JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

By 2022, it is estimated that the rate of female obesity (78%) in Saudi Arabia will almost double that of males (41%). Despite being mainly attributed to poor diet, sedentary lifestyle and a lack of health awareness, behavioural modification interventions are relatively new to the population; bariatric surgery continues to be the treatment of choice for comorbidities, however, neither pre- nor post-operative diet and exercise is promoted. Evidence-informed mHealth weight loss apps and interventions may be an effective tool with which to deliver a culturally-relevant intervention.

Objective:

To determine the efficacy of a newly designed Arabic weight-loss app (Twazon) that promotes lifestyle modification specific to Arab populations.

Methods:

A 4-month feasibility study evaluated the effects of an evidence-informed weight-loss app on the lifestyles and body weight of 240 Saudi women with obesity and/or overweight residing in Riyadh. Participants were preliminarily trained on the use of the Twazon app and advised to download it. Anthropometric, dietary and physical activity assessments were taken at three assessments: baseline, 2-months and 4-months; app usage and system usability were evaluated during the two latter data collection periods.

Results:

Forty participants completed the 4-month intervention with an attrition rate of 83.3%. An evaluation of app usage fostered two groups: engaged users (65%) and unengaged users. At 4-months, the engaged users experienced more successful outcomes; body weight was lowered on average by 1.3 ± 0.6 kg (p=0.183), waist circumference was reduced by 4.9 ± 1.1 cm (p<0.001) and daily energy consumption decreased by >600 calories (p=0.002). Unengaged users experienced minor changes in body weight, waist circumference and reduced energy intake.

Conclusions:

The findings demonstrate that engagement with the Twazon app renders positive changes in body weight, waist circumference and energy intake. mHealth weight loss apps and interventions have the potential to be effective in promoting weight loss and healthy lifestyle modification in Saudi Arabia and similar populations.