Analyzing Pediatric Providers' Attitudes To Mobile Health Apps in Weight Management for Adolescents

Background: Mobile health interventions may help treat childhood obesity, particularly during the pandemic where face-to-face contact maybe limited. Pediatricians play a key role in weight management efforts for youth. This study examined pediatricians' personal experiences with health apps and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.) Md.), 2021-12, Vol.29, p.57-57
Main Authors: Wen, Xin, Nguyen, Linh, Kowalski-Dobson, Theresa, Mohammed, Layla, Woolford, Susan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Pediatrics
Personal health
Teenagers
Telemedicine
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Summary:Background: Mobile health interventions may help treat childhood obesity, particularly during the pandemic where face-to-face contact maybe limited. Pediatricians play a key role in weight management efforts for youth. This study examined pediatricians' personal experiences with health apps and their perspectives on incorporating apps into weight management for their patients. Methods: In summer 2019 an online survey was fielded to providers (faculty and residents) at the University of Michigan pediatric primary care clinics. Survey items included pediatricians' personal use and their thoughts about popular health apps, as well as qualities they believe are important for an effective health app. Descriptive statistic were calculated; t-tests and linear regression were used to test associations. Results: Respondents (n = 51) were predominantly female (80%) and white (76%). 76% indicated use of at least one app for their personal health. Providers' satisfaction with health apps was positively associated with their willingness to recommend that app to their patients (p = 0.001). Most (55%) had not recommended apps to their patients, mainly due to a lack of evidence-based weight-related apps for adolescents. Respondents overall rated ease of use and cost-effectiveness as the most important features of an effective health app. Non-White respondents gave a higher ranking to the need for apps to be costeffective and customizable compared to White respondents. Conclusions: Pediatricians view apps for adolescent weight management positively but few have recommended them to patients. Further work is needed to develop and test weight management apps for youth with desired qualities and to educate pediatricians about their
ISSN:1930-7381
1930-739X