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Completed

NCT Number: NCT04919759

Feasibility of Technology Mediated Lifestyle Intervention for Overweight and Obese Young Adults

Rashakaty (Fitness for Me) study aimed to design a new technologies-based intervention using a website and smart phone applications and to test the feasibility of implementing a lifestyle intervention using these technologies for overweight and obese university students. The intervention was implemented in two universities in the United Arab Emirates

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Key information

Conditions

Overweight and Obesity Body Weight Nutrition Disorders Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Obesity Overnutrition Overweight Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

United Arab Emirates University

Al Ain City, Select State Or Region, United Arab Emirates

About this study

Poor eating habits and sedentary lifestyle are common among young adults and increase risk for chronic diseases in subsequent years of life. Rashakaty (Fitness for Me) study aimed to design a new technologies-based intervention using a website and smart phone applications and to test the feasibility of implementing a lifestyle intervention using these technologies for overweight and obese university students. The study intervention was guided by Social Cognitive Theory. The study involved the development of a website, integrating educational material and mobile applications for monitoring diet and physical activity and a16-week feasibility trial to promote weight loss, improve food choices and increase physical activity levels. The trial consisted of two arms: Rashakaty Basic (R-Basic) and Rashakaty Enhanced (R-Enhanced).

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Overweight or obese (BMI ≥25.0
  • Adults: Female
  • Age: 18-35 years
  • Current user of a smart phone
  • Student in one of the two target universities in the United Arab Emirates
  • Living in or off the university campus

Exclusion criteria

  • Past or planned weight loss surgery
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Lost 7 kg in the past 3 months
  • Following any weight loss program for 3 months or more
  • Taking any steroid or thyroid hormones treatment or any other medication that may affect body weight
  • Enrolled in medical and nutrition programs since one of the program components was nutrition knowledge assessments

Treatment and study plan

R-Basic

Behavioral

Participants in the R-Basic arm received access to a static website that contained educational materials on healthier eating and physical activity and the study questionnaires. The R-Basic intervention was implemented in the University of Sharjah.

Other names: Rashakaty Basic intervention

R-Enhanced

Behavioral

The R-Enhanced intervention was guided by the Social Cognitive Theory and employed a variety of behavior modification strategies, including self-monitoring, goal setting, self-efficacy, and social support to facilitate changes in diet and physical activity. In addition, participants in the R-Enhanced intervention had online access to a nutritionist. The R-Enhanced intervention was implemented in the United Arab Emirates University.

Other names: Rashakaty Enhanced intervention

Primary outcomes

  1. Body weight

    Time frame: 16 weeks

    changes in body weight

  2. Body composition

    Time frame: 16 weeks

    Changes in body composition (percent body fat)

Secondary outcomes

  1. Nutrition knowledge

    Time frame: 16 weeks

    The General Nutrition Awareness Questionnaire (GNKQ) validated by Parmenter and Wardle in the UK. was used after local adaptation. Four main categories containing a total of 58 items were assessed:1) Awareness of dietary recommendations (11 items); 2) Knowledge of sources of nutrients (37 items); (3) Using the information to make dietary choices (5 items); and 4) Awareness of diet-disease relationships (5 items).

  2. Physical activity

    Time frame: 16 weeks

    Changes in physical activity (number of days and duration) was used using The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) - Short Form

  3. Perceived social support from family and closest friends.

    Time frame: 16 weeks

    Perceived social support for healthier foods and physical activity scale of Health Beliefs Questionnaire which was originally developed by Anderson, E. and colleagues was used after adaptation for university students in the UAE. The social support subscale (16 items for healthy eating and 7 items for physical activity) measures social influences on participants by their family members and closest friends. Each question is scored 1-5 (1 - Strongly disagree, 5 - Strongly agree).

  4. Perceived self-efficacy for healthier eating and physical activity

    Time frame: 16 weeks

    Perceived self-efficacy scale of Health Beliefs Questionnaire which was originally developed by Anderson, E. and colleagues after local adaptation was used. It consists of 33 items for healthy eating and 24 items for physical activity. The healthy food efficacy measure assesses the respondent's confidence in reducing fat, reducing sugar consumption and increasing fruit and vegetable intake. The physical activity measure consists of two subscales: overcoming barriers to engaging in physical activity and integrating physical activity into the daily routine. Each question is scored 0 to 100 (certain I cannot) to 100) all or most of the time.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

United Arab Emirates University

Other

Collaborators

  • University of Sharjah

Registry information

Official study title

Development, Implementation and Evaluation of Technology Mediated Lifestyle Intervention for Promoting Weight Loss and Improving Nutrition Behaviors Among Young Adults

Acronym: Rashakaty

Important dates

Study start
2016
Primary completion
2017
Study completion
2017
First posted
Jun 9, 2021
Registry last updated
Jun 9, 2021

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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