Browsing by Author "Slazus, Cecil"
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- ItemUse of a mobile health application in wellness : an assessment of needs, perceptions, usability and efficacy in changing dietary choices in a university student population(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-12) Slazus, Cecil; Ebrahim, Zarina; Koen, Nelene; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Global Health. Human Nutrition.ENGLISH SUMMARY: Introduction: It is essential to promote wellness in order to improve the health of the population and reduce the cost of healthcare. This study aimed to explore the use of mobile health (mHealth) applications (apps) as dietary self-monitoring tools for wellness purposes, as well as their possible role in the improvement of food choices. One specific app, MyFitnessPal, is explored in greater depth. Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study consisted of two phases, each entailing a corresponding self-administered electronic survey. Undergraduate students (aged 18 to 25 years) served as the sample population. The Phase 1 survey aimed to assess the need for and perceptions of mobile health applications to serve as dietary assessment tools for wellness purposes, and to analyse mobile health app use and various demographic characteristics. The Phase 2 survey was conducted after a three-week period of using MyFitnessPal and aimed to assess the usability of this mobile health app, as well as its perceived efficacy in changing dietary choices. Data was analysed using Stata SE version 15.1. Descriptive statistics were used to describe participant demographic variables. Dietary Instrument for Nutrition Education (DINE) scores were compared using a paired t-test. Mean change in scores was calculated with a 95% confidence interval. Results: The first phase survey was completed by 991 students. The majority of participants indicated that they wanted to improve their diet in order to be healthier and to improve their weight, and that they actively searched for information on how to accomplish this. More than three-quarters (79.31%, n=786) of the participants indicated that they were aware of mobile health apps that allow for diet tracking, with less than half of these (42.79%, n=423) having made use of any such app. MyFitnessPal was the most popular diet-tracking app that participants had used previously (67.45%, n=286). The second phase survey was completed by 61 students. MyFitnessPal was found to be relatively easy to use, with some issues experienced in selecting the right food item from the database, and ensuring the correct portion sizes. Users reported that MyFitnessPal helped them to change their dietary intake and advance towards their personal weight and health goals. Dietary data reflects a significant reduction in high-sugar food intake after the use of MyFitnessPal (p=0.030). No change was found in the intake of high-fat foods (p=0.910) or fruit and vegetables (p=0.980). Conclusion: Findings demonstrate that a need for diet-tracking health apps exists and that users find them effective in changing their dietary choices. These apps are widely used, perceived as helpful tools by users, and may play a contributing role by increasing individuals’ awareness of their eating habits together with providing information on how to optimise food choices. Despite their popularity, there are concerns about the quality and evidence base of the information provided by popular health apps. The use of these types of apps with the guidance of a trained nutrition professional may prove valuable in improving their efficacy.