JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Behavioral change interventions using smartphone applications (apps) have increased worldwide to prevent non-communicable diseases. However, most previous studies on the use and effects of apps have been conducted in developed countries, and rarely in developing countries.

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to compare the characteristics of long-term use of an app and examine the effects of app use on body weight changes over time in developing and OECD countries.

Methods:

Secondary data analysis was conducted with the repeated measures to compare the long-term use and effectiveness of an app between developing and OECD countries. Data were collected from users (n=186) in developing countries and users (n=825) in OECD countries who utilized the app for 360-day. The app provided programs for self-monitoring of physical activity, dietary intake, and body weight. Descriptive statistics, independent T-tests, Chi-square tests and linear mixed models were used for analysis.

Results:

Body weight of overall users (N=1,011) significantly decreased over time (-1.79kg, p<.001), however, there was no statistically significant difference in the change of body weight over time between developing and OECD countries (p=.785). The changes in body weight over time differed by gender (β= -.970, p=.001). In addition, users who frequently monitored their exercise (-0.02kg, p=.029) and dinner (-0.01kg, p=.011) showed significant weight loss over time.

Conclusions:

This study found that smartphone apps could be effective tools for self-monitoring of health-related behaviors and achieving the targeted health outcomes like weight loss regardless of the level of development of the user’s country of residence.