The Effect of Using a Meal Tracking Smartphone Application in Overweight and Obese Adolescents with Prediabetes or Type 2 Diabetes to Improve BMI and HbA1c

Author

Lauren Torhorst, Valparaiso University

Date of Award

5-1-2024

Degree Type

Evidence-Based Project Report

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Kristine Davis

Abstract

Obesity has become one of the most common chronic pediatric illnesses worldwide and is closely linked to the onset of prediabetes and subsequent Type 2 Diabetes (T2D); therefore, preventing and treating childhood obesity has become a high priority (Hampl et al., 2023). The purpose of this Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) project is to lower Glycosylated Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C) and Body Mass Index (BMI) in overweight and obese youth with prediabetes and T2D using a meal tracking smartphone application. The Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice Model (JHNEBP) was utilized to pilot this project between two pediatric endocrinology offices located in Southeast Wisconsin. Upon organizational approval of this EBP project, adolescents, aged 10 to 18, were recruited based on strict inclusion criteria including a diagnosis of prediabetes or T2D, obesity defined using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) (2022c) BMI percentile calculator specific to children and prior nonuse of a meal tracking smartphone application. A total of 10 adolescents were recruited in 10–15-minute educational encounters. To achieve a reduction in both BMI and HbA1c in these participants, a smartphone application for meal tracking called Nourishly© was utilized to track dietary intake and provide individualized, diet specific education and feedback over a 12-week period. Seven educational handouts were also provided and utilized to help guide app usage as well as provide diabetes specific, dietary education to participants and their families. A paired t test was utilized to analyze the primary outcomes of the project including pre- and post- intervention BMI and HbA1c measures. Results for BMI showed no statistical evidence of a decrease (t =- 0.655(9), p=0.264). Similar results were seen for HbA1c and there was no statistical evidence of a decrease (V=39, p=0.890). This EBP project highlights the need for further research to assess the use of dietary specific smartphone applications and their impact on HbA1c and BMI in overweight and obese youth with prediabetes and T2D in light of the digital era.

Creative Commons License

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Recommended Citation

Torhorst, Lauren, "The Effect of Using a Meal Tracking Smartphone Application in Overweight and Obese Adolescents with Prediabetes or Type 2 Diabetes to Improve BMI and HbA1c" (2024). Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports. 206.
https://scholar.valpo.edu/ebpr/206