Influence Of Using Mobile Health Monitoring Applications among Elderly Patients for Obesity in the UK

Background: The incidence of obesity in the elderly in the UK is increasing raising a major public health concern associated with comorbidities and costs of healthcare. However, given the increasing role of mobile health (mHealth) applications in weight management, little research has been conducted to date to evaluate their effectiveness for this purpose within an elderly population. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of using mHealth monitoring applications in the UK on both the related health outcomes and the directly related behaviour changes, usability, and ethical concerns among elderly patients with obesity. Methods: Systematic literature review design was used, where quantitative peer-reviewed studies done from 2013 – 2023 were analysed. Databases such as PubMed, Scopus and CINAHL were searched using predefined keywords. Inclusion criteria included studies of elderly users aged 60 and above using mobile application for weight management which showed measurable outcome like BMI, behavioural change, and user engagement. The data of 10 studies were critically appraised and thematically synthesised into four major themes. Results: mHealth interventions resulted in moderate, however, statistically substantial, BMI and body weight decreases particularly for more than 12 weeks. Self-monitoring and dietary habits improved, but overall engagement has to be maintained, and usability barriers found. Areas for further research will be highlighted in the chapter, and the implications of the insights for policy and practice discussed. There are obvious privacy concerns, with people not familiar with data sharing policies, for the need of ethical transparency. Results from this study can be applied to inform the design of future mHealth interventions, and the results from better, more engaging and easier to use apps for elderly users. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that mHealth applications can assist with obese management of the elderly in the UK, provided their usability and privacy issues are resolved. This leads to the need for age-appropriate app design and a better understanding of the data and more longitudinal research.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

msc

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

masters

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Wales Trinity Saint David

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Vekariya, Ekta Atulkumar

• RA0421 Lechyd cyhoeddus. Glanweithdra. Meddygaeth Ataliol

Dc Identifier Grantnumber

UWTSD

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.uwtsd.ac.uk:3908