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01-09-2016 | Original Research

Do Arabic weight-loss apps adhere to evidence-informed practices?

Authors: Aroub A. Alnasser, MSc, PhD student, Raja E. Amalraj, PhD, Arjuna Sathiaseelan, PhD, Abdulrahman S. Al-Khalifa, Prof, Debbi Marais, PhD

Published in: Translational Behavioral Medicine | Issue 3/2016

Abstract

Mobile technology has been used successfully for promoting health and weight loss and for treating obesity. There is a high prevalence of smartphone and tablet users among the Saudi population. This study aimed to identify whether current Arabic weight-loss apps had features that adhered to evidence-informed practices. The six most relevant app stores were systematically searched using the Arabic words for weight and diet (n = 298). All apps that met the inclusion criteria (n = 65) were downloaded and examined for adherence to 13 evidence-informed practices. Latent class analysis identified two subgroups of apps: self-monitoring (15 % of apps) and advice-giving apps (85 %). The median number of evidence-informed practices was 1 (1, 2), with no apps having more than six and only nine apps including four to six. Meal planning was the most common feature (38 % of apps). These findings identify serious weaknesses in the currently available Arabic weight-loss apps. Thus, existing and future apps should include more features based on the best available evidence in the context of Arab culture.

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Title: Do Arabic weight-loss apps adhere to evidence-informed practices?
Authors: Aroub A. Alnasser, MSc, PhD student
Raja E. Amalraj, PhD
Arjuna Sathiaseelan, PhD
Abdulrahman S. Al-Khalifa, Prof
Debbi Marais, PhD
Publication date: 01-09-2016
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Translational Behavioral Medicine / Issue 3/2016
Print ISSN: 1869-6716
Electronic ISSN: 1613-9860
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13142-015-0347-7

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Do Arabic weight-loss apps adhere to evidence-informed practices?

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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