analysis was performed independently by 4 research team members using computer software NVivo (QSR International) 10.0.

Results

A total of 19 adolescents, 16 parents, and 21 HCPs were interviewed. Qualitative analysis revealed seven major themes related to app functionality: healthy eating, social support, self-monitoring, communicating with HCPs, supporting mental health, gamification and incentives, and user interface (UI) design. Adolescents provided several ideas related to each feature, whereas parents’ views focused on assistance with meal planning and greater access to HCPs. HCPs viewed the app as a novel and more acceptable platform to connect remotely with adolescents than conventional methods. They also strongly endorsed the value of social support capabilities and the ability to connect with an HCP.

Conclusions

This is the first study to conduct a qualitative needs assessment in adolescents receiving specialized health care services toward the design of a mobile app for weight and health management. Our results indicate that core components of the app should include tailored meal recommendations and assistance with meal planning, social networking for peer support, customized and convenient tracking, remote access to HCPs, features to support mental health, and an attractive and engaging UI. These findings will be used to develop and evaluate a mobile app targeting adolescents with complex health needs.

Combined use of a wristband and a smartphone to reduce body weight in obese children: randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Technological instruments may help control paediatric obesity.

OBJECTIVE

We tested whether a personalized programme based on the energy expenditure obtained from a wristband (WB) and the energy intake obtained from a smartphone application (APP) is superior to a standard approach at promoting weight loss.

METHODS

We performed a randomized controlled trial in obese children aged 10-17 years. The experimental (EXP) and control (CTR) groups were given a low-energy diet and a prescription for physical activity. The EXP group was equipped with a WB and an APP and given personalized feedback every 7 days. The main outcome was weight loss at 3 months.

RESULTS

The mean (standard deviation) z-score of body mass index at the enrollment was 2.20 (0.47) in the EXP (n = 16 out of 23) and 2.09 (0.34) in the CTR group (n = 14 out of 20) of children who completed the trial. The mean (95%CI) difference in weight loss at 3 months was 0.07 kg (95%CI: 2.81 to 2.96) for EXP vs. the CTR.

CONCLUSION

A personalized lifestyle programme based on a WB and an APP was not superior to a standard lifestyle programme at promoting weight loss in obese children.

Lifestyle weight management programmes for children: A systematic review using Qualitative Comparative Analysis to identify critical pathways to effectiveness

This study aimed to identify critical features of successful lifestyle weight management interventions for overweight children (0-11years). Eleven qualitative UK-based studies examining children's, parents' and providers' perspectives and experiences of programmes were synthesised to identify components felt to be critical. Studies for this views synthesis were identified from existing reviews and an update of one review's search, which was run in December 2015. The identified components were then explored in a synthesis of intervention evaluations (five 'most effective' and 15 'least effective') conducted in western Europe, North America, Australia or New Zealand. The intervention evaluations were identified from existing reviews and an update of one review's search, which was run in March 2016. This evaluation synthesis was carried out using Qualitative Comparative Analysis. Three important mechanisms were present in all the most effective interventions but absent in all the least effective: 1/ showing families how to change: a) providing child physical activity sessions, b) delivering practical behaviour change strategy sessions, c) providing calorie intake advice; 2/ ensuring all the family are on board: a) delivering discussion/education sessions for both children and parents, b) delivering child-friendly sessions, c) aiming to change behaviours across the whole family; 3/ enabling social support for both parents and children by delivering both child group sessions and parent group sessions. To conclude, programmes should ensure the whole family is on board the programme, that parents and children can receive social support and are not just told what to change, but shown how.

Technology Components as Adjuncts to Family-Based Pediatric Obesity Treatment in Low-Income Minority Youth

BACKGROUND

Strategies to treat pediatric obesity are needed, especially among high-need populations. Technology is an innovative approach; however, data on technology as adjuncts to in-person treatment programs are limited.

METHODS

A total of 64 children [body mass index (BMI) ≥85th percentile, mean age = 9.6 ± 3.1 years, 32.8% female, 84.4% Hispanic] were recruited to participate in one of three cohorts of a family-based behavioral group (FBBG) treatment program: FBBG only, TECH1, and TECH2. Rolling, nonrandomized recruitment was used to enroll participants into three cohorts from May 2014 to February 2015. FBBG began in May 2014 and received the standard, in-person 12-week treatment only (n = 21); TECH1 began in September 2014 and received FBBG plus a digital tablet equipped with a fitness app (FITNET) (n = 20); TECH2 began in February 2015 and received FBBG and FITNET, plus five individually tailored TeleMed health-coaching sessions delivered via Skype (n = 23). Child BMI z-score (BMI-z) was assessed at baseline and postintervention. Secondary aims examined weekly FBBG attendance, feasibility/acceptability of FITNET and Skype, and the effect of technology engagement on BMI-z.

RESULTS

FBBG and TECH1 participants did not show significant reductions in BMI-z postintervention [FBBG: β = -0.05(0.04), p = 0.25; TECH1: β = -0.006(0.06), p = 0.92], but TECH2 participants did [β = -0.09(0.02), p < 0.001] and TeleMed session participation was significantly associated with BMI-z reduction [β = -0.04(0.01), p = 0.01]. FITNET use and FBBG attendance were not associated with BMI-z in any cohort. Overall, participants rated the technology as highly acceptable.

CONCLUSIONS

Technology adjuncts are feasible, used by hard-to-reach participants, and show promise for improving child weight status in obesity treatment programs.

Short-Term Efficacy of an Innovative Mobile Phone Technology-Based Intervention for Weight Management for Overweight and Obese Adolescents: Pilot Study

BACKGROUND

In the United States, approximately one-third of adolescents are now overweight or obese, and one in six is obese. This financial cost and the larger nonfinancial costs of obesity make obesity prevention and management for adolescents imperative for the health of the nation. However, primary care visits are typically brief, and primary care providers may lack adequate resources to help overweight or obese adolescents to manage weight issues. To augment the efficacy of primary care visits for adolescent weight management, mobile phone technology can be used as an adjunct treatment that provides additional opportunities for encouraging improvement in lifestyle, attainment, and maintenance of healthy weight.

OBJECTIVE

The purposes of this study were to (1) measure effects of an innovative mobile phone technology-based intervention for overweight and obese adolescents and to (2) examine the intervention's feasibility for use in primary care clinics.

METHODS

The mobile phone-based intervention had three components: use of the Fitbit Flex, participation in an online educational program, and receipt of biweekly text messages during the maintenance phase. A randomized controlled study design was utilized. Data regarding anthropometrics (body mass index [BMI] and waist-to-hip ratio), blood pressure, levels of physical and sedentary activity, diet, and self-efficacy regarding physical activity and diet were collected at baseline and at 3 and 6 months after the baseline assessment.

RESULTS

A total of 40 adolescents participated in the study. At the 6-month follow-up visit, compared to participants in the control group, the mobile phone-based intervention participants had significant improvement in BMI (z=-4.37, P=.001), diastolic blood pressure (z=-3.23, P=.001), physical activity days per week (z=2.58, P=.01), TV and computer time (z=-3.34, P=.001), servings of fruits and vegetables per day (z=2.74, P=.006), servings of soda and sweetened drinks (z=-3.19, P=.001), physical activity self-efficacy (z=2.75, P=.006), and dietary self-efficacy (z=5.05, P=.001). Medium to large effect sizes were found in these outcome variables.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of mobile technologies may offer a practical, reliable adjunct to weight management for overweight and obese adolescents in busy primary care clinics serving adolescents.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov NCT 01693250; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01693250? term=Adolescent+ obesity+AND+mhealth&rank=5 (Archived by WebCite at ).

A Pilot Intervention Designed to Address Behavioral Factors That Place Overweight/Obese Young Children at Risk for Later-Life Obesity

The purpose of this pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to intervene with parents of overweight/obese 4- to 8-year-old children to improve child internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Parent-child dyads ( N = 60) were randomly assigned to treatment or comparison conditions. Parents attended four intervention sessions at their child's primary health care office over 3 months. Child behaviors were assessed at 0, 3, 6, and 12 months post intervention. Parental beliefs in their skills/abilities increased in the experimental group parents, but there was no statistical difference between groups at any time. Child externalizing behaviors significantly decreased from baseline to postintervention for both groups ( F = 3.26, p = .020). Post hoc model testing suggests that this change was more pronounced in the intervention group ( F = 0.56, p = .692). Child somatic symptoms significantly decreased over time ( F = 4.55, p = .004), and there were group differences in child depressive behaviors ( F = 6.19, p = .020). These findings suggest that a parent-focused intervention program demonstrated positive preliminary effects on children's behaviors.

Does parental and adolescent participation in an e-health lifestyle modification intervention improves weight outcomes?

BACKGROUND

Few studies have evaluated the effect of adherence to a lifestyle intervention on adolescent health outcomes. The objective of this study was to determine whether adolescent and parental adherence to components of an e-health intervention resulted in change in adolescent body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) z-scores in a sample of overweight/obese adolescents.

METHODS

In total, 159 overweight/obese adolescents and their parents participated in an 8-month e-health lifestyle intervention. Each week, adolescents and their parents were asked to login to their respective website and to monitor their dietary, physical activity, and sedentary behaviours. We examined participation (percentage of webpages viewed [adolescents]; number of weeks logged in [parents]) and self-monitoring (number of weeks behaviors were tracked) rates. Linear mixed models and multiple regressions were used to examine change in adolescent BMI and WC z-scores and predictors of adolescent participation and self-monitoring, respectively.

RESULTS

Adolescents and parents completed 28% and 23%, respectively, of the online component of the intervention. Higher adolescent participation rate was associated with a decrease in the slope of BMI z-score but not with change in WC z-score. No association was found between self-monitoring rate and change in adolescent BMI or WC z-scores. Parent participation was not found to moderate the relationship between adolescent participation and weight outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Developing strategies for engaging and promoting supportive interactions between adolescents and parents are needed in the e-health context. Findings demonstrate that improving adolescents' adherence to e-health lifestyle intervention can effectively alter the weight trajectory of overweight/obese adolescents.