Development of an Evidence-Based mHealth Weight Management Program Using a Formative Research Process.

BACKGROUND There is a critical need for weight management programs that are effective cost efficient accessible and acceptable to adults from diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds mHealth delivered via mobile phone and Internet weight management programs have potential to address this need To maximize the success and cost effectiveness of such an mHealth approach it is vital to develop program content based on effective behavior change techniques proven weight management programs and closely aligned with participants needs OBJECTIVE This study aims to develop an evidence based mHealth weight management program Horizon using formative research and a structured content development process METHODS The Horizon mHealth weight management program involved the modification of the group based UK Weight Action Program WAP for delivery via short message service SMS and the Internet We used an iterative development process with mixed methods entailing two phases 1 expert input on evidence of effective programs and behavior change theory and 2 target population input via focus group n 20 participants one on one phone interviews n 5 and a quantitative online survey n 120 RESULTS Expert review determined that core components of a successful program should include 1 self monitoring of behavior 2 prompting intention formation 3 promoting specific goal setting 4 providing feedback on performance and 5 promoting review of behavioral goals Subsequent target group input confirmed that participants liked the concept of an mHealth weight management program and expressed preferences for the program to be personalized with immediate prompt and informative text messages practical and localized physical activity and dietary information culturally appropriate language and messages offer social support group activities or blogs and weight tracking functions Most target users expressed a preference for at least one text message per day We present the prototype mHealth weight management program Horizon that aligns with those inputs CONCLUSIONS The Horizon prototype described in this paper could be used as a basis for other mHealth weight management programs The next priority will be to further develop the program and conduct a full randomized controlled trial of effectiveness