Development and Application of a Web-Based Nutritional Management Program to Improve Dietary Behaviors for the Prevention of Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop a Web-based nutritional management program for the prevention of metabolic syndrome and to evaluate how the program affects health-related behaviors and the health status of office workers with metabolic syndrome risk factors. For the pilot test of the Web-based nutritional management program, 29 employees (19 males, 10 females) with more than one metabolic syndrome risk factor participated in the Web-based nutritional management program for 16 weeks. Participants visited the Web site more than two times per week and completed customized assessments of health status, smoking habits, alcohol consumption, dietary habits, food intake, ideal body weight, energy requirements, and exercise. Subjects had a significant decrease in body weight, waist circumference, body mass index (P < .01 in males, P < .05 in females), and body fat (P < .01 in males). The frequency of dietary habits such as eating snacks, eating out, and dining with others decreased, whereas the frequency of intake of foods such as whole grains, seaweed, fruit, and low-fat milk increased after intervention. After 16 weeks, program satisfaction was evaluated using a Web evaluation questionnaire, and most of the participants were highly satisfied with Web site components such as the loading speed, configuration, privacy, design, functionality, and contents.

Users, Uses, and Effects of Social Media in Dietetic Practice: Scoping Review of the Quantitative and Qualitative Evidence

“…In total, 8 intervention studies targeted healthy users (8/34, 24%) [ 18 , 43 , 50 , 58 , 66 , 76 , 79 , 80 ]. Other health conditions included patients with type 1 diabetes [ 64 ] (1/34, 3%), patients with type 2 diabetes [ 77 ] (1/34, 3%), patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (1/34, 3%) [ 84 ], and patients with metabolic syndrome (1/34, 3%) [ 42 ]. The principal health conditions of social media users were not described in 5 intervention studies [ 37 , 40 , 47 , 48 , 78 ].…”

Balancing Between Privacy and Patient Needs for Health Information in the Age of Participatory Health and Social Media: A Scoping Review

“…During the testing of a Website for heart failure symptom monitoring that was to be embedded into a patient portal, participants expressed concerns about what would be done with the data 29 . In a trial in which participants used a Web-based nutrition management program with the goal of preventing metabolic syndrome, users reported satisfaction with the privacy-preserving features of the tool, which included user authentication and SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encryption 30 .…”

The effectiveness of telemedicine in the prevention of type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of interventions

“…Seven studies showed improvements in BMI at follow-ups between 2.5 to six months (35, 36, 38, 39, 42–44). Four studies found significant improvements in waist circumference (36, 39, 42, 43). Four studies reported significant improvements in HbA1c-Levels (36, 37, 40, 44).…”

“…Five studies reported significant blood pressure changes (38–40, 43, 44), and one study showed only significant changes in men but not in women (39). Further outcomes included improved physical activity frequency (38, 43) vegetable intake, caloric intake, and improved dietary habits such as adopting a Mediterranean diet (38, 39, 42, 43). Additionally, positive effects of telemedicine interventions on work absenteeism (35), self-efficacy, and knowledge regarding nutrition (38) were found.…”