Publication Type
Journal Article
Version
acceptedVersion
Publication Date
7-2025
Abstract
Background/Introduction: Obesity is projected to affect more than half of the global population by 2035, posing significant health and economic challenges. While lifestyle modification is considered a cornerstone of weight management, its effectiveness often relies on substantial support systems. Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a 12-week, standalone Temporal Self-Regulation Theory (TST)-based weight loss mobile application, which integrates self-regulation techniques, food logging, and dietary nudging, in promoting weight loss among young adults with excess body weight. Methods: A two-arm, parallel-group, 1:1 randomized controlled trial was conducted, adhering to the CONSORT-Outcomes 2022 Extension guidelines. Participants completed a face-to-face body composition analysis and online questionnaires addressing sociodemographic, self-regulation of eating behaviour, overeating habits, time perspective, eating phenotype, nutrition knowledge, and psychological flexibility. The intervention group used the Eating Trigger Response Inhibition Program 2.0 (eTRIP 2.0), a 12-week app-based program, while the control group received no active intervention. Both groups attended follow-up measurements at weeks 12 and 24. Results: A total of 165 participants were enrolled between November 14, 2023, and March 27, 2024. At weeks 0, 12, and 24, the mean weight difference between the intervention and control groups were 0.29 kg (95% CI -3.69 to 4.28 kg), -1.76 kg (95% CI -5.96 to 2.43 kg), and -1.60 kg (95% CI -5.92 to 2.65 kg) respectively. While a significantly higher improvement in weight (-0.89 kg, 95% CI -1.51 kg to -0.27 kg, p=0.005), BMI (-0.32 kg/m2, 95% CI -0.55 kg/ m2 to -0.10 kg/m2, p=0.005), waist circumference (-1.50cm, 95% CI -2.80 cm to -0.19cm, p=0.03), waist-hip ratio (-0.01, 95% CI -0.011 to
Discipline
Graphics and Human Computer Interfaces
Research Areas
Intelligent Systems and Optimization
Areas of Excellence
Digital transformation
Publication
European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing
Volume
24
First Page
1
Last Page
1
ISSN
1474-5151
Identifier
10.1093/eurjcn/zvaf122.128
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Citation
CHEW, H. S. J.; NGOOI, J. W.; DU, R. C.; CHAN, P. Z.; JANSSON, M.; ZHU, B.; CAO, Y.; Chong-Wah NGO; FOO, R.; SHABBIR, A.; HO, D.; SEVDALIS, N.; and NGIAM, K. Y..
Empowering weight loss: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial of a theory-driven self-regulation mobile app for young adults with excess body weight. (2025). European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing. 24, 1-1.
Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/sis_research/10619
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Additional URL
https://doi.org/10.1093/eurjcn/zvaf122.128