Implementation of a mobile app (TeenPower) to prevent overweight and obesity: Preliminary results regarding lifestyle and usability

The world is facing an enormous challenge: the vital need to prevent noncommunicable diseases such as overweight and obesity. Prevention programs must be not only valid and effective, but also attractive to young people. In fact, if the tool or program used is not attractive, the adherence to the treatment may not occur. The TeenPower project intended to create a platform for promoting healthy behaviors and fight overweight/obesity. This paper presents the preliminary results of the program regarding adolescents' lifestyle and the usability tests. Adolescents from three different schools in the center of Portugal were recruited. Results showed that adolescents presented moderate healthy lifestyles, with the Interpersonal Relationships subscale showing higher values. Boys presented higher values in the subscale of Interpersonal Relationships compared to girls (p<0.001) and there are statistical differences between schools relating to the Stress Management subscale (p=0.014). Most users made a positive assessment in terms of perception of utility, perception of ease and attitude towards the TeenPower app. Nonetheless only 33.2% of the adolescents invited activated their profile at the TeenPower app. This final assessment was important to gather information and feedback to improve future prevention programs, which should focus on motivating these adolescents and their parents to use this type of apps. In a future research it will be also important to understand the reasons for teenager's refusal to join this kind of programs.