Korean J Health Promot.  2016 Dec;16(4):251-259. 10.15384/kjhp.2016.16.4.251.

Acceptability and Feasibility of a Smartphone Application for 5th, 6th Grade Elementary Students to Prevent Childhood Obesity; a Qualitative Study

• Jung JH
• Cho YG
• Ji DY
• Kang JH

• KMID: 2367357
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.15384/kjhp.2016.16.4.251

Abstract

BACKGROUND
This study aimed to describe the acceptability and feasibility of the "HAPPY ME", a smartphone application (app) for guiding healthy eating habits and physical activities to prevent childhood obesity, through in-depth interviews of 5th and 6th grade students of an elementary school.
METHODS
A total of 25 students were recruited from grades 5 and 6 of an elementary school in Gimpo. They were asked to participate in in-depth interviews about expectations regarding the "HAPPY ME", smartphone usage behaviors, perceptions and attitudes towards health, and satisfaction with the "HAPPY ME", before and after the 4-week trial of the "HAPPY ME".
RESULTS
Study participants reported a high level of satisfaction regarding gamification elements such as awarding points as rewards for completing missions and using closed social networking services with friends. They also reported that their eating habits had improved after the 4-week trial. However, some students felt that the app was complicated to use and recommended that it should have prompts as notifications.
CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that the "HAPPY ME" is acceptable and feasible for use with children. However, the app needs to be modified based on the results of this study.

Keyword

Obesity; Mobile applications; Child; Child nutrition sciences; Exercise

MeSH Terms

Awards and Prizes
Child
Child Nutrition Sciences
Eating
Friends
Gyeonggi-do
Humans
Mobile Applications
Motor Activity
Obesity
Pediatric Obesity*
Religious Missions
Reward
Smartphone*

Figure

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  Figure 1. Screenshots of the “HAPPY ME” application.

Reference

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