Moath Mohammed Albarrak, Nasriah Zakaria, Sultan Ayoub Meo
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objectives: Obesity is a chronic, multifaceted, leading health problem causing numerous non-communicable diseases with a huge burden on the global healthcare system and economies. Worldwide, multiple interventions have been familiarized for weight reduction strategies, however, in recent years, mobile health applications (mHealth apps) for reshaping weight reduction have been introduced. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the role of mobile health applications in reducing weight among users in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Methods: This questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Family and Community Medicine, and Medical Education, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh from May 2019 to December 2022. A total of 502 participants, 332 (66.1%) females and 170 (33.9%) males aged 18-50 years, using smartphones, residing in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia were recruited. The questionnaire was distributed via social media platforms including WhatsApp, and emails and information were recorded.
Results: Among 502 participants, 221 (44.02%) were using mobile health applications and 281 (55.98%) did not use mobile health applications. The results revealed that the participants who have been using mHealth apps for the last six months had significantly decreased body weight compared to those who did not use the mHealth apps (p=0.001).
Conclusions: The study participants using mobile health applications (mHealth apps) had significantly reduced their body weight and felt healthier. The mHealth apps provide health-related information regularly to individuals to track their weight, monitor diet, and physical activity, and information about their overall health.
期刊介绍：
It is a peer reviewed medical journal published regularly since 1984. It was previously known as quarterly "SPECIALIST" till December 31st 1999. It publishes original research articles, review articles, current practices, short communications & case reports. It attracts manuscripts not only from within Pakistan but also from over fifty countries from abroad.
Copies of PJMS are sent to all the import medical libraries all over Pakistan and overseas particularly in South East Asia and Asia Pacific besides WHO EMRO Region countries. Eminent members of the medical profession at home and abroad regularly contribute their write-ups, manuscripts in our publications. We pursue an independent editorial policy, which allows an opportunity to the healthcare professionals to express their views without any fear or favour. That is why many opinion makers among the medical and pharmaceutical profession use this publication to communicate their viewpoint.
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