Effects of the e-Motivate4Change Program on Metabolic Syndrome in Young Adults Using Health Apps and Wearable Devices: Quasi-Experimental Study (Preprint)

Abstract

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).