Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates.
Independent Researcher, Al Ain P.O. Box 67258, United Arab Emirates.
Nutrients. 2021 Jul 26;13(8):2547. doi: 10.3390/nu13082547.
Poor eating habits and sedentary lifestyle are common among young adults and increase the risk for chronic diseases later in life. Due to the widespread use of information technology among young adults, the Rashakaty (Fitness for Me) study aimed to develop and test the feasibility of a technology-based nutrition education intervention. This would support overweight and obese university students to achieve weight loss, enhance nutrition knowledge, and increase physical activity levels.
We enrolled 246 participants in a 16-week non-randomized feasibility study with two arms: Rashakaty-Basic and Rashakaty-Enhanced. The intervention was guided by social cognitive theory and was delivered via a website and mobile apps.
Among the 161 participants who completed the endline assessments, there was no significant difference in weight loss between the two arms. However, waist circumference decreased more ( = 0.003) in the Rashakaty -Enhanced group. Additionally, changes in knowledge related to sources of nutrients ( < 0.001) and diet-disease relationships ( = 0.006) were significantly higher among the Rashakaty-Enhanced group. Rashakaty-Enhanced participants reported increased number of days spent on moderate physical activity ( = 0.013) and minutes walked ( < 0.001). Moreover, they also reported higher scores in social support from friends to reduce fat intake ( = 0.006) and from family and friends to increase physical activity ( = 0.001).
The results of this feasibility study can assist in the development and implementation of future technology-mediated health promotion programs in the UAE, especially for young adults.
不良的饮食习惯和久坐的生活方式在年轻人中很常见，这增加了他们日后患慢性病的风险。由于年轻人广泛使用信息技术，因此 Rashakaty（适合我）研究旨在开发和测试基于技术的营养教育干预措施的可行性。该研究旨在支持超重和肥胖的大学生减轻体重，增强营养知识，并提高身体活动水平。
我们对 246 名参与者进行了一项为期 16 周的非随机可行性研究，该研究分为两个组：Rashakaty-Basic 和 Rashakaty-Enhanced。该干预措施以社会认知理论为指导，通过网站和移动应用程序进行。
在完成终线评估的 161 名参与者中，两组之间的体重减轻没有显著差异。然而， Rashakaty-Enhanced 组的腰围减少更多（ = 0.003）。此外， Rashakaty-Enhanced 组中与营养来源（ < 0.001）和饮食与疾病关系（ = 0.006）相关的知识变化显著更高。Rashakaty-Enhanced 组参与者报告称，中度身体活动（ = 0.013）和步行时间（ < 0.001）增加。此外，他们还报告称，从朋友那里获得减少脂肪摄入（ = 0.006）和从家人和朋友那里获得增加身体活动（ = 0.001）的社会支持得分更高。
这项可行性研究的结果可以为未来在阿联酋开展基于技术的健康促进计划提供帮助，特别是针对年轻人。
