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.

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BACKGROUND Recently, the survey shows that the health habits of young adults has been crippled. In addition, the modification of health habits has been considered nearly impossible in the older adult group. Therefore, health management strategies should be built up to prevent chronic diseases. In order to prevent one of chronic diseases, metabolic syndrome (MetS), prevention and intervention programs should be developed for health habit change. OBJECTIVE This study investigated the effects of the e-Motivate4Change (EMC) program using mobile applications and wearable devices, which were developed for the prevention and management of MetS in young adult university students. METHODS This experimental study utilized a non-equality control group. Fifty-seven female second graders and two male students from two universities in D metropolitan city in Korea participated (n = 30, experimental group; n = 29, control group). The experimental group received a 12-week EMC program intervention, and the control group received MetS education and booklets without the EMC 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 body mass index, there were significant effects for group (F = 1.01, p < .001) and 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 EMC program effectively improved participants’ health-related lifestyle and self-efficacy and significantly reduced their obesity and cholesterol levels. The program can be used to identify and prevent MetS among young adults. CLINICALTRIAL Institutional Review Board of Keimyung University (no. 40525-201704-HR-020-02).