TY  - JOUR
AU  - Lee, Ji-Soo
AU  - Kang, Min-Ah
AU  - Lee, Soo-Kyoung
PY  - 2020
DA  - 2020/7/30
TI  - Effects of the e-Motivate4Change Program on Metabolic Syndrome in Young Adults Using Health Apps and Wearable Devices: Quasi-Experimental Study
JO  - J Med Internet Res
SP  - e17031
VL  - 22
IS  - 7
KW  - metabolic syndrome
KW  - telemedicine
KW  - mobile apps
KW  - preventive care
KW  - wearable electronic devices
AB  - Background: The health behaviors of young adults lag behind those of other age groups, and active health management is needed to improve health behaviors and prevent chronic diseases. In addition, developing good lifestyle habits earlier in life could reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) later on. Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of the e-Motivate4Change program, for which health apps and wearable devices were selected based on user needs. The program was developed for the prevention and management of MetS in young adults. Methods: This experimental study used a nonequivalent control group. In total, 59 students from 2 universities in Daegu, Korea participated in the study (experimental group n=30; control group n=29). Data were collected over 4 months, from June 1 to September 30, 2018. The experimental group received a 12-week e-Motivate4Change program intervention, and the control group received MetS education and booklets without the e-Motivate4Change program intervention. Results: After the program, the experimental group had significantly higher scores for health-related lifestyle (t=3.86; P<.001) and self-efficacy (t=6.00; P<.001) than did the control group. Concerning BMI, there were significant effects by group (F=1.01; P<.001) and for the group × time interaction (F=4.71; P=.034). Concerning cholesterol, there were significant main effects for group (F=4.32; P=.042) and time (F=9.73; P<.001). Conclusions: The e-Motivate4Change program effectively improved participants’ health-related lifestyle scores and self-efficacy, and significantly reduced their BMI and cholesterol levels. The program can be used to identify and prevent MetS among young adults. 
SN  - 1438-8871
UR  - http://www.jmir.org/2020/7/e17031/
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2196/17031
UR  - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32729838
DO  - 10.2196/17031
ID  - info:doi/10.2196/17031
ER  -