Effectiveness of App-Based Intervention to Improve Health Status of Sedentary Middle-Aged Males and Females

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 May 11;19(10):5857. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19105857.

Abstract

Background: Adherence to a nutritional program and physical activity are the fundamental aspects of treatment for weight loss and associated problems. Previous research has shown that self-monitoring using a mobile device improves self-management.

Methods: A total of 35 subjects (40.6 ± 9.24 years) participated in the study. During the control period (3 months), they received physical exercise guidelines and a personalized nutritional program, with the aim of promoting health status. In the experimental period (3 months), there was also a connection between the physical world (health care processes) and the digital world (app). All participants had their body composition and cardiovascular variables measured. They also underwent calcaneal densitometry to determine bone quality. Descriptive statistics, correlations and analysis of variance were performed (by a researcher who was not involved in the data collection) to study the changes between before and after interventions, as well as to make a comparison between treatments.

Results: The use of an app, in which there exist a prediction of the evolution, messages of results and advice, among others, mediated by the assistance of dietitians/nutritionists and sports scientists, had a positive impact on the improvement of health parameters, showing significant differences in all variables except troponin.

Conclusions: The combination of healthy habits with the use of the app provided benefits, improving health.

Keywords: bioelectrical impedance analysis; blood pressure; body composition; health; mHealth; mobile app; personalized nutrition; weight management.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Exercise
  • Female
  • Health Status
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mobile Applications*
  • Nutritionists*
  • Weight Loss

Grants and funding

This research was funded by the project called “CS2—“COR SANO IN CORPORE SANO””, financed by SME R&D Project Program (PIDI-CV) of the Instituto Valenciano de Competitividad Empresarial (IVACE): IMIDTA/2020/85.