Mobile But Connected: Harnessing the Power of Self-Efficacy and Group Support for Weight Loss Success through mHealth Intervention.
Despite the growing popularity of mHealth applications, their usage outcomes have received limited empirical attention. Drawing on server-level user activity data and an online survey (N = 384), this study examines the use of an mHealth application for weight loss to elucidate the ways in which it can help individuals harness the power of self-efficacy and group support to enact behavior change and accomplish their health goals. The results of structural equation modeling based on 6-month user activity data demonstrated that (a) self-efficacy had a positive impact on persistent food logging in an mHealth application; (b) social support received from a mobile group was positively associated with food logging and group participation; and (c) both food logging and group participation predicted weight loss success. Extending these findings, this study suggests theoretical and practical implications for designing individually tailored and evidence-based health intervention strategies using advanced mHealth technologies.
a Hugh Downs School of Human Communication , Arizona State University , Tempe , Arizona , USA.
Heewon
H
Kim
b Department of Communication , Rutgers University , New Brunswick , New Jersey , USA.
Meara
M
Faw
c Noom, Inc ., New York , New York , USA.
Andreas
A
Michaelides
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D015397:Program Evaluation; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017216:Telemedicine; D015431:Weight Loss; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs