A Self-directed Mobile Intervention to Promote Weight Control Among Employees of a Lebanese University

BACKGROUND: Recent reviews show that popular mobile apps for weight loss and weight management embed elements that are commonly associated with behavior change, such as setting goals, self-reporting and monitoring behavior, and prompting feedback on performance. These technologies show good potential for developing interventions for the prevention of noncommunicable diseases. Despite their potential, little is known about how these changes can occur and the way end-users perceive and use these apps. Few studies tested if commercial apps for weight management can be used in interventions for behavior change.

PURPOSE: To assess the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a self-directed weight-loss intervention targeting employees of an academic institution, using consumer mobile applications for weight loss (Lark and MyFitnessPal).

SETTING: American University of Beirut campus and Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.

PARTICIPANTS: Employees (adults aged 18+), with criteria of being able to read, write, and understand English, being owners of a mobile phone with either Android (v4.4 or above) or iPhone operative system (v8 or later); in better controlling their weight, and provide written informed consent to participate in the trial.

RESEARCH DESIGN: The study is a single-center, parallel randomized controlled trial with two study arms (intervention and control). The intervention arm will use Lark, a mobile coach app, which provides a just-in-time adaptive intervention (JITAI) by providing motivational feedback, goal setting, and emotional social support, among other change techniques. The control group will use MyFitnessPal, a calorie-counting app, which does not include JITAI components, but allows users to keep track of their caloric intake and energy expenditure.

EXPECTED IMPACT: This project will provide preliminary evidence on the efficacy of weight management apps, promoting behavior change among employees of an academic workplace. The results will inform larger scale studies targeting this population in Lebanon, and will be used as benchmark for further investigations in other settings and with other target groups.

Inclusion criteria

• Be an employee of the American University of Beirut (AUB) or its Medical Center (AUBMC).
• To be able to read, write, and understand English.
• To own a mobile phone with either Android (v4.4 or above) with or iOS (v8 or later).
• To be interested in better controlling their weight.

Exclusion criteria

• Students, who cannot prove their status as full-time or part-time employees at AUB or AUBMC.
• Employees who are not able to read, write, and understand English.
• Employees who do not own a mobile phone with either Android (v4.4 or above) or iOS (v8 or later).
• Employees who have physical disabilities preventing them from exercising or walking.
• Employees who are on a special diet for treatment of chronic conditions (e.g., Diabetes).