Aims
Digital diabetes prevention is a scalable strategy, but its perceived usefulness among Chinese adults with prediabetes remains underexplored. This paper reported the self-report engagement and perceived usefulness of an ongoing digital diabetes prevention program targeting weight loss and lifestyle modification among Chinese adults with prediabetes.
Methodology
Chinese adults (40-60 years) with obesity and prediabetes were recruited to receive a 12-month digital diabetes prevention programme delivered via a smartphone application (app). The app encompasses health data recording, goal setting and self-monitoring, as well as a structured online diabetes prevention curriculum. The online curriculum includes 1) a 6-month core curriculum with weekly nutrition/exercise videos followed by a 6-month post-core curriculum with monthly videos, and 2) exercise videos. An online Qualtrics survey collected participants’ feedback at 6 and 12 months.
Results
At 6 months,163 participants completed the online feedback forms (62% females, baseline mean age 53.4±5.9 years, mean BMI 28.0±3.3 kg/m2, mean HbA1c 6.0±0.3%). Around 20% of participants used the app ≥4 times/ week. Around 47% used the app at least once/month. 86% participants watched the curriculum videos, 68% watched the exercise videos. 25 % and 31% reported exercising with the videos at least weekly and occasionally, respectively.
At 12 months, among respondents who used the app at least monthly, the top activity was watching curriculum videos (82%), followed by watching exercise videos (70%), recording step counts (65%), weight (55%), blood test reports (54%), exercise (42%) and setting goals (42%). Users agreed/strongly agreed that the app enabled better health record management (77%); facilitated active lifestyle (67%), healthy diet (65%) and weight loss (70%). Busy schedules, inconvenience and not used to using the app were the top self-reported barriers to engage user.
Conclusion
The digital diabetes prevention program, including a self-monitoring mobile app and online videos, was perceived as useful by participants.