Development and evaluation of application for improving psychosomatic health

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K11668
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 59040:Nutrition science and health science-related
• Research Institution: Yamaguchi University
• Principal Investigator: Uechi Hiroaki 山口大学, 教育学部, 准教授 (60367084)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 健康行動 / 行動変容 / スマートフォン / 身体活動 / 食行動 / 強みの活用

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study sought to examine the effects of smartphone applications which aimed at promoting physical activity, healthy eating behavior, and utilization of character strengths for improving physical and mental health. The participants were 44 university students, assigning to 22 in the intervention group and 22 in the control group. As results of the analysis, healthy eating behaviors (eating pattern and eating restriction) were promoted, and mental health was also improved in intervention group. In addition, almost participants evaluated that they satisfied the needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness by using the application, and the adherence of using the application could be maintained high level (Median = 21.5/30 days). These findings suggested some of the effectiveness of this application for improving physical and mental health.

Free Research Field

健康行動科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

定期的な身体活動や健康的な食行動の重要性は広く知られるところであるが、実際にこれらを実践している国民の割合は低い。そこで、本研究では、健康行動変容のためのスマートフォン用アプリケーションを開発し、その効果について検証を行った。アプリケーション内容は行動科学の理論に基づき、利用者が自発的に無理なく健康行動に取り組めるように工夫した。30日間の介入の結果、食行動および心身の健康の改善が認められた。