Feasibility of Technology Mediated Lifestyle Intervention for Overweight and Obese Young Adults
- Conditions
- Overweight and Obesity
- Interventions
- Behavioral: R-BasicBehavioral: R-Enhanced
- Registration Number
- NCT04919759
- Lead Sponsor
- United Arab Emirates University
- Brief Summary
Rashakaty (Fitness for Me) study aimed to design a new technologies-based intervention using a website and smart phone applications and to test the feasibility of implementing a lifestyle intervention using these technologies for overweight and obese university students. The intervention was implemented in two universities in the United Arab Emirates
- Detailed Description
Poor eating habits and sedentary lifestyle are common among young adults and increase risk for chronic diseases in subsequent years of life. Rashakaty (Fitness for Me) study aimed to design a new technologies-based intervention using a website and smart phone applications and to test the feasibility of implementing a lifestyle intervention using these technologies for overweight and obese university students. The study intervention was guided by Social Cognitive Theory. The study involved the development of a website, integrating educational material and mobile applications for monitoring diet and physical activity and a16-week feasibility trial to promote weight loss, improve food choices and increase physical activity levels. The trial consisted of two arms: Rashakaty Basic (R-Basic) and Rashakaty Enhanced (R-Enhanced).
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- COMPLETED
- Sex
- Female
- Target Recruitment
- 246
- Overweight or obese (BMI ≥25.0
- Adults: Female
- Age: 18-35 years
- Current user of a smart phone
- Student in one of the two target universities in the United Arab Emirates
- Living in or off the university campus
- Past or planned weight loss surgery
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- Lost 7 kg in the past 3 months
- Following any weight loss program for 3 months or more
- Taking any steroid or thyroid hormones treatment or any other medication that may affect body weight
- Enrolled in medical and nutrition programs since one of the program components was nutrition knowledge assessments
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Rashakaty Basic (R-Basic) R-Basic Participants in the R-Basic intervention arm had access to a website that contained the study questionnaires and nutrition education materials Rashakaty Enhanced (R-Enhanced) R-Enhanced Participants in the R-Enhanced intervention were given access to smart phones applications for monitoring diet and physical activity levels as well as an online access to a nutritionist
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Body weight 16 weeks changes in body weight
Body composition 16 weeks Changes in body composition (percent body fat)
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Nutrition knowledge 16 weeks The General Nutrition Awareness Questionnaire (GNKQ) validated by Parmenter and Wardle in the UK. was used after local adaptation. Four main categories containing a total of 58 items were assessed:1) Awareness of dietary recommendations (11 items); 2) Knowledge of sources of nutrients (37 items); (3) Using the information to make dietary choices (5 items); and 4) Awareness of diet-disease relationships (5 items).
Physical activity 16 weeks Changes in physical activity (number of days and duration) was used using The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) - Short Form
Perceived social support from family and closest friends. 16 weeks Perceived social support for healthier foods and physical activity scale of Health Beliefs Questionnaire which was originally developed by Anderson, E. and colleagues was used after adaptation for university students in the UAE. The social support subscale (16 items for healthy eating and 7 items for physical activity) measures social influences on participants by their family members and closest friends. Each question is scored 1-5 (1 - Strongly disagree, 5 - Strongly agree).
Perceived self-efficacy for healthier eating and physical activity 16 weeks Perceived self-efficacy scale of Health Beliefs Questionnaire which was originally developed by Anderson, E. and colleagues after local adaptation was used. It consists of 33 items for healthy eating and 24 items for physical activity. The healthy food efficacy measure assesses the respondent's confidence in reducing fat, reducing sugar consumption and increasing fruit and vegetable intake. The physical activity measure consists of two subscales: overcoming barriers to engaging in physical activity and integrating physical activity into the daily routine. Each question is scored 0 to 100 (certain I cannot) to 100) all or most of the time.
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
United Arab Emirates University
🇦🇪Al Ain, Select State Or Region, United Arab Emirates