title: Integrating mobile technology with routine dietetic practice: the case of myPace for weight management.
abstract: The field of Mobile health (mHealth), which includes mobile phone applications (apps), is growing rapidly and has the potential to transform healthcare by increasing its quality and efficiency. The present paper focuses particularly on mobile technology for body weight management, including mobile phone apps for weight loss and the available evidence on their effectiveness. Translation of behaviour change theory into weight management strategies, including integration in mobile technology is also discussed. Moreover, the paper presents and discusses the myPace platform as a case in point. There is little clinical evidence on the effectiveness of currently available mobile phone apps in enabling behaviour change and improving health-related outcomes, including sustained body weight loss. Moreover, it is unclear to what extent these apps have been developed in collaboration with health professionals, such as dietitians, and the extent to which apps draw on and operationalise behaviour change techniques has not been explored. Furthermore, presently weight management apps are not built for use as part of dietetic practice, or indeed healthcare more widely, where face-to-face engagement is fundamental for instituting the building blocks for sustained lifestyle change. myPace is an innovative mobile technology for weight management meant to be embedded into and to enhance dietetic practice. Developed out of systematic, iterative stages of engagement with dietitians and consumers, it is uniquely designed to complement and support the trusted health practitioner-patient relationship. Future mHealth technology would benefit if engagement with health professionals and/or targeted patient groups, and behaviour change theory stood as the basis for technology development. Particularly, integrating technology into routine health care practice, rather than replacing one with the other, could be the way forward.
authors: Department of Information Systems and Computing,Brunel University,Kingston Lane,Uxbridge UB8 3PH,UK.
authors: Michelle
authors: M
authors: Harricharan
authors: European Food Information Council,Tassel House,Paul-Emile Janson 6,1000, Brussels,Belgium.
authors: Raymond
authors: R
authors: Gemen
authors: European Food Information Council,Tassel House,Paul-Emile Janson 6,1000, Brussels,Belgium.
authors: Laura Fernández
authors: LF
authors: Celemín
authors: White October,3 The Gallery,34 Marston Street,Oxford OX4 1LF,UK.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Fletcher
authors: School of Health Professions,Faculty of Health and Human Sciences,Plymouth University,Derriford Road,Plymouth,Devon PL6 8BH,UK.
authors: Anne E
authors: AE
authors: de Looy
authors: European Food Information Council,Tassel House,Paul-Emile Janson 6,1000, Brussels,Belgium.
authors: Josephine
authors: J
authors: Wills
authors: European Food Information Council,Tassel House,Paul-Emile Janson 6,1000, Brussels,Belgium.
authors: Julie
authors: J
authors: Barnett
mesh_terms: D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D003226:Congresses as Topic; D004046:Dietetics / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D002149:Energy Intake; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006801:Humans; D063731:Mobile Applications / Q000639:trends; D064686:Nutritionists; D050177:Overweight / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D057285:Precision Medicine; D024382:Professional Role; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D018581:Technology Transfer; D006113:United Kingdom; D000078329:Workforce
keywords: App mobile phone application; Dietetics; Energy balance; Mobile phone application/app; Weight management; mHealth; mHealth Mobile health