TY - JOUR
T1 - A Novel Web App for Dietary Weight Management
T2 - Development, Implementation, and Usability Study
AU - Oliveira, Ashleigh
AU - Wolff, John
AU - Alfouzan, Nouf
AU - Yu, Jin
AU - Yahya, Asma
AU - Lammy, Kayla
AU - Nakamura, Manabu T.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 JMIR Publications Inc.. All rights reserved.
PY - 2024
Y1 - 2024
N2 - Background: Online weight loss programs have ambiguous efficacy. There is a growing body of evidence that weight loss programs when combined with apps have better outcomes; however, many apps lack an evidence-based approach to dietary changes for weight loss and do not rely on a theoretical framework for behavior change. Objective: This study aimed to describe the development and the preliminary usability and acceptability testing of a web app that uses behavior change techniques (BCTs) to support users of a comprehensive online weight loss program. Methods: The weight loss program intervention components were nutrient and weight tracking charts that needed a remotely accessible and online format. The app was designed by nutrition researchers and developers in a collaborative effort. A review of BCTs in weight loss and web apps was performed as well as an assessment of user needs to inform the initial prototype. A preliminary app prototype, version 1.0, was provided to participants of a weight loss trial (N=30) to assess for feasibility of its use. A full app prototype, version 2.0, was feasibility and acceptability tested by trial participants (n=11) with formal feedback by Likert-scale survey and open-ended questions. In the final round of testing, a user group of scientists and developers (n=11) was selected to provide a structured 3-month review through which the group met weekly for collective feedback sessions. Results: The process resulted in a fully developed web app, MealPlot, by the Applied Research Institute, for meal planning and weight tracking that can be used by weight loss users and health professionals to track their patients. MealPlot includes a weight chart, a protein-fiber chart, and a chat feature. In addition, MealPlot has 2 distinct platforms, 1 for weight loss users and 1 for health professionals. Selected BCTs for incorporation into the app were goal setting, feedback, problem-solving, self-monitoring, and social support. Version 1.0 was used successfully to provide a functioning, online weight chart over the course of a 1-year trial. Version 2.0 provided a functional weight chart and meal planning page, but 8 out of 11 participants indicated MealPlot was difficult to use. Version 3.0 was developed based on feedback and strategies provided from user group testing. Conclusions: The web app, MealPlot, was developed to improve outcomes and functionality of an online weight loss program by providing a remote method of tracking weight, food intake, and connecting users to health professionals for consistent guidance that is not otherwise available in a traditional in-person health care setting. The final version 3.0 of the web app will be refined based on findings of a review study gathering feedback from health professionals and from actual weight loss users who are part of a clinical weight loss trial.
AB - Background: Online weight loss programs have ambiguous efficacy. There is a growing body of evidence that weight loss programs when combined with apps have better outcomes; however, many apps lack an evidence-based approach to dietary changes for weight loss and do not rely on a theoretical framework for behavior change. Objective: This study aimed to describe the development and the preliminary usability and acceptability testing of a web app that uses behavior change techniques (BCTs) to support users of a comprehensive online weight loss program. Methods: The weight loss program intervention components were nutrient and weight tracking charts that needed a remotely accessible and online format. The app was designed by nutrition researchers and developers in a collaborative effort. A review of BCTs in weight loss and web apps was performed as well as an assessment of user needs to inform the initial prototype. A preliminary app prototype, version 1.0, was provided to participants of a weight loss trial (N=30) to assess for feasibility of its use. A full app prototype, version 2.0, was feasibility and acceptability tested by trial participants (n=11) with formal feedback by Likert-scale survey and open-ended questions. In the final round of testing, a user group of scientists and developers (n=11) was selected to provide a structured 3-month review through which the group met weekly for collective feedback sessions. Results: The process resulted in a fully developed web app, MealPlot, by the Applied Research Institute, for meal planning and weight tracking that can be used by weight loss users and health professionals to track their patients. MealPlot includes a weight chart, a protein-fiber chart, and a chat feature. In addition, MealPlot has 2 distinct platforms, 1 for weight loss users and 1 for health professionals. Selected BCTs for incorporation into the app were goal setting, feedback, problem-solving, self-monitoring, and social support. Version 1.0 was used successfully to provide a functioning, online weight chart over the course of a 1-year trial. Version 2.0 provided a functional weight chart and meal planning page, but 8 out of 11 participants indicated MealPlot was difficult to use. Version 3.0 was developed based on feedback and strategies provided from user group testing. Conclusions: The web app, MealPlot, was developed to improve outcomes and functionality of an online weight loss program by providing a remote method of tracking weight, food intake, and connecting users to health professionals for consistent guidance that is not otherwise available in a traditional in-person health care setting. The final version 3.0 of the web app will be refined based on findings of a review study gathering feedback from health professionals and from actual weight loss users who are part of a clinical weight loss trial.
KW - BCT
KW - behavior change technique
KW - dietary fiber
KW - health application
KW - meal planning
KW - mHealth
KW - mobile health
KW - online weight loss program
KW - sustainable weight loss
KW - weight loss
KW - weight monitoring
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85209131005&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85209131005&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.2196/58363
DO - 10.2196/58363
M3 - Article
C2 - 39527795
AN - SCOPUS:85209131005
SN - 2561-326X
VL - 8
JO - JMIR Formative Research
JF - JMIR Formative Research
M1 - e58363
ER -