Development of a mobile-based self-management health alarm program for obese children in South Korea and a test of its feasibility for metabolic outcomes: A study based on the information-motivation-behavioral skills model

PURPOSE: This study aimed to develop a mobile-based self-management health alarm (MSHA) program for modifying obese children's lifestyle based on the information-motivation-behavioral skills (IMB) model and to test its feasibility. METHODS: A methodological study for the development of the MSHA program and pilot study with a one-group pretest-posttest design for feasibility testing was conducted. The MSHA program was designed to provide obesity-related information (I), monitor daily diet and exercise, provide motivational text messages (M), and enhance healthy diet and exercise skills (B) via a mobile-based web platform. In the feasibility test, six obese children participated in the 4-week program, and the number of days per week that they achieved their goals and differences in metabolic components were assessed. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS: Participants successfully achieved their diet and exercise goals ≥ 5 days per week. Body mass index (z=−1.99, p=.046), waist circumference (z=−2.20, p=.028), and triglyceride levels (z=−2.21, p=.027) significantly decreased. CONCLUSION: The MSHA program showed positive effects on health behaviors and metabolic syndrome risk. The program may be effective in improving metabolic syndrome in obese children by promoting self-health management behaviors.