iStart Smart for Teens for Healthy Weight Management

The emerging epidemic of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in children is coupled with the
increased prevalence of childhood obesity in the last two decades. Obesity during the
adolescent years is associated with many adverse health consequences, including T2DM,
hyperlipidemia, and psychosocial problems. The first step toward effective obesity management
and T2DM prevention is monitoring of physical activity (PA) and dietary intake. With the
rapid expansion of cellular networks, and advancements in smartphone technologies, it is now
possible to monitor PA and dietary intake and at the same time to transmit data digitally to
their primary care providers (PCP). The proposed pilot study will include the collaboration
among UCSF, North East Medical Services (NEMS), mHealth teams, and overweight and/or obese
adolescents. The study will adapt and implement smartphone-based technologies and integrate
these technologies with the Electronic Health Record (EHR) to increase PA and dietary intake.
Two specific aims of this proposed study include: (1) adapt fitbit Ultra applications for the
smartphone-based technologies and EHR and (2) and assess the feasibility and estimate the
effect for patient outcomes (self-efficacy, physical activity, dietary intake, BMI, and lipid
profile), at 3 months post intervention between the intervention and control groups. The
smartphone app for the intervention group will allow the teens to graphically compare daily
PA and dietary intake with the goal, participate in a reward program where they can collect
virtual points for achieving the goal, and play interactive games related to PA and diet. A
total of 40 overweight and/or obese adolescents at NEMS will be recruited and randomized to
the feasibility study (Aim 2). Findings from this study will be used to plan for a NIH R01.