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Starting the Conversation - A Childhood Obesity Knowledge Project Using an App
Hoa B Appel1, Bu Huang2, Allison Cole3
1Snohomish County YMCA, Minority Achievers Program.
British Journal of Medicine and Medical Research
|March 29, 2014
Summary
A pilot study found that a smartphone app intervention improved nutrition and physical activity in high school students, reducing screen time and fast food consumption. This offers a promising approach to combat childhood obesity.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Informatics
- Adolescent Health
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a significant public health concern.
- Smartphone applications offer a novel platform for health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To pilot a smartphone application intervention for childhood obesity.
- To assess changes in nutritional knowledge, physical activity, and screen time among high school students.
Main Methods:
- A 20-day intervention using a smartphone app or handwritten logs.
- Sample of 118 high school students (grades 9-12) from diverse backgrounds.
- Comparison of physical activity, screen time, and nutritional variables pre- and post-intervention.
Main Results:
- App users consumed less fast food and exercised more than non-app users.
- Screen time decreased, and knowledge of vegetable and water consumption increased in the app group.
- No significant change in Body Mass Index (BMI) was observed.
Conclusions:
- Smartphone interventions show potential for improving adolescent health behaviors.
- Further research is needed on specific ethnic subgroups and targeted interventions for high BMI students.
- Understanding factors influencing physical activity and diet in youth is crucial for addressing obesity.
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