Ji-Soo Lee, Min-Ah Kang, Soo-Kyoung Lee
Journal: Journal of medical Internet research 2021;22(7):e17031
PMID: 32729838
Metabolic syndrome is a group of health conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. These conditions include high blood pressure, increased waist size, abnormal blood sugar levels, and unhealthy cholesterol levels. Developing healthy lifestyle habits at a young age may help prevent metabolic syndrome later in life. Digital health tools such as smartphone apps and wearable devices are increasingly being used to support healthier behaviours.
This experimental study examined the effects of the e-Motivate4Change programme, which uses health apps and wearable devices to encourage lifestyle changes in young adults. The research used a quasi-experimental design and included 59 university students from two universities in Daegu, Korea. Participants used digital tools to monitor health behaviours, such as physical activity and lifestyle habits. The study aimed to determine whether this technology-based programme could improve behaviours related to metabolic syndrome.
The results showed that participants who used the e-Motivate4Change programme demonstrated improvements in several health behaviours, including increased physical activity and healthier lifestyle habits. Some indicators related to metabolic syndrome also improved compared with the comparison group, suggesting that the programme helped participants better manage metabolic syndrome risk factors.
The researchers concluded that digital health programmes using apps and wearable devices may help young adults adopt healthier behaviours that reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome. Healthcare professionals could use similar technology-based interventions to support lifestyle changes, monitor health behaviours, and promote long-term disease prevention among young adults.
BACKGROUND
The health behaviors of young adults lag behind those of other age groups, and active health management is needed to improve health behaviors and prevent chronic diseases. In addition, developing good lifestyle habits earlier in life could reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) later on.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of the e-Motivate4Change program, for which health apps and wearable devices were selected based on user needs. The program was developed for the prevention and management of MetS in young adults.
METHODS
This experimental study used a nonequivalent control group. In total, 59 students from 2 universities in Daegu, Korea participated in the study (experimental group n=30; control group n=29). Data were collected over 4 months, from June 1 to September 30, 2018. The experimental group received a 12-week e-Motivate4Change program intervention, and the control group received MetS education and booklets without the e-Motivate4Change program intervention.
RESULTS
After the program, the experimental group had significantly higher scores for health-related lifestyle (t=3.86; P<.001) and self-efficacy (t=6.00; P<.001) than did the control group. Concerning BMI, there were significant effects by group (F=1.01; P<.001) and for the group × time interaction (F=4.71; P=.034). Concerning cholesterol, there were significant main effects for group (F=4.32; P=.042) and time (F=9.73; P<.001).
CONCLUSIONS
The e-Motivate4Change program effectively improved participants' health-related lifestyle scores and self-efficacy, and significantly reduced their BMI and cholesterol levels. The program can be used to identify and prevent MetS among young adults.
©Ji-Soo Lee, Min-Ah Kang, Soo-Kyoung Lee. Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (http://www.jmir.org), 30.07.2020.
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