MOWI Qualitative Assessment

Mobile Health Obesity Wellness Intervention in Rural Older Adults (MOWI): Qualitative Assessment

This qualitative study seeks to assess whether mobile health technologies are helpful for older adults. It is the first in a series of four studies whose overarching goal is to conduct a program of pilot research aimed at developing and evaluating a technology-assisted wellness intervention for older adults with obesity who may or may not live in a rural area.

This study is designed and conducted as a series of eighteen individual semi-structured interviews and four focus group discussions. There are three participant groups: 1) older adults (age ≥ 65 years) with diagnosed obesity, 2) primary care clinicians who care for older adults, and 3) community leaders. Focus group discussions are conducted with the older adult cohort only.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age ≥65 years;
• Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 30kg/m^2;
• Waist circumference ≥88cm in females or ≥102cm in males

Exclusion Criteria:

• Severe mental or life-threatening illness
• Dementia
• Substance use
• History of bariatric surgery
• Suicidal ideation
• Unable to perform measures
• Reside in a nursing home