Korean Journal of Community Nutrition

Research Articles

[English]
Effectiveness of a mobile health intervention on weight loss and dietary behavior changes among employees with overweight and obesity: a 12-week intervention study investigating the role of engagement: Imhuei Son, Jiyoun Hong, Young-Hee Han, Bo Jeong Gong, Meng Yuan Zhang, Woori Na, Cheongmin Sohn, Taisun Hyun; Korean J Community Nutr 2023;28(2):141-159. Published online April 30, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.5720/kjcn.2023.28.2.141

Objectives
This study aimed to determine whether a mobile health (mhealth) intervention is effective in reducing weight and changing dietary behavior among employees with overweight and obesity. The study also investigated whether engagement with the intervention affected its effectiveness.
Methods
The intervention involved the use of a dietary coaching app, a wearable device for monitoring physical activity and body composition, and a messenger app for communicating with participants and an intervention manager. A total of 235 employees were recruited for a 12-week intervention from eight workplaces in Korea. Questionnaire surveys, anthropometric measurements, and 24-h dietary recalls were conducted at baseline and after the intervention.
Results
After the intervention, significant decreases in the mean body weight, body mass index, body fat percentage, and waist circumference were observed. Furthermore, the consumption frequencies of multigrain rice and legumes significantly increased, whereas those of pork belly, instant noodles, processed meat, carbonated beverages, and fast food significantly decreased compared with those at baseline. The mean dietary intake of energy and most nutrients also decreased after the intervention. When the participants were categorized into three groups according to their engagement level, significant differences in anthropometric data, dietary behaviors, and energy intake were observed following the intervention, although there were no differences at baseline, indicating that higher engagement level led to greater improvements in weight loss and dietary behavior.
Conclusions
The intervention had positive effects on weight loss and dietary behavior changes, particularly among employees with higher engagement levels. These results indicate the importance of increasing the level of engagement in the intervention to enhance its effectiveness. The mhealth intervention is a promising model for health promotion for busy workers with limited time.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Improving the nutrition quotient and dietary self-efficacy through personalized goal setting and smartphone-based nutrition counseling among adults in their 20s and 30s
Dahyeon Kim, Dawon Park, Young-Hee Han, Taisun Hyun
Journal of Nutrition and Health.2023; 56(4): 419. CrossRef
Process evaluation of a mobile healthcare program among employees with overweight and obesity: a 12-week intervention study investigating the role of engagement
Imhuei Son, Jiyoun Hong, Young Hee Han, Bo Jeong Gong, Meng Yuan Zhang, Woori Na, Cheongmin Sohn, Taisun Hyun
Korean Journal of Community Nutrition.2023; 28(6): 466. CrossRef
Systematic Review on the Study of the Childhood and Adolescent Obesity in Korea: Dietary Risk Factors
Eun Jeong Heo, Jae Eun Shim, Eun Young Yoon
Korean Journal of Community Nutrition.2017; 22(3): 191. CrossRef

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[Korean]
Program Evaluation using the RE-AIM Framework: A Systematic Review and Application to a Pilot Health Promotion Program for Children: Ji-Eun Lee, Jae Eun Shim, Kirang Kim, Jae-Heon Kang, Ji-Yun Hwang; Korean J Community Nutr 2022;27(4):296-308. Published online August 31, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.5720/kjcn.2022.27.4.296

Abstract PDF: Objectives
This study aimed to develop evaluation criteria for the elementary-school-based health promotion program using the RE-AIM framework and to examine their feasibility.
Methods
Previous evaluation studies on health interventions for elementary-school students using the RE-AIM framework were reviewed systematically to identify appropriate evaluation criteria. A diet and physical activity intervention based on the transtheoretical model was implemented in a pilot study using the “Happy Me” application. The feasibility of using the RE-AIM framework to evaluate it was examined.
Results
The review yielded the following evaluation criteria: “reach,” the ratio of participants out of the total target population; “efficacy/effectiveness,” the difference in outcomes between the intervention and control groups, or between a pre- and post-test; “adoption,” the rate of use of the program and participation in the next stage of the program; “implementation,” the progress on the program components; “maintenance,” the participants’ and teachers’ intention to continue using the program. The pilot study reached 76.6% of the targeted population. The intake of sugar-sweetened beverages decreased (P < 0.0001), and the duration of walking increased (P < 0.0001). Other indicators could not be evaluated; therefore, potential indicators were suggested.
Conclusions
This study produced feasible evaluation criteria for elementary-school-based health promotion using the RE-AIM framework. Nevertheless, the feasibility needs to be validated with a broader range of studies and long-term interventions.

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Original Articles

[English]
The Perception of Laymen and Experts Toward Mobile Applications for Self-monitoring of Diet Based on in-depth Interviews and Focus Group Interviews: Jeong Sun Ahn, Sihan Song, Sang Eun Moon, Sejin Kim, Jung Eun Lee; Korean J Community Nutr 2018;23(3):202-215. Published online June 30, 2018; DOI: https://doi.org/10.5720/kjcn.2018.23.3.202

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
We conducted a qualitative study to explore the feasibility of mobile applications for self-monitoring of diet.
METHODS
We conducted in-depth and focus group interviews with eight laymen who had used mobile dietary applications and eight experts. Interviews were audio-recorded and analyzed using an open coding method.
RESULTS
The qualitative data of our study revealed two key themes: (1) perceptions, opinions and attitudes towards mobile applications of self-monitoring of diet and (2) future directions to improve mobile applications.
CONCLUSIONS
Our qualitative study suggested the potential use of mobile applications as a food-tracking and dietary monitoring tool and the need for improved mobile applications for self-monitoring of diet. The results of our study may provide insights into how to technically improve mobile applications for self-monitoring of diet, how to utilize dietary data generated through mobile applications, and how to improve individual's health though mobile applications.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

NBH (Nutritious Balanced and Healthy) – An AI Enhanced Fitness Analyzer
Indhumathi Nagarajan, ABITHA V, AKSHAYA P, DHANSARA S, DHARANGINEE K R
SSRN Electronic Journal.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Diet-Related Mobile Apps to Promote Healthy Eating and Proper Nutrition: A Content Analysis and Quality Assessment
Jihye Choi, Chongwook Chung, Hyekyung Woo
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2021; 18(7): 3496. CrossRef
Application and evaluation of mobile nutrition management service for breast cancer patients
Ji Hee Choi, Seon-Joo Park, Hee Kwon, Hae-Jeung Lee
Journal of Nutrition and Health.2020; 53(1): 83. CrossRef

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[English]
Development and User Satisfaction of a Mobile Phone Application for Image-based Dietary Assessment: Seo Yoon Kim, Sang Jin Chung; Korean J Community Nutr 2017;22(6):485-494. Published online December 31, 2017; DOI: https://doi.org/10.5720/kjcn.2017.22.6.485

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
The objective of this study was to develop mobile phone application for image-based dietary assessment and evaluate satisfaction regarding respondent's use of the mobile phone application.
METHODS
We developed a mobile phone application to assess dietary intakes using 24 hour dietary recall. After initial development, application was reviewed by ten adults and revised based on their comments. We recruited 192 volunteers (92 males, 100 females) to use the mobile phone application and to respond to a satisfaction survey. Participants were instructed to use the mobile phone application with fiducial marker five centimeter in width, length and two centimeter height at each eating occasion during designated 4 days, capturing 45Â° angle and 90Â° angle images of all food and beverage items before and after consumption. After using the mobile phone application for 4 days, participants were asked to complete an online questionnaire on the satisfaction of the mobile phone app. User satisfaction items composed of 12 questions of application user interface, 8 questions of emotional response, 9 questions of eating behavior in 5 likert scale. Participants were also asked to provide additional open-ended comments on the use of mobile phone application. Statistical analysis was performed by using the SPSS 23.0 (Statistical Package for the Social Science).
RESULTS
The average user interface score was 2.82 Â± 1.08, which was close to the â€˜normalâ€™ response. Responses for emotion and eating behavior also were borderline to the â€˜normalâ€™.
CONCLUSIONS
This study found that the mobile phone application using 24-hour recall was acceptable to be used to assess dietary intakes for several days. However, there should be a need for such technology to be user-oriented instead of researcher-oriented. Easy and cost-effective new technology is needed for estimating the amounts of food eaten automatically when the photos are taken.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Diet status of college students evaluated by applying the photographic analysis method
Chae Hong Lee, Kyung A Lee
Journal of Nutrition and Health.2023; 56(4): 439. CrossRef
Validity of Estimating Sodium Intake using a Mobile Phone Application of 24-hour Dietary Recall with Meal Photos
Seo-Yoon Kim, Sang-Jin Chung
Korean Journal of Community Nutrition.2020; 25(4): 317. CrossRef

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