Purpose This study aimed to develop a mobile-based self-management health alarm (MSHA) program for modifying obese children's lifestyle based on the information-motivation-behavioral skills (IMB) model and to test its feasibility.
Methods A methodological study for the development of the MSHA program and pilot study with a one-group pretest-posttest design for feasibility testing was conducted. The MSHA program was designed to provide obesity-related information (I), monitor daily diet and exercise, provide motivational text messages (M), and enhance healthy diet and exercise skills (B) via a mobile-based web platform. In the feasibility test, six obese children participated in the 4-week program, and the number of days per week that they achieved their goals and differences in metabolic components were assessed. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.
Results Participants successfully achieved their diet and exercise goals≥5 days per week. Body mass index (z=-1.99, p=.046), waist circumference (z=-2.20, p=.028), and triglyceride levels (z=-2.21, p=.027) significantly decreased.
Conclusion The MSHA program showed positive effects on health behaviors and metabolic syndrome risk. The program may be effective in improving metabolic syndrome in obese children by promoting self-health management behaviors.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Communicating physical activity messages with adolescents: what works? A scoping review with stakeholder consultation Caera L Grady, Elaine Murtagh, Kwok Ng, Enrique García Bengoechea, Catherine B Woods International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and .2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Development and validation of the information-motivation-behavioural skills model-based human immunodeficiency virus education kit for adolescents in Malaysia Wan Nur Syamimi Wan Mohamad Darani, Aimi Nadira Mat Ruzlin, Zahir Izuan Azhar, Xin Wee Chen Scientific Reports.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Healthier School Systems for Learners: Government Role in Fostering Holistic Interventions Nsikakabasi Samuel George, Deborah Oluwaseun Shomuyiwa, Molly Unoh Ogbodum, Francis Ima Imoke, Alicja Domagała Journal of Education and Community Health.2024; 11(2): 112. CrossRef