Browsing by Funder "Africa Hub - Health Alliance"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Using a mobile health software in improving diet quality and physical activity and nutrition status among youth in Nairobi, Kenya
    (Moi University, 2020) Orado, Thalma K.
    Introduction: Socioeconomic transitions globally and in Kenya have an influence onlifestyles including dietary choices and physical activity. These changes can be linkedto increasing trends in morbidity and mortality associated with overweight, obesityand non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.Key prevention strategies include being physically active and eating a healthy diet.Several strategies have been employed tackle the problem including the use ofinnovative m-health (MH) technology. However, the application of these technologies indeveloping countries such as Kenya is limited.Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the use an MHsoftware could improve diet quality and physical activity and consequently lead toweight-loss among youth aged 18-35 years living in Nairobi.Methods: A randomized controlled trial approach was adopted; where baselinedata on diet quality, physical activity (PA) levels, Basal Metabolic Index (BMI) andwaist circumference (WC) was collected, and follow-up data after s i x a n d t welveweeks. Young adults with no apparent underlying condition deemed unsafe for thestudy, with BMI>24.9KgM-2 aged 18 to 35 years from 5 institutions of higherlearning were recruited (N=72; male=12, female=60). Subjects were solicited byvolunteerism. Participants were randomly allocated into either the experimental (app)or control (diary) groups by tossing a coin. Diet quality was assessed using the RapidEating Assessment for Patients-short version (REAP-S), while physical activity wasmeasured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and weight-loss was assessed using BMI and WC. Baseline and follow-up means were comparedusing independent t-Test between groups and repeated measures ANOVA withingroups. Relationship between app or diary use and improved diet quality,physical activity and nutritional status was examined using multiple linear regression.P < 0.05 was considered significant.Results: There was a statistically significant improvement in diet quality (REAP-SP=0.001) and physical activity (MET-Min/Week P=0.001) for participants using theapp at the 6 th week. However, this was not sustained up to the 12 th week (REAP-SP=0.33; MET-Min/Week P=0.18). Although participants using the app lost weight, thedifference was not statistically significant when compared to those in the control at both6 and 12 weeks (WC P=0.300; BMI P=0.070) and (WC P=0.38: BMI P=0.18)respectively. Multiple regression analyses also revealed adherence to the app did notsignificantly predict improvement in diet quality (REAP-S: β=0.46 t (70) = 0.372, ns)and physical activity (MET-min/week: β=-0.016, t (70) =-0.0131, ns). Quantitativedata revealed: more than half participants found the app “moderately satisfactory”(76%) and “moderately easy” to use (81%). However, comments raised showeddiscontentment with functionality of the app.Conclusions and recommendations: The study found the app to be effective inimproving diet quality and physical activity at 6 weeks, but results were not sustainedin the long run. However, the app was not effective in helping users achieve significantweight-loss compared to control. This research provides evidence that warrants therecommendation to use MH technology to address issues of healthy eating and physicalactivity in policy and practice. The app used in this study had major functionalityconcerns that require to be addressed opening it to use by the public