mHealth-Based Diabetes Prevention Program for Chinese Mothers With Abdominal Obesity: Randomized Controlled Trial
BackgroundAmong people with abdominal obesity, women are more likely to develop diabetes than men. Mobile health (mHealth)–based technologies provide the flexibility and resource-saving opportunities to improve lifestyles in an individualized way. However, mHealth-based diabe...
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JMIR Publications
2025-01-01
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| Series: | JMIR mHealth and uHealth |
| Online Access: | https://mhealth.jmir.org/2025/1/e47837 |
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| author | Qinyuan Huang Qinyi Zhong Yanjing Zeng Yimeng Li James Wiley Man Ping Wang Jyu-Lin Chen Jia Guo |
| author_facet | Qinyuan Huang Qinyi Zhong Yanjing Zeng Yimeng Li James Wiley Man Ping Wang Jyu-Lin Chen Jia Guo |
| author_sort | Qinyuan Huang |
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BackgroundAmong people with abdominal obesity, women are more likely to develop diabetes than men. Mobile health (mHealth)–based technologies provide the flexibility and resource-saving opportunities to improve lifestyles in an individualized way. However, mHealth-based diabetes prevention programs tailored for busy mothers with abdominal obesity have not been reported yet.
ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of an mHealth-based diabetes prevention program and its preliminary efficacy in reducing weight-related variables, behavioral variables, psychological variables, and diabetes risk among Chinese mothers with abdominal obesity over 6 months.
MethodsA randomized controlled trial was conducted at health management centers in 2 tertiary hospitals in Changsha, China. The mHealth group (n=40) received 12 weekly web-based lifestyle modification modules for diabetes prevention, 6 biweekly individualized health education messages based on their goal settings, and a Fitbit tracker. The control group (n=40) received 12 weekly web-based general health education modules, 6 biweekly general health education messages, and a Fitbit tracker. Data were collected at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months on the feasibility and acceptability outcomes, weight-related variables (waist circumference and BMI), diabetes risk scores, glycemic levels, behavioral variables (daily step count, active minutes, fruit and vegetable intake, calorie consumption, and sleep duration), and psychological variables (self-efficacy and social support for physical activity and diet, perceived stress, and quality of life). Generalized estimating equations were used for data analysis.
ResultsApproximately 85% (68/80) of the participants completed 6 months of follow-up assessments. Regarding the feasibility and acceptance of the program in the mHealth group, the average number of modules reviewed was 7.9 out of 12, and the satisfaction score was 4.37 out of 5. Significant improvements at 6 months between the intervention and control groups were found in waist circumference (β=–2.24, 95% CI –4.12 to –0.36; P=.02), modifiable diabetes risk scores (β=–2.5, 95% CI –4.57 to –0.44; P=.02), daily steps (β=1.67, 95% CI 0.06-3.29; P=.04), self-efficacy for physical activity (β=1.93, 95% CI 0.44-3.43; P=.01), social support for physical activity (β=2.27, 95% CI 0.80-3.74; P=.002), and physical health satisfaction (β=0.82, 95% CI 0.08-1.55; P=.03). No differences were found in BMI, total diabetes risk score, daily active minutes, daily intake of fruits and vegetables, sleep duration, daily calorie consumption, self-efficacy, and social support for diet (P>.05).
ConclusionsThis study addresses the potential role of tailored lifestyle interventions based on mHealth technology by offering tailored web-based health modules and health information in managing diabetes risk among mothers with abdominal obesity. The mHealth diabetes prevention program provides a flexible, customized, and resource-saving model for busy mothers. Future research could further explore the efficacy improvement on dietary behaviors to better serve the health care needs of this population.
Trial RegistrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2400090554; https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=226411 |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b34e4923fde04a119c8b2bab21441b1c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2291-5222 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | JMIR Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | JMIR mHealth and uHealth |
| spelling | doaj-art-b34e4923fde04a119c8b2bab21441b1c2025-01-24T14:00:37ZengJMIR PublicationsJMIR mHealth and uHealth2291-52222025-01-0113e4783710.2196/47837mHealth-Based Diabetes Prevention Program for Chinese Mothers With Abdominal Obesity: Randomized Controlled TrialQinyuan Huanghttps://orcid.org/0009-0008-1501-4559Qinyi Zhonghttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-7162-0843Yanjing Zenghttps://orcid.org/0009-0000-0803-4510Yimeng Lihttps://orcid.org/0009-0001-9705-1642James Wileyhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-9587-4461Man Ping Wanghttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-4000-2388Jyu-Lin Chenhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-8687-4109Jia Guohttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-8304-9947 BackgroundAmong people with abdominal obesity, women are more likely to develop diabetes than men. Mobile health (mHealth)–based technologies provide the flexibility and resource-saving opportunities to improve lifestyles in an individualized way. However, mHealth-based diabetes prevention programs tailored for busy mothers with abdominal obesity have not been reported yet. ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of an mHealth-based diabetes prevention program and its preliminary efficacy in reducing weight-related variables, behavioral variables, psychological variables, and diabetes risk among Chinese mothers with abdominal obesity over 6 months. MethodsA randomized controlled trial was conducted at health management centers in 2 tertiary hospitals in Changsha, China. The mHealth group (n=40) received 12 weekly web-based lifestyle modification modules for diabetes prevention, 6 biweekly individualized health education messages based on their goal settings, and a Fitbit tracker. The control group (n=40) received 12 weekly web-based general health education modules, 6 biweekly general health education messages, and a Fitbit tracker. Data were collected at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months on the feasibility and acceptability outcomes, weight-related variables (waist circumference and BMI), diabetes risk scores, glycemic levels, behavioral variables (daily step count, active minutes, fruit and vegetable intake, calorie consumption, and sleep duration), and psychological variables (self-efficacy and social support for physical activity and diet, perceived stress, and quality of life). Generalized estimating equations were used for data analysis. ResultsApproximately 85% (68/80) of the participants completed 6 months of follow-up assessments. Regarding the feasibility and acceptance of the program in the mHealth group, the average number of modules reviewed was 7.9 out of 12, and the satisfaction score was 4.37 out of 5. Significant improvements at 6 months between the intervention and control groups were found in waist circumference (β=–2.24, 95% CI –4.12 to –0.36; P=.02), modifiable diabetes risk scores (β=–2.5, 95% CI –4.57 to –0.44; P=.02), daily steps (β=1.67, 95% CI 0.06-3.29; P=.04), self-efficacy for physical activity (β=1.93, 95% CI 0.44-3.43; P=.01), social support for physical activity (β=2.27, 95% CI 0.80-3.74; P=.002), and physical health satisfaction (β=0.82, 95% CI 0.08-1.55; P=.03). No differences were found in BMI, total diabetes risk score, daily active minutes, daily intake of fruits and vegetables, sleep duration, daily calorie consumption, self-efficacy, and social support for diet (P>.05). ConclusionsThis study addresses the potential role of tailored lifestyle interventions based on mHealth technology by offering tailored web-based health modules and health information in managing diabetes risk among mothers with abdominal obesity. The mHealth diabetes prevention program provides a flexible, customized, and resource-saving model for busy mothers. Future research could further explore the efficacy improvement on dietary behaviors to better serve the health care needs of this population. Trial RegistrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2400090554; https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=226411https://mhealth.jmir.org/2025/1/e47837 |
| spellingShingle | Qinyuan Huang Qinyi Zhong Yanjing Zeng Yimeng Li James Wiley Man Ping Wang Jyu-Lin Chen Jia Guo mHealth-Based Diabetes Prevention Program for Chinese Mothers With Abdominal Obesity: Randomized Controlled Trial JMIR mHealth and uHealth |
| title | mHealth-Based Diabetes Prevention Program for Chinese Mothers With Abdominal Obesity: Randomized Controlled Trial |
| title_full | mHealth-Based Diabetes Prevention Program for Chinese Mothers With Abdominal Obesity: Randomized Controlled Trial |
| title_fullStr | mHealth-Based Diabetes Prevention Program for Chinese Mothers With Abdominal Obesity: Randomized Controlled Trial |
| title_full_unstemmed | mHealth-Based Diabetes Prevention Program for Chinese Mothers With Abdominal Obesity: Randomized Controlled Trial |
| title_short | mHealth-Based Diabetes Prevention Program for Chinese Mothers With Abdominal Obesity: Randomized Controlled Trial |
| title_sort | mhealth based diabetes prevention program for chinese mothers with abdominal obesity randomized controlled trial |
| url | https://mhealth.jmir.org/2025/1/e47837 |
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