Effectiveness of a Weight Management Program Applying Mobile Health Technology as a Supporting Tool for Overweight and Obese Working Women

Abstract

© 2018 APJPH. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a weight management program applying mobile health (mHealth) technology as a supporting tool. A quasi-experimental research with a 1-group pretest and posttest design was conducted. Thirty-eight overweight and obese working women, aged 25 to 52 years, who were ready to take action on weight loss participated in a 12-week weight management program. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to examine the mean differences in related variables. The results showed that the mean weight and waist circumference of the participants significantly decreased from baseline to post-intervention (week 6) and follow-up (week 12; 72.2 ± 10.4, 71.6 ± 10.8, 71.4 ± 11.0 kg, P =.008, and 92.1 ± 10.1, 89.9 ± 9.9, 87.8 ± 10.7 cm, P <.001, respectively). Moreover, they had significantly improved self-efficacy for healthy eating and physical activity, eating behaviors, dietary intake patterns, and frequency of taking stairs. This weight management program was effective for the prevention and control of overweight and obesity.