Effect of a Mobile App for Obese Children on Eating Attitudes, Eating Awareness, and Healthy Eating Self-Efficacy

The Effect of a Mobile Application Developed for Obese Children on Eating Attitudes, Eating Awareness, and Healthy Eating Self-Efficacy

This study aims to evaluate the effect of a mobile application developed for obese children on eating attitudes, eating awareness, and healthy eating self-efficacy. The application seeks to support children in developing healthy eating habits and to integrate nursing interventions with digital health technologies in combating obesity. Data will be collected through a researcher-developed Information Form and three validated scales: the Eating Attitude Test, the Eating Awareness Scale, and the Healthy Eating Self-Efficacy Scale, completed by both children and parents.

This study aims to evaluate the effect of a mobile application developed for obese children on their eating attitudes, eating awareness levels, and self-efficacy regarding healthy eating, with the aim of contributing to the integration of nursing interventions with digital health technologies in the fight against obesity. Increasing childhood obesity negatively affects not only physical health but also psychosocial development, necessitating multifaceted and sustainable interventions. In line with nurses' effective roles in health education and behaviour change, the application will be developed to support children in acquiring and maintaining healthy eating habits. Additionally, the integration of digital technologies into nursing care and their effectiveness in reaching families will be evaluated; this study will provide a unique contribution to this area, which is lacking in the literature.

The research data will be collected using the Information Form created by the researcher, the Healthy Eating Self-Efficacy Scale for Children, the Eating Attitude Test for Children, and the Eating Awareness Scale for Children.

A total of 18 questions comprising demographic characteristics of children and parents and their eating habits will be used to collect data for the study. In addition, the Eating Attitude Test, consisting of 26 items, will be used to assess eating behaviour and the risk of possible eating disorders in children aged 8-15 years. the 12-item Eating Awareness Scale to determine the degree to which children aged 8-11 are mindful or automatic while eating, and the 9-item Healthy Eating Self-Efficacy Scale to assess the perceived competence of children aged 8-10 in healthy eating. All forms and scales will be completed by children and parents.

Inclusion Criteria:

• The child must be between 8 and 10 years old,
• The child must not have any chronic illnesses other than obesity,
• The child must be able to read and write in Turkish,
• The child must be able to use a mobile device,
• The child must not have a visual impairment,
• The parent must be willing to participate in the study,
• The parent must be able to read and write in Turkish,
• The parent or child must have a smartphone.

Exclusion Criteria:

• If they wish to withdraw from the study at any stage of the research,
• If they do not wish to use the mobile application at any stage of the research.