Designing a mobile app to promote healthy behaviors and prevent obesity: analysis of adolescents' preferences. (2nd July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Frontini, R.; Sousa, P.; Dixe, M. A.; Ferreira, R.; Figueiredo, M. C.
• Is Part Of: Informatics for health & social care. Volume 45:Number 3(2020)
• Page Start: 327
• Page End: 341
• Publication Date: 2020-07-02
• Subjects: Adolescents -- information and communication technologies -- mobile app -- TeenPower; Medicine -- Information services -- Periodicals; Medical informatics -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Data processing -- Periodicals; 025.0661
• DOI: 10.1080/17538157.2020.1725766
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1753-8157

Abstract

ABSTRACT: To ensure that adolescents adhere to programmes promoting healthy behaviors, these programmes must be appealing and interesting. This study aims to characterize and assess the devices, operating system and type of mobile apps frequently used by adolescents; understand the features that mHealth apps should have to be appealing; comprehend the facilitators and barriers for adolescents to use mHealth apps. The sample comprised 165 adolescents (12–18 years) from the main population, recruited in 2018. Most participants used smartphones and the Android system. Food and physical activity suggestions were considered the most important features for an mHealth app. 62.6% had never tried an mHealth app. For those who had tried one, 26.0% stated it was to improve health status/lifestyle. Their favorite feature was physical exercise tips/plans (41.8%). Adolescents pointed out that the reasons that made them keep using the app were utility and interest (35.7%). Regarding possible barriers, 48.4% reported a lack of a senseof need/practical utility, and 18.8% considered notifications as their least favorite feature. Lack of interest was pointed out for 38.2% as the main reason for stopping use. Results provide practical information for the planning, design, and implementation of future mHealth apps for the promotion of healthy behaviors – an important implication for future research in this area.